CRETE - A Year in Review

Evertruckerr,

Another great post that gives those of us who are considering the profession, an honest, straightforward look at the industry, Crete Carrier Corporation and the potential one has if you are willing to work hard and smart.

Thanks for the education....keep on driving safe!

 

evertrucker..those are super miles....i just sent in my app....i've had 14 days paid layover this year and am averaging 2000 miles....i have'nt seen 3500 miles a week in 8 years!!

 

Evertruckerr,

Really enjoy your posts. Keep em coming....Funny you mentioned the bear in east Texas. There was an article in the Dallas Morning News about there being a lot of bear sightings in East Texas. They think they're coming from Arkansas but they don't know why.

 

They can't stick it there...I don't think they have a drop yard in Seattle

As for the pet policy, like with most policy changes here, it's a result of a few minor problems, but one biggie that is the straw that breaks the camels back. What I heard is that one driver that had a pet, not sure if it was dog or cat, had quit, and when they turned in their truck there was animal poo everywhere. (poo comment is an expressed trademark of mike rowe of dirty jobs...a.k.a. the poo'master) They found it where you know an animal couldn't possibly get it there if they could aim. So the driver must've been leaving under protest and just messed the truck up big time. I hope they fined him/her a bundle on their last check and marked their DAC for something like that.


As for the deadhead from ATL to south GA. They wouldn't deadhead me from ATL to N. Fl for a family funeral. Then within a couple weeks they bobtailed me from Orangeburg, SC to our yard in Lafayette, IN for a new trailer...Where's the logic in that.

All in all, it took this downturn in the economy to show me the real value of Crete. It's a company, although strict, is a financially stable company that will endure all but a depression...In fact, it may be able to endure even that since they owe no one any money, it just would put any expansion and replacement of equipment on hold for a while. Dare I say, as for my previous negative post, I may have been mistaken (since I am never wrong...ha ha ha)

 

Ever- just wondering if you ever feel guilty for t-calling loads?

I'm trying to see your side of it: in that you are running the loads the majority of the way, obviously the company doesn't really have an issue with it, and clearly, your #1 goal is to rack up the miles, and the fact that you are sometimes willing to run shags(as long as you get another good run).

I just wonder if you ever feel bothered by not completeing the job that you agreed to.

I am not yet in this business, and have always been big on completing tasks in a job completely, so I'm wondering if this business is different, and if I need to retrain the way I think.

Thanks for the advice!

 

Some companies are set up like this. Almost every load we bring into springfield is brought to our yard and the city guy picks it up and delivers it and we pick up a full one in the yard and take it out of the city.

 

Well, T-calling is good for the driver and company IMO. It allows the driver to stay productive which is making money for the company. Since Ive been with Crete, Ive only T-called one load and that was because I would have sat under that load for two days...and there was a terminal nearby to the consignee. As for the 'B' driver who shags the load...operations knows drivers dont like short runs so thats why theres shag pay and thats why youll usually get a good run after running a shag. Ex:I shagged a damaged trailer 30 miles to get repaired, then brought it back to its origin. Next thing I know, I got a 2700 mile run although it was to Nazi-fornia, it was still some miles). First time thats happened, but it was also the first time I shagged a trailer. When you get out here and see that a load will have you sitting for a couple days, I think youll feel a little better about T-calling. Take it easy!

 

Hey thanks for the insight... It was just a question that was picking at me so I figured I'd go ahead and ask! I'm sure I won't feel guilty when I get to doing it.

While I'm at it I'll ask another: What makes bobtailing so unsafe compared to carrying a trailer?