new dispatch system @ the fed

[nightcreacher]

For those that just heard,starting in April,our dispatch system,is going to change,and are thinking the worst,i just read how its going to work,it really wont be much different that what we do now.When I heard about it,i made that important phone call,and gave my two cents,which wasn't favorable,but after getting home,and reading how it will work,doesnt seem things will be much different than they are now.The difference is,dispatch will be able to send the run offer to 3 trucks at a time,but as before,DVA will dictate,if all three trucks accept the load

Something that is better,if your clink is off,disatch will be able to give you a voice message over your cell phone about the load,and you will be able to respond accordingly thru your cell phone.Right now I get a text msg,then i call in,this might be better,will work when your clink is off.

The last thing,we are gooing to have a new macro,and will tell more about the dispatch offer,it will give all info on load,and let you know where you fall in line for this load,so if your actually the 3rd truck and you get it,you will know the other 2 turned it down.

I was on the phone complaining for over an hour,but since I got home,I think this system is better for all involved,I know FECC thinks its better for them,once we get use to it,it will be better for us too.

 

[greg334]

So let me get this straight....

A load is created by FedEx, then the 'computer' sends it to three trucks at the same time?

Is that right?

 

[ATeam]

Yes, Greg, that is correct, but that is not the whole story.

As I understand it, the three (or other number of) trucks that receive the load offer at the same time all have the same 10 minutes to respond to the load offer that trucks had before. The important thing to note is that rank order is preserved.

For example, say there are three trucks in the area that can all make the pickup on time. They will receive the same offer at the same time. If two accept the offer, the load will go the the one with the highest DVA rank. In other words, as with the old system, if all other things are equal, the truck with the most dwell time wins.

News of this new system troubled me too when I first heard of it, but after hearing more, I am looking forward to it. It seems to me that dispatch order for drivers on the ground will change little, but there is a big benefit for the company that will benefit us too.

One thing that may change slightly for drivers is our refusal percentage may decline. If we are not the first truck in the rank order, and decline the offer, a refusal is not chagred to us. If the first truck in line declines the load, the refusal is only charged to it, and not to any other trucks in line that also refuse the load.

This is a much more efficient system for dispatchers. Loads are sometimes lost because while FedEx Custom Critical is trying to nail down trucks to cover them, the shipper is calling competing companies to cover the load on his or her end. I expect the number of loads lost that way to competitors will decrease under the new system.

For FedEx Custom Critical drivers and contractors who are on the road and have not yet seen the information that was mailed out, I believe it will be posted on the Extranet soon, if it is not there already.

At our request, our contractor coordinator e-mailed the information to us. You might make the same request if you have no other way to quickly receive the the info.

 

[nightcreacher]

Yes Gregg,it will also show that 2 other trucks were also given the load,and where in line you were for the load,in case all trucks accept the offer,so lets say tr 1 is 2nd,tr2 is 1st and tr3 is 3rd,all accept,tr 2 has been in ex center longest and is closest to load,so as we do right now,he would get the load,and in new system he would still get the load,but the other 2 trucks had a chance incase tr2 turned it down.to get to shipper sooner.Gregg,right now,each truck has 10 mins to respond to a dispatch offer,if there are 3 truck in an ex center and 1st two turn it down,the 3rd truck that gets load might be late on pick up if it has a straight up 1 1/2 hr pick up.This is what this is all about,to get to customer faster.

 

[ihamner]

Shouldn't this be moved to the FedEx Forum???

 

[nightcreacher]

Shouldn't this be moved to the FedEx Forum???

why when most of what i read here is about Panther,is there a Panther forum,didnt think so,no FECC forum either

 

[Moot]

This new system makes sense. I know I have turned down loads because I was given 30 minutes to make a pickup 40 miles away in Chicago traffic. This was probably due to time lost making offers to several trucks ahead of me.

This system is definitely a time saver for the customer, dispatch and the driver that excepts the load.

 

[terryandrene]

Steve, you explained it well. One difference; the example of the enclosure shows only 3 trucks being shown a "Load Opportunity". In reality, more or less than three trucks might be shown any given Load Opportunity. If there are ten trucks in an area that would have normally been offered a load, in order of DVA determined priority, those same ten trucks will be shown a "Load Opportunity". Each of the ten trucks should accept or decline within the ten minute time frame.

To clarify ATeam's refusal comment, if five trucks are shown an Opportunity and trucks, in order of board position, #1, 2, 4 and 5 decline the load and truck #3 accepts the load. The load will go to truck #3; trucks 1 and 2 will be credited with a refusal for statistical purposes, and truck's #4 and 5 statistics will show neither an acceptance nor refusal. That's the same as it is now.

Be mindful that this new method is being tested in one dispatch region for Surface expedite trucks only. It's possible to have a "Load Offer" on one day and be sent a "Load Opprtunity on the next day.


I posted some info about this in the FedEx Custom Critical Forum. If any FCC contractor, out on the road, wants a copy of the company letter and it's attachments, PM me your name, truck number and e-mail address and I'll send it out.

 

[terryandrene]

The FedEx Custom Critical, Panther, and Tri-Stae forums can me found by clicking on the "Open Forum" tab and scrolling down to the carrier forums section. Eventually, LM plans to introduce other carriers if participation shows a need.

 

[nightcreacher]

Thanks Terry,learn something new everyday.When i talked to Kathy Brooks the other day,she said and what I read,just 3 trucks will be offered at a time,mre than that,i think the dispathers couldnt handle it

 

[jaminjim]

Dang you could get and accept three load offers and not get to run one.

 

[nightcreacher]

Dang you could get and accept three load offers and not get to run one.

yes but right now,you wouldnt know about the other offers anyway til after they were dipatched.tis system is to try to save time so dispatch can tell customer there is a truck avaiabe sooner.

 

[davekc]

Just an outsider looking in, it would seem like you would be responding to load offers all the time even though you may not ever run them.
Can't imagine this in say somewhere like Chicago. When would you sleep with the qc going off every couple of minutes and you would have to respond knowing you may not get the load offer?

 

[Doggie Daddy]

Just an outsider looking in, it would seem like you would be responding to load offers all the time even though you may not ever run them.
Can't imagine this in say somewhere like Chicago. When would you sleep with the qc going off every couple of minutes and you would have to respond knowing you may not get the load offer?

You are absolutely correct Dave,it could get VERY annoying.DD.

 

[LDB]

First, I'm glad this is posted here because it's an excellent example of why things need to be in full forums. I never thought of this but it's an excellent idea that I am going to work with. Were it secreted away in an exclusive area many who could benefit from such an excellent idea would be none the wiser.

As to Chicago etc. I wouldn't think it would be too huge a problem, if they limit it to 3 trucks at a time. Unless one is the king of cherry pickers I'd think they'd be rolling on a job fairly soon. In sets of 3 they could try 9 trucks in the time it takes now for 3. The phrase "coming soon to a theater near you" comes to mind.

 

[RLENT]

Sounds pretty smart to me - I like it. I would think that it's gotta be good for all concerned.

Seems like one result is that it would be more transparent I would think - one would have a better idea of what is actually occurring .... although I'm only basing that on how my carrier operates, having never run for the kitty or FDCC.

 

[iceroadtrucker]

Sounds to me Like The Company dont trust their dispatchers to do there job. Then again a company will spend a million dollars on somthing. Ur Company Mr. Gilbert the way u talk seem like they want to control everything. Personaly I believe a person behnd the scenes can do a better job than a machine. A run and a Phone call or message on the ole qual by a person I realy perfer. Cant talk logic to a computer. One last thing, that would have to real bummer one saying ya Ill go Ill go only to find out some other person got the load. If you think they are fights in the truck stops now among drivers and loads just wait till 2 truck are sitting next to each other get the same load offer. One takes it and the other one miss it. You cant tell me the type of Trucking you do isnt a cut throat business as That would be a lie right there. Trucking isnt what it once was. There are alot of cut throats out there just like there are alot of fare weather drivers as well. While Im on this issue the only good thing I can see comming for you of this is maybe the big Fleets wont get their Pref Treatments. Then again I sure they will find loop holes as there are always them. One thing Im thankful for is I wont have to worrie about Qual com computer logs. From what I was told steve U will as thats around the cornor for U as well. Hmm lots of changes, Right Ghost Rider.
Hey Not to worry SnowBall is too busy Dancing to worry about it.
PS. HAWK TRucking get me the HECK outa DALLAS YA HERE ME BILLY BOB CAVE MAN. Oh YA thats right Your in VEGAS doing your Dedicated Looser Runs. I hope U run outa quarters for Ur Slots. Then again mabe Ull hit the Jack pot and win a million bucks. Here is a tip keep playing the same machine stop switching U just may win. Common sense ya know the odds are better.
No Chains Allowed
ICEROADTRUCKER
Ridge Runner
Timber Ridge IOWA
Have a nice day yalll

 

[OntarioVanMan]

The best system obviously is for the carrier to offer the best rate they can....do away with all this offer, counter offer and little perks crap....that would speed up the system. Nothing like a speeder way to keep offering crappy rated loads.
The main problem I see is low paying loads getting refused....Just pay a fair rate. Period. These companies have to know people are hurting...if they truely care about thier O/O's then take abit off the top and offer a fair rate. It's not rocket science here....

 

[TeamCaffee]

Well from what we have read and seen of the dispatch system it will work out well for us and our carrier. Get the loads covered faster by confiming to the customer that we have a truck available to take the load. From what we have read I do not believe this will affect our load acceptance or our refusals. The phone messages are going to be interesting to learn on how to respond to a load oppurtunity.
One thing about it FedEx Custom Critical is always trying out new ideas to stay on top of the game.

 

[dieseldiva]

The main problem I see is low paying loads getting refused....Just pay a fair rate. Period. These companies have to know people are hurting...if they truely care about thier O/O's then take abit off the top and offer a fair rate. It's not rocket science here....

That's right Ken. Our ONLY reason for refusal is low rate. We do not refuse to go ANYWHERE. Many times we've taken loads that were not really good business decisions as far as getting freight back out but if the rate is good then we go and work through those details after dellivery. (now don't blast me for bad business practices!!)