CRETE - A Year in Review

Howdy Snackbar,

Ref. the NM speeding ticket....check this out from a conway/cfi drivers thread yesterday...

Got me in New Mexico on Highway 54. Citation is a violation of 7 mph, 62 in a 55. I had my cruise on 60mpg with a heavy load and caught a little extra speed on a very small downgrade. I was surprised to be ticketed for speeding. The officer told me they are ticketing for infractions of anything above 5 mph on New Mexico highways. I dont know if they are as strict on the Interstate. Thought i would give everybody a heads up on this latest threat. The officer explained that the ticket was only 70 dollars for such a small infraction. I kept my mouth shut about how much this is going to cost me and that it is a threat to my employment. I was angry and thought to many bad words may come out. Cursing at cops is never a good idea. I do believe this application of speeding laws is to strict. I hope that no other States are doing this. I am driving like they are. I am going 55 and stacking up 1/2 mile of angry traffic behind me. I have to turn the CB off

CaptK

 

All,

I have followed and learned from this thread for months now, and yes I have read every post since its inception. Thanks so much for the insight that you have given me in to the day to day operations of a large, reputable carrier.

I graduated last week with a 4.0 from my 300 hr. CDL training at a great community college in central Virginia. Approximately 1400 students have graduated from the school since 1995, and one of my classmates (who I now call my friend) and I were no. 59 and 60 to attain that GPA. We are both pretty proud as are our families.


ET long ago advised me that Crete was pretty strict on only hiring from PTDI certified schools. True, as I was turned down by Crete. I am a big boy who has been turned down plenty of times both in my professional and personal life. Moving right along!

I have been invited to orientation at Conway Truckload in Joplin on 12/15 and I couldn't be happier. From what I can see, their finishing program is very strong and their pay is pretty darn acceptible for a newbie. Given todays economic climate, I feel exceptionally fortunate to have this opportunity with a strong, reputable company and will run with it.

Drove my buddy from school to TMC orientation in Columbia on Sunday. Of the 9 folks that ultimately graduated from the program, we are the only 2 that have places to go.

Best wishes and many thanks to all who have contributed to my online education this year!

CaptK(evin)

 

Looking forward to your posts with your trainer/trainee experiences

...and the competition obstacle course, too!

 

Speaking of fuel, I just talked to my husband. He said that he noticed fuel was eating up quickly today after we fueled at a Pilot. So I think our fuel mileage may be down today.

 

Last night I decided to drive the 60 miles from Rocy Mount,NC to Henderson,NC on the chance the load might be ready. Not so. Oh well. Dropped trl at shipper and found a hotel that accepts the Check INN card. (An excellent cost saver on hotel bills.) Watched University of Texas mens basketball team beat up on Villanova. HOOKEM' HORNS!!!

Went back to shipper this am at 0800, load was ready and I was on the big road to NY within 30 mins.. While in route I called the receiver to see if I could get an earlier appointment. The nice lady said there was an open slot for 0930 tomorrow. Almost a 12hr move up! YIPPY! But wait, there's more.

It's only 624 paid miles from Henderson,NC to Schenectady,NY.. So I decide to drive it all today, so as to have a full day available for tomorrow.

There is a small fuel stop at the exit for the customer that I was going to utilize until my appointment. However, at 2030 it was full. So I said to myself that I've got nothibg to lose by going on over to the receiver, and I begin to pray. As I pull up to the gaurd shack, 12hrs ahead of rearranged appointment, I notice a small sign taped to the gaurd shack window that says truck drivers aren't to arrive any more than 2hrs before appointment. I continue to pray.

I say nothing to the gaurd, other than "Good evening", and hand her my paperwork. After a few keystrokes on the computer she tells me where to park and check in. So far so good! Once at the check in widow the girl says to put in in door ##. An hour later I'm empty.

Five minutes after mty call I've got a load offer. P/U 1000 in Mechanicsville,NY going to Danville,KY for the 13th at 1300. However, I plan on being there by the 12th at 1500. That's 24 mty and 888 loaded miles.

God is still in the business of answering prayer!

 

Well, I guess we don't count since we aren't Crete...But we average between high 6 and low 7. Our truck is so powerful compared to Crete. It's amazing. We are governed at 65. When we left Crete, we got turned down to 62.

 

True, they will not stick a smoker on a trainee.... But they had no problem giving us a smoking truck! (Even when he asked them for a non smoking truck.) Which in our expense, we bought a Little Green to scrub it down and then rented an Ozone generator that had to be left in for 2 days. Thankfully I wasn't with my Husband when he got the truck because I am allergic to smoke. So is he, but he handled it.

EVERY truck we've gotten smells like smoke. NO offense to smokers, but I wish people wouldn't smoke in the truck. Sadly enough, when we were with Schneider, they said 90% of their drivers smoke. Thankfully this truck wasn't so bad that all we had to do a little scrub and rented an ozone generator for one day...Used it for 24 hours. Then had to air it out a bit before hitting the road.

Speaking of a Cretin, I hear him chatting with my husband saying that he is quitting Crete and going with Marten. Has Orientation next week. He said the miles have gotten bad and they aren't getting him home. That was the downside to Crete for us since they didn't do a lot of business on the west coast. (WA state). He just said that he is dropping the truck off at a terminal and renting a car home.

Well, gotta run to truck stop.... Hope there is room as they just gave us paperwork.

Merry Christmas everyone!

 

Boy am I wasting my life this time out ... 1738 miles last week during which I sat the better part of four days. Okay ... Figured I'd get over it. Then, I took a load from Richmond, IN to Columbia, SC (628 miles) yesterday and got snuggled in really close to the consignee so I wouldn't have to start my log until I got moving. There HAD to be a good one coming out if I got the empty call in early. Nope. I put in my empty call at 0531, was told I was 10th in line and to check back at 1000. I did so and immediately got a load ... from Piedmont, SC to Statesville, NC scheduled for delivery tomorrow at 0900. A grand total of 249 miles! Turns out it was a t-call from a driver who had broken down, so I hustled straight on up to Statesville, managed to get unloaded early and put in my empty call ... Of course, "No preplan exists for auto dispatching unit." Then ... Silence ... So, about 45 minutes later I inquired as to where I was in line for freight to which Matt answered, "51st" to which I replied, "In NC?!" Matt's answer was ... "Correct."

ARE YOU KIDDING ME???!!!