Escort Loads

pelicn · Sep 14, 2008

I'd like to share some thoughts about escort loads. Some may agree or disagree and I'd like feedback to my comments to help me better understand the thoughts of others about this.
We've had a few loads that were escorted by a van, (we're in a straight truck) and we had a good experience. We've not had another truck be an escort yet.
Before the run, we talk to the other team to verify directions, how often they need to fuel and where they fuel etc.
Since we are the lead vehicle, when approaching a rest area we ask the other drivers if they need to stop.
As the escorted vehicle, when changing lanes we make sure that the other vehicle has room to change as well.
When on open highway, we use cruise control to maintain speed.

We had a run a few days ago where we were the escorting vehicle. It was a nightmare that we won't repeat again. After speaking with them about the following things, there was no change.
The lead vehicle would change lanes, or pass another vehicle with no thought to us. They would consistently pass other vehicles then slow down leaving no room for us to slide in behind them.
They would speed through work zones, we refused to do that, so they would end up a quite a distance ahead of us. We didn't lose sight of them, but we were not being "an escort" at that time.
Same behavior at scales, they would go across and not wait for us to clear, and it would be miles before catching up to them again.
We spent 2400 miles speeding up and slowing down because the lead truck wasn't using cruise control.
They were on paper logs, so they would swap drivers every few hours, and we stopped one time for them BOTH to take a quick nap. (PSS load)
My question is, should they be reported to Panther? I don't want to get these drivers in trouble, but I also don't want US to be responsible for behavior that we don't report, but we know about. We aren't perfect, but we do try to follow the rules.
How have others dealt with a situation like this?
Personally, we won't escort this team again.

LDB · Sep 14, 2008

Others will disagree but I believe they should be reported to Irwin. Panther needs to know when they have units that are not performing up to standards and sleeping during a PSS load is definitely not up to standards.

davekc · Sep 15, 2008

I would have stopped at a rest area or something and had a little meeting.
If the problem persisted after that, then I would go with Leo's advice.

bludragon13 · Sep 15, 2008

we just finished an escort load as the lead truck, all you suggested was done and the trip was smooth,but we ran into the same issue as the sev drivers switched every 5 hrs, and said they never drive more then that while at fedx,they also felt only one person out of the two trucks needed to stay with the trucks at a meal stop,we nixed that the first time it came up,they felt the rules were to tight and as long as you were using common sense do what you want,well they learned that with us you follow the rules laid out by panther or you have a disscusion with us. 1200 miles later they were wore out and i'm sure thought we were stupid following the rules of pss and hos to the T.previously we have escorted both tt and straight trucks all have acted as you describe,I brought this up to Irwin and Dave at panther re orientation for hazmat in June, they were suprised to here that tt/st lead trucks treated escort as if they were trying to get away from you!the lead truck is responsible for the escort staying with the lead truck,told us not to request that lead trucks slow down in work areas etc., but to immediatly call elite svc and they would deal with these problems as panther needed the lead trucks to to stay with the escorts and it was the lead trucks responsibility to keep escort in sight.They suggested that some of the tt/st trucks might need some time off of elite loads to get the picture! side note all but 5 of our elite loads in the past 17 months have had no escort situation, which we like much more then the escorted loads,is that also what you have seen? just wondering!

pelicn · Sep 15, 2008

We've had 5 loads that we were escorted, and 1 that we were the escort.

Bruno · Sep 21, 2008

I would report this to Irwin. The rules are put into place for a reason and not to be broken. If we lost doing these loads because of this, it will be a lost of money not only to Panther but to all the trucks that do the loads. Think about it.

are12 · Sep 21, 2008

From what we have been told, escort loads are soon going to be something of the past.

JustUsTrucking · Sep 21, 2008

are12 said:
From what we have been told, escort loads are soon going to be something of the past.

Oh Arlene...Why must you start these viscious rumours ??

Where did you hear this from? How do we know there is any validity to it? I'm just sayin.

pelicn · Sep 21, 2008

I sent an email to Irwin on the 15th, but have not received any response to it.

are12 · Sep 21, 2008

JustUsTrucking said:
Oh Arlene...Why must you start these viscious rumours ??
Where did you hear this from? How do we know there is any validity to it? I'm just sayin.

Very funny, Melanie!

You know where I heard it from, the same place you did!

pelicn · Sep 21, 2008

Ok Arlene....give us the dirt

I wouldn't mind if we never did another one.

Turtle · Sep 21, 2008

If you're going to post something on here that alludes to or references something that you don't want to come right out and say what is it, then why post about it at all? That's what PM's are for, IMHO.

bernieh48 · Sep 21, 2008

Pelicn we have had several problems like you are describing with escorting other trucks. I report it everytime to Linda Slezak. You'll never get anywhere trying to talk to Irwin about it.

are12 · Sep 22, 2008

You are right, Turtle, so I will apologize for mentioning anything. And since this is an open forum, I would rather not give all the details - since you never know who could be reading this.

So, the only thing I can say is ask your carrier what they know.

pelicn · Sep 22, 2008

Thanks Arlene will do that too

Scuba · Sep 22, 2008

I am with Leo on this just because you are escorting doesn't mean that someone else isn't out there making sure you are doing it right. If they see it and report it but you fail to report it then it looks like you are as guilty of breaking the rules as the other driver is. You aren't being a snich you are protecting not only Panther but yourself.