Landstar disappears
- Thread starter Driver2
- Start date
Monty
Expert Expediter
I don't think they ever had one?
At least not since I've been here. We, at Landstar, really have nothing to "gripe" about. So a meeting place to discuss problems and issues aren't needed.
That said, are there issues here? Sure, but every contractor is in charge of their own destiny, so you either work it out, or move on.
At least not since I've been here. We, at Landstar, really have nothing to "gripe" about. So a meeting place to discuss problems and issues aren't needed.
That said, are there issues here? Sure, but every contractor is in charge of their own destiny, so you either work it out, or move on.
There has never been a Landstar Express America carrier forum that I know of. If there is any intrest among Landstar BCO's (Landstar's name for contractors) in having such a forum, none have expressed it on EO, at any EO gathering or at any gathering of Landstar BCO's that Diane and I have attended. Every Landstar Express America BCO we have met knows about EO but none have shown interest in having a Landstar carrier forum.
Personally, I see little need for such a forum. As Notanewbie said, there is little to gripe about. To the extent that a carrier forum provides a platform for a carrier's contractors to get information about this and that, and to chat things up in general, I don't see many Landstar people wanting to do that either.
It's not that we have secrets to keep about the company. It's that Landstar is a different kind of company that does business in significantly different ways. There simply is not much to talk about that makes sense to talk about in a carrier forum. Thus the lack of interest in having one.
Personally, I see little need for such a forum. As Notanewbie said, there is little to gripe about. To the extent that a carrier forum provides a platform for a carrier's contractors to get information about this and that, and to chat things up in general, I don't see many Landstar people wanting to do that either.
It's not that we have secrets to keep about the company. It's that Landstar is a different kind of company that does business in significantly different ways. There simply is not much to talk about that makes sense to talk about in a carrier forum. Thus the lack of interest in having one.
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Driver2's post got me thinking more about why there is no Landstar Express America carrier forum. Let's look at this closer by looking at the first posts in the ten most recent threads in the three carrier forums that have the most threads (listed below by thread count in descending order). After those three carrier forums, the others are quiet. In the other carrier forums, the posts are infrequent and/or the first-in thread posts are over six months old.
FedEx Custom Critical:
- A complaint about the honesty of the company and policy changes
- A question about home time East Coast and West Coast
- A request for photos showing how re-branded trucks will look
- A question about why the contractor web site cannot be accessed
- A post that shares a company statement about re-branding
- A post that shares a photo of an exceptionally clean and well kept trailer
- A post lacking in detail having something to do with totes and HAZMAT
- A complaint about the price and reliability of Qualcomm equipment
- An explanation about why this contractor declines loads (low pay)
- A complaint about company web site performance on an iPad
Panther:
- A question about why load offers are not coming by text message.
- A question, why is Panther recruiting when trucks are sitting?
- A complaint about inability to obtain the Verizon discount.
- A question about company pay deductions and net profit
- A comment about being billed for both Qualcomm and texting
- A question, are others having trouble logging into ITS load board?
- A comment about the new company web site design
- A link to information about the new company rewards program
- A request for information about an easy-to-use spreadsheet (P&L)
- A complaint about trucks sitting for days at a time
Load-1
- First post in the March banter and location thread
- Birthday wishes and congratulations on truck additions
- A post that initiates a suggestion box thread
- A self-introduction of a T/T fleet owner that is joining Load-1
- A post by the company president about Qualcomm changes
- A recommendation of a diesel engine service provider
- Photos of the company shower and instructions on door use
- Photos showing satellite TV antenna mounting on a van
- A post by a company staff member RE: document scanning
- First post in the February banter and location thread
Some of the above posts are about company procedure or policy changes. Others are complaints about this or that. I think one of the reasons there is little interest in a Landstar Express America carrier forum is that Landstar does an exceptionally good job in communicating company information to BCO's. BCO's also have direct access to whoever it is in the company that they need to talk to; to gripe, resolve an issue or get questions answered.
For example, I recently had a mileage tax question. I called the main number and said "mileage tax" when the computer asked me what I was calling about. I was immediately transferred to the mileage and tax department where a competent human being quickly answered the phone and my question.
At Landstar, questions are quickly answered by people who know what is going on. There is no waiting for answers. There is no wondering what is going on. There is no contractor coordinator to talk to first before you can talk to someone else. There is no need to ask questions in a carrier forum because the carrier provides answers immediately and directly.
As for gripes, I have had a few since leasing our truck to Landstar but I feel no need to post them here in EO because the company listens to me. I can, and I have, gone to people in the company headquarters with my complaints and suggestions. In two cases, changes were immediately made. In once case, the suggestion is now being discussed by people at the office and I am being kept in the loop.
In other cases, the history and reasoning behind the policy that I disagree with was explained to me in as much detail as I asked for. Also explained to me by the people who have the power to make the policy was the fact that the policy will not be changed and my choice relative to that policy is to abide by it or leave the company. When communications about such things are that direct between company leaders and BCO's like myself, there is little need or desire to express oneself on such topics in a carrier forum. What would be the point?
Posts that include technical tips, vendor recommendations and such do not need a Landstar specific forum. Landstar people can use the other forums for those. A company-specific banter and locations thread for Landstar Express America would not be used because Landstar BCO's are totally responsible for their own businesses and agent relationships. What one BCO does or how one is doing is of less interest to others than is the case at companies where dispatch is centralized.
As for shower door hinges in the company showers, Landstar BCO's have not encountered such issues at their facilities, or if they have, they have gone unreported. While a Landstar Express America carrier forum is not needed, EO might want to research expedite carriers industry wide to see if a dedicated shower door hinge forum is needed.
This might be the next great crisis in expediting. EO might do expediters of all stripes a great service by creating a dedicated forum in which the door hinges in company showers can be discussed.
FedEx Custom Critical:
- A complaint about the honesty of the company and policy changes
- A question about home time East Coast and West Coast
- A request for photos showing how re-branded trucks will look
- A question about why the contractor web site cannot be accessed
- A post that shares a company statement about re-branding
- A post that shares a photo of an exceptionally clean and well kept trailer
- A post lacking in detail having something to do with totes and HAZMAT
- A complaint about the price and reliability of Qualcomm equipment
- An explanation about why this contractor declines loads (low pay)
- A complaint about company web site performance on an iPad
Panther:
- A question about why load offers are not coming by text message.
- A question, why is Panther recruiting when trucks are sitting?
- A complaint about inability to obtain the Verizon discount.
- A question about company pay deductions and net profit
- A comment about being billed for both Qualcomm and texting
- A question, are others having trouble logging into ITS load board?
- A comment about the new company web site design
- A link to information about the new company rewards program
- A request for information about an easy-to-use spreadsheet (P&L)
- A complaint about trucks sitting for days at a time
Load-1
- First post in the March banter and location thread
- Birthday wishes and congratulations on truck additions
- A post that initiates a suggestion box thread
- A self-introduction of a T/T fleet owner that is joining Load-1
- A post by the company president about Qualcomm changes
- A recommendation of a diesel engine service provider
- Photos of the company shower and instructions on door use
- Photos showing satellite TV antenna mounting on a van
- A post by a company staff member RE: document scanning
- First post in the February banter and location thread
Some of the above posts are about company procedure or policy changes. Others are complaints about this or that. I think one of the reasons there is little interest in a Landstar Express America carrier forum is that Landstar does an exceptionally good job in communicating company information to BCO's. BCO's also have direct access to whoever it is in the company that they need to talk to; to gripe, resolve an issue or get questions answered.
For example, I recently had a mileage tax question. I called the main number and said "mileage tax" when the computer asked me what I was calling about. I was immediately transferred to the mileage and tax department where a competent human being quickly answered the phone and my question.
At Landstar, questions are quickly answered by people who know what is going on. There is no waiting for answers. There is no wondering what is going on. There is no contractor coordinator to talk to first before you can talk to someone else. There is no need to ask questions in a carrier forum because the carrier provides answers immediately and directly.
As for gripes, I have had a few since leasing our truck to Landstar but I feel no need to post them here in EO because the company listens to me. I can, and I have, gone to people in the company headquarters with my complaints and suggestions. In two cases, changes were immediately made. In once case, the suggestion is now being discussed by people at the office and I am being kept in the loop.
In other cases, the history and reasoning behind the policy that I disagree with was explained to me in as much detail as I asked for. Also explained to me by the people who have the power to make the policy was the fact that the policy will not be changed and my choice relative to that policy is to abide by it or leave the company. When communications about such things are that direct between company leaders and BCO's like myself, there is little need or desire to express oneself on such topics in a carrier forum. What would be the point?
Posts that include technical tips, vendor recommendations and such do not need a Landstar specific forum. Landstar people can use the other forums for those. A company-specific banter and locations thread for Landstar Express America would not be used because Landstar BCO's are totally responsible for their own businesses and agent relationships. What one BCO does or how one is doing is of less interest to others than is the case at companies where dispatch is centralized.
As for shower door hinges in the company showers, Landstar BCO's have not encountered such issues at their facilities, or if they have, they have gone unreported. While a Landstar Express America carrier forum is not needed, EO might want to research expedite carriers industry wide to see if a dedicated shower door hinge forum is needed.
This might be the next great crisis in expediting. EO might do expediters of all stripes a great service by creating a dedicated forum in which the door hinges in company showers can be discussed.
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Or just take the forums for what they are. Mainly, a place to kick back and relax, rather than turn them into technical bulletins that need "analyzed".
Full disclosure: I shower daily.
Full disclosure: I shower daily.
It's like the banter at your dinner table. How was your day, what problems you have, etc.
Most of us know each other through this forum and judging from the number of views, EO members do as well. We have fun, help each other, and solve problems. It IS Load 1.
Full Disclosure: I never use the company shower without first reviewing Scott's instruction manual.
Sent from my MB860 using EO Forums
Most of us know each other through this forum and judging from the number of views, EO members do as well. We have fun, help each other, and solve problems. It IS Load 1.
Full Disclosure: I never use the company shower without first reviewing Scott's instruction manual.
Sent from my MB860 using EO Forums
I know they listened to Phil at the BCO days in Jacksonville, I was there when the head of LEAM talked about some of his suggestions on making changes.
Now I don't have any knowledge of the back and forth between them and Phil, but I know Phil is telling it like it is at Landstar.
Now I don't have any knowledge of the back and forth between them and Phil, but I know Phil is telling it like it is at Landstar.
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ebsprintin
Veteran Expediter
Phil just doesn't recognize a party when he sees one.
eb
eb
All that is well and good when contained within the individual carrier's forum. But when these "discussions" spill over into the General Expediter Forum for example, at what point do they become promotion - and in essence, advertising? For instance, we see one particular carrier's logo displayed in these forums more frequently than all the others combined. Looks like a pretty good recruiting tool.
We drive our own trucks with carrier logos on them. Some of wear clothing to identify ourselves with or promote our carrier of choice. Many expediters have business cards made up that include their carrier's name and logo. Some expediters include their carrier's logo in the signature of their EO posts to further identify their carrier affiliation. Some do the same with their avatar. Some expediters choose to do few or none of these things.
I don't see a problem with any of that. Now, if some of the images or signature links clicked through to the carrrier's recruiting site and people got paid click fees for the click throughs, that would be a different story. But it is not the story today.
It is very much the case that the more frequently a carrier's logo appears before readers eyes, the better name recognition that company will enjoy. It is also true that the more name recognition a company has, the greater the recruiting advantage becomes.
But as the situation now exists on the Open Forum, so what? Some of the people who are displaying carrier images in their posts are the owners of the carriers themselves. While it is true they are promoting their company by displaying the image and name, it is also true that they are participating as sincere and genuine members of the Open Forum; and having people of that level mixing it up with expediters and wannabees of all stripes is a good thing for the Open Forum and its members, I believe.
When you think about it, it is quite remarkable. The number of carrier owners and CEO's who are participating directly in the Open Forum is growing. That was unimaginable a few years ago. It is an interesting trend to say the least.
I wonder, what will FedEx Custom Critical CEO Virginia Albanese's screen name be when she gets it and sees the advantage of Open Forum participation that other carrier owners and CEO's see? (See: John Elliott Snags Another One)
I don't see a problem with any of that. Now, if some of the images or signature links clicked through to the carrrier's recruiting site and people got paid click fees for the click throughs, that would be a different story. But it is not the story today.
It is very much the case that the more frequently a carrier's logo appears before readers eyes, the better name recognition that company will enjoy. It is also true that the more name recognition a company has, the greater the recruiting advantage becomes.
But as the situation now exists on the Open Forum, so what? Some of the people who are displaying carrier images in their posts are the owners of the carriers themselves. While it is true they are promoting their company by displaying the image and name, it is also true that they are participating as sincere and genuine members of the Open Forum; and having people of that level mixing it up with expediters and wannabees of all stripes is a good thing for the Open Forum and its members, I believe.
When you think about it, it is quite remarkable. The number of carrier owners and CEO's who are participating directly in the Open Forum is growing. That was unimaginable a few years ago. It is an interesting trend to say the least.
I wonder, what will FedEx Custom Critical CEO Virginia Albanese's screen name be when she gets it and sees the advantage of Open Forum participation that other carrier owners and CEO's see? (See: John Elliott Snags Another One)
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ya see Phil my carrier is no where as perfect as yours....so we feel the need to communicate between ourselves...try to answer questions and relay little tips amongst us to help others that might be having a bit of a hard moment....we help each other out with repairs on the road or at the yard...we support and give encouragement to those who need it....
Nope we aren't perfect, that's for sure......having your own little universe must be neat.
Nope we aren't perfect, that's for sure......having your own little universe must be neat.
paullud
Veteran Expediter
I saw that post and could've answered it very quickly for them if it were not in the Panther forum. Notice the poster says they sent in a copy of their "employee" badge, they are not an employee of Panther therefore they are not eligible for an employee discount.
Sent from my ADR6400L using EO Forums
Monty
Expert Expediter
Phil has a flair for .... well ..... saying more than needed.
But, it is true, Landstar BCO's truly don't have much to discuss publicly.
Some of us, myself for example, feel comfortable answering any concerns in the main forum, no need for a carrier based one,
And I have fielded a bunch of pm's concrning Landstar and am happy to answer as best I can.
I certainly do not feel I have my own world ... just a different part of the same one. C'mon in, the waters fine.
But, it is true, Landstar BCO's truly don't have much to discuss publicly.
Some of us, myself for example, feel comfortable answering any concerns in the main forum, no need for a carrier based one,
And I have fielded a bunch of pm's concrning Landstar and am happy to answer as best I can.
I certainly do not feel I have my own world ... just a different part of the same one. C'mon in, the waters fine.
Phil has a flair for .... well ..... saying more than needed.
But, it is true, Landstar BCO's truly don't have much to discuss publicly.
Some of us, myself for example, feel comfortable answering any concerns in the main forum, no need for a carrier based one,
And I have fielded a bunch of pm's concrning Landstar and am happy to answer as best I can.
I certainly do not feel I have my own world ... just a different part of the same one. C'mon in, the waters fine.
I think in 10 yrs I can count on both hands the BCO's I've actually talked to....most were too involved with agents, sleeping or just about to leave on a run....and YOU Monte actually have some real down earth hospitality....LOL......Greg is Greg and Phil is well Phil..we will leave it that....LOL
chefdennis
Veteran Expediter
Monte is a good guy, I met him and got his business card at the Expo last yr. We exchange replies here on a pretty regular basis and spoke on the phone just a few days ago...and after we hung up, he went to "dinner"...with friends...
ya see Phil my carrier is no where as perfect as yours....so we feel the need to communicate between ourselves...try to answer questions and relay little tips amongst us to help others that might be having a bit of a hard moment....we help each other out with repairs on the road or at the yard...we support and give encouragement to those who need it....
Nope we aren't perfect, that's for sure......having your own little universe must be neat.
It's not about one carrier being more perfect than another. It's about cultural differences within carriers. Diane and I have only been with two carriers but the cultural differences between the two are profound. So too, I would think, between any two carriers. It just so happens that the culture among Landstar BCO's is such that none of them are calling for a Landstar carrier forum and the culture among Load One contractors is such that some of them (not all) like to chat it up in public.
Notice the difference in tone between the FedEx Custom Critical and Panther carrier forums, the fact that most contractors with most carriers have requested no carrier forum at all, and the way that some of the existing carrier forums are inactive. That's not about one carrier being more perfect than another. It's just the way it is; all good.
Contractors, both owners and drivers for owners, are eligible for Panther's 19% carrier discount at Verizon. Buried somewhere on Panther Web site is information about the discount. There is (or at least was) a URL that must to be copied and pasted into a Web browser that took you to the Verizon Web site where you confirmed your phone number and you instantly got the discount.