Company Overview
Number of trucks: 5405
Number of terminals: 20
Specialty: food and grocery, paper, retail, manufacturing
Labor status: Non-union
For detailed reviews, see Comments.
Truck Drivers Review Crete Carrier
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Within the last year Crete has cut drivers income 5 times their drivers are loosing over 7,000 a year due to slow trucks 62 miles forcing drivers to stay behind the wheel longer to comply with delivery/pick up times. 4 cnts cut to dedicated drivers even when they are over the road and have poor home time. EncourGE DRIVERS not to idle trucks to purchase fans and curtains at drivers expense. Driver must log 30 minutes for each drop and hook., this cause dedicated drivers a lost of at least 6 hours a week of their 70. Rarely paid detention, will not compensate drivers cleaning trailers but you must clean each trl you pick up. Drivers are waiting for CRETE to charge them a fee for having the honor to work for them
I’m a owner operator with crete…started out as company driver. Never had to log 30 min for a drop and hook. Lol i go off duty within 10 mi. Arriving at shippet and still do. Everyone was awesome as a Co driver and made 900 on short week (hometime) to 1400 long week 45c mile as company driver. Loved the company and still do as a biz partner. Paid truck off in one year and now take home 2k a week. Worked reefer and flatbed before this, but I’m truly happy with these guys
I agree I really like working for Crete. I’m a company driver the only thing I don’t like is I just swapped to south east regional an they cut my pay down to $.043 that I admit I dont understand cause I’m still out for 21 days at a time I havnt had to go to the east coast but I do frequently go out of SE region places like Chicago all over Ohio n Pennsylvania. And being from Alabama n there not a ton of freight going to or thru my area I still don’t get close to home often. Other than that I can’t complain every company I’ve seen so far has its draw backs. But I’ve been with them for almost 2 years n so far they’ve done everything they said they would. Also when I hired on I have a clean record but I only had a little over 2 years experience, I did a lot of research and there wasn’t any other company I saw that would start you off at $0.45 a mile. Other than being governed I don’t what the heck Jim no is talking about.
Go work for Wiley Sanders!!
That sounds more like it. That’s pretty much been my experience at Shaffer.
I too am a company driver, (considering to buy my own truck), and the last time I even entertained that idea was back in the mid nineties when I worked at a small refrigerated carrier called Keaton Truck Lines out of Texarkana, Tx.
I like Shaffer, and really do feel they’re the best out there out of all the mega carriers. That being said, I will say I have times I want to just say to he’ll with the road, but 70% of that I would say is due to the Bravo/Sierra I have to put up with at some shippers/receivers, and enforcement agencies we deal with on a daily basis.
Overall, I don’t think you can go wrong with Crete, they’re rock solid in the industry, good benefits and plenty of miles if you’re willing to run.
Safe travels, and God’s speed.
John C.
My hubby drove for Crete on and off 13 yrs. once he got sick on a road they forced him to take a vacation and gave away his new truck replacing it with a truck so bad he had to wait over a day to make it semi drivable
Crete misrepresents the amount of money you will make working for them. in the last four years i’ve never gotten a real raise. I’ve made 38k to 40k gross income. They say you need to drive 120 k miles a year to a one cent a mile pay raise. You will never get more than 100 k miles. For the last several months I’ve been averaging 1900 mi a week. They don’t care if you ever get home. If you are on the way home, they will route you through every big city in the northeast or divert you to do shag loads which bring you no closer to home. I’ve talked to a lot of old timers at crete, some of these guys got their pay raised before the bottom dropped out about four years ago. Some do make more than 53 k. Company claims that their drivers have average pay of 53 to 63 k a year not counting benefits simply don’t apply to drivers hired in the last four years. These drivers will likely make 37 to 42 k. Crete claims to pay detention and practical miles. Detention pay is scarce. In fact, they let the customer effectively eliminate it as a contract term. You paid miles are always substantially less than actual miles just like all the other companies. Their trucks go 61 or 62 mph which is a problem for pay and safety. All they care about is the money. They act like they care for six months, then they start screwing you like everyone else. I even saw a company memo on this referring to “the moment of truth” where the employee either submits to the corporate will or quits which usually happens in the first few months. After that they figure they can abuse you and get away with it.
Thank you for your comment it is very helpful I’ve only been working for them about 6 weeks and already can see a lot of bad here… you can tell they are money hungry I usually try to stay toward the smaller trucking companies they treat you a lot better you’re just another slave in the seat here
I worked for Crete for 4 months. Pay was .41 per mile. They gave me a international pro star maxforce 2010 after a week the motor went out. I had asked not to give me this type truck they did nay ways. Sat for a week in Jackson,ten. Without pay. Promised break down pay. Never received it. Personal are rude treat you like crap. You are not a person but a number. Was put into another single bunj 2013 international prostar junk. Alternator was going out ac didn’t work right clutch and brakes needed adjusted fuel gauge was off by 1/2 . Reported the troubles was told to continue to run unsafe. Shop personal are lazy refuse to repair trucks I was 3500 miles over on the b service. After making several request I was sent to a t/a to have service waited over two hours terminal refused to have service. Tire on trailer had huge know was to told to run any ways. You have to run a minimum of 21 days before home time. I was out longer than that more like 28 days in 2 out of a month. I ran my 21 days requested home time was told I had to stay out another 11 days before I could go home. Had a family emergency didn’t get home four two week s after notifying company father was dieting.then home 1/2 day. If they send you on a load to be delivered near your home they consignee or shipper refuse the load your sitting at the place for two to four days Crete considers it home time. Lay over pay never gets put on your check. If you buy stuff for the truck etc. They said they will refund you as long as they have a reciecpt that’s a lie. You send in messages through equal com they never receive it. Company drivers are not allowed to use phone while driving which should be in forced over half Crete drivers use them while driving. Employess refuse to wave or speak to another driver. Terminal mangers never in office will not return your phone call. If you go out of route to find a safe haven after getting permission from your asset manager you will get charged for the fuel.they will refuse to give you fuel stops at times I drove several times across two to three states without a fuel stop after putting in a request by phone an by equal com fifteen times I finally got a fuel stop ran out on fuel ilse .if you don’t get a fuel stop an run out on the road you will get charged up to 500 for fuel.if you get sick they will take your truck from you have to do another dot physical before returning to work. If you break down they can’t get you a truck after a week. They send someone to pick you up. You will have to pay the milage an hourly rate for that person they sent to pick you up its deducted from your pay.I do not advice anyone to work for Crete they lie worse than any other company plus you all start off with good mile long runs make 2500-3500 a week in miles. After a couple weeks you drop to short runs sit and way with no lay over pay given. Have to sit for four to five hours waiting to receive next load. You average out at 1500-1800 mikes per week about 200-250 on pay after taxes an insurance. Insurance is not good you have a 1000 deduct able. If you have diabetes you pay every week for coverage but can’t use it till after a year. So you give them free money. Company isn’t what they say it is it is by far the worse. I cleaned out my truck gave it to them after my third check of being paid 200.00
Wow! I experienced the same scenario! I would not put up with the treatment and left the company. Crete can care less about it’s Driver’s.
I understand but when someone leaves for a better comoany…WHY don’t you post what company you went to the likes n dislikes in your opinion…Ive driven OTR many years, was considering Crete, but hey no one shares where they went…what gives with that?
This company is a joke. My husband just turned his truck in today. He gave them 2 weeks notice and his fleet manager didn’t even inform the company. The worst thing about this company other than their greed, is their HUGE miscommunication problems. I would NEVER recommend themail to anyone.
Also the trucks only run 62 mikes per hour an are turned down so far it is almost near impossible to run loads weighing over 15000 pounds in the high mountain areas. Brakes will heat up badly on loads of up to 43000 lbs. These trucks are not designed to run in the upper mountain states at all you will have to drop down in the lowest gear you can to climb these mountains I was pulling a load wrong in at 25000 ponds couldn’t pull up a small grade hill . Truck surges badly .if you want to make money do not consider Crete you will put in the poor house after about three weeks .
I’ve been running with Crete for 7 years now, mostly western states and heavy loads in summer and light in winter. Yes should be the other way around. Miles are OK 2500 average a week. Slow week when I go home and I usually take 4-5 days off. Biggest problem I see with the drivers is they don’t stand up for themselves or they expect someone to hold their hand. I don’t want a hand holding company. I’ve never had a problem with my brakes, but then again; I run the west prob 75% if the time.
Hello Larry! I hope you don’t mind hearing a horror story. I started working for Crete in August 2013. I was promised I would get a truck in TX after orientation. Had to drive a rent -a -car for 8-10 hrs to go to another terminal
in MO to finally pick up the tractor from hell. Gears shift rough, alternator broke after 1 week, was told to drop off tractor in MO terminal. They told me they had the part on 8/29, & truck would be fixed by 8/30. When I got there,
they didn’t have part and said it wouldn’t come for another 2-3 days (UPS) due to “Labor Day Weekend”. After 3 days, service mechanic removed an alternator from another truck. Incompetence, miscommunication, lack of basic and common sense. I finally get rollin late 9/2. My issues are: BAD DIRECTIONS, EQUAL COM DOESN’T RECEIVE MESSAGES AND SENDS MESSAGES REQUESTING INFO ALREADY SENT, COMMUNICATION FAULTY (SENT ME TO PUP A LOAD AT NOON- HAD TO WAIT 5 HOURS FOR LOAD TO BE READY) HAD TO BE STUCK IN BAD SECTION OF CITY WITH NO AIR-CONDITIONING, MANAGEMENT IN DIRE NEED OF ORGANIZATION- WHO ARE THESE SUITS?
DO THEY NOT REALIZE THAT DRIVER OR COMPANY FAILS TO MAKE MONEY WHEN TRACTOR IS BROKE DOWN, LOADS ARE NOT READY, NEW RUN ISN’T COMMUNICATED within 2 days the cab air-condition broke- so the next 3 days were hot and uncomfortable. I WAS TOLD TO GO TO THE CAROLINAS TO GET TRUCK FIXED, I GET THERE AND THERE IS NO ONE TO FIX TRUCK- STUCK IN HOTEL FOR ANOTHER 2 DAYS. ANOTHER LOAD GIVEN TO A NICE HOT PLACE DOWN SOUTH- STILL NO AIR-CONITIONING.
Larry- how about some advice for me because I’m all for sticking up for my rights, I want to raise my issues appropriately to the right individual(s) that are in a position to help me.
We have been driving for Shaffer for five years. We never have a problem hauling 80,000 up or down any mountains, make $.55 a mile and run 6000 a week. So if some have a problem going down mountains, maybe they don’t know how to drive.
Have you drove interinternational? Engine sucks at pulling and exhaust brake stop working on/off randomly on the one I had. Before I work at shaffer I was with werner had peter built , Cummins and I can pull 80,000lbs no problem. .. You must have a freight shaker
My husband currently drives for Crete. When he came to Crete, he was promised all these wonderful things, which were not followed through with. His pay has been very, very bad. I don’t know how this company expects a driver to make it on less than $200 a week. (and no he is no truck stop cowboy, he never stops, ever!) He is the only one working, we have 2 small children, and that kind of pay combined with him constantly being gone isn’t worth it.
Wow, truck stop cowboy! I’ve seen them out here, didn’t know there was a name for it tho.
My husband works for Crete currently and apparently these types of issues still exist. Low miles, especially off home time wanting him to do 100 mile runs. He has had a negative paycheck bexcuse he was sick almost a week. Then when he went back to work, no sick or personal days mind you, only received 200 mile load. Yea ok that didon’t cover insurance taxes etc that came out.
He’s withdrawing the money (cash advance)…no way he is only getting 200 a week lol
Even if he is getting the cash advance the most you can get is $125 per withdraw twice a week. Factor that in and he is getting only $450. I believe it! Crete is not about it’s Driver’s! Don’t drink the cool aide!
I draw out the 250 a week advance to cover my living expenses, and I still clear an average of $500 a week
Ive been driving 15 years and you can count on one hand the advances I’ve taken….it’s about money management. Kids and wife or not….manage your dang money.
Looks like a lizard buyer
My husband has been with Crete for almost 8 weeks. The first 4 weeks, going through orientation was OK (some contradictions from what recruiter said to what was said in orientation). Then his assigned truck broke down, then the relief truck broke down, got run-around for a week. No break down pay, put in dangerous conditions. Got call original truck was ready, went to pick up truck only to find no keys, waited till next morning to hear truck was not ready, sent to another location (by bus) for another truck which is trash filthy and gagging stench. All this and more, (lots more) plus no communication and slow to react to get my husband on the road. In almost 8 weeks his pay checks adds up to LESS than 1400.00 for the ENTIRE 8 weeks. Crete needs to get their s#@t together, get my husband in a good running truck and let him do what he was hired to do and drive so that he can make money for himself and for Crete!!!
Your husband isn’t only person who barely made money. I run hard, and they try giving drivers b.s. Loads 1wk I drove over 3200 mmiles then after I did restart for laundry, rest etc they gave me 300 mile load that had 3 days to deliver and receiver would not unload early which was bs
I have worked for Crete for 3 years I have no complaints I’m home when I suppose to be there and I make my money. I always get 2200-2500 miles every week.
That’s great, for the two yrs I’ve been there I’ve averaged 2700 miles per wk. great company if you want to run. Most complaints are from lazy people
I agree….Crete is a great company….I started with them 3 yrs ago…..no problems. I made 61k first year with them right out of school 2nd year 65k this year 68k. Crete definitely did me good. Negative drivers get negative results. I’ve noticed Crete has a lot of never satisfied drivers that whine like children…..overly spoiled never satisfied with anything.
I bet you have a freight shaker, I had international ran hard but truck was in shop all the time for engine problems I even broke down in NY city that was fun. 1 time I had a good load from s.d. to CA but hit a horse at 2am and waited 5 days for another truck (another international) not every one who complain is lazy. Hell If the equipment breaks down you can’t make money
Been with crete since 07. For me it’s a good fit. I live in an area where drivers make 10 bucks an hour. I’m based out of wilmer and enjoy the people there. I think they are over loaded and need more help but they are there when I need them. I see some people on here have complained about the trucks breaking down. Crete doesn’t make the trucks. I’ve never ever been told to run with unsafe/illegal equipment. I take care of my truck and have it serviced as needed. We use speedco for our b service which has helped terminal shops get trucks in and out faster. Some shops are better then others. As far as money goes. In the 6 years I’ve been here I’ve been over 53k a year. Gotten my raise all 6 years and I’m at 46cpm. I get 2500 to 3400 a week and very rarely do I have to sit for a restart. Average wait time for a load offer is within 10 minutes of sending in empty call. Honestly I hear people complaining about things but I highly doubt they put any effort in. I give crete an 8 out of ten. Turn the trucks up to 65 and it will be a 10
J.c^_^ I 100% $ agree with you. I quit otr and now thinking of returning. It’s had to make $ with anyone else but Crete CCC
200 a week? I get 2500 to 3400 mi a week next load usually within 15 min pay will be .44 on April 1. Usually over 1100 a week now I don’t bother them they don’t bother me.No problems senior
I have been a driver for Crete for 6 years. They have always treated me with respect. They give me great miles and always get me home on time. I make $50,000 – $52,000 every year depending on the amount of home time I take. I worked for a huge aerospace company for 18 years before and Crete is as good or better. The medical / dental insurance is excellent. Crete offers profit sharing as well as 401k with company match. Crete is the best truckload carrier by far.
I’ve been with them over a year now. Overall the company tries to take care of the drivers. But what spoils the pot are certain individuals. Mostly the night/weekend asset managers. They are always slow in getting the dispatch info out. It feels like they’re acting like they are doling it out slowly to make me wait. At times it can take up to 30 minutes and occasionally more for all the information. I know it can done within several minutes after the empty call is done. One time my asset manager had a few words with the night crew. Night crew took over one hour to get the info to us. By then I decided to go to sleep and soon after my co-driver went to sleep. He waited almost 90 minutes. Night crew thinks that doing this makes them more powerful. I call it self empowerment. What they don’t understand is that asset managers and drivers have a symbiotic relationship.
Dude, get used to the night and weekend dispatchers being inept. …for 15 years…EVERY company has had this issue. You just have to try and avoid them…you need a pro active aset manager…they are rare but they do exist.
I’ve worked for Crete for 8 years and they have been awesome! I always get home ontime as requested. The guy who only makes $200 is lying to the wife. No way could you only make $200 unless you are not doing your job. All these complainers I have learned, if you talk to them awhile you see why they aren’t getting the miles! If you want to work you can easily make $50 grand a year. They are always helpful and polite if I have a problem. They have never been rude. They are the best company I have worked for in the 20 years I have been driving.
No I believe her. My husband was sick for a week and had a negative 73 buck paycheck.
hundred percent agree I hear it all the time from all kinds of company drivers that they don’t make any miles.
I think drivers need to take a look at what they’re spending out on the road and who they’re spending it on I agree that poor wife is definitely being lied to.
Going to school soon. Hope to get picked up by Crete
I hate not to get paid detention well i got paid detention twice. Once they paid me 30 dollars for all day. Most of the time i don’t get paid nothing.crete gives his customers 4free hrs.
If U claim that your drivers R a real asset U gotta give a lot to them 🙂 more time off, trucks unleashed to 65 MPH, quality trucks, not the internationals ! Don’t needlessly force drivers to log 1/2 hr for drp/hk ! Don’t dictate the routes and fuel stops ! And this is what had me leave them cause they make it hard for drivers to drive on those state routes !! Crete needs to invest in their drivers by making it easy to have a life while driving for them and it is ok to cut on the pay cause it is not much compared to the cuts on driver’s comfort :-/ 1 more to point out is U need to not embarrass yourselves by being cheap not having a janitor in the Indy trmnl 🙂 I mean after I took a shower the lady at the reception escorted me back to the shower and had me mop the floor with the provided used towel 🙂 u need to work on some social skills and again on investing money for drivers’ comfort 🙂
Crete and shaffer are getting worse and worse every year. The old asset managers and OKS are retiring and new ones show up thinking the know everything and that you have to do what they say? Weekend and night dispatch is a joke. I hope to find another job very soon and be done with them. I used them for what they are useful for and that is getting experience out of school. Past that they have done nothing else for me bur give me headaches and problems.
My husband has been with Crete for 15 months now and has been very happy and satisfied with them overall. They do have some issues that really need to be looked at and fixed in order to make the drivers more content. Terminals need to be fully stocked with qualified repair diesel mechanics 24/7. The smaller terminals need to expand or move to bigger facilities with all repair bays open 24/7. Drivers should be able to get a flat fixed within the hour, not put on a list and sit there for 2 days! Major repairs should be done within 2 days max with the driver put up in a hotel and break down pay started immediately. They really need to revisit detention pay and the drivers should be paid wheather the sorry company that’s causing the delay does or not. They really need to make sure the drivers who need condo sleepers have them . We sit very little and he is in the top 10% of all Crete drivers for miles driven. He averages over 3000 miles per week every week. Home time has never been a problem and we have had several emergencies and no one threatened to take his truck from him. He had 17 years of experience and started out at 44cents per mile and they raised it to 46cents. Averitt always has their own agenda and fabricated a lie to fire him simply because he constantly asked for more miles. They STILL pay 37cents per mile and he’s been gone 6 years! Crete is a GOOD company and the grass isn’t greener on the other side.
I drive for Crete make good money go home every 12 days . I’ve made more here then any other otr company I’ve worked for . my truck is one of the oldest in the fleet it’s not perfect but it makes me money. Turned over 495000 today. It’s really based on what you want to do out here do you want to sit and whine about things our make money there laid back here if you want to run hard they’ll run you hard if you want to easy around and hang out at truck stops and terminals you can do that to don’t look for a pay check . if those wheels ain’t turning you ain’t earning.
Crete was a decent company 10 years ago. Now it is no better than any other. They brought back South East Region and it is worse than before. Mostly grocery and sitting all the time. Go to pick up a load that was suppose to be ready a day before according to Crete’s wonderful load planners, but isn’t due to be loaded until the next day. 1000 miles per week. Wow! Anyone can live on that. They can’t get a driver home on time for any doctor appointment. Better lie and tell them you need to be home two days before the actual appointment instead. You might make it. Let’s not forget the wonderful Internationals that keep breaking down and take days to repair then you are lucky if the truck will make it two weeks before another breakdown. Then the idle time. The fan or cooler keeps breaking and doesn’t cool a truck that is over 120 degrees inside. Yeah, try and sleep like that. I heard they wanted to be more like other trucking companies. Well, congrats, you now are.
It’s Saturday. Pick up a load tomorrow that delivers at an appointment time on Thursday a little over three hundred miles away. I don’t think I will make it. I needed Tuesday and Wednesday off. Not Sunday and Monday too. Where are these load planners coming from? Crete, come sit with us.
Strict rules and they charge $175 detail fee if your truck is dirty, but besides that easy company to work for. Decent pay, decent miles.
Well to start off with I hear a lot of drivers complaints with crete my husband works for Crete and the miles are there if you want them he turn 4200 this week but he also dose not hang out in the truckstops I guess I heard that someone said that her husband only brought home 200 dollars I really don’t get that because my runs and has good checks which him turning those miles is not bad for a 62 mph truck it can be done the miles are there if ya want them he turns 500 to 600 a day The only problem I see with the. Company is the asset mangers need to let dispatched do there job and let the drivers get a hold of them when they need something he hears nothing from the fleet manger that’s the way he likes it he just likes to run to take care of his family Crete makes money and so does he
I read these comments and have to agree with them I worked there 12 years and saw the writing on the wall if you have no life and want to live in truck have a sleep study and a machine and a camera and young disrespectful people to work with then crete is where you wanna go.
You only get a camera if you accrue enough points due to an accident. After 6 months you get the cam taken out if you keep your driving safe.
Lol I hit a horse in s.d. not my fault and no ticket. They issued another international but with a camera. I have a clean record. Hell if I swerved at 60mph I could have rolled over.
Sorry, but running legal in a 62 mph tractor you can’t possibly get 4200 miles in a week. If it flew, maybe.Btw. I’m a retired Airline Pilot with 3 years LEO time as a Patrol Officer so I have a little idea how mileage averages work,
7 days a week driving 9.6 hrs a day it’s possiable remind me not to fly on your plane you are allowed 11 hr to drive and 4200 miles is still under 70 hrs it’s 67
Maybe if your running midwest, not east coast or cali
50 Grand is less than $1,000 a week, BFD!
Do they run you mostly day driving or night driving? Last company had me running nights. I didn’t like it. Plus I was never getting enough rest. Not so concerned with getting a LOT of miles, but would like decent miles, rather than being tired all of the time.
Crete is a good company except for a vindictive Fleet Manager from Deland, FL. In her mind the driver is always wrong and I have had my disagreements with her, no doubt. I left the company for another opportunity. I had a good safety record, put a two weeks notice in. I decided that I would like to come back and I was “not rehireable.” I called the Safety Manager and he reviewed my record over the phone with me and could not see any reason why I was “not rehirable” and it was up to the Fleet Manager from Deland to change it. Now why on God’s earth would a huge company like Crete give that much power to a Fleet Manager to make decisions on a driver’s future if they decide to come back? Just because a driver decides that they want to leave for another opportunity; and leaves on good terms, why should they suffer at the hands of a Fleet Manager who thinks otherwise?
Been with Crete 2 years.it start ed out good.last month they forced me to do a sleep study.which I done had one done 3 years ago.shut me down haven’t been working since then .had to take bus home.nobody there returns my call.Lenoir city joke….seems o me they discriminant. With certain s drivers there in new Kingston..
I’ve been with CCC going on eight years. Miles are there if you want them. People that work in the offices don’t have time too babysit the cry baby drivers. It’s a business, stop crying and bitching…don’t like it leave. Yes the trucks are slow and have no power and are junk. But, I’m not the CEO of CCC. AND FOR THE DRIVER WHO BURNS THE BRAKES…LEARN HOW TOO DRIVE THAT PROSTAR.
And I’m so glad they leave us alone. I don’t think I’ve ever talked on the phone to my current asset mgr been with him 3 months. You send in empty call next trip is there usually in about 10 mins I’ve never waited over 20 mins except one time q-com was down,they send you all the info you need n its simple . You can send in Mac 8 get pen point directions with some more shipper relevant info if you can’t figure out what to do with it without bothering dispatch you might need to find a new occupation. The miles are there n that guy I read earlier insinuating that he should be able to choose his fuel stop. I mean really if your a company driver they pay for your fuel so if they know we’re they can get it cheaper it’s your job to try n hit that fuel stop o have forgot n went on by was no big deal messaged them they lined me out with new one. Once on weekend I was low on fuel my time to spare b4 delivery was only like 10 mins had no time for message process got fuel at my choice and I never heard anything about it. They’ve always paid me full detention n reimbursed me for everything they said they would. And you can take a different route within a acceptable range n also get them to send new fuel stops along that route. And guy saying they didn’t pay his breakdown I’m betting they offered you a loaner truck or new one and you turned them down.
Crete handed me a truck which was governed at 95 mph. They complained about me going 65 in a 70mph speed zone through WY and decided to is tall a drive cam. A mechanic in PA and TN told me that their was nothing they could do because someone messed with the computer. I kept getting phone calls about not doing 62 mph and told them I would do my best to keep it at 62 which really stressed me out and they ended up firing me after 5 months of working for them because I had 21 so called violations. Crete didn’t agree with me smoking cigars nore did they agree with the type of music they heard when the camera turned red due to me not being able to keep my speed right at 62 mph. Pure BS toward a driver who has never had a speedING ticket behind the wheel of a CMV, never failed a drug test, nore have I ever been involved in an accident. Also don’t believe in Random computer drug screens. That’s just a way to get you to the yard to get a load no one wants. Miles sucker also. Your better off driving a garbag truck or unloading your own freight. Do not believe what you here over the XM radio when CRETE/SHAFFER has a Comercial.
The statement above…you’re full of crap. I had a truck that wasn’t turned down from International. Just, about three months ago it was finally turned down. Not, because I was caught or the log department watching my speed. It was because, after I had put nearly 245,000 plus miles on it the DPF was having problems they have to clean it test drove it and realize it was turned up…they turned it down with no questions ask. Yes, I keeped the speed between 65-68 miles an hour. I ask the mechanica about them turning it down…they said if I didn’t bring the truck in for repairs they; would have never have known about it. Yesterday was my last day with CCC after eight years, not a bad company at all and left just to go and drive with a smaller company…my choice and I would recommend CCC to anyone.
I’ve been with them 4 months now, and so far I’ve grossed over 12 grand. That’s an average of just under 900 a week. Not bad for this rookie. So who ever said they’re only making 200 a week is either full of crap or hiding something.
If you have freightliner you’ll make money if you use international with high miles you’ll go broke
My husband drives for Crete. When he went to oritation he asked them to have Christmas off they told him he could now that Christmas is here they lied and told him that they can’t get him home. If a trucking company lies to their truckers then it is not a good company to work for. Crete is not a family orinated company.
Thank you CCC for the eight years of experience. Yesterday, was my last day. Went too a smaller company no big issues with CCC. I would recommend Crete carrier to anyone. Just, remember yes they are becoming any other company but, they pay VERY WELL, if you want to stay out there plus weeks…be safe drivers and hammer down.
I have worked for Crete going on 6 yrs now, every year I have made more money than the last . I have had no major problems getting home for home time, I average 2600 to 3100 miles per week but then again when I am out I work! If you are not happy with Crete I suggest you look in the mirror there you will probably see the problem. Are they perfect? No but what trucking is? My one complaint is the 62 mph trucks but hey it ain’t holding me back
How’s crete when dealing with owner ops? Thinking about putting my truck there would like honest I’m put. Randy
Been with Crete now for 7 1/2 years. Plan on retiring here. On my 33rd New truck since starting. They have good equipment, a large freight base, and most loads are drop and hook. They stress safety, expect drivers to run legal, and if you communicate with dispatch well if your on a load that you can’t deliver on time they will work to reschedule or repower without giving you a hard time. I run days and keep a pretty regular schedule day to day, rarely have to do restarts away from home, my asset manager gets me home on time without me having to make requests for it and they never complain about how many days I take at home, usually 4-5 days every 21 days. If I have one complaint it is with maintenance on my truck taking too long but it seems to be getting better in that department too. Made over $55,000 last year and they have a good benefit package. Had back surgery 3 years ago and the medical insurance paid the biggest majority with relatively few dollars coming out of my pocket and they carry a disability policy that paid me while I was off. So over all I am very happy to be driving for them and wouldn’t consider driving for anyone else.
Not 33rd but third New truck!!
I agree,been w/Crete since 09/11.Home on medical leave.Returning soon as released. 21RDO,27-2900 M/p/Wkx .45p/mi.Home 3-3.5 days and out.Live in MS. Some drivers need to get “Organized”, learn how to spell and understand many what they believe are problems are self inflicted and the ” Nature of the beast”..Happy trails,be safe,Bob
I absolutely love this company. If you’re complaining about them, well, like any company, they’re not for everyone. I get great miles here, and am making .45¢ a mile. Not bad for someone who is almost at their two year mark in their career. Working for Crete has pulled me out of debt, and showed me that even though they are technically a “big company,” they still treat you like a human. When I worked for Werner I was broke and treated like shit (except for my regular fleet manager, that dude was AWESOME). Freight was slow earlier this year and I was struggling a bit, but it wasn’t just Crete, other friends from other companies were suffering too. I only have a couple complaints and they aren’t even a big deal. If you get flagged for a sleep study, chances are you’re getting a CPAP machine, which you do have to pay for. It’ll run you about $900 in $50 a week increments. Sometimes it takes awhile for night and weekend dispatch to get back to you, but that’s when you call them instead of sitting around waiting for a Qualcomm response. I also wish they’d get me pre plan loads before I deliver the current load I’m on (that’s the only thing I miss about Werner). Last, like everyone, the 62mph trucks hahaha. Though, like the friend who referred me said, you don’t have to go fast to make good money.
If you like to work, this is the place for you. I’m not sure about other places, but if you’re in the Midwest, there’s a regional account that’ll have you home every weekend, which I’m jumping on in July after the wife and I move.
I’ll be really sad when the day comes to leave to go local. I have a two year old at home, and as happy as I am here at Crete, I need to be home more. Don’t get me wrong, I love OTR, and staying out 4 weeks at a time, but my kid needs me.
Crete just got Cheyenne Wyoming Walmart account they can’t cover loads so they pull in national drivers to run night’s (all night) in Denver Walmart stores. They hold you hostage suck up all of HOS then release you with lost wages. Sorry Crete but I work for money,…. you got a business to run I have a family to support. Word is out your digging a hole for yourself .
You’re absolutely right my husband said
I’ve just been forced onto the WalMart dedicated fleet. They say it’s the freight, they need drvrs and I’m available to do it. I disagreed. Each time I come to Denverify or Cheyenne to del lds ftom back east, I get a msg about needing drvrs to run or help out this account. I’m on National and happy overall doing that however I don’t prefer wrking WalMart out of Cheyenne however you’ll be forced to do so for a wk whether you want to or not
Crete carriers will lie to u just like any other company there have sum good staff workers and all of them have the wrong position lord the man who on gp account if you are black u will not have a fighting chance with this company sad but i promise its truth they are not going to pay u layover pay wilmer terminal is the worst place ever you will meet terminal managers niki and jim from day one you can feel bs when you meet them let just say crete carries has a bunch of nice assholes that lie real good and the head owner needs to know this
Ps home office is more worried about what’s being said about them on fa,cebook and these site more than go supervise there termial and make sure there drivers are getting treated right while there at home enjoying there family living life you are away from your family getting miss treated and getting paid peanuts.crete carriers is a ungodly company to work for the feed u swine every month for thanking you for working for peanuts .here i stay and i say crete carriers will be like tango for there devilments they have one gp dispach call jason take heed do not trust him do not respect him or bob they will kill you and wouldn’t think twice these guy are very smart elog won’t help you with these guy i repeat do not work for this company you will stuggle thiey will lie
Company was great up until 2007, i left them with 13 years in at .47 mile & 3 weeks vacation
i made over 60000 every year , then tonn got his hands on the company & it went to hell
Average weekly miles 1500 to 1800, 10 mile to 300 mile loads
3 days to deliver a 350 mile
load
dont know if anything has gotten any better recently
but if your thinking of driving for crete , i would definitely do my research
the low paychecks are unfortunately true
Crete has gd pay, benefits. Depending on your asset manager and lds you may or may not get home on dates you request. Trks are governed at 62. No APU’s. Only Espar or battery pack depending on which trk your assigned. Opti idle is norm on all trks. They have regional fleets as well as some WalMart dedicated depending on where you live. Keep some things in mind. Crete is a customer based carrier. They serve their customers. They aren’t as Driver oriented as they lead you to believe. Pay is tops, benefits are too, home is grt but again depends on situation. Now that they have the higest pay expect forced dispatched. They say they don’t but when push comes to shove you’ll be forced to take it. This is also true on the WalMart dedicated Crete has out of Cheyenne. If ur a National drvr and in the area don’t be surprised to be assigned to ‘help’ out at that DC. They will tell you it’s because of increased freight but drvrs out of there will say it’s because they can’t keep any drvrs. Because of high pay and the only requirement off 119,00 miles for Crete drvrs your only expected to get around 2400 a wk in miles. So if ur a drvr that likes to run and get more than that, then Crete may not be for you. I like to get 3000 a wk but again they are customer oriented so it’s customer first. Drvrs second. So if you end up with lds averaging around 4-500 miles that’s about average. Rare to see large runs over 800, 1000 or more. You can expect to run alot of East, Northeast freight. That’s the major part of their bread and butter. They have elogs, camera”s only in trks where drvrs have made ‘mistakes’ otherwise, rest of trks don’t have them. Equipment is usually very new, but still some trks in fleet waiting to get miles on b4 sold. Expect a sleep study if your BMI is 35 or above and they’ll likely say you’ll have to use a cpap machine which will be about 900 at 50 dollar a wk increments till paid off. Rest assure you’ll be harrassed about significant use of treatment hrs and they’ll shut you d own regardless where your,at if not compliant till u are. So if this infor is gd then Crete’s for you. Otherwise keep looking, pay isn’t everything
After reading and hearing about how great Crete is to work for I talked my husband into going to Crete for a truck driving job. I am now regretting it and feeling guilty for suggesting Crete. He was hired on in early November and since he graduated orientation and training it has been a nightmare. He was assigned a truck that had to put in the shop in Wilmer, TX.. He came home to pick me up. After 3 days his truck was not ready, so then they sent us to Phoenix, Az. in a rental car for a relief truck which was in the shop there, and upon checking fluids before leaving found that there was no oil. Waited for that to be taken care of. Finally got on the road and 3 days later the truck broke down just outside Silver Thorns, Colorado. We were towed to Aurora, Co., 2 days later they sent another driver to pick us up and take us to Cheyenne, Wy. Where we were to pick up another relief truck, but upon arrival the truck had been given to another driver. After several days he finally got to get back into the relief truck and assigned to deliver for Wal-Mart in Cheyenne. We were in dangerous weather conditions for several days. (Now if you don’t know this, running for WM distribution is done differently than just for Crete. My husband had to go through their orientation and was not told everything, he did paper work as they told him. So come pay day, he did not get paid. It did not end there but it would take up too much space to cover all that happened to us in a 2 week period. He finally got the news he was waiting for…his original assigned truck was ready. So while making deliveries and pick ups we made our way back to Wilmer, Tx.. We arrived on Christmas day. Guess what? The truck was there but no keys and no-one was there. I went home and he stayed to get keys next morning only to find out the truck was NOT ready. Waiting again. They decide he has to go to San Antonio for another truck but it is too close for a rental car but too far for company car, so he has to get on a bus. In all the hustle they forgot to give him money for taxi to get from bus terminal to where he has to pick up the truck. He can’t pay out of his own pocket because he didn’t get paid lay pay day. Shame on you Crete for causing so much turmoil for someone who’s long time dream was to be a truck driver. Not only all this but in the 7 weeks he has worked for you he has only been paid about $1,100.00 ( yes that’s one thousand one hundred dollars for seven weeks). It is NOT this driver’s fault that he keeps getting the run around. There is no communication within office personnel either. We cannot afford for this to keep happening but we cannot afford for him to quit either. What can we do for things to be better?
My husband wants to drive, work for Crete, but without all the hassle and broke down trucks. Put him in a good running truck, communicate with him, pay him well and he (we) will do what he was hired to do… Be a truck driver and drive!
I have been with Crete/Shaffer as an OTR team driver for 5 yrs. The company has consistently made driver improvements since hired in regard to technology and driver equipment. We get great miles, great pay (55cpm),auto detention, gold standard insurance ($35/week) profit sharing plus more. Probably the best thing I like is the operations team we work with on a daily basis. Never had a problem getting home as planned. I can see why our company has one of the lowest turnover rates in our industry. I sure don’t plan on leaving until they retire me.
Crete steals drivers entire paychecks. Forces drivers to quit instead of firing them because they steal their paycheck and do not want to pay unemployment due to their criminal activities through thief from a workers pay that they earned. Crete creates a hostile work environment. Crete has bedbugs in a lot of trucks that causes drivers to be bitten and have health issues. Crete makes drivers sign all paperwork BEFORE RECEIVING a driver’s manual, that contains important legal points that could and will destroy the finances of a driver, which was never told to the driver during training. Crete telephones drivers to intimidate, harass and stress drivers out about things that are beyond drivers’ control.
.48 cents a mile is a sales pitch. Your in the shop due to breakdown more than on the road. If your truck is not repaired within a day your require to move to a temporary one in worst shape. It will take a day to move your personal items. Dispatch is another nightmare, be prepared to get 100 miles or less loads. If you refuse your written up. Spending the day at the shipper, consignee, scales and mostly for short loads. Time is money. Plus no time off for Christmas. Only the 25th.
Thanks…made my decision I won’t be applying at Crete. Stay where I’m at even though the insurance has gome to crap. Thanks.
Was thinking about going to work for Crete, but what I’m reading here, really has me wondering about whether to go there or not.
Stop listening to crappy drivers that want to do nothing but keep ######## and complain there are a lot of other company drivers out there that are satisfied with Crete, Shaffer, and/ or Hunt we’ve worked for Crete for 4 years it was a great company we just wanted
more home time due to family matters.so we left on good terms.now, almost 10 yrs later, we decided to try Hunt which is the flatbed division of Crete and we love it!
Ccc great place to make money if you run hard….its the key …run hard get paid….
Just came back to Crete Left to go local. still pretty much the same. Like any company you have to learn their system and make it work for you. 3100 miles average in the first 7 weeks including home time. Roll on your tens and you will get the miles you want. Paycheck average $1450 a week @.48 cpm. Don’t put yourself in the position to get screwed or you will. Same as any other company You have to stand up for yourself
Crete has started changing in a bad way. I’ve worked for them over two years. Your experience at Crete will depend largely on your asset manager(dispatcher). They have started to force dispatch loads onto me. Spent another day arguing for better loads to get more miles. Been running hard and trying my best but they are giving me back to back bad loads and refusing to remove them. Example: 640 mile load spread over three days. When I started they were great but then within last two months switched me to new asset manager. Just spent day arguing with the ops manager who did same. I doubt I will be staying with them much longer. I am not making money. They also tried force dispatching onto Cheyenne dedicated after I did week losing money there. Two more wasted days arguing about that. Lots of lost money and for whatever reason they will not even send me bare minimum loads to get me to goal. Turning into swift.
Fired me for taking time off when my mother died.
What’s the most traveled area for Crete?
First of all I will say I was in the household hauling for over 27 years I decided to go freight hauling. Started with one company, read reviews about them before I signed on, mostly bad reviews, but went with them anyway, didn’t work out, truck problems after a little over a month did me in, so I went with Crete, I liked them right off the bat, my recruiter asked if I was ready for orientation, I told him I was and asked if they were going to pay for a bus ticket, to my surprise they they did better than that, rented me a car, put me up in a hotel during orientation, my own room no sharing with someone I never met, like the last company haha.. but what really impressed me was a call I got from the president of the company welcoming me… it just takes a little awareness to see that this is a company that understands its drivers.. there will be bad reviews for every company, attitude of a driver has a lot to do with that… im still learning their policies, I try to read through all the pamphlets every time I’m down for the night… but you there are times where you just feel good about something, and this company is one of those times
nick
i worked for crete for enough years to get 3 weeks vacation, i was on pozzi fleet and general mills most of the years, general mills was dissolved and then i only had a few months before i could retire, i did hate national fleet and went to midwest regional till the end, i would never work for crete again on national fleet or any regional fleets, i am a hard worker, never had accidents, would stay out 4 months at a time, i now live in the philippines for 9 years now, am doing good, i lived in the truck and saved my money, made it work for me doing that,
with other investments i made earlier and social security, i net over $1,000
each week i am very lucky and happy now,
have a good one everyonei am glad as hell i am out of there
followup on my comment with crete
i bought 900 sq. meter lot and had a nice 4 bedroom house built and all is paid for from the beginning, i never have had debt and will never have it.
many drivers talk about the pay at crete, i was always at the top, no matter what the milage pay was, if i had to drive again, which i will not,
i would rather take a 5 cent per mile cut in pay, and be with a company that runs long trips, it is much easier on you and your body, also in the past, i pulled chemical tankers and petroleum tankers, i loved that and u dont run as many miles, but u get lots of other pay that makes up for that.
that is just to give u a driver some alternative jobs to think about.
but no matter what or who u drive for, u have to give 100% 100%of the time, i drove for crete for 3 years back when crete terminal in nebraska was way in back of where it is now and only a 3 door shop and one fuel pump and had to drag the hose over to the other side, but they did fuel it for u, then left and went to the tankers for sinclair refinery in wyoming, did that for 7 years and then chemical tankers for highway transport and then back to crete after a divorce and lived in my truck and saved money for retirement, other drivers would say i was crazy to live in my truck, hell, they were only off at home for 3 days a month, so they actually did live in their trucks and sent all their money home for someone else to have a so called comfortable life.
i would stay out 4 months with crete then leave my truck in marietta at terminal and get a flight to costa rica for 2 weeks and back to driving for 4 months, i did this for the last 10 years i drove for them, each driver has to be smart enough to make whereever they choose to work , make it work for them, every company is like playing, u need to know that and play it to win for u as far as saving money and making money, u can not make money with crete if u take a lot of time off, or any other company,
it is that simple. i really thought at times while driving that i would never live long enough to retire, but thankfully i did save a lot of money just in case i did, and it did pay off, i have said enough probably too much,
just make a plan to save and stick to the plan, it will work for anyone, just have to have disipline. hope others will be as lucky as i have been
oh and by the way, i was always the top mileage runner at my terminal all those years, and the last few months before i did retire , my mileage was lowere than when on general mills which was drop and hook 24 7 and was always had a preplan, so as a result of lower miles compared to general mills, they told my terminal manager to not rehire me if i decided to come back to work or put a no rehire in my file in lincoln, he said he talked to them and got that changed to will rehire, but Dammit can u believe that they would do that, anyway that tells u a lot about a company, u are just a number and nothing else, i told them hell, it was no way to keep my miles same as with general mills and they just did not rtespond
anyway, good luck to all and just be thankful for what u have and always work hard as hell
I’m trying to figure out why they wanted to flag you as do not rehire? Was it because you wanted to take off 2 weeks evety 4 months? Did they make you clean out your truck when you shut it down not conforming to their work/vacation schedule? Was BH your terminal manager/flt mngr? Was BB your regional mngr?
Crete Great company! Been with Crete 12.5 years. They don’t hold your hand, they expect us to know our job and to do the job safe & on time. I make good money with Crete.
Couple things to know for success. 1. Ignore Qual Com ( unless clearly stated in comments) if you can pick up early & deliver early always always go for it.
2. Stay away from terminals. Terminal personal are wonderful folks but they’re too busy to be bothered by drivers.
3. Leave asset manager alone. Don’t call & send Qual Com messages except when needed to schedule home time, vacation, or problem with on time delivery. All other concerns leave them alone.
4. Crete office personal will not treat us with respect we don’t deserve. If we need to go into office we need to be clean, and respectful.
If you do have plans to move up corporate ladder & your a driver know Crete does not promote drivers.
As a driver and only a driver Crete/Shaffer are the best company to drive for
I’ve been driving for over 40 years. Been with Crete just 7 months now. I’ve dealt with my share of liars. The first 6 months, they kept all their promises but, right now, sitting in a truck stop not making money. The last month has got me LOOKING elsewhere. Weekend dispatch sucks. They have no knowledge of trucking. If, I say I don’t have the hours to do a load, accept it, don’t question me why. Pay sucks. Wants me to run out of region but wants to pay me just my region pay. Thought they cared about their drivers but, finding out, they’re just like all the other big companies, could care less
I’m in a Crete truck as I’m writing this sent a msg 2hrs ago there are no empty trailers at consignee not response no acknowledgement of recipe of msg nothing. This company sucks 4months in go elsewhere.
Drivers that have purchased a truck from Crete. After the necessary expenses in the O/O package, how much take home a month?
All of us drivers that Crete Carriers need to go on Facebook to the Crete Carriers page and put what happened. Crete Carriers can’t band everybody. I lost my job after reporting abuse. I’m labeled a whistle blower by Tim Ashcroft. When I at Crete Carriers my truck was broken into 2 times and the fuel tanks messed up. Crete Carriers refused to let me call the police. I’ve often wondered why they wouldn’t let me. Tim Ashcroft the president of Crete Carriers should be fired for not doing about abusive behavior by the Wilmer terminal manager and assistant terminal manager they are pathological liers.
Wow, Crete was always my back up plan. After reading these posts, I think not.
Wow, with crete 3 yrs now, straight out of school, 66k year 1, 77k year 2, 70k this year, home on weekends, great benefits, no problems here, JIM