No BOL

[bryan]

HI
Been having a problem when I do swaps with other drivers, they do not want to give me a copy of the bill of lading. I don,t think they realize the problems that this causes. Must auto plants will not take freight with out a bol and a packing slip as these two papers are not interchangable. Bol has a sid # and dock # ; while the packing slip has the part # and loc #. Tuesday night my consignee told me that he almost got into a fist fight with a van driver over who gets a copy of bol. Forklift driver even offered to make a photo copy and driver still wouldn't part with his copy. I was shocked at this. Were professionals and should act as such. Remember most freight is collect and your actions at the cosignee affects all of us in this industry.So keep it cool, calm and considerate.
Thanks have a good one

 

[RichM]

I would make a note on your own freight bill that the driver of unit
so/so would not give a copy of the original BOL.I would also let your dispatcher know about this with the other driver standing by.
I don't understand why someone wouldn't allow a copy to be made.

 

[miko]

I don't understand either. If I have to take over freight lets say in Chicago, and the company driver comes down and meets me at some dock, I have to have the paperwork in order to deliver. I guess I never went to a place without any paperwork. Besides, I have to call in to dispatch after POD, and what info do I give him if no BOL???
I have to have a signature too on that paper and at the end of the week I need to fill out a report envelope. With all that info missing and no copy, no pay. I'd talk to someone in the company about this.

 

[mvbn1]

If the driver you're doing the swap with would read their Driver Handbook, they would know that the BOL and any other paperwork should stay with the freight. I had that problem several months ago, and I had to get my book out and show the driver I was taking the freight from, what it said. Their comment was "...I didn't know that was in there".

I guess you get, what you get, when you take on anyone with a van/straight truck/tractor and a pulse!

 

[redytrk]

I think the problem starts with orientation. They are told that they "will not be paid for the run"if the BOL is not sent in.They should also be told this does not apply to freight transfers.The BOL must follow the freight to the consignee.

I allways tell this to the reluctant driver, and they usually come around. If they ever do flat out refuse,I will get dispatch on the phone, and let them resolve the problem.

 

[X1_SRH]

On a lot of automotive loads the shipper gives you about 4 copies of the packing list anyway. Let the driver that is transferring the load keep a bottom copy of whatever document you have the most copies of, and transfer (write) all pertinent information like name, truck number, load number etc., Onto the document that the transferring driver will keep. Sending that in to headquarters is sufficient to get paid since they have a record of the transfer on file anyway.

All Original (top) copies need to stay with the freight. This will keep the truck legal and the consignee happy.

Scott

 

[Tennesseahawk]

We were told in orientation that the driver dropping the freight uses their pro signed by the driver picking up. That is their bol. All original bols go with the truck going the rest of the distance.

 

[raceman]

Maybe I am missing something here. I will just say what you should do and if I missed something I am sorry.

You and the other driver are standing side by side at some point in this transaction. If they refuse to give you a copy you simply say lets call dispatch. If that does not work do not take the freight. If dispatch tells you to take the freight without the paperwork tell them to send you the order in an email over QualCom that includes what you are going to be paid to haul this freight without the proper paperwork.

Doing that assures there is a legal and permenant record of what you agreed to. Then and only then do you take the freight. When it is all over shake your head at the other driver and say "what a Dumba##. then be on your way.

Anyone who does not know they have to give you a copy of that does know how to do the job. You run the risk of not being paid if you are hauling that transferred freight without paperwork and POD's of your own. Good Luck


Raceman
OTR O/O

 

[mvbn1]

I agree Raceman, but as I said earlier, when your bringing on drivers or O/O who can't figure out how to read a map, what do you expect. (Well, maybe the map example was a bit much, but you know what I mean)

The biggest problem with calling Dispatch, is, alot of the people working there don't know what their doing either.

 

[Broompilot]

Solution I carry blank BOL (Truck Stops) you make him out one and keep the original.. This is the law that it must stay with the frieght since the #1 driver is not a representaive of the original shipper he cannot sign the second copy that you would make up.

He can accept a BOL that you make up and both sign as a proof that the freight was asssigned over to you.

Never have had a problem with this before using my system. I gave the driver the original BOL and put all the corresponding #s on my (truck stop bol) we both signed it and I never heard a word otherwise and I got paid so I figure he did to. PS the company was one of the biggies and we switched freight at one its sister companies docks.

When companies or our governement does not have a BOL I make one up myself and have the person at the dock sign it. I have a legal document describing the terms except payment on it so it should pass DOTs requirements.

If I am incorrect on anything here I posted please feel free to correct me.

 

[raceman]

mvbn1, You have got a point.


Raceman
OTR O/O

 

[highway star]

To those who are causing this problem, it's really quite simple. I'll type slowly so you can keep up. When you are going to transfer, just make 2 copies of the BOL, 1 for you to keep and 1 to turn in to the company.This way all original paperwork can go with the freight. Many shippers will be happy to help you with this. If not, it will cost you fiddy cent(thats money, not the rapper). I realize many of you will not want to part with that much money, but I'm sure you can write it off. I think Broompilots idea is great if you are transferring to another company.

 

[bryan]

HI
I agree with all your post, thanks. But where I have the most problems is when the other driver is dropping on a dock and leaving well before I get there. Hopefully the drivers who are causing this problem will read these post and or the carriers will address the problem . I think they should spent more time on paperwork and dealing with the customers during orientation.
Thanks have a good one.

 

[Crazynuff]

If I was in that situation Bryan I would call dispatch and refuse to accept the load without a copy of the BOL . Aren't you required by law to have a BOL with the law ? Someone at the dock has to accept the load if you aren't there . Give advance notice the load won't move if you don't have a BOL . Have the shipper fax a copy of the original if necessary .

 

[Tennesseahawk]

With Panther, we were told that if there was no bol, use a pro bill. We'd put the pro number as the bol number. When we sent it in, we'd right on the pro "no bol". This also happened with Express-1. They told us to use the date and an 01 afterwards. Apparently, not everyone is going to have a bol. Bands who need their equipment moved certainly wouldn't carry them around. They looked at me like I was supposed to supply it. All in all, I agree with Broom's solution. Having blank shipping forms around keeps everyone happy. Though a pro bill should do the job also.

 

[trhoades]

I think the problem is that the original driver is too lazy to stop at a truck stop on the way to the transfer and make extra copies. Alot of times the shipper only gives you 2. I always make them make an extra 2 if I know I have to transfer the load.