CRETE - A Year in Review

The only word I can think of is "UGLY". It's gotta get better evertrucker~hang in there man!

 

I think they have us confused lately...that's my kind of week.

After delivering to Ennis I was given the old 'check back' message. I spent the night in Wilmer yesterday night, and it was less crowded than usual, so I hoped that it wouldn't be all weekend for a load, but I just told them that I was headed towards the yard since there isn't a decent place to park in the Ennis area. I decided to hit the Love's north of the yard, T'flow and grab breakfast. When I got out to the truck, there was a load offer, a shag(which I thought about inquiring to see if there were any short hops I could do just to kill time-and make a little extra while I was at it) along with a message that said that if I helped them out with this shag, I wouldn't lose my place in line while waiting for the next load....once I regained consciousness from the shock of getting a load of any kind this soon after getting empty in TX, I accepted and went looking for the trailer. I drove around the yard twice, nada...there was a trailer close to the number, but not the one I needed. I kinda' thought maybe someone accidentally picked up the wrong trailer...but just before I sent in a message about the missing trailer, I figured I'd check the shop first...Good thing, it was in getting service, a couple new tires, and a new hubcap. After 30 or so minutes, off I went to Denton. Now I am sitting in the Love's north of Denton, debating about heading to Wilmer.(This is Easter, but I won't debate in mass...I don't want to be called a mass debtor ) Travis already gave me the option of heading to Wilmer. Perhaps it's an Omen of the even worse than usual freight shortage in this area because of the holiday. I kinda' hoped that maybe there would have been some people headed home for the holiday, and then there would be a little more freight for the rest of us that decided to stay out. Silly rabbit...

 

I just delivered at the Dollar General in Gene Autry last night and got the no freight message, this morning they sent a message asking if I would like to go home for the weekend (about 100 miles to home). Well, I would prefer to drive some miles so I gave dispatch a call to see what's up and they said I could either spend the weekend at home or at the truck stop, not a hard decision. They also said they were short 1000 loads this morning nationwide and with today being a holiday it will probably be a long weekend for a lot of drivers. On the bright side of things, last week was a very good week with 3400 miles. I had some good loads with D/H's and one of those went out to Flagstaff. This week was not so good, managed to squeek out 2080 miles.

 

I guess I should feel lucky then. I could've been stuck in TX all weekend. Emptied out Friday morning in Denton, TX (on my 2nd delivery of the day). Then just before 1700, was sent a good offer. Coppell, TX to Ogden, UT. Picks up after noon on Saturday, delivers ASAP. But....Ogden hasn't been the best place for me to find freight out, but at least I'll have 1400mi by Tuesday morning (will be there Monday night but will use all I have on my 70 to get there). Even if I have to park for a day or two, SLC is close, and by the time I get there, my truck will be close enough for a 'B' service, if I have to I'll just kill some time and head there.

There is a glimmer of improvement around...Usually the trucking industry is 6 mos or so ahead of any visible change in the economy...up or down, maybe by the end of the 3rd qtr or next spring things will be rolling again...I didn't think I'd ever hear myself say in April (in an optimistic tone) things might be better by next year....

L8tr

 

Do any of you ever pick up at St. Gobain Containers in Sapulpa, OK? It's basically a glass plant. I almost always see a Crete driver parked by there docks.

 

I'd be willing to bet that most drivers haven't a clue as to how many miles they have driven (dispatched) this year to this, the fifteenth week of 2009. If it is at a bare minimum of 30,000 (2000 miles per week) then consider yourself lucky.

Drivers, me included, get discouraged during slow weeks. It should all be averaging out at that minimum and as a bonus you should also be home weekly. Going even further into a dream world, a driver should be home weekly for a measly 2000 miles a week. If they choose to not be home weekly that should be adding miles to that bare minimum figure. Your employer should never know you are happy. Why pay this guy more if he is truly happy ? I am fortunate that I am able leave home, get some work done, and quickly get back home. Trucking can be a good life but it doesn't have to be your whole life.

 

Got lucky here in eastern PA this time. Delivered here near Scranton of Friday, and got a dispatch, on a holiday weekend no less, to pick up Sunday night going to Detroit...+/- 550 miles. Doesn't deliver until Tuesday at 0700. I'll call on Monday morning and see if I can deliver early.

Better than waiting until Monday or Tuesday

 

Got to New Albany, Ms. about noon. Waited about half an hour before I got an offer. Meridian, Ms. to Charlotte, NC for 10pm Mon nite. 700 total miles for nearly three days. I asked for a different load and they ignored me. An hour later I asked again for a different load and again they ignored me. Another hour goes by and I send in a message chastising them for not replying. 5 min later I get a new load offer. Jackson, Tn. to Ft Smith, Ar. I can pick it up and del it tomorrow. I usually have good luck in Ft Smith while I have terrible luck in Charlotte. We'll see.

 

I think you benefited from the new dispatching policy. In times past they would have deadheaded someone up from Allentown or even Philly for that load. Now, with you being so much closer, they gave it to you.

ETA You know it sucks out here when a driver that unloads on a Fri is happy to get a load that doesn't pick up till Sun nite.

 

When I drove for Crete I knew they wouldn't pay layover, but the miles were there so I did not complain. The company I drive for now (Marten) has a similar payscale to Crete but pays $25 for the first day of layover and $100 a day thereafter...and without it right now my family would be starving. I too sit for 2 days waiting on loads and I pull a refer van so I can go after temp controlled or dry. My company says there is no freight. It doesn't matter what state I am in this apperas to be a problem wherever I go. It happens to all of the other drivers at my company. I especially get frusterated when I just sit here with nothing to do and I'm only 5 days out of the house. When I do go home they don't have any problem with me taking extra hometime because they know they have no freight to get me back out of the house right away. All this hometime might seem nice but it does not pay the bills. Last summer I was getting over 3000 miles a week consistently, now if I get 2200 or more I feel blessed.