CRETE - A Year in Review

Gee when I applied for Crete last month everybody was happy and content with Crete, now lots are saying how bad it is. This is my first full week out of orientation. No major problems yet other then I got a truck thats probably gona be traded very soon its at 450,000 mi. Looking to get an APU in my truck im running the Nort East region and its gona get cold soon lol.

 

I hear ya Evertruckerr, I just unloaded at consignee here in Albany Ga and I am told by dispatch, " you are 8th in line" so here I sit patiently waiting. I just tell myself it can be worse and give thanks that I do have a job. Actually this year has been very good to me so far with exception of a couple of weeks that I seemed to be stranded in the Quaker state.

 

I see you are here now. Just would like to say thanks for all your great posts.
James

 

No truer words have been spoken. Though I was told I was eligable for rehire in one year, I just found out I am NOT. It was my terminal manager who told me I could rehire with Crete. I kinda believed him, but I kinda didnt. Sayin' and doin' are two different things. It was a bit of a let down to know I can never go back to Crete, but atleast now I know the score. Im just thankful I have a job.
Best of luck to you all!

 

I think the majority are happy with CRETE, even with slow times. I'm happy with my miles and treatment with Crete, and I ALWAYS compare my miles with ET and I'm ALWAYS behind him (LOL) but I dont run as hard as he does, and I take home time more often then he does. Overall, I wouldnt change carriers even if I have to sit a day.

They deadheaded me from Denver down to El Paso to get loaded going to Indiana. This was via telephone call first and I said WOW, thats alot of deadhead, but found out the shipper was paying the empty miles! Its that wonderful copper freight. DRIVE SAFE

 

I've been away for my 2nd week of CDL training. Glad to be back home to catch up on the weeks posts....LOTS to catch up on! So far so good....backing much better than I expected, Shifting ( up and down ) is going pretty darn good, too. Got to take a Mack with a Super 10 on the road yesterday. I think I could learn to love that tranny.... Mid-term range exam is this coming Wednesday with rain expected in Ole Virginny. Oh well, guess I'll have to break out the bright yellow body condom and the paper towels for the mirrors.

My school coordinator is going to check our curriculum and hours (300) with Crete for me to see if I may be one of the exceptions to the PTDI requirement.

Supersnack......I'm very curious about the logic that your terminal manager explained about Crete's continued hiring. Can you elaborate? I can certainly understand your reasoning for feeling that they should not.

I feel as I'm back with friends!

Best to all of you,

captK.

 

Considering the number of available empty trailers from other companies in the El Paso area, for a shipper to be willing to pay the deadhead charge from Denver, that says something about Crete as a company.

I worked only 18 days in October and still ran 8700 miles. However, keep in mind that October, especially the last half, is generally a heavy freight time. This is due to it being the end of a quater for businesses. The end of December, March, and June are also heavy freight times.

 

Say what???!!! I'm sitting in El Paso right now and my load can't pick up 'til Monday. Yes, indeedee ... I'm doing my second restart since starting out on the 2nd and I sure as dookee don't need one.

All in all, the first week back out wasn't too bad,though. 2833 miles. When I do finally pick this next one up, it's a good one. Socorro, TX to DeKalb, IL. That's 1523 miles with drop & hook on both ends. I'm gonna fly with this one ... at least as much as you can fly up US 54 before I hit my first interstate in Kansas ... It's not due 'til the 13th, but I'm gonna get it off ASAP on the 12th. Will I get another restart after that? Hrmmmm ... Dang ... I'd love all this time off if I were salaried!