done with FedEx Custom Critical

badger · Apr 21, 2011

I'm always happy to hear a trucker say he's doing well. I'm just reading the writing on the wall. I think there's a good chance they will go all flat rate.

cheri1122 · Apr 21, 2011

LDB said:
Greg, with an EOBR you can't just plug in your second and in some cases third EOBR and run that next load. The guys you hear most loudly crying foul are likely the guys running 3 logbooks, perhaps running as an outside carrier team when in fact it is one guy.

Without a doubt, some of those guys are out there, but it's the carrier that knowingly dispatches them with patently unsafe offers that need to be held accountable, wouldn't you say?
The Feds just keep maintaining the fiction that every driver is alike, and every day is the same for every one of us, forcing us to drive the maximum allowable hours nonstop, so as not to risk violating the 14 hr limit - if that ensures safety, I'd like to sell them some beach property in Arizona.
The EOBR doesn't recognize that some drivers [like expediters], live in the truck for a lot longer than the 'industry average' home every other weekend, and we need the ability to do our personal chores and shopping during the 'free' time available, which "30 minutes while not under dispatch" makes needlessly difficult, if not impossible.
Putting them on every vehicle is like mandating a Breathalyzer lock on every 4 wheeler, in case they want to drive under the influence. No infringement is too great if it makes the job of law enforcement easier, eh?

Deville · Apr 21, 2011

davekc said:
I won't comment on what the Fed does internally, but I can say they will use outside carriers at a higher price than what they pay their own contractors. Took some awhile to finally realize that. The wonderful world of information sharing.
On a side note, they aren't the only carrier that engages in that practice.

The fact that CC or any carrier will use an outside carrier & pay more money to cover a load instead of offering the CC driver more money is just INSANE! but yet it continues to happen.

Moot · Apr 21, 2011

MR.SNAPPY said:
Del my load 8 hrs early heading to Load 1 yard...time to go south from there...

I have conjunctivitis in my left testicle. Is that even possible? Anyway I'm home for the Holiday.

If you don't want off topic remarks from off carrier members who may be off a degree or three, then post in the FedEx forum and be off with you.

davekc · Apr 21, 2011

Deville said:
The fact that CC or any carrier will use an outside carrier & pay more money to cover a load instead of offering the CC driver more money is just INSANE! but yet it continues to happen.

Please keep in mind that they are not the only carrier that engages in that practice. They won't pay their own that higher rate for fear it will start higher requests for loads from their own contractors. Been that way for quite some time. It can be beneficial depending on what side of the curve you are on.

greg334 · Apr 21, 2011

Notanewbie said:
I sure do love Landstar! (In case anyone is interested.)

Stop spreading secrets around!

Wolverine · Apr 21, 2011

Yes, I too am being forced to leave the intrusive Fedex Custom Critical for another carrier.

Despite approximately two years in the White Glove division and, by far, the highest earnings I have experienced in this industry, I'm leaving because of having that little blue Ex on my shirts (above the breast pocket) changed to red!

It's either that or pay someone to stitch red thread over the blue in order to comply (or buy new shirts!!).

LDB · Apr 21, 2011

cheri1122 said:
Without a doubt, some of those guys are out there, but it's the carrier that knowingly dispatches them with patently unsafe offers that need to be held accountable, wouldn't you say?

No, I wouldn't say, unless you meant but left out jointly and even then to a lesser degree. Ultimately and primarily the accountability lies with the guy who is drawing lines in 2 or more logbooks. He/she is the one responsible for turning the key and rolling again. I don't have the reference but I think it was about 2 years ago, after having an accident, a driver was found in possession of 4 logbooks.

Additionally, I pointed out the guys who are running as outside carriers for several companies. There's no way Co. X knows the guy finished a 500 miler just 4 hours earlier for Co. Y. It's nice to try to shift responsibility off individuals to companies but that's just often not feasible even if it does seem common lately.

LDB · Apr 21, 2011

Wolverine said:
Yes, I too am being forced to leave the intrusive Fedex Custom Critical for another carrier.

Despite approximately two years in the White Glove division and, by far, the highest earnings I have experienced in this industry, I'm leaving because of having that little blue Ex on my shirts (above the breast pocket) changed to red!

It's either that or pay someone to stitch red thread over the blue in order to comply (or buy new shirts!!).

Doesn't sound like a very good business decision over some shirts. Perhaps there are more and hugely larger issues as well as this tiny one.

Dabus1952 · Apr 21, 2011

Today your unhappy here at fed cc in a few weeks you might be unhappy ay XYB .There are always things you may not like at a company.There are rules mandated by goverment that we dont like. At the end of a day you need to look at this from a business stand point and what your bottom line is. If your doing well then you may need to over look some things. If the grass looks greener on the other side then go for it. Good luck.

jjoerger · Apr 21, 2011

Does jumping from one carrier to another really make that much sense? Especially if you are making good money.
Every time you sign on with a new carrier you have to go to orientation, have a new Qualcomm installed, change your logos and learn a new system and freight hot spots for that company. All money losers.
Eventually every truck will have federally mandated EOBR's. If you are driving legal they are not a problem. (Even though ours has never worked 100% correctly.) We are actually starting to like ours.
We have been getting quite a few good paying loads from FedEx Freight. When the customer wants it and they can't get it to them on time they pass it on to Custom Critical.
We have also done several transfers from flat rate E trucks with solos in them. The three I talked with all said that they were running full time. Our rates for these transfers was good too.
So far this year has been the best for rate per mile, gross income and number of runs.
I'm sure there are those that do better than us at other carriers but until I can see a major difference in income we will stay where we are.

Wolverine · Apr 21, 2011

LDB said:
Doesn't sound like a very good business decision over some shirts. Perhaps there are more and hugely larger issues as well as this tiny one.

Actually, Leo, I was trying to be just a little facetious here.

I find some of these threads extremely humorous.

{The most difficult phase of this transition (blue to red) will be finding non-itching red thread for converting my FedEx scivvies.}

LDB · Apr 21, 2011

Wolverine said:
Actually, Leo, I was trying to be just a little facetious here.

Ohhhhhhh, well there's the problem. You left off the

or the

so we'd know you were facetious.

Wolverine · Apr 21, 2011

LDB said:
Ohhhhhhh, well there's the problem. You left off the or the or the or the so we'd know you were facetious.

We Wolverines have learned to be very subtle (out of self-preservation, y'know).

usafk9 · Apr 22, 2011

Can you loan Moot some of those scivvies?

He claims swollen tear ducts in his nether regions.

Just thought I would help.

Wolverine · Apr 22, 2011

usafk9 said:
Can you loan Moot some of those scivvies?

He claims swollen tear ducts in his nether regions.

Just thought I would help.

Nether a lender or borrower be...

.....'specially of scivvies!

EASYTRADER · Apr 22, 2011

The smart way thing is being pushed by CARB. Any company that wants to run frieght in CA will eventually have to comply.
I get letters from carb all the time cause I'm from CA.
Right now it only applies to tractors and trailors. If you have a trailor you will have to add appropriate fuel saving devices. IE skirts or boat-tails or air tabbs. Depending on the size of your fleet they hve a slidding scale for compliance. But in th nxt few years you'll see all big comapnies adding skirts and things to trailors if they want to stay in CA.

FEDEX likes to stay ahead of the curve so I'm not surprised they are asking tractor drivers to get compliant now.

PS - I have been passed over several times for frieght by flat rate trucks. Last month I was passed 4 times in a row out in Cali. But considering I turn down 10 out of 11 load offers I doubt I missed much!

nightcreacher · Apr 23, 2011

Even though I'm not with FDCC any longer,I have friends there,and the flat rate tractor program sucks,as I'm told.This program will not hurt any od the straight truck people as they don't have a flat rate program as yet to cry about.For those of you that feel your not making enough money,then make a phone call to TRI STATE,you will like what you here.Before my tractor had the engine failure,I was doin 1.49 /mile,all miles loaded and empty,running a 30% dead head.If I listened and did what they wanted me to do,this would have been better,but I would rathe dead head than sit.My average pay was 5200 bucks a week and around 2500 loaded miles per week.Right now I'm in a company truck,still loking for a way to fix my old truck.

greg334 · Apr 23, 2011

Steve,
I'm wonder if the flat rate program is comparable to other carriers' flat rate program.

cheri1122 · Apr 23, 2011

LDB said:
No, I wouldn't say, unless you meant but left out jointly and even then to a lesser degree.

Sorry, it seemed to go without saying that the driver will be held accountable.
But the dispatcher who offers a load with full knowledge that the driver isn't rested, but will do it anyhow because he needs the money, or dispatch needs him to cover the load, or just because he always does, is equally guilty. But they are not held responsible for their actions.
Ultimately and primarily the accountability lies with the guy who is drawing lines in 2 or more logbooks. He/she is the one responsible for turning the key and rolling again. I don't have the reference but I think it was about 2 years ago, after having an accident, a driver was found in possession of 4 logbooks.

I can find references to drunk drivers actually killing innocent people every day - dozens of them, but nobody is even considering putting a Breathalyzer on every 4 wheeler, are they?

Additionally, I pointed out the guys who are running as outside carriers for several companies. There's no way Co. X knows the guy finished a 500 miler just 4 hours earlier for Co. Y. It's nice to try to shift responsibility off individuals to companies but that's just often not feasible even if it does seem common lately.

That point I concede: dispatchers don't know about drivers who run for multiple carriers - but the folks pushing for the EOBRs are the ATA, and very very few of their drivers do it. They're interested in a 'level playing field', uh huh.
And as I said: the driver with multiple logbooks is going to face the consequences - nobody is letting him off, never happen.