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Ridge Runner · Joined: 18 Oct 2004 Posts: 2432 Location: North Ga.

I was supose to have Orint. @ USX next Monday ( 01-24) but cancelled it due to the fact that I found out I CAN get on with Crete (if they will have me) I have everything they require as for as a new grad. goes. Did'nt want to make the wrong move starting out. so my question is : which one should I go with: USX: terminal appox. 5 mi from home 20 and can run OTR or SE regional. or Crete(if they offer) : terminal appox. 70 mi. away and can run OTR or SE regional. ??? I really don't think that being a driver, that 65 mi. should be that a big thing :D I really want to make the right move here and do it right the first time. I know that if I chose wrong I think I could still go with the loser. (Bad choise of words) :) Well maybe not as whoever gets me will be a "winner" as that they will get a good honest MATURE person that can do the job the way they want it. Don't mean to sound cocky..... well maybe I do :twisted: but from what I have seen (at school) ... God help this industry!!! Dang it!! I took a big left turn on this one. Back to the orgional topic.(Can I get booted for hi-jacking my own thread :D . What say you all?? I'm afraid to ask for another sign from above as I have enough cats as it is and I think at times He has a sense(sp) of humor.

Uturn2001 · Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2005 2:45 pm Post subject:

Personally I would go with Crete, though the learning curve is going to be a lot higher there.

The main reason is that US Xpress is all auto shift trans, which I have no problem with, but could hurt a new driver on their next job if it is a manual.

If you do go to Crete be sure to fully pick your trainers brain about how to get the most miles with their dispatch system.

lucky · Joined: 24 Dec 2004 Posts: 42

Since you are new and need training I would definitely say to not go with Crete. I have been with Crete now for 3 years and they are for sure not a training company. Crete is a company that one can do well with when someone has experience. Just hate for you to go in and get frustrated and quit and hate trucking.

Ridge Runner · Joined: 18 Oct 2004 Posts: 2432 Location: North Ga.

Thanks guys. I never really thought about the company being "better for a rookie" than the other. I just assumed that one was the same as the other as for as the learning curve goes. :oops: So your saying that USX is better set up to train newbies like me and after I get a few behind me and better understand the industry then Creat would be a good way to go in the long run?
THIS is why I come here! I would have never known 8)

MrKite · Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Posts: 12

lucky wrote: Since you are new and need training I would definitely say to not go with Crete. I have been with Crete now for 3 years and they are for sure not a training company. Crete is a company that one can do well with when someone has experience. Just hate for you to go in and get frustrated and quit and hate trucking.

I need to hear more about this. I'm scheduled to start at Crete the week of Feb 7, provided a trainer becomes available.

I graduated from a PTDI school, above 95% grades. I also went through Schneider National Academy, satisfactory is all respects. I spent two weeks with a Schneider Training Engineer aboard his Tanker, whereupon I resigned due to risk of chemical exposure. I observed too many people who refused to follow safety regs.

I then applied at Crete Carrier because they seem to be held in high regard by those who work there, and they have low turnover numbers.

So, please tell me why you think I won't learn as much there as elsewhere. "On the Road" is On the Road, isn't it? Provided the company treats you fairly and supports you well, what's the problem?

Thanks,

--Charlie Henderson

Uturn2001 · Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2005 9:32 pm Post subject:

Read through THIS LINK . Lucky went into great detail the problems drivers and new drivers in particular have with Crete.

Basically it boils down to Cretes dispatch system which is a lot different than most companies use.

lucky · Joined: 24 Dec 2004 Posts: 42

Mrkite. It is not impossible to do well at Crete if one is a newbie. The whole thing comes down to what you said and that is "support". Uturn was good enough to place the link to what I went into greater detail before. Please go and read and hopefully anyone else also so that it would be understood.

Crete is from what I have experienced since I have been with them a better than average OTR company if someone comes over that is already experienced. There are many good "starter" companies out there for newbies that are set up for new blood to come into the industry. Specifically a Driver Manager that one can daily keep in contact with and help and guide until they are ready to be let loose, so to speak. These people have seen about everything and are able to more than likely know about all the things that pop up every day.

After a certain amount of experience it gets easier and easier and the confidence raises and the comfort level becomes bearable. After a time one learns what is out there and what one prefers to do. Then it is easier to find a company that can fit into what ever one is looking for to continue ones career satisfactory. The main thing to do is stay and not jump around. If you do jump around then you will find that carriers will pass on you and eventually fail and that does no one good. Good luck.

MrKite · Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Posts: 12

Uturn2001 wrote: Read through THIS LINK . Lucky went into great detail the problems drivers and new drivers in particular have with Crete.

Basically it boils down to Cretes dispatch system which is a lot different than most companies use.

Ah, thanks. That helps a bit.

Here's a question: How long does a guy have to drive at Crete before he can become a Trainer? Any other input about the Trainer program? How much do they make and how do they make it?

I find it helps to understand the trainer's motivation and incentives, too. I'll be spending 8 weeks with him....

--Charlie Henderson

bluebeetle · Joined: 17 Jul 2002 Posts: 2042 Location: Lincoln, NE

You have to have at least one year of over the road experience and a good driving record to become a trainer with Crete. Noel Stanley is the Director of Driver Development and reviews the applications as well as Safety to determine who will become a trainer.

I think Crete is a good company to start with. The training program is very thorough and you will NEVER be released on your own if the Safety Department, trainer AND Noel feel you might need some more training. The new guys to me have a better advantage then the driver who doesn't go out with a trainer. They have someone there who will explain things in a way that the newbie will understand. We don't even have you go through driver orientation until after you complete the 8 weeks because that way you understand what is being said. A drivers success depends on how comfortable they are when they are out their by themselves. If they feel that no one cares, then there will be a higher level of anxiety. Where we don't hold drivers hands and tell them what they are to do every minute of the day, some drivers have problems.

I have been told by a lot of experienced drivers that we are a lot different then alot of carriers. When I first started they required a driver with less then 2 years go with a trainer. Try and sell that one Batboy! But it assured that the driver would be comfortable and understand what we do.

Go with Crete. You will be alot happier and if you have any questions or concerns, either talk with some drivers or call Noel at 1-800-998-9980 ext 8777.

MrKite · Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Posts: 12

Thanks, fellas. I appreciate your responses.

I'm presently waiting for Mr. Stanley to contact me and schedule the Physical and Drug Screen in Allentown.

The more I hear about Crete, the more I like it. And I figure 8 weeks with a Trainer ought to get me a good, solid foundation to build on, the Crete way. If I'm not ready, my trainer will know. Hopefully! :)

Thanks again.

Oh, while I'm at it - is there any other online source of info on Crete? A driver's hangout like pumpkindriver.com or anything like that?

Cheers,

--coh

bluebeetle · Joined: 17 Jul 2002 Posts: 2042 Location: Lincoln, NE

This is probably the closest thing that I know of. There are several drivers on here that drive fro Crete and I am a Driver Marketing Specialist - otherwise known as a Recruiter.

lucky · Joined: 24 Dec 2004 Posts: 42

There is a group at yahoo groups called crete_drivers also. Seems that you don't listen when told that newbies do terrible at Crete so maybe someone there can help. Maybe there will be a suggestion that you will listen to now and again and that may help you.

bluebeetle · Joined: 17 Jul 2002 Posts: 2042 Location: Lincoln, NE

Lucky - Would you please explain why you feel that newbies don't do well. Shucks I would even go so far as invite you to Lincoln to discuss this face to face over lunch or breakfast. I am also sure that the Noel Stanley, Director of Driver Development would like to chime in on why his program is failing.

According to Noel, for the fiscal year last year we had a 47% turnover rate amongst our Students. This is just a little higher then our overall turnover rate of 37%. Drivers spend 8 weeks with the trainer and then run on Mr. Stanley's board unitl they meet some requirements. Drivers on the fleet must average 2200 miles a week before they are assigned a terminal. After they are able to do this they are turned assigned to a terminal and away they go.

So please give me your definition of failure. There are several of us here that would like to know.

lucky · Joined: 24 Dec 2004 Posts: 42

Well I guess Blue that if you think a 47% turnover rate is great then why worry about my opinion? The last time I heard a Vice President tell it, he was proud and satisfied about the turnover rate of the company and when I asked him to repeat it he said it was impossible to do better than that. Well with that thinking then thank God I am just a little ole Driver and not someone who thinks that there are always room for improvement no matter how good "numbers" look. But then again all them years in my past life as a corporate puke and training in quality assessments was just a passing fad.

Now us drivers have said many times our opinions and complaints and we talk about how we have tried amongst ourselves. The usually opinion (trust me we all have opinions) is that seeking our opinions is just a feel good thing for the office personnel and that as soon as it is over it is soon forgotten.

The consensus among many drivers is that Crete is not a "training" company. If y"all feel different then ignore the opinion. I figured that I was allowed my opinion and that I did not have to just say positive stuff and exclude the negative stuff. The people here are looking for opinions and will make their own minds up. If you just want a good little driver that says positive stuff then here goes.

Ok all you drivers and newbies looking for a Fantastic company to drive for come to CRETE. We excel at all facets of the industry and have no faults that need to be worked on at all. You have any questions at all then just imagine the most wonderful thing possible and you will find it at this unblemished heavenly company. Come on newbies get on in and forget the malarkey about a fifty percent chance of making it. No way. You will not fail or become disillusioned and will succeed for sure. 100 percent guarantee.

Ridge Runner · Joined: 18 Oct 2004 Posts: 2432 Location: North Ga.

Sorry Blue, but i have heard this too many times from too many drivers and it was one of the reasons that I chose USX over Crete. Matter of fact I heard it so much that I wondered if there was an effort from older drivers to discourge newer drivers from coming in to keep wages, ect... higher. I was contacted by Crete as well as was my school for my GPA and got an offer from Crete. I thought about this and then I realised that EVERONE of these people ALSO said : " after you get some miles behind you then you will NOT find a better place to work. Soooo I have to assume that Crete is a great place to work , but! only if you know what you are doing. I don't and I can't put a trailer in a hole if there ain't a orange cone to show me where to pull up to to set up :oops: So there is something there, now "how to find it and how to fix it? Thats why you make the BIG BUCKS :lol:

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