Dock high required

greg334 · Mar 3, 2008

I am trying to figure out what the big deal is, if the shipper or the receiver does not want to deal with a van, then ok they don't. We provide a service, we should not tell them or expect them to do anything outside of using our services and if they don't want a van, then they don't.

My God some of you are blaming the Union for this, get real. Many of these plants already have policies to know what truck to order for the size of shipment - some of this all goes back to the internal shipping systems that they had at one time.

But what really gets to me is many of us here on EO complain about cheap freight and here some of you are telling shippers/receivers that they will save money if they use a van. I don't buy it, if you want higher rates, don't complain about dock high requirements and don't tell the shippers that they will save money. At one point they will expect this savings all the time and will try to force a van to take something that should not take.

I know one company does not care what the savings are, if the shipment is put into their system and it spits out a straight truck, they will order a straight truck.

OntarioVanMan · Mar 3, 2008

Greg said..."My God some of you are blaming the Union for this, get real. Many of these plants already have policies to know what truck to order for the size of shipment - some of this all goes back to the internal shipping systems that they had at one time."

Who's blaming anyone? Just stating the experiences we've encountered as van drivers....some won't even use a skid puller, some won't use a strap to pull a skid out...some won't come down a ramp when it's wet, some won't unload a van in the rain....some Auto plants don't accept vans..period end of story. Some will some won't...get used to it...it's the biz...

Your right and I never disagreed..the customer sets the rules, we oblige...provide the service they want.

RLENT · Mar 3, 2008

greg334 said:
...... At one point they will expect this savings all the time and will try to force a van to take something that should not take.

Had that happen last week - got a call to "fix" a problem - customer had ordered a van without telling Dispatch the dims of the load 'cause they "knew" it would fit on a van. The van was a couple inches too short .....

Funny thing was though .... I actually had less floor length than the van did - but I put my two load bars into my sidewall E-Track and had the shipper set the pallet (which was light - only 300 lbs and was over 10' long) on them with the front edge resting on top of my bunk and then strapped the bottom of the pallet down to the floor E-Track to keep it from shifting.

Worked out good 'cause it was a twofer - I picked up another load at the consignee a couple hours after I dropped the first one.

jaminjim · Mar 3, 2008

Greg, could you be saying that because you no longer have a van?

x06col · Mar 3, 2008

Probably is the reason he's typing that. He's been there done that, and see'd the error in his ways. I'd suggest he is authorized to comment.

OntarioVanMan · Mar 3, 2008

x06col said:
Probably is the reason he's typing that. He's been there done that, and see'd the error in his ways. I'd suggest he is authorized to comment.

whoa up.... error of his ways??? van driving?....or tickling my funny bone???*S*

x06col · Mar 3, 2008

But OVM, you made your bed, and you are sleeping in it, without whining. There is a difference ya know. To each his own. But, don't complain about the consequences, is all i'm typing.

OntarioVanMan · Mar 3, 2008

x06col said:
But OVM, you made your bed, and you are sleeping in it, without whining. There is a difference ya know. To each his own. But, don't complain about the consequences, is all i'm typing.

You be typin just fine by me then....

greg334 · Mar 3, 2008

I am rather amused at the reaction I got.

No this has nothing to do with me having a van but more of me looking at things a bit differently.

AND

x06col, you are close... I am trying hard to shed the years of company mentality and see things clearer. Now all I have to do is get more aggressive.

moonweed · Mar 3, 2008

I had a similar experience with GM in Shreveport.....delivered there 4 or 5 times.....I think it was the third time I went there to deliver, they told me they couldn't unload me there...they didn't have an overhead door, or a cargo van ramp...when in fact (those that been there know this), the overhead door is right by the driver entrance!

CharlesD · Mar 3, 2008

moonweed said:
I had a similar experience with GM in Shreveport.....delivered there 4 or 5 times.....I think it was the third time I went there to deliver, they told me they couldn't unload me there...they didn't have an overhead door, or a cargo van ramp...when in fact (those that been there know this), the overhead door is right by the driver entrance!

I've delivered there several times and never had a problem. They always make me back all the way into the building and then they close the door behind me once I'm inside, but I've never heard them complain.