Getting Freight; What do the Busy Drivers Do?

[chefdennis]

Highway wrote:

Having to run their freight... well, that's a whole different kettle of fish. I'm so glad I have to do very little of it.

OVM wrote:

I can't see that stuff....it is the out of date information we get out here that drives me crazy...shippers that are't open anymore all night and they say it is and they force you to check it out...outdated addresses....GM plant#3 does NOT do vans anymore since the 1st of the year...stuff like that...little stuff...details...

scottm wrote:

I love NLM freight. Wish I had more of it.

When i was with my previous carrier I had the same feeling as Highway...As for the "crap" that OVM mentioned, yeap its a "pita"...

Now, since coming to Load 1, and finding out that my previous carrier either felt the need to bid NLM freight as low as possible to get it, or they lied about what they got...Load 1 pays very well on most NLM loads right in line with the rest of the freight we get from them. So, yea, I can not "sweat the small stuff" and agree with Scott...I'll take all i can get and be paid very well to deal with the "Crap"...

 

[scottm4211]

Dennis and I are both "glass is half full" types

 

[highway star]

I'm not talking about the rate, it's the incompetence of some of the people there. One example... I arrived at a shipper, only to be told that freight had been given to another carrier. I called headquarters, my dispatcher called NLM. At first, NLM said that wasn't possible. When they finally admitted that it happened, my dispatcher was given a heavy dose of attitude and told that that freight had better get to where it's going. Huh?!!? I mean, seriously, what's wrong with someone like that?

 

[Moot]

Dear Moot: I read your advice on what the busy drivers do but please don't think I'm trying to be a smart-$%& but there are some instructions you gave that I will need some more help on if you don't mind. I will take them one at a time:

Dear Jumbuck, hey, you started the dear thing. I did not offer any advice. I was merely responding to the OP's question: "What are the busy drivers doing that the less-busy drivers are not?"

I thank OVM for filling in during my absence while I was fetching a load. He did a mighty fine job answering your questions and I will touch on the two he skipped.

4.Taking any load offered regardless of rate. THIS is the one I have the most trouble understanding because I constantly read "just say NO to cheap freight!" Or "that's the reason the rates are as low as they are! Drivers run for peanuts, etc. etc. I am really trying to understand which one to do.

Again, I am not giving advice but answering the original question. Like someone stated (Davekc?) keeping busy and being profitable are not necessarily the same thing. You have to determine if a load is "cheap freight" or not.

5. Leasing to a carrier with a broad and diverse customer base. That one I kind of understand, but again, isn't it a detriment to be leased to a large carrier because they have way more available trucks than the smaller carriers?

I didn't state "to be leased to a large carrier", although I am leased to a large carrier, rather a carrier with a broad and diverse customer base.

Again, Sir, I always look to you experienced drivers for advice to help me succeed in this business. (I DO love it, really) but I sure could use a little more explaining to your excellent advice.
As always, I relish any help I can get.
Thanks in advance, Jumbuck.

You're welcome and thank you OVM!