Reply to Caffee's Blog

[ATeam]

Linda,

I tried several times to post a reply comment to your October 31 blog entry (Title: "Disheartened") but it would not take. Since it is an especially important topic you raise, I am posting my reply here.

My comment:

Diane and I left FedEx Custom Critical in June, not for perceived greener pastures (your metaphor) but for the real thing. Four months later we can report that the pastures are in fact greener.

Three trucks that we know preceded us in the same move by a year or less. Four trucks that we know made the move after we did. There are others but I can't talk about them because we do not know them.

That makes eight trucks including us (six teams, two solo). None of them have gone back and none are even thinking about it.

These people are not newbies trying to find their way in the industry. The least experienced truck has six years with their former carrier. From there, experience levels go as high as 15 years or more.

Like you, they have their business plans.

Like you, their relationship with FedEx Custom Critical mattered a great deal.

Like you, they enjoyed -- and continue to enjoy -- the fun and adventures of expediting.

Some of them, like you, served on the council that you now chair.

Like you, they have been reacting to company changes the whole time they were there.

Like you, all but one of them did high-value white-glove loads.

Like you, they know what loads are profitable and what freight areas are good.

Like you, some of them won trips to the Four Star banquets.

Like you, they saw and continue to see the 48 states in all the seasons.

Like you, they enjoyed tourist attractions and took time off at will to go home when needed or desired.

Like you, they met company management and endeavored to understand the company philosophy.

Like you, they stepped back to re-evaluate their situations and needs.

Unlike you, they chose to change carriers.

You are absolutely correct when you say, "... not one company fits everyone and something that does not bother us can drive another to find a different company." But please be careful about minimizing the difficult and deeply-thought-out carrier change decisions made by others.

These folks are no less of an expediter or business person than you are. They did not leave company because of "perceived" greener pastures. They made the difficult decision to leave their carrier of many years because they felt the real need for a real change. None of them say they made the change because their new carrier got better. All of them say they made the change because their former carrier got worse.

These folks don't speak about moving to greener pastures. They speak about having made a carrier change that they wish they would not have had to make. They don't describe their move with vague terms ("greener pastures") but instead cite very specific data and reasons for making the move.

You re-evaluated your situation and chose to stay. These seasoned and successful expediters re-evaluated their situation and chose to leave. Both decisions are equally valid. Both decisions should be equally respected.

 

[Jenny]

Phil I completely agree with your post. We also switched carriers this year. When we re evaluated ourbusiness plan vs the direction of our carriers, they seemed to be growing in opposing directions. We made the switch unanounced to anyone after a few meetings withthe previous carrier trying to work things out. We have greatly benefited fromthe switch physically, mentally, and financially. It was very hard leaving after five years, and that being the company that we started with, but it was the right change for us.

 

[paullud]

The choice to change carriers is both personal and difficult for many reasons but shouldn't be viewed as a mistake regardless of how things turn out. I have recently posted about some of the issues I am having and they are very real issues and the time to act and how I respond needs to be thought out thoroughly. While reading the blog a couple of things stood out, one being they seem to have an emotional attachment to FedEx which is not good in this industry. The second is that while they seem content with FedEx they have nothing to compare it to, so they may think that what they are making is good but have no clue about those greener pastures. The decision to make a move can hurt your wallet a little as you adjust to the new carrier which can often cause some to get scared and go right back rather than allowing time for the adjustment.

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[ebsprintin]

You re-evaluated your situation and chose to stay. These seasoned and successful expediters re-evaluated their situation and chose to leave. Both decisions are equally valid. Both decisions should be equally respected.

Phil, Phil, Phil.....you sound so defensive. As a disinterested observer, who doesn't really have a horse in this race, I don't see where Linda was ever addressing you. It looks more like you projected yourself into the comments that Linda made about their decision that they made for themselves. Just because she validates her own decision doesn't mean she is attempting to invalidate someone else's decision. I think she tried very hard to make the point that she wasn't trying to disrespect others. Reread your comments after you've had a time to sit, and it will sound a lot like the comments you made some time back following Linda's expo workshop--petty.

eb

 

[leezaback]

Time served 11 1/2 years with FCC. For a few years now we sat on the fence post,every change, we adapteded. Finially the 'last straw" came and a decision was made and we left. Yes -looking for a greener pasture.
For us the decline started when the "russin roulette" dispatch system came into play and our revenue took a big dive, not all are on the gravy train.Yes we have a good, plan, and goals we want to achieve,we have adapted and modified for 11 1/2/ years and many factors contributed to our decision to leave, FEDEX no longer met our standards. We had to earn our way into W.G. at one time we were proud and felt valued. With every change came the question -why are we still here? Change is always necessary-but it has to be a win-win-win, I find it sad that many who have put years into a co. are leaving. I also ask-does anyone care enough to find out why? I know-as well as others the answer to that question. Everyone has their reasons, business decisions have to be made, our leaving is a smart business decision for us,we are on a new path. What ever the reasons were for Phil, us and others who have left ,the decision and all the contributing factors were considered. The decision for Linda to stay-was her decision. We all have choices to make and decisions to ponder, only you can decide what path you want to take.
Ragman-I did turn out the light when I left.

 

[layoutshooter]

Every contractor should look at their plan and the plan of their carrier on a regular basis. IF those plans start to deviate to far from the other, it is time to move. NO carrier is right for everyone. Carriers plans change, contractors plans change. One can only hope, these days, that the carrier is ONLY reacting to the changes in the trucking business and not the whims of Wall Street.

 

[scottm4211]

Borderline stalkerish.

 

[TeamCaffee]

Thanks for reading my blog Phil.

 

[OntarioVanMan]

Phil I completely agree with your post. We also switched carriers this year. When we re evaluated ourbusiness plan vs the direction of our carriers, they seemed to be growing in opposing directions. We made the switch unanounced to anyone after a few meetings withthe previous carrier trying to work things out. We have greatly benefited fromthe switch physically, mentally, and financially. It was very hard leaving after five years, and that being the company that we started with, but it was the right change for us.

Same with JuJu and I....things changed...my needs, the carriers needs....They still are a good carrier, no regrets.

 

[davekc]

Ones reason for leaving is as valid as the ones that have chosen to stay. If any one place was that good, everyone would be there.
Can be a hard judgement on someone new, but with seasoned expediters, reasons to move or stay all have merit if one is really honest about what they are looking at and whether it fits there needs. Have to take the emotional stuff out of it and it can be hard especially if ones experience is only with one carrier. Took us a while in the very beginning to figure that out.
Kind of like a marriage. Don't be blinded and stay in a bad one, and cherish or cultivate the good one.

 

[OntarioVanMan]

Ones reason for leaving is as valid as the ones that have chosen to stay. If any one place was that good, everyone would be there.
Can be a hard judgement on someone new, but with seasoned expediters, reasons to move or stay all have merit if one is really honest about what they are looking at and whether it fits there needs. Have to take the emotional stuff out of it and it can be hard especially if ones experience is only with one carrier. Took us a while in the very beginning to figure that out.
Kind of like a marriage. Don't be blinded and stay in a bad one, and cherish or cultivate the good one.

Agreed Dave...our first carrier here in the US....we became "attached" so to speak...knew quite a few in the office and it became a bit "personal"... We were staying for the wrong reasons...should have left a little sooner....but that is water under the bridge now...

 

[purgoose10]

I have followed Linda's blogs and posts and also being an outsider when reading Linda's latest blog posting I see a few questions reading between the lines. I also seem to pick up vibs that there is some friction between them and another team. What I see is Linda and Bob trying to figure out why everyone is exiting Fed Ex. Maybe not everyone but some top teams. I also see Linda and Bob going over their business plan and talking about their relationship with Fed Ex. What do I see. I see a Top ranked Fed Ex team who loves the people at Fed Ex but who are also doing Fed Ex a Huge favor by advertising. Expo's, Truck shows, Management meetings wow Linda and Bob are everywhere. Naturally Fed Ex looks at this and I would say helps them by loading them to get close to these events. It amazes me that you can be at all these events and be loaded close to them so you can attend. So with that Team Caffee does fit in with Fed Ex because Fed Ex has postive representation at events all over the country. But there is that what if. As far as I can see Linda and Bob are the only Fed Ex team doing this. They are in the groove and really I think that's great they have a nich market that others can't enjoy. They fit right in and by all accounts enjoy what their doing. Linda is an above average writer and obviously educated beyond most others in this line of work. I also see that A Team being well written as well. Like I said before, I don't know anything about Fed Ex CC other than seeing whats written on EO and a couple of blogs. So far the only positive I've seen, read and heard comes from Team Caffee. Obviously Fed Ex CC best recruiting tools. Again I'm looking from the outside in. I know from being in this business for a number of years there are a lot of succussful expediters, teams and singles we never hear from on EO. Succesful business folks don't devulge their business.. Their business is just that "Their Business".
I don't normally say this much and I hope it makes sense. I'm not an eliquent writer. After 42 yrs in the trucking business you loose your speech writting skills.

 

[lugnut1]

How wonderful those green pastures are, but still those green pastures come with large fences around them and you.

We were sitting this past Sunday in Philly, PA having a glass of wine and munching some brie cheese and thinking how well we have done bypassing the working for a name brand carrier offering those “green pastures”. Isn’t silly all the heave and ho put forth of late, with the “I work for this carrier or that one”. This thread alone says how petty it has gotten with “mines better than yours is”.

We had a LandStar agent calls us on Monday after our drop and said name our price for a load he needed moved. How green is that?

Green pastures with a golden rainbow everywhere we look and no fences. Yep, nothing like working for our carrier.

By the way, our carrier has a 10 hour bottle to throttle rule for wine.

 

[Bruno]

As long as someone is speaking in a positive way about FedEx Custom Critical the company is all fine and well. When you speak up on something that you feel is wrong, that is when your problems start with people at the home office in Green, Ohio. FedEx Custom Critical is a great company but a few at the home office in Green get on a power trip and treat contractors like crap if they say something that the company doesn't like. It's their way or the highway, they even do it with their customers and tell them if you use another carrier for you expedite we will no longer do your oversea's shipments you do with Express, Ground, or Freight.

 

[Dreamer]

It's their way or the highway, they even do it with their customers and tell them if you use another carrier for you expedite we will no longer do your oversea's shipments you do with Express, Ground, or Freight.

That's a pretty strong statement there Dave..I assume you have proof of this...or else such statements coukd be considered libelous? I only ask because I pick up beside Panther and others all the time. Unless you are talking about the very few exclusive contracts.


Dale


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[Slacktide]

As long as someone is speaking in a positive way about FedEx Custom Critical the company is all fine and well. When you speak up on something that you feel is wrong, that is when your problems start with people at the home office in Green, Ohio. FedEx Custom Critical is a great company but a few at the home office in Green get on a power trip and treat contractors like crap if they say something that the company doesn't like. It's their way or the highway, they even do it with their customers and tell them if you use another carrier for you expedite we will no longer do your oversea's shipments you do with Express, Ground, or Freight.

Hearsay is a slippery slope.... I would be careful. Your statement above could be considered defamation without written or recorded proof. Now thats not to say someone wouldn't say that having a bad day, but a normal customer would likely carry that up the chain and said agent would likely get their hand more than slapped, at any carrier not just the Fed. Not to mention ALL calls are recorded at the Fed from what I understand.

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[jjoerger]

If you are happy with your carrier stay where you are and be proud to be associated with them.
If you are unhappy and cannot resolve the issues then move on. Not all carriers are a good fit for everyone and sometimes it takes trying a few to find the one you really like.
I am happy for anyone that is at least content where they are.
Deciding to stay where you are or move on is a very stressful decision.

 

[LDB]

There are warts, some of which are understandable and growing pains, some of which are due to rigid adherence to antiquated systems that should have been replaced long ago. The sad truth is that other companies one would not expect to be superior are, and do some things, important things, better and more efficiently.

 

[JimF51]

I very seriously doubt that FedEx would not accept lucrative air freight from a customer, because that customer didn't use FedEXCC. That would be real poor business decision.

I left FedEx with some reluctance. I liked that I had started running mostly the SE, most loads were daytime loads (I love sightseeing), and liked the type of loads.

But running solo, I wasn't as busy as I would have liked, and I really disliked the hand holding. I'm an adult, I know how to do my job. I have no problem sending pu and del info over clink, but having to wait on hold for 30 minutes, to do a departure call for a 'hot' load just don't cut it

It was a tough decision, and a bit scary, since it is my truck now, not someone else.

 

[Monty]

Decisions to change carriers are often made for other reasons then revenue. In 1985 I joined Roberts Express ..... by 1994 I had 6 drivers and 3 trucks with them.

Money was good, but conditions were not. Micro managing saw me eliminate two of my trucks and all of my drivers.

I converted one of the class 7 trucks into a tractor and joined Jones Motor/Hot Shot Express ..... because they were an agent based company.

When I decided to return to expediting, I joined Landstar, once more because they are agent based.

I prefer dealing with adults. I did not enjoy the mentality at dispatcher/central dispatch operations. Often those chairs are filled with, (well meanning, but inexperienced), college kids that know nothing more than what they see on a computer monitor.

I can only speak of my choices, and there is no reason for me, or anyone, to speak ill of any carrier, if it works for the person leased there.

Most of you know I am leased to Landstar, and I do not encourage anyone to come here, that is your decision alone. But I am happy to announce my complete satisfaction with them.