Canada Michigan & Canada loads, New Policy ???

boomer1965 · Apr 28, 2007

There is a new program being tested, and I'm moving to another company because of it. I too live in Michigan (over 50 years)and I can't understand why our state goverment can't get things going again. We were a heavy hitter for freight in and out, when I first started in the business I almost got home more than I was away and still made fantastic money!!

The company I'm getting away from is now pushing "D" units (teams) to get transfers in Romulus or Port Huron and take them into Canada OR sending you into Canada to get a load to deliver stateside. And that's "ALL" there offering to most of the units. We are being forced to take the load, deadhead out or sit (I did for 13 days). The company has not ever explained there reason or there new "policy" to owners or drivers, I asked 3 times "what's going on?" and I got 3 different answers. I can tell you I'm not going to be part of there "test" program and, sit, get short / junk loads, go broke for them.

Going into Canada is a pain, brokers not available, shippers paperwork not correct, BUT it's a lot easier than comming back to the US. I don't know what's going on with our Customs department but we US drivers are given a harder time getting back to our own country. Customs people, stop playing with us, you are costing us money / time, take a lesson from the Canadian Customs and things would run a lot smoother! Brokers should be forced into being a 24/7/365 operation just like the drivers.

Sorry for being so long winded...
A former FECC "D" unit driver (and I'm sorry but you have forced me to change companies.x( x(

vandriver101 · Apr 28, 2007

What company are you going to?I have been told by a undisclosed source that there are loads picking up in MI(area) dropping off in London Ont(area) paying 500.00 flat so you figure out the math and why they would send you!!It shows the need for border crossing trucks!!
O/O B unit Panther #11514 Since 03/06

greg334 · Apr 29, 2007

boomer1965

All you posted is typical, nothing out of the ordinary.

The problem is that unless you move out of the area, to say Ohio or Indy, you will have less of a chance to get out of the area.

The fact is Michigan is a horrible place to live unless you are oblivious to the rest of the world and freight is getting less plentiful, so it is Canada or whatever to make money.

Cross border operations is not all that bad if you have a routine, follow that routine and have patients. I mean that I donâ€™t go into Canada unless I am in charge of the situation, the paper work has to be to my liking or I will hold things up until the shipper gets it straight (I have p*ssed a few off because of this and donâ€™t care, it is my a** if some is really wrong). I never expect something out of Canada, PERIOD. My last trip into Canada which was back to back loads into Canada to the same place, I headed right back towards home â€“ not waiting for anything and donâ€™t stop unless I hit the end of my hours for the day. It is a given not to get anything out and it is factored into to the formula to either accept or reject the offer. The same with NYC and Washington DC, I donâ€™t ever expect to get anything out of those areas unless it is a pre-dispatched offer, which has never happened.

As for your question about our state, I am one who blames the person who is in office right now and the stupid people who elected her. She has blamed everyone else for her inability to govern properly and the recent cronyism within her administration shows what she really cares about. Providing transportation and a staff for the â€˜First Gentlemanâ€™, hiring the junior Levin and other Democrats who lost in the last election to be on the states payroll, the thing with the MEA and the contributions and so onâ€¦

The ignorance or lack of knowledge of how it should work within the government of Michigan opposed to what other states have done to promote themselves, the racist attitude that permeates the South East part of Michigan (it seems many are in denial that this exists) and the lack of real concern for jobs/growth at all levels is the reason we have what we have today.

boomer1965 · Apr 29, 2007

I think if I post the company I'm going to there would be a mass-migration to them. there fleet is only "D" units, 101" wide and 108" tall, barn doors and committed to "run", none of the 2 weeks out and a week at home (I don't see how anyone can make any money that way?). Just remember some of the smaller companies have the plan to keep there smaller fleet busy so everyone makes money.

FedEx C.C. was a super company to be with, then with the changes that were and are being made it's been down hill. And now with this new Canada Policy that was the last straw for me, I shouldn't be almost forced to go to Canada or relocate or not take loads that take me home. There is still a lot of freight in Michigan going to other U.S. locations it just depends how agressively the "Company" goes after it.

I don't feel I should have to move out of Michigan to get good freight and the new (to me) company has a good "book of business" here. Sure I may make a bit less per mile but I will be able to keep running, not sitting 2, 3, 4 day or a week to get a load with team miles.

Good Luck to ALL, may all of us make as much money as we want, be happy where we are, enjoy life and pray for our troops!!

LDB · Apr 29, 2007

>Sure I may make a bit less per mile but I
>will be able to keep running, not sitting 2, 3, 4 day or a
>week to get a load with team miles.

What are "team miles". Do they somehow both sit in the seat together to drive some of the miles? I have a team that only stops long enough for their showers and some meals. That's because they take the run from Indy to Nashville or Cleveland to Cinci in addition to the Laredo to Windsor runs. They learned one of the biggest secrets of expediting. When the wheels turn you make money and when the wheels are stopped you don't. They won't take something like Toledo to Sutton, WV unless there's something backing it up. It's too far to a good spot after the load. They only turn down about 10-12% and only then for terrible delivery location, terrible fsc, or HHM mileage pay. Statute miles are units of measure of 5280 feet. Nautical miles are units of measure of 6080 feet. The dictionary has no listing for team miles. I'd drop them from my vocabulary and see if it doesn't pay off like it has for my team.

Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA Life Member 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 5508, 5509, 5641
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MoonProwler · Apr 29, 2007

I sat in Michigan/Detroit area for a couple weeks. I heard that Detroit area has become a tranfer point for Canadian Loads. Saw and heard alot more as well.

boomer1965 · Apr 29, 2007

I guess you don't know what "solo" miles are? 19 years in expediting and I guess I need to be more exact in my statments.

Team Miles= are the miles from your current location to pick up and delivery that a solo driver can't do in the time needed for delivery AND be legal on there logs.

I'll bet you could tell us what "solo miles" are based on the above statment.

But anyone that has run solo AND as a team would have known what I was saying.

Boomer1965

P.S. If every company would offer a load and at the same time tell you where your next pick up would be, WOW how wonderful would that be. The truth is that most of the larger companies just sit and wait for a shipper to call or say there sales force is working hard to find loads, sure, and there working with Santa to get loads too. We know shippers shop around for rates and who can pick up when there ready. No salesperson, NO sales calls...

RichM · Apr 29, 2007

It may be that the 14 hour rule catches up with solo drivers due to the delays at customs.

LDB · Apr 29, 2007

I'm fully aware of what you meant. I was pointing out that thinking that way is the problem. "Sitting 2, 3, 4 day or a week to get a load with team miles" rather than running a bunch of 3xx-5xx mile loads? I have a team that used to run that way and now accepts around 90% with the miles not being a factor unless they are household mover miles. They accept or refuse based on d/h, delivery location, fsc, etc. but not loaded miles (as long as they are accurate).

Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA Life Member 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 5508, 5509, 5641
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
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Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

LDB · Apr 29, 2007

To add a little to this, my team took a 264 mile run late Friday afternoon. They knew it was getting late for moving over the weekend and knew 264 paid miles were worth more than zero paid miles while they waited for a "team" load. They are loading now for a 726 paid mile run that delivers tomorrow morning. Had they sat where they were waiting for a "team" load they could very well still be sitting there tomorrow morning. Instead, they are 990 paid miles ahead. There are no "team" loads and there are no "solo" loads. There are just loads. The ones making the most know that and take advantage of it.

Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA Life Member 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 5508, 5509, 5641
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
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Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

boomer1965 · Apr 30, 2007

That's wonderful, the trouble with that is that MOST companies don't back you up with another load that fast. I would take the offer for the (short mile / solo load)IF it was going to an area I know I would get loaded out of, but I will not take it if I have to spend half the money I earned on that load to move to an area that I can get loaded.

IF the area was not good I would refuse the load and take the next load if it meets the above critera. May even be a long mile, like 1800 plus miles (deliver A.S.A.P.) "Team" load.

Back to you Leo...
BUT you MUST take care and be SAFE....

TeamCaffee · Apr 30, 2007

I guess I wasnt aware of the fact that FedEx had become a forced dispatch company. When did this come about?

We have done Canada loads, we have swapped Canada loads at the border and a Canadian took the load into Canada, we have brought all kinds of loads out of Canada. We are pro active and if we have had enough of Canada we move out of the freight lane. As far as I know you still make the choice to go into Canada or not. If the load pays enough we go to Canada, if the load pays enough we bring a load out of Canada. As another driver has told us sometimes you can look at the load as a better then average paying relocation load to get you to a better area! Depends a lot on how you look at your day.

boomer1965 · Apr 30, 2007

Bob & Linda,
All I'm saying is that as a team we were offered ONLY Canada loads! We were asked to pick up in Canada and transfer them in Romulus or Port Huron. OR go into Canada from Port Huron or Romulus. And the best paying load was $1.37 w/FSC. But I must admit we were offered a Friday afternoon pick up in St. Thomas and deliver in Lansing, MI at 1630 on Monday andthat was the best paying load.

When asked why is that all we were being offered I was told it's because I happen to live just north of Detroit. So I guess I would have to move to get better load offers...

TeamCaffee · Apr 30, 2007

Ok we understand a little better now! Thanks for clearing that up.

wallytrucker1 · Apr 30, 2007

Interesting phone call from Landstar this morning, 'Greg, we are updating our Canada list of drivers who will go to Canada,do you? NO "ok thanks, goodbye and be safe" End of story. I realize this has no bearing on your post but I had A "Canadian moment

x06col · Apr 30, 2007

Sounds to me you got spoiled when you started this occupation. Living in the Meca of expedited freight. Having the life of riley while the rest of us had to "leave home" to get freight, or, get out. This here business world is pretty dynamic, and, takes no prisoners. Seems now I don't have to "leave home" to get freight, and, you do. Or, get out. It's that Russian word tuffshitzski. I would doubt if there is a new policy. Just probably seems like it is because, you don't wanna "leave home" to get freight.

boomer1965 · Apr 30, 2007

With more that 10 years in expediting, yes at times I have been spoiled, but the last time I was home was the 2nd week of January and with more than 12 weeks away from home I think comming home was OK. I enjoy this vocation, if I didn't I would move on, I have said for many years "keep me running and I'll stay out", I only come home IF things slow down OR I happen to deliver in the Detroit area. I have had loads that deliver in Detroit and been per-loaded back out and not even made a stop by the house. Spoild,...NOT, I just was doing my job and happened to get home a little more than others.

FedEx C.C. has a new "test" policy (unless it was dropped in the last 6 days)about Canada, I would call and ask if you don't think it's true. I was told this by 4 different dispatchers, on 2 different shifts as well as 3 drivers (2 of them driving "CD" units (Canadian "D" units).

Take care & Be Safe...

jackdixon_2000 · May 1, 2007

Excuse Me, but Boomer and Moonprowler are both recent members and come in here bashing away???? Claim to be long time expediters with Fedex. Give me a break. If you are a team and don't like the run offers from Detroit, then, when you are ready to get back out in the system why don't you head for the Chicago area? I have been around since 99 and when there was a lot of competition in the Detroit area I would not even stay 10 minutes in Detroit. The money it would cost me for D/h to Chicago would easily be made up by the higher rates and longer mile runs out of there. Its easy to see that you are just pushing an agenda for some reason. Not even gonna get into some of the other ridiculous statements I have seen. Sorry, but I am not that gullible. This is my first and last word on the subject, I don't do flame wars, Bye

boomer1965 · May 1, 2007

jackdixon_2000

If you call being told that because I live in the Detroit area that 95 to 98% of the loads I will be offered will be to or from Canada bashing then OK I guess I am.

What I am "bashing" is the fact that drivers from other areas (states) get to transfer a Canada load then get loads back out of Michigan and I am almost forced to take the transfer load to Canada "because I live in the Detroit area".

AND

The fact that a "Test" or "Pilot Program" has been started and that owners and drivers were not told anything about it.

I understand about moving to other locations, have done it many times, I just don't like to have to move because of a "Program".

I started this topic for the main reason to see if other drivers have been told about this "Policy" and if not to inform them so a call could be made to find out what's going on.

To clear the record: I like FedEx C.C., I just don't like policy changes that effect me and that I've not been told about it up front.
EVERY company has there good and bad points, for the most part FECC has been good, but now is the time for me to move to another company. I will be loading, delivering, and loading faster tham I have with FECC and it keeps me in the mid-west to south and return lane.

May everyone gat "SUPER" loads (what ever these are) from now on and make "LOTS" of money...

davekc · May 1, 2007

I don't have a dog in this fight, but it seems you are the only one mentioning this "new program". Is it possible that it is percieved, rather than something that actually exists.
It seems no one else knows about. You know how rumors are.

Davekc
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22 years
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