CRETE - A Year in Review

We get the anti-siphon inserts put in when they get the trucks prep'd before they issue them...a stick would only go in 4 or 5" in the tank.

 

Your AM ...must be Vickie

 

They have come out with a new skinnier stick that will go past the anti siphon insert. You could siphon fuel if you had a hose that small. But it would take hours to get any significant amount of fuel.

 

You are GOOD! And you're correct!


And as to fuel gauges...my Cascadia is currently reading 3/8 of a tank. I fueled this morning, about 38 gallons ago.

 

Anyone have any tips on the truckstop wi-fis? I joined both Pilot/J and TA/Petro but I can never seem to connect for more than a few minutes and at insanely slow speeds. I have a newer (but cheapo) laptop but it works great when I am 'home'.

 

$50-60 dollars a month will get you a data plan and an aircard through Sprint or AT&T. Much cheaper than WIFI, far better performance, and you can use them anywhere you happen to end your day at or while at customers waiting. I have used Sprint and At&T and in a nutshell, Sprint gives you more data for less and offers faster speeds but AT&T works just fine as well. That truckstop WIFI is overpriced and under performing.

 

I'm curious too. I get the weird feeling they don't use any consistent criteria. For example I worked for Crete back around 2003. Then I did the overseas thing. After I came back to the U.S. I did non-trucking stuff for 4 years. I inquired about returning in 2011 and the recruiter said they were even going to credit my overseas time (which is less like OTR than even local work). She said I would start back at .40-.42 (I forgot the exact number, but equivalent to 6+ years).

I lazed around until after Christmas and found out that since I had let the 5 year mark pass, I would have to start all over. I had to pay $3000 to go to a Crete approved FULL trucking course (not refresher) and then go with a trainer for 8 FULL weeks. I'm now at the lowest pay rate (even lower than what I was paid with Crete back in 2003). And all along I've had all the endorsements and a current medical card.

Don't get me wrong, I'm #### grateful to even have a job. But whenever I think of how just a few months extra of frittering time changed my circumstances so greatly, it blows my mind.

 

SSB, You are correct. The most accurate fuel gauge is miles driven vs. a constant consumption. Granted you choose a low constant to ensure you do not run out of fuel. In a former life was a Naval Flight Officer aboard the P3 aircraft. One of my many duties was to monitor fuel flow and ensure we would not end up ditching in the ocean due to a fuel issue.

On the other side, Crete has an issue in my mind with communication. It has definitely gotten worse since they added the AM concept. What hurts the whole picture is primarily that: These administrative folks do not have any working understanding of truck driving, beyond the logistic reality of putting a driver with a truck at the shipper to grab a load and get it to the consignee as expected...on time.

I am disappointed that Crete has sunk this fast into a market that I choose not to be a participant.

 

Ended up with a load picking up in Mt. Vernon, WA in the morning and going to Toledo, OR. Looks like some back roads driving down the Oregon Coast Highway as the regular way in is not a truck route. Should be a pretty drive.

 

It is a lovely drive, one of my favorites. Take it easy on the way in/out. It's a very curve filled route and can be a real truck eater.