FECC Contest - PITIFULL !!!

RichM

Veteran Expediter
Charter Member
I don't think the word contest is appropiate as this is basically a incentive progam..
 

Big Redd

Expert Expediter
I have to agree with Dave. Been in this game 20 years and with FXCC for the last 3. Each year has been better then the one before. You can always say no to the load and if you really don't like the ride, leave. Thats how I wound up here, And the only way I plan on leaving is when they carry me out,good lord willing.
 

ATeam

Senior Member
Retired Expediter
The emotion a contest evokes is surprising. It's a contest, not a conspiracy. As others have suggested, don't take loads that are money losers. That's the same as it's always been for smart operators.

I have yet to meet a single FedEx CC driver, or hear of one, that accepts money losing loads. If there are some out there, that situation will self-resolve as people that accept money losing loads will likely fail out of the business.

We have not seen a series of bad offers since the contest started. Our acceptance rate remains the same as usual, 80% plus. That means over 80% of the offers are money makers for us, as we don't accept loads that cost us money.

Frankly, we're happy as can be at FedEx Custom Critical. No complaints here. This week, we're especially happy, as we have logged our best reveune week ever, and it's only Thursday.

Since our load acceptance strategy and in service practices put us well within contest eligibility paramaters anyway, we'll likely be included in the drawing when it comes. We were in the drawing with the last contest too but won nothing.

No big deal. We're with FedEx to run at a profit, not to win contests. We buy an occasional lottery ticket to scratch the something-for-nothing itch.
 

davekc

Senior Moderator
Staff member
Fleet Owner
Based on this thread I think all can agree that some like FedEx and some don't. What is amazing is that no one endorses or supports their contest.
Again, maybe they would serve their fleet better by using those funds to cover unprofitable runs, rather than serving the interests of a few.
Drivers running at or under a $1.00 a mile need all the help they can get.

Just an observation.

Davekc
 

LDB

Veteran Expediter
Retired Expediter
>I don't think the word contest is appropiate as this is
>basically a incentive progam..

I've got to go with the other side of that coin. At least to a dumb old country boy like me it would be an incentive program if they were taking the money and dividing it equally among all who meet the criteria. Since only a few will get anything other than the right to say they met the criteria I see it as a contest played by many and won by few.

If I'm not mistaken FX pays 20cpm after 50 miles on deadhead. They could use the same amount of money and pay 30cpm after 50 miles to every truck in the fleet and everyone would win a little. There are other things they could do with it as well to benefit all drivers. It just seems like since all drivers are responsible for a portion of their success then all drivers should reap a portion of any rewards.

Leo Bricker
OOIDA 677319
truck 4958
73's K5LDB
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.
 

redytrk

Veteran Expediter
Charter Member
>
>If I'm not mistaken FX pays 20cpm after 50 miles on
>deadhead. They could use the same amount of money and pay
>30cpm after 50 miles


FECC pays E.30,D.20,C.15,B.10 After 100 mi.
These are the amounts that have been used in the 17 years I have been with them.

Remember when fuel was below $1.00 gal?

It is high time they bring this up to date with reality.I recently pointed this out to a dispatcher who was asking us to DH 300 mi to a pu.She responded that she has nothing to do with that. I said well you could bring it up in meetings. She said "Oh well that wont do any good,they dont listen".
 

RichM

Veteran Expediter
Charter Member
They pay .20cpm after 100 miles of deadhead,hasn't changed in te 19 years I have been with them. The only change is that it used to be paid after 50miles,now it's 100.
 

ATeam

Senior Member
Retired Expediter
>Based on this thread I think all can agree that some like
>FedEx and some don't. What is amazing is that no one
>endorses or supports their contest.
>Again, maybe they would serve their fleet better by using
>those funds to cover unprofitable runs, rather than serving
>the interests of a few.
>Drivers running at or under a $1.00 a mile need all the help
>they can get.
>
>Just an observation.
>
>Davekc

No matter what the topic regarding FedEx CC, you find a way to bash that company directly or indirectly. A review of your numerous and ongoing FedEx-related posts leads to no other conclusion. FedEx drivers on this forum don't bash Panther (your carrier of choice) that way. What's up with you and FedEx CC?
 

barbaba704

Expert Expediter
We have been with FedEx for 2.5 yrs running a D unit. Overall we love it and have consistently made money. We ignore the contest as we agree with most of the people here, that each load has to make sense (and cents!). Just a note to all those people excited about the contest. Last month we met one of the winners of the $25,000 contest earlier this year. He ran an E unit, solo, on a dedicated run out of northern Jersey. Now how hard is it for a dedicated run to maintain at least an 80/80 average? And he is home almost every weekend and many weekday nights! He's a really nice guy and we enjoyed talking to him, but I gotta ask: How fair is it for a dedicated runner to be eligible for the contest, when most of us out here are running all over the country dealing with all of the variables that he doesn't deal with.

Overall, we enjoy FedEx and they treat us fairly. If we don't like a load we turn it down. Most of the time they are good loads and we run all that we want.

Keep'em rollin' ... safely:+
 

ATeam

Senior Member
Retired Expediter
I believe this time around, FedEx CC addressed the fairness concern by taking the run count out of the criteria. I picked up a copy of the contest rules at a recent visit to FedEx CC HQ. Run count is not mentioned, just 80% availability (in service) and 80% acceptance.


In the last seven days, Diane and I hauled just two loads, though we were in service 100% of the time and had 100% load acceptance. We accepted one of the loads on Friday but didn't pick it up until Monday. We accepted the second load on Monday but didn't pick it up until Tuesday and didn't deliver it until Thursday (it was a FL to WA run).

No doubt, hundreds of other FedEx CC drivers ran way more than two loads in the same time period. But because run count is not a factor in this contest, we're as much in the game as someone that might have a dedicated run or solo drivers that tend to have higher run counts than teams.

RichM has complained in the Forum before about that run count issue. Perhaps his complaints have been heard.

Regardless of eligibility, we run without regard to the contest. The incentive to perform comes from goals we set for ourselves, not goals set by a contest.
 

TeamCaffee

Administrator
Staff member
Owner/Operator
We agree with ATeam, what is it with Davekc and FedEx CC? We sure get tired of reading posts from someone who does not work for FedEx CC bashing them. As far as the contest goes we will continue to say no to cheap freight and if we qualify great and if we dont we have still made money. We have had really good loads offered to us and we are staying busy. Most loads have a pre-assignment offer before we ever deliver.
 

davekc

Senior Moderator
Staff member
Fleet Owner
I posted in response to other fedex drivers . Saying that "some like them and some don't" doesn't to me, equal bashing. If you took it that way, then I quess it is bashing.
With regards to other posts, my information comes right from some of our moderators who drive for fedex, your fedex freight agents, and former drivers, which some are driving for me now. It clearly doesn't make me their expert, but it does give me enough information to voice an opinion on specific items. And no, I won't mention that I had equipment there before.
And if you are saying "no to cheap freight", why are they offering it in the first place?
The truth can be painful at times based on "other" responses from fedex drivers within this thread.

The post is about Fedex's contest (unsupporting majority) and not about past posts. No one supports this contest based on these current posts. I don't need to drive for fedex to read that. Lets keep it on topic. It is great that folks are happy with whatever carrier choice they made regardless of their contests.
Relax...........and keep saying "NO"

Davekc
owner
21 years
 

jackdixon_2000

Veteran Expediter
Charter Member
I believe you are mixing you're contests up. Run count is used as a tie breaker in the annual 4 star awards contest.

With the $250,000 the 80% and 80% qualifiers will go into a hat in which 10 Tractors 10 straight trucks and 5 vans will be picked.

And let me say I think this contest is cool, even though I have no expectation of winning and have averaged over 80% acceptance over the last 6 years

Its a nice chunk of change for a few people and I enjoy seeing them get it, but I also agree that I would like to see a bonus program for the high achievers

Also, Dave, You may not be bashing FECC but you are always quick to jump on the bandwagon when the negative posts come on. Of course you have had contacts with people that have been disgruntled, failed or lost their trucks. I have also met many Panther and Tri-State drivers that didn't make it at those companys. I don't get on here and gloat about it. Sometimes the fit is not right or the work ethic or it may even come down to luck. I know I could put my truck on next week with Panther, Conway or Landstar and I would do just fine and same goes for any of the other drivers here that do well at FECC. There is not that much difference in the long run, I believe.
I don't mean to be critical, but I have always taken pride in my work
and I get a lil irritated, and protective of my company as I believe you do also. (I don't recall you ever saying anything negative about panther?) So you, like me are proud of you're working relationship.

Hmmmm wonder how many people think I am just a company hack now lol. Naw I don't take bad loads but I do find that over 80% are money
makers and I do very well as far as I am concerned
 

davekc

Senior Moderator
Staff member
Fleet Owner
I don't mean to be critical, but I have always taken pride in my work
and I get a lil irritated, and protective of my company as I believe you do also. (I don't recall you ever saying anything negative about panther?) So you, like me are proud of you're working relationship
=====================================================================

That is true. Not every company is for everyone. If it was, everyone would be there.
As far as negatives with Panther, they have some which in the past I have posted about. The most common is QC charges, a few of the inexperienced dispatchers, and the difficulty of getting ahold of key people at times. So no, they aren't perfect either. There is going to be some fault within any company, but I think they are the best pick for my personal situation.

My position with Fedex is not the company. Many think I am bashing them when I voice my opinions with regards to reefers, liftgates ect. Those are the posts that I am the most critical because of the large investments. It would be a diservice to new folks entering the business and not see "the other side" My thoughts would be the same if Panther or another company entered that side of the business and compensated in a simular fashion. Since there has been numerous posts over the last months on this, I could see how you might think that I am picking on them.
Again, my opinion would be the same with Panther if they started offering discount loads, or loads without a fuel surcharge. I would likely be the first to write or comment about it.
My intent is only to educate the inexperienced, not offend.
I hope that gives a different prospective. ;)

Davekc
owner
21 years
 

jackdixon_2000

Veteran Expediter
Charter Member
Nice civil reply, Dave. I was a bit tired and cranky last night night and came off a bit harsher then I should have. For the most part you give good solid advice and I agree with you most of the time.

So, truce, didn't mean to jump on the dump on Dave "bandwagon"
Have a great weekend
 

dukesadog

Expert Expediter
Fed Ex Custom Critical does have some really good rates though..we just shipped a milling machine to Glendale California from Florida and it was like a 1/4 of the price compared to like a couple motor freight companies...actually hard to believe considering the amount of trucks they have.

dukesadog
 

TeamDrivers2

Expert Expediter
Lawrence chimes in:

"Um, am I missing something here?
I generally stay out of these types of discussions - but I can't make any sense out of this one.
If you don't like the offer - don't take them up on it.
It's that simple."

No, apparantly you've missed the entire premise of my my initial post. I'm a businessman, trying to run a cost efficient operation. I'm not totally wrapped up in acceptance numbers and had no problem maintaining a 90%+ percentage acceptance rate till this "off the wall" contest. My issue is totally based on the FACT that i take pride in my numbers and certainly take offence that its been tarnished due to these repetitive LOOZER offers. I've just completed another profitable week, but had to decline another 11 offers. All offers refused this week were from .60 to 1.01 per mile. The deadheads for these offers were from 125 to 325. I could care less bout this friggen contest but i'm suggesting its a really sucky way to increase business. Cheap freight is a KILLER !! PERIOD !!! Is that hard for you to understand larry ?? Package it as a contest, but its still pushing CHEAPO FREIGHT.
No sir......it ain't even close to being THAT SIMPLE !!!!!!!!!!!!
 

terryandrene

Veteran Expediter
Safety & Compliance
US Coast Guard
Contest? Incentive Program? It's semantics.

As I view this current FedEx Custom Critical initiative, I believe it is nothing more than an attempt by the company to encourage contractors to stay available during a period of historic high out-of-service rates coinciding with a period of increased business.

There is no penalty for not participating and an equal opportunity for all that become eligible. The common complaints challenge the company's use of the money and suggest other ways for it to be dispursed. We'd all like to see more deadhead money, more accessory charges, greater percentage of revenue, but no increases in these areas would result in a greater in-service percentage that the company desires.

Rene' and I are out of the running for the incentive award because we do not accept loads that will not be beneficial to us. We are offered all together too many long deadhead with short revenue mile runs. In true independent contractor fashion, we accept or reject offers based on many reasons; our run refusal percentage has not changed since the program started.

I fail to understand the myriad negative comments related to a positive event. We were in the audience during the drawing following the last incentive event and observed audience members pulling names from three different hats; one each for vans, straight trucks, and tractors. Each eligible owner had an equal opportunity to be selected.

In summary, I believe each of us should be thankful for the added revenue opportunity rather than look for perceived negative motives the company does not likely have.
 

davekc

Senior Moderator
Staff member
Fleet Owner
>Nice civil reply, Dave. I was a bit tired and cranky last
>night night and came off a bit harsher then I should have.
>For the most part you give good solid advice and I agree
>with you most of the time.
>
>So, truce, didn't mean to jump on the dump on Dave
>"bandwagon"
> Have a great weekend

No offense taken. We are all playing the same game, just different teams.
Enjoy your posts, even the cranky ones:7

Davekc
 
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