Could use some input on who im with

[cynod]

Ok folks,

I am not exactly a greenhorn at this but as I just went o/o a bit ago. Did what homework on the companies I could and signed on with someone. I am noticing some major stupidity on some ends, good things on others, and take it or leave it issues as well.

Im going to list what I am noticing and would ask that you wonderful people here would give you opinion to this. Basically what I am looking for is, stick with them, wait it out, or dump them and see who else I can find. I plan on making my decision come mid end on November to give them a chance. I don't really want to list the company on the thread but if you PM me I will get back to you on it.

Annoying and Stupidity factor:
1.If there is a problem, you are accusing them of bad work before you even finish the sentence. Example, seemed like the QC was not reviving msgs when I first got it installed and the gentleman that installed it immediately thought I was criticizing his work instead of there maybe instead of thinking that there may be something wrong with the antenna.
2.If they don't know the answer they wont find it out. Tolls are to be paid by them, asked someone about using EZPass and I got an I don't know and that was the end of the conversation. And its not a regular I know know. Its an "I don't know" like someone from the DMV if you get my drift. Were gonna find out if EZPass. Will know if I will be reimbursed this settlement.
3. Dispatch can't do math. I always find that this animal is a breed in its own. So I am not surprised about this. I normally get about 2 loads a week that are clocked at 75+ MPH. Though I know were in the Now Now Now business but come on. Ya can't, well you could but..., do that if your playing around a city especially Chicago. My personal favorite 160 miles in 1.5 hours.
4. Dispatch from where you were not where you are. If I drop at point A and there is nothing around me and I have to go to truck stop at point b that the closest one is 60 miles away I don't mind eating the deadhead for that but if im at said truck stop and and pick up point C is 50 miles on the other side of point A there could be a problem in the pick up times. Especially if its on the other side of a city. I know a dirty secret about that. They can see that. Ill add this into rant 5
5. Seems like they pay attention to what msgs they will on the qc. I put in 2 Out of services and a free form on QC saying I need to go home. No response. Started driving down the road and then found a load in Cleveland, while going past exits on Ohio Turnpike, going back up to Michigan. Now mind you I started this little journey on the other side of Chicago. Linking back into rant 4 they know where you are.
6. Just one that poped into my head. Giving me loads that aren't confirmed on there end. Gave me a load started up the van and it got pulled from be because it did not fit. Gave me a load that was not there at pick up point. I'm convinced the bolt truck that was there sitting next to me got that one. But of course I can prove that so...

That is some of what I am dealing with. Am I being...I guess overbearing would be the word on all this. I was with panther as subcontractor and I never dealt with this stuff. Sure dispatch were idiots but overall I never really had an issue with panther overall.

On to the good stuff...
1. Pretty decent small type outfit. Your not fighting with other vans with the same company to get loads.
2. So far I have been averaging about 1500 miles a week. I am happy with that.
3. Generally no issues having to cross boarder into Canada.
4. They pay tolls when your running freight.
5. I don't believe its forced dispatch because I have turned down loads but I don't know how that effects any acceptance ratios etc...

On to that take it or leave it stuff...
1. MPC 200. Not to thrilled about this thing. Its a pain to type and I know if I try and take the casing off so I can use the keyboard Im gonna break something.
2. How to file paperwork is weird.
3. Can't just use QC to communicate with dispatch. One way or the other or some type of balanced approach would be preferable.

Well my brain just went into farting mode and I can think of what else to add. I apoligize for this being long winded on the rant but I wanted you guys to see what im up against rather then someone just saying these people don't know what the heck there doing. So give me your input and I'll go from there. Thanks everyone.

 

[paullud]

It seems to me that the stuff you have listed under stupidity is pretty typical in the freight industry. It seems you are just frustrated with them but the only way I would leave a company is if the stupidity was costing me money or I wasn't making enough.

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[NorthernBill]

Have you been able to talk with anyone within the company, or other driver's to share your consern's? As we aren't running yet can't really offer much. but good luck and keep posting.

 

[rkenner]

It sounds to me like they do not have your QC to send tracking updates very often when you are not on a load (this is usually a $$$ thing). So they have to go off of where you were when the last message was sent (usually your drop message) because every message also updates your current position. If this is no the case, then it is purely a policy thing which I would want them to disclose the logic of. If it is like I think it is, no updates but maybe once a day when you drop, then send them a message when you get to where you want to be, anything you want to, can be just " Hey I am at the t/a will be in service in the AM". As far as EZ Pass, the problem with that is EZ Pass' subscription plans. If you have a total bill of $50.00 a month in tolls you have to reimburse to your drivers, paying EZ Pass' subscription fees just doesn't work out and is better to just tell the driver to have some extra cash for reimbursement. Their subscriptions are really for 1 person, or 200 trucks. On that note, you can get EZ Pass on your own, and maybe just have it mailed to your company for them to pay the bill, just a thought. Now, as far as specific situations where a load got pulled off of you because it did not fit, or just purely went to another carrier, you really cant get to the bottom of that most of the time because half the time dispatch doesn't even know. I cannot tell you how many times I have had a customer call me and add a skid or modify some dimensions which completely changes my availability for the load, and a lot of these very customers generally have some policies in their contract in regards to dry runs as to whether the situation would qualify for payment or not, which in turn makes a driver question his company's competence. You do have to take a lot of these things in stride because you would be surprised as to what is actually not in your dispatch's control. Now as far as Math, well.... I blame modern public education. But all computers are equipped with calculators and google maps should be accessible at work. So its not a matter of Math, its a matter of being resourceful... which I find as a dispatcher to be the most common issue with drivers, dispatchers, CEO's in this industry and many others.