Can anyone tell me
- Thread starter pelicn
- Start date
FAMOUS AMOS
Expert Expediter
3 times a day...it is updated every 8 hours.
slfisher45
Expert Expediter
It used to be once every 24 hours. It was upgraded to the current henweigh. If you drive 300 miles check macro 8 again or call a dispatcher if you know of a specific area you are interested in.
If you want to deadhead over 300 miles you might try backhaul.
If you want to deadhead over 300 miles you might try backhaul.
pelicn
Veteran Expediter
What I would like to know is, what is the point of having a limit to how many times you can check? Not that it's a smart thing to do, but if I want to deadhead farther than 300 miles, and I want to know how many trucks are there at a certain time, then what difference does it make to Panther?
Macro 8, according to the drivers web is:
" Macro 8 is updated by the second. It is real-time data and can be counted upon to provide good relation data. It is important to note that this is based on 3 digit zips and based on miles based load boards like when you call dispatch. "
Also, trying to get a backhaul(Getloaded.com) for this truck is difficult due to weight/size limitation.
Calling dispatch? Done that, they say, have you checked GetLoaded? DUH
Macro 8, according to the drivers web is:
" Macro 8 is updated by the second. It is real-time data and can be counted upon to provide good relation data. It is important to note that this is based on 3 digit zips and based on miles based load boards like when you call dispatch. "
Also, trying to get a backhaul(Getloaded.com) for this truck is difficult due to weight/size limitation.
Calling dispatch? Done that, they say, have you checked GetLoaded? DUH
The reason for limiting it is simple. It cost Panther money. When I first started we could use Macro 8 three times daily. They then reduced it to onnce per day. Then increased it to 3 times to show how much they love us.
It is my understanding that improvements are in the works. However, just like loads out of California, I don't suggest you hold your breath for the improvements.
Road Hooligan
It is my understanding that improvements are in the works. However, just like loads out of California, I don't suggest you hold your breath for the improvements.
Road Hooligan
Doesn't matter if they increase it to a hundred times a day- if the information isn't accurate, it's worthless. Worse than that, even, if you take it at face value, and DH to somewhere that looks underserved. It's primary value lies in showing where the freight centers are.
I once asked dispatch why the numbers representing units in an area were so wildly inaccurate, and she said "It's updated three times a day." Naturally, my next question was what time of day the updating occurs, because I'd like to check right after that, rather than right before, and the reply was "I have no idea."
I once asked dispatch why the numbers representing units in an area were so wildly inaccurate, and she said "It's updated three times a day." Naturally, my next question was what time of day the updating occurs, because I'd like to check right after that, rather than right before, and the reply was "I have no idea."
FAMILYEXPDT
Seasoned Expediter
The reason it is not accurate goes back to US. How many people check the macro 8 and then make their decision as to where to move to based on not stepping on any cracks in the sidewalk that day and finding a lucky penny? Oh yeah, they also accepted the empty move offer just to go 75 miles in the opposite direction cause the stars were aligned over the cab of their truck when they walked out of the Pilot? Now the macro 8 has incoming trucks that really are not going to be there in one location and whoops.....too many trucks at the "I am gonna get a fast load out" convention. They are working extremely hard at making it more and more accurate, but unless everyone uses it 100% of the time it will not be....now excuse me but I think see a black cat on the freeway to Memphis...I have to turn around now.
-Charlotte
-Charlotte
FAMILYEXPDT
Seasoned Expediter
It eventually catches up BUT...how can a system tell what board a truck is headed to? Satellite = tracking while under a load and knowing where a truck is when someone calls in to see if we can cover their load, as well as communication.
-Charlotte
-Charlotte
nightcreacher
Veteran Expediter
pelicn,is the grass really greener,vru is even better than our macro 9,vru update instantly,QC only ever 3 hours
Granted, no one can say where the truck is headed except the driver, but as reply #3 quotes, the Macro 8 is billed as "real time, updated by the second" which is nowhere near the actual truth of it. Wrong information is worse than none, IMO. The few times I've used the Macro 8, then called to double check with dispatch, even the number of units actually in a freight center were nowhere near what the Macro showed. And I have to say, waiting on hold, hearing the question "Are you using your relocation tools properly?" repeated numerous times during the wait, isn't much help, either!
Cherri,
I think it is based on the same program that Fed Ex used when I was with them.
They direct you to locations where they think there will be a shortage in the near future. Not where there is a current shortage of trucks.
Say you deliver in Louisville and there are no trucks there but 4 coming in. They will tell you to go to Lexington where there are 3 trucks on hand but none coming in. It is go for the company, but the driver suffers.
I have never believed that it is real time. The companies do have the capability to give that info, but won't
Road Hooligan
I think it is based on the same program that Fed Ex used when I was with them.
They direct you to locations where they think there will be a shortage in the near future. Not where there is a current shortage of trucks.
Say you deliver in Louisville and there are no trucks there but 4 coming in. They will tell you to go to Lexington where there are 3 trucks on hand but none coming in. It is go for the company, but the driver suffers.
I have never believed that it is real time. The companies do have the capability to give that info, but won't
Road Hooligan
RH: I think you're referring to the 'suggested layover' sent after delivery, not the Macro 8, right? The suggested layover is based upon probable need, but the Macro 8 is supposed to be actual fact: how many units are in an area. I think we all understand that how many are 'enroute' is just a guess, at best. And the number of loads originating from an area can't be counted on either, so if the number of units is wrong too, then the only info to be gained from the Macro 8 is where the freight centers are. Or might be be, lol.
slfisher45
Expert Expediter
Panther M-8
Enroute refers to trucks that have a load going to that zipcode (board). That is factual. Macro 8 dispenses the number of trucks in a zipcode after each update. There may be 2 trucks in one zipcode but there could be six trucks within a 50 mile radius of that zipcode. That is the problem with macro 8. The system needs a lot of work to be accurate.
And when I POD out of a load I get a, "suggested relocation", paying a formulated amount if it is over 100 miles.
Enroute refers to trucks that have a load going to that zipcode (board). That is factual. Macro 8 dispenses the number of trucks in a zipcode after each update. There may be 2 trucks in one zipcode but there could be six trucks within a 50 mile radius of that zipcode. That is the problem with macro 8. The system needs a lot of work to be accurate.
And when I POD out of a load I get a, "suggested relocation", paying a formulated amount if it is over 100 miles.
pelicn
Veteran Expediter
Cheri, you and I have had this Macro discussion before and I see by the results of my question....that it's still as clear as MUD!
How can an informed business decision be made on information that is inaccurate?
Panther's system is so convoluted that a twitch of an eyebrow can change your board position.
Example...suggested reposition..be within 50 miles of that location. Ok, we were at the closest truckstop and as it happened we 48 miles from suggested board and 52 miles from another board. After sitting for 24 hours we called an asked what position we were...They couldn't find us!! We we're showing on either board. Now...who might be able to explain that?
FedEx has a better system, I didn't say perfect, but if you are checked into an "Express Center" you are there, and you can move around in that "Express Center" and not effect your board position.
How can an informed business decision be made on information that is inaccurate?
Panther's system is so convoluted that a twitch of an eyebrow can change your board position.
Example...suggested reposition..be within 50 miles of that location. Ok, we were at the closest truckstop and as it happened we 48 miles from suggested board and 52 miles from another board. After sitting for 24 hours we called an asked what position we were...They couldn't find us!! We we're showing on either board. Now...who might be able to explain that?
FedEx has a better system, I didn't say perfect, but if you are checked into an "Express Center" you are there, and you can move around in that "Express Center" and not effect your board position.