My Daily Experience With Crete Carriers

Welcome back to all that have followed my old thread almost 18 months ago when I was with EFW's and to anyone new coming upon this thread looking for a true day by day, Buckle up... OK that was a little dramatic. Here is the link to my old thread My Day by Day Experience with Eastern Freightways

Back in July of 2018 I left EFW's flatbed division to take a local job with Palmer Dedicated Logistics. At that time period in my life it was needed. I enjoyed most of it. Physically I think it was harder than flatbed at we touched 99% of each carton on every pallet, delivering to well known clothing stores as well as a few other miscellaneous sores.

Anyways, this is about Crete. I can get into why at some point but the timing was right. I spent the last 2 month researching, calling, talking with drivers etc. trying to figure out exactly which way I wanted to go. Lease purchase, purchase, company driver.... In the end I decided the best path was with Crete.

So here I am in Mechanicsville, PA sitting in the hotel at 5:30 am getting ready to starting over. We have to be at the terminal for 7:30 to drop of our rental car and start the day.

I will do a review of the day either tonight or tomorrow morning. Again, thank you for following along with my journey.

Crete's hiring process seemed to take a little longer than others. From the 1st phone call to the actual pre-hire was a little over a week. They gathered all necessary documentation then passed it along to safety to verify several things and see what, if anything was needed for me. I.E. A trainer, camera etc.

They put me in a rental to drive down instead of a bus ticket, put us up at the Quality Inn (typical 2-3 star hotel) Breakfast is provided at the hotel, Lunch is ordered out at the terminal , a salad or sub and a dinner certificate for the Middlesex Dinner, which is right behind the hotel.

Day 1 was your typical orientation. Paperwork, Drug test, Paperwork, Hair Follicle test, Paperwork, Physical, Videos and a road test which consisted of a pre-trip, couple and uncouple, road test and backing into a hole on the lot. I came into this a little nervous about the backing since I've been in a day cab for the last 18 months but nailed my setup and slide it in with no pull ups. More videos. Everyone that works at Crete has been very helpful and pleasant so far. Current drivers acknowledge you instead of snubbing you.

I believe we were done by 15:30-16:00. Back to the room, got some dinner, watched the remaining 16 laps of the race (which took about an hour) Crazy wreck at the end. Hope Newman is ok.

Back to the terminal at 7:00 tomorrow for a full day of classroom stuff. It's almost like a vacation because when I was driving local I was getting about 5 hours of sleep a night and was up at 2am. HaHa

Did more than I had to do for my road test, literally just did a walk around, pointed out that one of the marker lights were out, checked the tires, king pin and that's about it besides a 3-4 mile trip. Maybe it would've been different if I didnt notice the marker light, might have been a test? Not sure. Some of the other folks had to do a partial pre-trip, a full blown one and even had to show they could back.

So not sure how they decide who has to do what.

Nonetheless, you're going to love it at Crete. Been here a few months now, and have been having a blast. Always keeping me busy.

I really look forward to reading this and keeping up with the updates! I really enjoyed the one you had on Eastern Freightways.

Did more than I had to do for my road test, literally just did a walk around, pointed out that one of the marker lights were out, checked the tires, king pin and that's about it besides a 3-4 mile trip. Maybe it would've been different if I didnt notice the marker light, might have been a test? Not sure. Some of the other folks had to do a partial pre-trip, a full blown one and even had to show they could back.

So not sure how they decide who has to do what.

Nonetheless, you're going to love it at Crete. Been here a few months now, and have been having a blast. Always keeping me busy.

I was wondering the same. I think it really just depends on who you have for a road tester. My guy was cool. Old school no BS tell it like it is style which I appreciate. During the pre-trip he was like "yea you know what you're doing lets move on. Coming from doing local with tight turns and small streets I was expecting something of the same. Turns down here are actually made for trucks, which is nice.

I really look forward to reading this and keeping up with the updates! I really enjoyed the one you had on Eastern Freightways.

Hey Icecold. Glad you hopped over here to follow along. Hopefully I have some good stuff.

Day 2 of orientation with Crete

If you are reading this and coming to orientation on day 2 make sure you drink your coffee and get some rest the night before. Full day of classroom. Reviewed everything from transflo to blood borne pathogens and everything in between. Several videos and a few tests. Pro-tip, Finish and pass the tests early for a quick 5 minute break. Lunch was an order out again. If you like a lot of food i'd recommend getting a salad.

Day 2 was a longer day but went by pretty fast. 1/2 of us are checking out of the hotel on weds. while the other 1/2 are staying 1 more day for Defensive Driving Class. (Smith system) 3 of the ones staying behind will be waiting for a trainer while those of us checking out will find out (officially) if we're hired and if our truck is here at this terminal or if we'll have to go on a hunt for it. Hoping mine is here so I can get to work, go home, gather the rest of my stuff and see my wife..

Anyways. I'm all packed up and have most of my stuff loaded into the van. Time to go find the others..

Day 3 of Orientation At Crete

We got everyone loaded into the vans, headed to the terminal and unloaded all of out stuff. Some drivers just came off of another truck from their old company so they had a lot. Stored it under lock n key and started our day. We covered Benefits & 401k. The head of recruiting came in and talked with us for a while. Then onto trip planning. 3 different routes using their fuel solutions program. Each route was increasingly difficult. We took turns in groups to go out to the yard and go through a pre-trip, the esbar heater and the opti idle.

We also went through a 1 on 1 with the head of orientation. At this time we found out that the Follicle tests had been delayed due to them not being picked up on time by a well known door to door carrier.. LOL Soooo another night in the hotel. We did get word that they were received and drivers were becoming hired as we left the terminal.

So today we go back and finish up this morning and find out if our trucks are here or we have to go hunting for them.

Day 4

Short one tonight. Checked out of the hotel (again) got to the terminal and went into the Defensive driving room. The instructor pulled myself and one other driver out and said come with me........ Into the office and yes... No DDC for us. We were finally officially hired. Bad news was that our trucks were in Indy. 530+ miles west.

Crete rented each of us a SUV to drive out here and get them as well as paying us .50c a mile to get out here. Much better than sitting through another DD class. Anyways I arrived around 7:30 pm, went into the shop, showed service my truck number. He gave me the keys and ran me through what we had to do tomorrow morning. Return the rental, Do a walk around and walk through on my truck, get my supplies and hopefully find a 1000 mile load home. lol

I ended up with a 2018 blue International LT with about 230,000 miles. Interior is in good shape, everything works so that's a plus. It was a little to dark to get a good view of the outside. As long as she keeps running i'll be happy. First time with an International so we'll see. Anyone have experience with one? Anything different to expect vs. a Freight?

Thanks for posting these updates. Best with the next chapter!