It's the end of the day and you've gotten no offers. How many times this day have you contacted you
- Thread starter terryandrene
- Start date
Contacting carrier
I'm quite surprised at the results of this lame little poll. I was prompted to post the poll when thinking of the number of times I contacted FedEx Custom Critical yesterday while waiting for the non-existent run offer.
The company operates a Voice Responce Unit (VRU) which gives a driver volumes of real time information regarding run offers, truck activity and truck status. I call this VRU first thing every morning and about hourly thereafter. On an anxiety filled day of no contact from the carrier, my answer would be six or more, or about 12-15 times. So, my fellow FedEx Custom Critical O/O's, is this about normal for you?
I'm quite surprised at the results of this lame little poll. I was prompted to post the poll when thinking of the number of times I contacted FedEx Custom Critical yesterday while waiting for the non-existent run offer.
The company operates a Voice Responce Unit (VRU) which gives a driver volumes of real time information regarding run offers, truck activity and truck status. I call this VRU first thing every morning and about hourly thereafter. On an anxiety filled day of no contact from the carrier, my answer would be six or more, or about 12-15 times. So, my fellow FedEx Custom Critical O/O's, is this about normal for you?
RE: Contacting carrier
I never call my carrier on the phone. If I must communicate with them it is done by QC. I only have 500 minutes of cell phone use so I can't afford to waste them listening to a recording while on hold.
If I have a payroll issue, or some other question, I will call from home on a land line. I can sit at my desk and work the computer while I am on hold in speaker phone mode. My personal best record is 38 minutes waiting to talk to a human.
I never call my carrier on the phone. If I must communicate with them it is done by QC. I only have 500 minutes of cell phone use so I can't afford to waste them listening to a recording while on hold.
If I have a payroll issue, or some other question, I will call from home on a land line. I can sit at my desk and work the computer while I am on hold in speaker phone mode. My personal best record is 38 minutes waiting to talk to a human.
mrgoodtude
Not a Member
RE: Contacting carrier
I was one of the shockers as I figure if I am slow so is everyone else..
That being said I have become more cautious after the last 10 days because I wonder about life outside the 22' box.
I love what we do and my carrier is the best IMHO but I don't feel the love here of late.
Guess I and they need a vacation
To get back on topic I have every confidence in the FED and have an idea of how the system works so I do not call more than probably 3 times a day.
Anymore and I would go crazy....
Funny seems like yesterday we started with Conway and since I came from truckload I had a lot to learn, a lot of people to ##### off and the need to earn my Masters in patience..
Today I am like the duck named whatever...
I was one of the shockers as I figure if I am slow so is everyone else..
That being said I have become more cautious after the last 10 days because I wonder about life outside the 22' box.
I love what we do and my carrier is the best IMHO but I don't feel the love here of late.
Guess I and they need a vacation
To get back on topic I have every confidence in the FED and have an idea of how the system works so I do not call more than probably 3 times a day.
Anymore and I would go crazy....
Funny seems like yesterday we started with Conway and since I came from truckload I had a lot to learn, a lot of people to ##### off and the need to earn my Masters in patience..
Today I am like the duck named whatever...
RE: Contacting carrier
One of the things I like best about a small carrier, is that I don't need to call them a lot. (Not only did I resent having to pay for time 'on hold', I hated being forced to listen to their advertising - I'm not a customer, why are they playing this ad loop ad nauseum?!)
I don't even call in my arrival/departure times, or load/POD info anymore - I send a text msg with the info to dispatch's email, from my cellphone. We're all happier with fewer phone calls.
One of the things I like best about a small carrier, is that I don't need to call them a lot. (Not only did I resent having to pay for time 'on hold', I hated being forced to listen to their advertising - I'm not a customer, why are they playing this ad loop ad nauseum?!)
I don't even call in my arrival/departure times, or load/POD info anymore - I send a text msg with the info to dispatch's email, from my cellphone. We're all happier with fewer phone calls.
RE: Contacting carrier
When I read your question, I was surprised to see that zero was not a choice as that was the answer that came to mind. Then when I read your post, I realized that you counted a VRU call as contacting the carrier. When I read the question, I did not consider an automated response as a carrier contact. If others read it the same way, that might explain the low numbers that surprised.
In general, we don't call dispatch or VRU until we have 18 - 24 hours of dwell time. After a day passes from our previous delivery, we start thinking about relocating to another express center. At that point we will use VRU to access the information you referenced and make a relocation decision.
When I read your question, I was surprised to see that zero was not a choice as that was the answer that came to mind. Then when I read your post, I realized that you counted a VRU call as contacting the carrier. When I read the question, I did not consider an automated response as a carrier contact. If others read it the same way, that might explain the low numbers that surprised.
In general, we don't call dispatch or VRU until we have 18 - 24 hours of dwell time. After a day passes from our previous delivery, we start thinking about relocating to another express center. At that point we will use VRU to access the information you referenced and make a relocation decision.
gumball_anna
Seasoned Expediter
RE: Contacting carrier
I am also surprised that 0 wasn't an option.....we rarely ever call in to dispatch....only when our dwell time is about up........and sometimes not even then
The heaviest baggage for a traveler is an empty wallet.
I am also surprised that 0 wasn't an option.....we rarely ever call in to dispatch....only when our dwell time is about up........and sometimes not even then
The heaviest baggage for a traveler is an empty wallet.