Funny you should mention.... I currently drive for Celadon and am thinking of switching to CRETE !
Yes, in many ways Celadon is a good long haul company. Ave. length of haul, 1030. Miles per truck per week, about 2150. Remember, this is using a 52 wk basis, time off, vacations, etc... These are all posted facts on their Investor website. They pay short miles, you lose about 10-15% of all miles you run. $20 for shag... Yuk!
Their Indcianapoliis terminal is wonderfull, dorm rooms, cafeteria, tv/lounge room with leather couches, open access to any ofc personell, etc... Very organized, very well run, my stock has doubled in the last year...
Here's the rub, their pay is low, about .06 - .09 cents per mile. You get back about .03 per mile on the every 30k mile $1,000 bonus, but that still leaves you .03-.06 below the industry... Why?
I'll tell you why.... Mexicans. That's it, Mexicans. Celadon has become the premier freight forwarder from Mexico to points US and Canada. The CEO, guy named Russell, has decided that he's gonna bring in as many Mexicans on HB1B visa's and have them haul loads from Laredo to Waxachie,TX (South Dallas) at .19 per mile. He's making a mint on the cheap labor and plans on expanding it, all across the US! These are facts, documents available to be read by anyone on the Celadon Investor site.
This Russell guy (The CEO) states he doesn't need to raise driver pay cause we drivers are all delerious happy due to the length of haul and quality equipment. Celadon has raised their "Rate per Loaded Mile" from $1.41 this time last year to $1.51 today! (Not counting fuel surcharges) They have passed, none, zero, of this increase onto drivers and Russell states he has "no intention of doing so in the near future". These quotes available on the investor site.
Their raising their rates gradually, bringing in more and more Mexicans drivers, and keeping it all to themselves! Last quarter was their best, Net $6.1 million. Russell and his gang (Pres and CFO) took half as bonuses. Zip to drivers. They BRAG about it at the "Bears and Sterns" Investors conference! "No more money for drivers.... they like it here"!
Yea, expect to wait a couple days to get outta Laredo... they got the Mexicans takin many of the loads north at .19 per mile.
When you go to Waxahachie (south dallas) terminal, expect the cold shoulder if your not hispanic and don't speak Spanish, yea it's getting that bad...
I'm thinking this CEO Russell guy is selling out us American drivers, ever so slowly, and am thinking of getting out while the gettin is good.,
Their Website:
www.celadontrucking.com
Check out their 4th Qtr Investor conference call and lsiten to them figure out how to get more "WETBACK" and "MOSSBACK" drivers.
http://fulldisclosure.com/company.as...cb&ticker=cldn
So, what's the deal with Crete?