CRETE - A Year in Review

Me too. Maybe I'll get an older truck that is still in decent running shape, then by the time I am due a new truck, they'll be getting the Cummins powered Prostars instead. I haven't heard if Jdzr has been having any issues with his, so maybe it was the way Crete sets them us all along that was causing the problems.

 

Ralph...I hope everything works out for you and we both can look back at this recent experience and then it'll give us hope...if we endured our problems here...we can endure anything life throws at us from now on!!

 

It wont be long and you guys will be one of us...the many, the proud, the former Crete drivers!!! Ooohh Rah!!!

 

My MaxForce ProStar is at 107k miles... I'm happy with it's performance. When you go to find a truck from the list you are given, look each one over thoroughly. Take them for a test drive around the yard. Once you settle on one write up any thing you want fixed & make note of any damage. If you do have items to be repaired your truck will be ready by Thursday afternoon ( as long as they are not major issues needing parts that need to be ordered ). For the most part, I've not heard any horror stories about our trucks in awhile.

 

So true. I've tried to keep up with all the fine print in the charts in the front of Rand McNally, yet still can't decipher some of the statutory language. I've had a few loads where it had to be past the 41' mark, so I just called prorate and had them send me a qcom message saying ok to go. Then there's the whole deal of "to center of rear axle" vs "to center of rear axle group".

More and more I've been surprised at how accurate some shippers set preloaded trailers. As a rule, if it was a heavy load, I would set it close to the 41' mark. But on a few recent loads, the tandems were already set way up or way back. I changed the setting before I left, then after using a Cat Scale found out the shipper's original setting had been perfect (and I had to move back to that).

 

'cept the guys at Purina in Denver when it's going to Cali. Re-scaled and re-arranged three times b4 it was legal

Well the sweet gal in dispatch t-called my load for me so i'm on home time till Friday. Maybe have to take a couple of vacation days though. I forgot my CHL was up for renewal and I have to go shoot some paper.:smt071

 

Just a quick question for you guys. When I was applying to my new company, they wanted me to fax over my long form medical. I thought it was in my truck, but couldn't find it. I finally found it after the following incident but first here's what happened. I called Safety and asked if they could please fax me a copy back as I had misplaced mine. They refused, saying it could be intercepted.

I pleaded with them and told them I was standing right there by the fax machine so not to worry. They still refused and probably were right because of HIPAA. But the lady tried to reassure me that all I needed in the truck was my medical card and not the long form. But I could swear you have to have the long form if you undergo a full inspection don't you? If true, it's weird that safety wouldn't know that.

 

I have to download my Calvin-whiz stencil for my bright dayglow safety vest with the Crete logo's on it...The more I talk about it, the more anxious I am getting to start. The hardest part about switching is to stop waving at Crete trucks...once I am in a Poly, they might get the wrong idea.

 

By what I was told, not only are you suppose to have your long form, but I was told that some states are requiring a 'non-laminated' medical card. At least that is what I was given when I had my last Crete physical. My Poly physical clinic only gave me a long form and a wallet card.

 

They usually don't wave back anyways:smt039..haha