I got home last Saturday and went OOS until Monday night. When going back into service I sent a canned QC message stating I was in service. I have an appointment with my tax accountant this Saturday morning so in the remarks section of the QC message I stated I was available for loads 700 miles or less. I also sent a free-form message requesting loads 700 miles or less. I didn't want to get too far away.
Tuesday morning I get a load offer to Connecticut, 1300 + miles. I explain to the dispatcher that I was down for loads 700 miles or less. There was one other van on the board so it wasn't a big problem covering the load. He said they would look for another, shorter load for me.
Later I found out he dinged me with a refusal so I called what previously was called Contractor Relations. After 17 minutes on hold (the recorded greeting said there was one caller ahead of me) the not so nice lady answered my call. I explained my load request and the offer I got dinged for. After some brief research she said I can't ask for specific loads. She then used the example of someone requesting only minis. WTF! At Panther who requests only minis that pay $80?
I told her I'd play the game and to put me OOS until Saturday afternoon. So much for customer service and partnership. Are other carriers more flexible when it comes to outrageous demands such as mine when it comes to load mileage. I can understand refusing to accommodate drivers that want 1000+ mile loads, but a request for less than 700 miles? Gots me a fist full of stupid and five days off. Make that six days off. The forecast for the Cities is two rounds of snow totaling 10 to 12 inches. Sunday is sliding day with my granddaughter.
Tuesday morning I get a load offer to Connecticut, 1300 + miles. I explain to the dispatcher that I was down for loads 700 miles or less. There was one other van on the board so it wasn't a big problem covering the load. He said they would look for another, shorter load for me.
Later I found out he dinged me with a refusal so I called what previously was called Contractor Relations. After 17 minutes on hold (the recorded greeting said there was one caller ahead of me) the not so nice lady answered my call. I explained my load request and the offer I got dinged for. After some brief research she said I can't ask for specific loads. She then used the example of someone requesting only minis. WTF! At Panther who requests only minis that pay $80?
I told her I'd play the game and to put me OOS until Saturday afternoon. So much for customer service and partnership. Are other carriers more flexible when it comes to outrageous demands such as mine when it comes to load mileage. I can understand refusing to accommodate drivers that want 1000+ mile loads, but a request for less than 700 miles? Gots me a fist full of stupid and five days off. Make that six days off. The forecast for the Cities is two rounds of snow totaling 10 to 12 inches. Sunday is sliding day with my granddaughter.
, too impersonal. I likes me to get called by my name and knot a number. I also like that my Dispatcher doesn't make a dime unless I do first