OWNER OPERATOR CAREERS

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ENJOY A WEALTH OF DRIVING OPTIONS

Owner operators at Crete Carrier Corporation can enjoy access to our full complement of fleets nationwide, in addition to our 21-day OTR options. Call a recruiter today for more information on our fleet opportunities near you.

FREEDOM. SECURITY. SUCCESS.

Join the owner operator program as a driver for Crete Carrier, Shaffer Trucking, or Hunt Transportation and get the best of both worlds. The freedom to choose your loads, your destinations and your home time, AND the reliable freight, miles and pay that come with Crete’s stable foundation of well-known customers.

Plus, you’ll have the support of Crete’s nationwide network of terminals and shops and a fuel program that’s second to none.

Whether you already own your truck, or you’re looking to make the move to owner operator, choose Crete Carrier, where we’re here to help you succeed.

APPLY NOW
CALL A RECRUITER

SELECT A LOGO BELOW TO VIEW PAY INFORMATION

Choose your freight type

DRY VAN DIVISION

REFRIGERATED DIVISION

FLATBED DIVISION

Sliding Scale Option - 21 Days Out OTR

All miles are practical route miles.

MILES* SOLOTEAM
1 – 150 $1.83$1.83
151 – 250 $1.63$1.63
251 – 700 $1.38$1.41
701 – 1200 $1.32$1.35
1201+ $1.24$1.27
Deadhead $0.90$0.90

*Fuel surcharge is updated weekly based on the average dollar of over-the-road diesel. A fuel surcharge is paid on all loaded miles.

*Teams are required to operate 60,000 miles (Crete) or 55,000 miles (Shaffer) quarterly to maintain TEAM rates.

Flat Rate Option

All miles associated with this option are authorized loaded and empty practical route miles.

WEEKLY HOME TIME BI-WEEKLY HOME TIME
Trip Length (miles)* Rate Trip Length* Rate
1 – 500 $1.25 1 – 500 $1.30
501 – 1200 $1.22 501 – 1200 $1.26
1201+ $1.20 1201+ $1.22

*Fuel surcharge is updated weekly based on the average dollar of over-the-road diesel. A fuel surcharge is paid on all loaded miles.

Stop-Off Pay

If your load requires multiple stops, in addition to the original pick up and the final delivery, you will receive stop pay of $30 per stop.

Guaranteed Detention Pay

Owner operators will receive guaranteed detention pay after two hours of wait time.

Sliding Scale Option - 21 Days Out OTR

All miles are practical route miles.

MILES* SOLOTEAM
1 – 150 $1.86$1.86
151 – 250 $1.66$1.66
251 – 700 $1.41$1.44
701 – 1200 $1.35$1.38
1201+ $1.27$1.30
Deadhead $0.90$0.90

*Fuel surcharge is updated weekly based on the average dollar of over-the-road diesel. A fuel surcharge is paid on all loaded miles.

*Teams are required to operate 60,000 miles (Crete) or 55,000 miles (Shaffer) quarterly to maintain TEAM rates.

Flat Rate Option

All miles associated with this option are authorized loaded and empty practical route miles.

WEEKLY HOME TIME BI-WEEKLY HOME TIME
Trip Length (miles)* Rate Trip Length* Rate
1 – 500 $1.26 1 – 500 $1.33
501 – 1200 $1.23 501 – 1200 $1.29
1201+ $1.21 1201+ $1.23

*Fuel surcharge is updated weekly based on the average dollar of over-the-road diesel. A fuel surcharge is paid on all loaded miles.

Stop-Off Pay

If your load requires multiple stops, in addition to the original pick up and the final delivery, you will receive stop pay of $30 per stop.

Guaranteed Detention Pay

Owner operators will receive guaranteed detention pay after two hours of wait time.

Flatbed Pay Options

Option #1 - Mileage Rate

Mileage compensation is computed using practical route miles which more closely matches the actual miles you drive rather than short route miles which many other companies use in computing miles.

MILES* HUNT
1 – 150 $1.64
151 – 300 $1.41
301 – 700 $1.21
701 – 1,200 $1.17
1201+ $1.06
Deadhead Miles $0.86

Additional Information

  • A quarterly safety bonus of $0.02 per mile will be paid when equal to or exceeding 27,000 miles with no safety violations
  • Safety Points must be no more than 12 at any time during the quarter to be eligible fo the safety bonus
  • Over-dimensional loads pay an additional $.25 to $.35/mile determined by the size of the load
  • $50.00 stop pay
  • 100% of tarp pay
  • 65% of any LTL “add-ons”
  • Peoplenet rental is $10 per week.
  • Owner operators will receive 100% of the customer fuel surcharge

Option #2 - Percentage of Gross

  • The plan starts at 67% of the gross revenue of each load, increasing by 1% each of the first three (3) years, then 71% on the 10th year and 72% on the 15th year.
  • A quarterly safety bonus of $0.02 per mile will be paid when equal to or exceeding 27,000 miles with no safety violations
  • Safety Points must be no more than 12 at any time during the quarter to be eligible fo the safety bonus
  • 100% of tarp pay
  • Percentage rate of any LTL “add-ons” equal to your percentage rate of pay
  • Peoplenet rental is $10 per week
  • Owner operators will receive 100% of the customer fuel surcharge

Stop-Off Pay

If your load requires multiple stops, in addition to the original pick up and the final delivery, you will receive stop pay of $30 per stop.

Guaranteed Detention Pay

Owner operators will receive guaranteed detention pay after two hours of wait time.

KNOW YOUR PAY

How do you know if makes financial sense to take on the responsibility, and pursue the opportunity of being an owner operator with Crete Carrier or Shaffer Trucking? We’ve created a handy tool to help you calculate what you can expect for weekly take home pay.

Simply click the button that corresponds with what you prefer to haul. Answer the questions in the Know Your Pay tool, and this will give you an idea of the income you could expect as an owner operator with Crete Carrier or Shaffer Trucking.

CLICK A BUTTON BELOW TO CALCULATE YOUR POTENTIAL EARNING POWER

Gary Thompkins, Crete Carrier driver
Gary Thompkins, Crete Carrier driver

“CRETE IS ALWAYS AT THE FOREFRONT OF DRIVER COMPENSATION. THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A BETTER TIME THAN NOW TO BE A LONG-HAUL DRIVER.”

– Gary

GARY TOMPKINS

Crete Carrier Driver

READY TO GET OFF THE ROAD?

RESET AND REGROUP AT ANY OF OUR

20 TERMINAL LOCATIONS NATIONWIDE.

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GREAT PAY MEETS GREAT BENEFITS

EXPERIENCE THE CRETE, SHAFFER, AND HUNT DIFFERENCE

AFFORDABLE INSURANCE

All Crete Carrier Corporation employees receive health, dental, and vision insurance at company group rates.

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IRA CONTRIBUTION PLAN

Crete and Shaffer owner operators who contribute to an IRA Contribution Plan receive an annual incentive payment.

PARTNER DISCOUNTS

Enjoy exclusive discounts from Crete Carrier Corporation's retail and service partners.

DRIVER RECOGNITION

Our drivers are the lifeblood of our company and we relish celebrating them and their driving achievements.

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Crete Carrier Corporation employee dependents are eligible for several scholarships to 2-year or 4-year accredited colleges.

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DRIVER REFERRAL BONUS

Refer a driver to Crete or Shaffer and receive a $500 bonus once they complete their orientation plus 1 CPM for every mile they drive in their first year.

QUALIFICATIONS AND ONBOARDING

Crete Carrier Corporation strives to be the best trucking company in the nation. We strive to bring on experienced drivers with top safety records.

We require:

  • Valid Class A CDL
  • One year of tractor-trailer experience
  • DOT physical and drug test (urinalysis and follicle testing)
  • Company in-truck driving test
  • Acceptable safety record with no preventable accidents in past 5 years
  • No DUI or DWI convictions in past 5 years
  • No positive drug screens or events in past 5 years
  • TWIC card or eligible to obtain for Hunt Transportation
  • Minimum age of 22
  • Owner operator trucks must scale 44,500 pounds

Crete Carrier and Shaffer Trucking Orientation Expectations

  • Locations: Lincoln, NE, Lenoir City, TN, Mechanicsburg, PA, North Salt Lake, UT, and Wilmer, TX
  • Owner operators paid to deadhead to orientation site
  • Lodging and meals paid
  • Classroom training and road test

Hunt Transportation Orientation Expectations

  • Hunt Transportation orientation in Omaha, NE
  • Owner operators paid to deadhead to orientation site
  • Lodging and meals paid
  • Hunt owner operators are paid $550 to attend orientation
  • Classroom training and road test
  • Truck driver orientation will be held over for 3 to 7 days depending on securement experience
  • All Hunt Transportation drivers must pass the pre-work screen to be eligible to drive for our company. Upon completion of the drug screen and pre-work screen, you will proceed with your DOT physical, then on to orientation.
  • The pre-work screen is a series of physical tests to determine a driver’s fitness to perform the necessary tasks expected of our drivers. Click here to watch the pre-work screen video.
  • In the classroom, our drivers get introduced to Hunt’s mobile communication system, a trip planning refresher, a review of safety guidelines and cargo securement designed to keep you, and those with whom you share the road safe
  • If you already own your truck, we require it to be able to haul 46,000 lbs. and have a minimum wheelbase of 230″

OWNER OPERATOR VIDEO ARCHIVE

Becoming an Owner Operator

Owner Operator Advantages

Taking Advantage of Detention Pay

POLICIES AND PROGRAMS

At Crete Carrier Corporation we’re here to support you with a transparent approach to business expenses designed to help our owner operators succeed. Plus, you have access to our industry-leading benefits package and the fuel-surcharge program, which keeps your fuel cost at or below $.75 per gallon

Required Insurance
  • Blanket Physical Damage-Based on value of tractor
  • Bobtail Coverage- $36/month
  • Cargo Coverage - $15/month
  • Worker's Compensation Coverage - $180/month
Plates and Permits
  • Crete Carrier Corporation pays initial costs
  • Weekly deduction to pay back costs
  • Annual relicensing credit based on performance
Performance Escrow
  • Escrow of $1,500 deducted at $50/week for 30 weeks
Monthly Fuel Tax
  • Crete handles fuel tax paperwork
  • Tax amount charged to settlement each month
Maintenance Discount
  • Owner operators receive a significant discount on parts and labor at company shops
Mobile Communication
  • Devices installed at no charge
  • Owner operators on a sliding scale pay $40/month
  • No monthly charge for owner operators on a flat rate pay system

TRUCK PURCHASE PROGRAM

Making the decision to become an owner operator is difficult. One of the biggest hurdles is finding a reliable truck at an affordable price. At Crete Carrier Corporation, we help our company drivers who are interested in purchasing their own truck become successful small business owners. We make buying your own truck a seamless, worry-free process.

Wholesale Pricing

Affordability is always a top concern for drivers wanting to purchase, which is why we price our trucks at or near wholesale value. This price includes a two-year/250-thousand mile extended engine warranty, plus any remaining factory warranty.

Owner Operator Support

From purchasing your truck to running your business, we support you every step of the way. As an owner operator for Crete Carrier, Shaffer Trucking, or Hunt Transportation, you will be your own boss without the stress of finding the freight. You will have your own dedicated dispatch and fleet management team ensuring you get the miles you are looking for.

It’s no wonder our owner operator turnover rate is less than 25%—one of the lowest in the industry. We make the responsibility and reward of running your own business easy.

Available Tractors

  • 2021 Freightliner Cascadia Evolution P4 tractors
  • 455 HP Multi-Torque Detroit DD15 diesel engine
  • DT12 Automated transmission
  • 72" raised roof sleeper
  • 230" wheelbase
  • Rear air ride suspension
  • Premium radio
  • Sky rise double bunk
  • 1200 watt Purkey inverter
  • Dual fuel tanks - 90 & 80 gallon
  • New steer and new recap 22.5 Lo Pro drive tires
  • Idle reduction technology with sleeper APU (cooling & heating)
  • On-Guard Collision Avoidance technology
  • Communication with electronic logs
  • Approximately 400,000 miles
  • Color options - red or blue

CREDIT APPLICATION

  • If you are currently driving for Crete Carrier Corporation, Capitol Casualty will use the following criteria when evaluating your loan application
  • Your average monthly miles
  • Number of safety points
  • Amount of debt
  • Length of time with Crete Carrier Corporation
  • Amount of down payment
  • Credit score

Capitol Casualty offers a 11.5% base interest rate, and with qualifying credit, your down payment could be as low as $3,000.

Please contact our sales team at 800-998-2221 to learn more about the owner-operator program. To start your credit application please click on the document below.