This is an exciting week as Panther execs hit the road for a week hauling freight.
Follow it real time here:
Changing Lanes - Panther Execs Hit the Road
Follow it real time here:
Changing Lanes - Panther Execs Hit the Road
Follow Panther Execs As They Haul Freight
- Thread starter Lawrence
- Start date
gsmacker
Seasoned Expediter
how come the executives have all the toys??
when I started it was in F250 with your basic package
I had my cell pone, a road map, air mattress, cloths, pillows and blankets and books to pass the time
oh I had the trusty qc for all my other needs
Wonder if they are getting favored by dispatch
when I started it was in F250 with your basic package
I had my cell pone, a road map, air mattress, cloths, pillows and blankets and books to pass the time
oh I had the trusty qc for all my other needs
Wonder if they are getting favored by dispatch
arkjarhead
Veteran Expediter
You know they are, well that is if dispatch wants to keep their job. I bet they don't get the full experience. You can't get it being that high up the ladder. No dispatcher is going to sling them attitude like dispatchers tend to do from time to time. Who knows maybe no one knows what truck number they are in. Kinda undercover.
i would have thought if they truly wanted the info they are trying to get they would have done this without anyone knowing and especially not knowing what vehicle they were in. they should have got a van signed on under an assumed name so nobody knew who they were. then they could have gotten the real experience. as all have said, kinda hard to get it all when they know upper mgmt. is in unit # ?
hey, they are the ones that said they were going out there to see how it works from our side and how the co. operates from the drivers perspective. you have to expect some type of comments to come from it or the whole idea of it accomplishes nothing. they may get ideas should they decide to do it again. the charity portion of it is a very nice thing for panther to do and i certainly applaude them for that.
greg334
Veteran Expediter
This isn't for charity, the two first points are as follows;
The third bullet point mentions that the proceeds are going to Toys for tots. What they could have done is moved this up to the top, include a statement that Panther will match dollar for dollar of the proceeds and then mention every time they post any info or make any statement - that's for charity.
- To better understand the challenges of what the drivers and truck owners have to deal with while out on the road
- To utilize first hand the technology available to drivers and owners to identify any needed enhancements or improvements
The third bullet point mentions that the proceeds are going to Toys for tots. What they could have done is moved this up to the top, include a statement that Panther will match dollar for dollar of the proceeds and then mention every time they post any info or make any statement - that's for charity.
The Enemy
Veteran Expediter
Do you think they were sitting around one night after an executive party and thought " Lets go slumming, find out how the common folk live out here, and draw as much attention as possible?"
If they really want to experience what the drivers face out here they shouldn't have said anything to their dispatch team, that way they get the same treatment as everyone else. I wonder if they had to go thru orientation, pass a DOT physical and drug test. Or did they just get the special treatment from the get go.
Don't get me wrong, its a great idea, they just went at it completely the wrong way.
If they really want to experience what the drivers face out here they shouldn't have said anything to their dispatch team, that way they get the same treatment as everyone else. I wonder if they had to go thru orientation, pass a DOT physical and drug test. Or did they just get the special treatment from the get go.
Don't get me wrong, its a great idea, they just went at it completely the wrong way.
I don't think they went about it the wrong way at all. They went about it exactly the way they wanted to, which is fine. This isn't a "46 Hours" hidden camera deal, or the movie "Brubaker" where they go in undercover. The only way they can really and truly know what it's like out here is to come out here an do it, for real, for at least 6 months. 3 or 4 years would be better. 
But that's not what they're after. Nor are they looking to see what it's like to run a 1400 mile load to Laredo and then sit for a week. They're looking to find out what it's like to run loads, and to use the tools we are given to run them. The more loads they can run the more better.
But that's not what they're after. Nor are they looking to see what it's like to run a 1400 mile load to Laredo and then sit for a week. They're looking to find out what it's like to run loads, and to use the tools we are given to run them. The more loads they can run the more better.
jaminjim
Veteran Expediter
Yep, I'm sure that two of the most high ranking people have absolutely no idea what the average amount of time that vehicles average between loads, nor that a dispatcher may on a rare occasion get cranky when dealing with a contractor. Gosh they are so insulated they don't even know that it's some times less than sunshine and blue skies. Matter of fact they probably have a chase Sprinter so they can have their coffee taste tested.
Sometimes some of you people are just amazing.
Sometimes some of you people are just amazing.
Two guys go out on the road to see what it's like and to help raise money for Toys For Tots. What do they get, some negative posts on how they should have done things. In 15 years in this business I have never seen a CEO or a CIO go on the road for a week to see what the drivers deal with. They do this and give all the money to Toys for Tots. It's for a good cause and if Andy and Ed want get their Class B CDL I will donate a D-unit for them to drive next year for them to drive for Toys for Tots. Better yet, If they want I will donate two D-units with a co-driver in each truck next year. Come on people give the guys a break, They don't need people busting there chops on this.
arkjarhead
Veteran Expediter
I have to agree with aristotle. If you all are that offended I apologize. My only thing is who has been on the road for 1 week and known what it is like? Yes, that they are trying, but I think a little more frequent trips would put more respect for contractors in the offices. That's not just Panther, but every Motor Carrier.
Too much read into the motives.
It's very simple - they want to walk a week in your shoes. Come on people. Really.
Really is right!! They should have simply stated the were going on the road for charity, steada claiming to be able to "finish" the task with an understanding [of much of anything] after a weeks time. Sorry, but anyone whom has done the time will see thru the ruse. Kinda like taking you chump change from your pocket each week and expecting to retire on it.
Had a clown like that run with me for a while back in the day. Was totally worthless as a team mate. And, couldn't get too far from base at the last of the project (afraid he'd miss the show and tell with the board) and had to turn down some pretty good freight as a result. I hope they break the bank tho, for the toys.
jujubeans
OVM Project Manager
Too much read into the motives.
It's very simple - they want to walk a week in your shoes. Come on people. Really.
Geez come on..these guys are not walking in our shoes...not even close...it is more like a tip toe thru the tulips...the only real winner is Toys for Tots....after a week these guys will still have no clue of the way we live...