Crete or Rohel

That's correct. Find them HERE.

 

Well I been to their website since last week. But I haven't herd anyone post anything on their division yet.

 

If you're thinking of going down that road, Maverick is the only way to go. Not sure if they hire out of your area, but, their operation, as a whole, can't be beat. Their pay is second to none, especially for a newbie.

 

I finished Crete's driver-training early/mid January and have been in "my" truck now for going on three weeks, have my next load from Northern Ohio to home this weekend! ...Hope the snow/ice storm here doesn't affect it.

Anyway, as far as trucking goes I'd recommend Crete to anyone. ...As far as trucking goes.

I was lucky and had a good trainer. No teaming, showers several times a week, time for laundry, lots of driving. Sure, some personality issues but two guys living in a (large) rolling closet is bound to bring out frustrations. However, if ya both are willing to roll with the problems of sharing a confined area, well, Crete's training policies are pretty good. So I've got 10 months to do now at .31/mile and will then go to .39/mile after a year total employment (in other words, 10 months after your 8 wk driver training)

I've heard horror stories from others in regard to Crete trainers but have heard so many, many more positive experiences.

The worst thing for me so far? Being solo for one week and going to Long Island, NY. Rude, risk taking, self serving, no patience, no merging skills, gunna-gun-it-and-go-you-slow-or-run-in-to-me style of driving... Oh, did I mention rude? I gave a big "##_k off NY rude ### driver ###es" over the cb when i finally left that filthy place, in my best NY accent... I know, nobody gives a rat's patooty what I said over the cb but it sure felt good!

 

I'm sure Crete is how I'll go if I actually do this. Don't mid-interpret this as smart ### but I'm having a lot of trouble figuring out if it's worth it at that kind of pay. I know they're all in that neighborhood but .31cpm x 2500 miles per week minus taxes is somewhere around $650 net. If you spend 70 hours doing that, it's less than $9/hr.
I'm sure I'm not exact with the numbers but wow, seems a little thin. I know it's also a lifestyle and "freedom" so there's a value in that. God bless you all, I'm still trying to figure it out.

 

I don't know the program. But, if "tut" is correct with the 39 cents at your year anniversary, you won't make that kind of money anywhere else with 1 year experience.

The best investment you can make is a plug-in cooler. Hit Wal-Mart for your supplies. Watch your spending. You'll be OK.

 

Thanks duc. Crete does seem to be kind of the "cream of the crop" and it's that reputation that led me to them. I'm just amazed that for the responsibilities and stress that you all face, there is not a more equitable pay structure and phases on driver support.
A railroad conductor goes for a ride, maybe does a little switching, can't work over 12 hours , has a federally mandated 2 day off rest period, great benefits and railroad retirement and can pull down 80k per year with a little seniority.
You guys live in a truck, struggle to eat well and stay healthy, go home a few days per month and don't make close to that.
Again, God bless you all and hopefully I'll find a way to make it work for me.

 

Some things to consider. Are you married ? Have young kids at home ?
Hometime is something to carefully consider. Roehl has many options and recently Crete has started doing the same, drivers are finding out staying out for weeks at a time for the sometimes extra pay is not worth the sacrafice.

Trucking is like no other job out there, for OTR you are paid by the mile not by the hour. there will be times when you sit for hours even days to get loaded or unloaded.
once unloaded you might sit even more depending on where your at and availible freight. As fuel price's go up fleet's are going to keep empty miles to a minimum.

Comfort on the road is a big concern. does the trk have a apu like a diesel powered
thermo king tripac or is it a factory battery powered apu thats on some new truck's and only last's for a few hour's, then the trk has to be started and run to re-charge the battery's. this is where idle time allotment's become a major concern, again rising fuel price's.

Equipment: From what Ive seen both fleet's Crete and Roehl have decent equipment
with crete having the edge on newer trks, but the newer trks have the factory battery powered apu. ( which is better than no apu) most roehl trks have a tri-pac apu and power inverter and newer trks are being added to the fleet. fleet maint is important to
and how quick they get you in and out of the shop. Based on my experiance rohel's is determined on what terminal you are at, with a avg grade of C+.
For the time's you are sitting this is very important.

Conclusion: There other thing's to consider and I'm not trying to sway you either way.
I currently drive for roehl and have tried all the different options of home time.
I have stayed out for week's at a time , I have done regional ( home every weekend for 34 hrs) , and hometime fleet 7/4 7/3 (out seven days home for four, out seven days home for three, you launch wed and sat ) this is the current fleet im on.

With this fleet I know when I will leave and when I will be home. The draw back is three driver's share two trks (slipseating) but it work's for me. I have full benifit's
and make I believe average wages ( 33k last year) not getting rich but Im happy !
Hope this helps good luck and safe mile's

 

What I've found is that it actually costs me money to stay out over the weekend. I'm usually short on hours, so I have to sit somewhere for my restart. That means doing laundry at the truckstop and having to find a Wal-Mart/grocery store for restock. I'm spending money while I'm not making it. I think companies are finding, in the interest of driver retention, that they should make the effort to run drivers through home for their restart.

 

Great insight childers. Crete has been very good as far as helping me apply etc. I don't think they offer the kinds of home options that Roehl and Schneider do and that is something I'd be interested in, at least for the first year or so until my kid heads off to college. I also would think it's a way to try and keep in shape and healthy; not being out for weeks on end.

I don't need to max out the earnings, just help pay some bills etc. I'm not young anymore so it's important to me to try and stay healthy and not beat myself to death. Thanks again for the perspective.