Good carrier relationship??

flatbedin · Oct 20, 2007

What are the strong points that most in EO world feel makes a good carrier-O/O relationship?

I've read more and more on here about declining business, people getting out of the business, people switching companies, people "bashing" companies, ect..

Just wandering what makes most people leave a Carrier A and go to Carrier B? Or get out of the business all together?

I know as of late that I haven't been on the top of my "expediting game". I've let things agrivate me, events have happened, sat more than I like too, had less than desirable weeks.. And yeah I know, self limitations are always imposed that can be eliminated..

Know I personally have never been one to quit at anything. And don't expect to quit what I am doing just for a few bad things happening.. But I also understand watching out for one's self, because no one else is going to do it either..

Just feel in the questioning mood lately...

Moot · Oct 20, 2007

>Just wandering what makes most people leave a Carrier A and
>go to Carrier B?

Carrier A sells out to carrier B.

dhalltoyo · Oct 20, 2007

Just wandering what makes most people leave a Carrier A and go to Carrier B?

1. Lack of, or resistance to, open and honest communication.

2. Lack of opportunities to increase one's bottom line; opportunities that are in addition to freight runs.

3. Fixed FSC's that do not track the national average and change after Monday's averages are posted.

4. No supplemental mileage assistance to move a unit from an area with little, or no, freight opportunities.

5. Abnormally high charges for carrier provided services. (QC, insurance, workman's comp, etc.)

6. Penalties for refusing freight offers.

Tennesseahawk · Oct 20, 2007

Not sure if I understand #3. And not to offend you, but #4 is a bit weak, IMO. In my experience, accepting a run means accepting the consequences. I'll think twice before taking another run to the Great Northwest as someone's driver paying for fuel. As an owner, I'll start looking for Seahawks tickets as soon as they say it's go. LOL But with my carrier, not getting #4 goes hand in hand with #6. I'm still in the same place on the board when I turn one down for any reason. Tho they don't give me much of a reason. But one can always ask dispatch for help from the customer if they need a load covered going to the boonies.

-True independence can only be gained if you're trully independant.

dhalltoyo · Oct 20, 2007

No offense taken.

#3 indicates that the FSC changes as the price of fuel changes. Some carriers do not change the FSC to the truck as the price of fuel changes; they pay a flat fixed cpm, and some pay no FSC at all.

#4 Considering that we have an 85% turn over rate in this industry, your more forward-looking companies have taken steps to retain good O/O's.

For example, if a load going south of Miami is profitable for the carrier, I ask that they give me "x" cpm from the drop off point back to the FL/GA line. Why? Because anyone who has expedited for more than two weeks knows that almost no loads come out of FL. If one did become available as I was leaving FL, I take the load and forego the supplemental mileage assistance, because that is fair to the carrier and myself as we will profit more by running the freight.

Or if I am sitting in an area for 12 hours without a load offer I look online and find an area in the freight lanes that has none of our units and I get the same supplemental assistance to move my unit to an area that helps the carrier and myself. Therefore, it is mutually benefical to us both and it makes good business sense for both parties. Sitting empty does nothing for the carrier or I when it comes to generating revenue.

Weak? If you think so you are entitled to your opinion. I hope that you will not hold it against me because I have established a business relationship that provides these supplemental compensations.

Of course, all should, but they haven't learned that yet.

x06col · Oct 21, 2007

To me the ideal Carrier would:
1. Pay at least 75% of gross revenue.

2. Not charge any qualcom or, workmans comp,or anything.

3. Allow me to book my own loads, and go where I wanna go.

4. Allow me to charge the customer what the market will bear for
rates and additional charges.

5. Have complete and open communication.

6. Have access to hundreds of loads nationwide each day.

7. Allow me to load multiple loads on one trip.

These are some things that come to mind. What else might there be?

Moot · Oct 21, 2007

>7. Allow me to load multiple loads on one trip.

Multiple loads, deviates from the exclusive use, point A to point B direct model that many use to define expedited freight.

Tennesseahawk · Oct 21, 2007

>7. Allow me to load multiple loads on one trip.
>
>Multiple loads, deviates from the exclusive use, point A to
>point B direct model that many use to define expedited
>freight.

I'm sure A.Blair would have a bone to pick about that. I've had one trip where I've had two loads on the truck with C&M. It doesn't happen often, because A to B means just that.

-True independence can only be gained if you're trully independant.

Moot · Oct 21, 2007

A carrier that books multiple loads on one truck should not be marketing and charging exclusive use rates.

nobb4u · Oct 21, 2007

"To me the ideal Carrier would:
1. Pay at least 75% of gross revenue.

2. Not charge any qualcom or, workmans comp,or anything.

3. Allow me to book my own loads, and go where I wanna go.

4. Allow me to charge the customer what the market will bear for
rates and additional charges.

5. Have complete and open communication.

6. Have access to hundreds of loads nationwide each day.

7. Allow me to load multiple loads on one trip.

These are some things that come to mind. What else might there be?"

After reading your ideal carrier requirements the only way yor are going to get a carrier to meet your requirements is to get your own authority and become your own carrier.

x06col · Oct 21, 2007

Awww.. c'mon. I can dream can't I?

Broompilot · Oct 21, 2007

I never left Carrier A for B, except when I left FX. My carrier of choice was C&M. No matter who I wanted to talk to I was able to at ANY HOUR if I had to.

If you do not have a first name relationship with who puts loads on your truck, I would not care to Carry for that Company. Just ties into my success others have done well with oppisite position. I like my relatinships with the top brass.