CRETE - A Year in Review

CPTNHOOK2 wrote:

I will be more than willing to hand over the reigns, just let me know when you are ready to take over the story telling.

I don't mind a bit, I commend your resourcefulness, or at the very least, your source. Maha-bone

Just remember, I'm watching you!:smt024

 

mugzy wrote:

I beg to differ. I wasn't kidding when I said they you couldn't pick a worse company. I know you are feeling the sting of being turned down by Crete, but don't go to Werner (broke my own rule) out of spite. You will regret every moment (especially at 26cpm). I would even suggest Swift before going blue. If you should go to Werner, please put up a thread detailing your adventures so that future drivers can learn from your mistake. Or they could just read the dozens of threads already on this board detailing just such misery. Don't give up, there are other options, although in this job market, I'm not really sure which way to point you. Schneider was always a good option, but from what I hear they have suspended hiring students. Check out Prime and Stevens. Not great, but a thought.

Now for the nasty part. I realize this may come off as a little harsh, but I feel I must defend Crete's actions.

mugzy wrote:

Well, yes you should have remembered these. Driving records are incredibly important in this line of work due largely to insurance company guidelines. I realize that you only had a 39 month report, but the application that you filled out clearly asked for all incidents within the last 5 years. Note bold red lettering.

Whether you omitted these details by oversight or intention it results in the same conclusion. You lied on your application, and in doing so you gave Crete no other option but to turn down your application. Two tickets and an accident, regardless of it's severity will be quite a hindrance in your search of a quality carrier.

This job market is not what it was a couple of years ago. Good companies like Crete (despite SuperSnacks opinion) are no longer desperate for drivers. They are in a position to set some fairly stringent guidelines and still have a large pool of drivers to pull from. The denial of your application was a direct result of your attempt to mask past infractions. Simply put, you labeled yourself a lair in their eyes and with multiple qualified applications in the pike, I have no doubt it was a simple decision for the Safety department to make.

That is precisely why you were turned down. Although with 2 tickets and and accident, it might have been a tough road anyway. I also saw that you referred to the accident as a minor bump in a parking lot. As much as I agree with you on the minor nature of this, it is the same kind of thing we have to deal with out here. Many drivers from many companies, including Crete have been fired for being involved in two or three minor incidents that result in virtually no damage. It's just the nature of this less than forgiving job. We are often the scape goat and you have just received your first lesson.

"IF" indeed.

Three weeks does seem a bit drawn out, but what does that tell you. It tells me that they have a large number of applicants to choose from.

Be very leary of statements like these, this is your second lesson in the hard knocks of truck driving.

One thing you should be thankful of is the fact that Crete does a COMPLETE pre-screening of new hires before they walk in the door. When you are approved and sent to your first orientation you are there because you have been hired (pending drug testing and physical).

There are soooo many companies that will "pre-hire" you based on your application. They go on the assumption that you were truthful on your application and that all information is correct. These companies then wait until you walk into the door before confirming any of it. They wait until this time because it is a very costly process and many "pre-hires" don't show up. By waiting until a driver walks into the door, they save money.

Just do a little reading on this board about the horror stories of the numberous drivers that show up at orientation, only to be sent home (at their own expense) two or three days later due to inconsistencies on their application.

At least Crete put the effort into your application before you showed up.

I do agree with you on the differing stories between recruiting and the safety department, but that too is in the nature of the beast.


In closing, I apologize for beating you up. I don't really mean to be so blunt, but maybe it will shed a little light on the importance of a complete application to others, not only for those applying to Crete, but any other company.

 

Me for one, One Million miles without a scratch. Oh crap that did it, I'm jinxed! Well, there was that deer I guess.

 

I can't seem to keep up on the weekly updates, so I'll post a mini version for now.

Despite a less than stellar beginning to this week, beginning with a 24hr layover in PA I have managed to do very well since getting out of that part of the world. The load I got out of PA delivered in TX, but had a horrible 40hr layover built into it. I stopped off at our Knoxville yard and Memphis yard along the way in an effort to Tcall with no real luck. I had the option to do so at both places, but out going freight was always a next day thing so I plugged on down the road and was finally able to get out from under it at our Wilmer yard and actually got a two load offer out of there and have been running strong since.

I'm actually running out of hours. The load I'm under now doesn't deliver until late tomorrow night which will have me sitting all day, but I only have 11 hours left for the next two days anyways.

So after all of my worrying, I still managed to pull 3200 miles out of it in the last seven days since leaving the house. Not what I'm used too, but I must admit, the slower pace has been very relaxing.

 

We'll be looking forward to your KLLM thread, best of luck and drive safe.

 

inthewindaz wrote:

Congrats, sounds like a good gig. I ran regional grocery out of the Southwest Dist center for a little over a year before that company lost the contract. Delivered to Frys in AZ, NV and CA. Was home every other night and weekends. Didn't pay all that well, but the home time was a definite plus.

 

I'll be the first to admit that it isn't as easy as it used to be, but determination goes a long way.