Panther Macro 8 being changed?

Falligator · Jan 17, 2008

Finally heard the good news today that Panther's Macro 8 is being changed. I called in to get my brd position since i didn't have a satelite sig and heard this from a dispatcher. And with the new system we panther drivers should be able to find our board postion automatically, and get an accurate count on how many vans are in an area. I hope this works b/c it will get rid a lot of headaches. As long as they can keep moving the frieght to go along with the changes I'm happy. Per the dispatcher I talked to this should be happening on Monday? I haven't got any messages about it but we'll see if this actually happens.

davekc · Jan 17, 2008

I am hearing the same thing. Monday is the day they throw the switch. Should be interesting.

arkjarhead · Jan 17, 2008

Isn't that the one that you can only use once every 24 hours? I know there was something on the qc when I was there that would show you all the boards up to 300 mile radius of you and how many trucks were on them. I think it also showed how many loads they averaged a day. That might be the macro 8. I can't really remember.

Moot · Jan 17, 2008

yeah Ark that's macro 8. You could access it 3 times per day. Even if it didn't give you any info it counted as a usage.

I sure hope they get the new macro 8 up and running Monday and that it gives information in real time and unit size specific. This could be a valuable tool if done right.

TwoMotherTrkrs · Jan 17, 2008

Oh happy day!!

butterfly610 · Jan 18, 2008

That will be really awesome if it changes! Right now, it's kind of misleading and I agree it can be a really useful tool if it works the right way. So, they say you'll be able to find out your own board position? That also would be nice, wouldn't have to bother them asking. One thing I wish they could do would be to make it where you could move around the 50 mile radius and not lose your board position. If you're sitting somewhere on the weekend or whatever, it would definately help if you could get a change of scenery without losing your spot. I know sometimes it really doesn't even matter what position you are, but if everyone is in the same general area, it can. It would just be a nice thing to be able to move around is all. But this is a good thing if the macro will be accurate. Helps to make better decisions.

Falligator · Jan 18, 2008

I'm curious as to how this is going to work b/c I haven't gotten a fleet message regarding this matter. Usually, when something changes they always send a message well in advance. Is it going to be a company secret on how to do this, or does anyone on here know the details?
Enquiring minds want to know!

lol Well, it's only Friday,
(still here in Cookeville, Tn) sitting at the Pilot, but not for long, (hopefully).

Scuba · Jan 18, 2008

Prior to the fleet wide roll out macro 8 change. Marco 8 didn’t give the best info because it may not see someone 51 miles from you because that person is showing in a different town. With the change what Panther has done is to take a city and put all of their zip codes into that city so now when they tell you there are “x” number of trucks in Memphis it will tell them the numbers for all of Memphis and West Memphis and the surrounding town of Memphis. Thus giving you a more accurate number

rdtrpn · Jan 21, 2008

good maybe i can find a better location with it too instead of what was given as an approximate number of...

rdtrpn · Jan 21, 2008

does this also work with straight trucks? its all panther vehicles right?

butterfly610 · Jan 21, 2008

Okay...it's Monday and still inaccurate! When is this supposed to change? Will be really nice. Like today, it said the board we were on there were 0 available. Then wrote and found out we were 4th out. So, still inaccurate.

jaminjim · Jan 21, 2008

Just did one, same ole &&&& different day.

LDB · Jan 21, 2008

It is expected out this week but not absolutely today.

martin9562 · Jan 21, 2008

nothings changed with the macro 8 and we are now into 08, its almost a complete waste of time, i have never know it to be right, when driving a straight truck or a cargo van.

davekc · Jan 21, 2008

Nope...not changed yet. Supposed to be this week. We will see. Certainly still broke in Atlanta were we just had a truck do one.

Falligator · Jan 21, 2008

I guess at Panther even the dispatchers don't know what's going on with macro 8. no further comment. I'll believe they'll change the macro 8 when they send a fleet msg saying so. So much for wishful thinking.

BillChaffey · Jan 22, 2008

When I drove for PantherII I left where I had been sitting in Indiana, drove about 150 over & into Illinois where the Macro said four a day went out, no one there, no one on the way. When I arrived I sent in my arrivial only to be told I was 7th out. It was then I found a dispatcher who told me their Marco 8 is up to date and mine is just to give me a general idea of how much freight moves from an area.

bernieh48 · Jan 22, 2008

Still not accurate in Jacksonville,FL either. Showing no trucks here and there are three straight trucks in front of us. LOL

Scuba · Jan 24, 2008

bearcat44 said:
When I drove for PantherII I left where I had been sitting in Indiana, drove about 150 over & into Illinois where the Macro said four a day went out, no one there, no one on the way. When I arrived I sent in my arrivial only to be told I was 7th out. It was then I found a dispatcher who told me their Marco 8 is up to date and mine is just to give me a general idea of how much freight moves from an area.

Macro 8 does not update but once a day so when you run it its a crap shoot as to the info. Also if someone gets an suggested move and doesnt respond to it and just goes there the computer doesn't know you went there until after you get there. So it never truly knows the number of inbound trucks. and that is the fault of the drivers not responding to the repo macro. Its macro 32 that gives up to date info but only on where you are located not on other places