What is your position?

OntarioVanMan · Feb 14, 2012

Here is the example....you get a load...the PAID way of course is down every back alley and deer trail and right off if you take it you'll be late...BUT if you stick to more main roads and travel 40 miles longer then the paid route.....what do you do?
Call dispatch and inform them you'll be late and the reason....then dispatch says take the main route and be on time.....
to which you respond...Well pay me the extra miles,
to which dispatch says the customer paid for the shortest route.....
to which I would reply, well that is exactly what the customer paid for to which I am giving them......they can not have both....

what do you all out in EO land do?

scottm4211 · Feb 14, 2012

I've never had a route pay less than 10 miles of what my GPS shows (set to fastest route not shortest) so I have no opinion.

OntarioVanMan · Feb 14, 2012

scottm4211 said:
I've never had a route pay less than 10 miles of what my GPS shows (set to fastest route not shortest) so I have no opinion.

Happens a lot more down here in the US Scott.....unfortunately

highway star · Feb 14, 2012

Since it doesn't come up that often, I just run the extra miles and don't worry about it. C&M is real good on accurate miles and sometimes I even do the run in less miles. It all comes out in the wash.

underdog777 · Feb 14, 2012

I always take the less time route. They are crazy to want us to go on some these backroads out here. Sometimes the miles are 30to 40 out the route but I figure its the same gas wise. Because on these backroads you get,stuck behind slow traffic and all the critters you have to watch out for. With that said I still wish they would pay the longer route still, but it is what it is and ill take the faster route everytime to get unloaded and back on,the board its all parts of the game

jelliott · Feb 14, 2012

Your carrier does pc practical. Should always be a major route very close to actual. Especially for a small vehicle.

OntarioVanMan · Feb 14, 2012

jelliott said:
Your carrier does pc practical. Should always be a major route very close to actual. Especially for a small vehicle.

The mileage is right on IF you stick to the PAID route...but PAID routes take us thru some of Gods best countryside and we can not be on time..when average speed is like 30 mph....going thru Bubbas town

davekc · Feb 14, 2012

jelliott said:
Your carrier does pc practical. Should always be a major route very close to actual. Especially for a small vehicle.

That would be the right IF a carrier does that on a consistent basic. Surprise.........many don't including my own carrier. We run the routing in advance before we even agree to do it. Same with hazmat routing. Usually correct, but there are those times when it isn't. Have to call in to get it corrected. Doesn't matter if that "is what the customer is paying". That only applies IF they are the ones that want to run it.

jjoerger · Feb 14, 2012

I use the interstates and highways. Less wear and tear on the truck. Saves on time and probably fuel too.

underdog777 · Feb 14, 2012

Ive had some runs that were paid 30 or 40 over the faster route so it all works out. That really is not a big deal if it is not every load. Then it could be a problem!

ATeam · Feb 14, 2012

Before accepting a load, we run the route on mapping software to make sure the paid miles and the actual miles are close, or that the pay for the shorter miles is high enough to still make it worth it to run the additional miles we would drive. A few miles or few dollars one way or another are no big deal but every now and then the two vary enough to make an issue of it. It's easier to work out such differences before the load is accepted.

For the reasons stated by jjoerger, we will often add a few miles to the route on our own after accepting the load to minimize truck wear, tolls and/or fuel expense.

jelliott · Feb 14, 2012

PC Miler practical is primarily major highway. PC Short Miles is more of the cow path god's country routing.

Wooo Hooo, I broke 1500 posts as a CEO, lol.

pearlpro · Feb 14, 2012

I ignore the small town "shortest route " because it may be shorter but I get there faster on the Interstate or Main Highway, Im not as worried about going a short distance out of route if it means I deliver early, can get onto my next load or destination faster. Expediting we all go down those Cow paths sometimes and in my 26' Straight truck it can get interesting but Ive never had a Issue. I recently delivered to a DAM/Powerplant out in the middle of Kentucky and the route was a winding one, no main highway other then a Narrow 2 lane and lots of small fishing camps etc...but it was a scenic trip and I found a great new fishing spot !!!

jujubeans · Feb 14, 2012

jelliott said:
Wooo Hooo, I broke 1500 posts as a CEO, lol.

Rookie! *lol*

geo · Feb 14, 2012

one thing have to watch out for is some road in va and other states you have to be del on that highway and not take it
one such route is route 17 in winchester va area if you are not del and have a bill of lading you better not take that way

then on 64 west by wayneboro va route 250 is not be taken as there are 12' bridges on route

jelliott · Feb 14, 2012

jujubeans said:
Rookie! *lol*

Be nice, that is like CEO hall of fame on here. Most don't make it past 15, lol.

Rocketman · Feb 14, 2012

As long as the company is consistent with practical miles, I dont worry over it if there is the occassional mishap. There are also occassions where you'll be paid for more miles than it takes to run it.

Depending on the difference, I dont usually mention it UNLESS those extra miles are going to prevent me from being on time. IMO, the transit time problem is at least as much of an issue as the extra miles....especially if your having to log.

If the loads are consistently being offered on short miles...I'll say it again... time for a move to a carrier that respects its contractors.

Rocketman · Feb 14, 2012

jelliott said:
Be nice, that is like CEO hall of fame on here. Most don't make it past 15, lol.

This is true! I NEED A LIKE BUTTON!!!!!!!

jelliott · Feb 14, 2012

Rocketman said:
As long as the company is consistent with practical miles, I dont worry over it if there is the occassional mishap. There are also occassions where you'll be paid for more miles than it takes to run it.

Depending on the difference, I dont usually mention it UNLESS those extra miles are going to prevent me from being on time. IMO, the transit time problem is at least as much of an issue as the extra miles....especially if your having to log.

If the loads are consistently being offered on short miles...I'll say it again... time for a move to a carrier that respects its contractors.

Looking for the like button too!!!!

Wolfeman68 · Feb 14, 2012

Most GPS software will route you showing the shortest distance, not necessarily the fastest. Cobra's software follows this outline, and you can't change it. Co-Pilot gives you the option of showing which roads you prefer and routes you accordingly.

I stick mostly to interstates and primary roads because shortest doesn't necessarily mean the fastest. I find that PA is a problem for both systems. Sooner or later, you end up on a two lane in the middle of nowhere.

GPS is just another tool in the box. If you don't check your routing before you take off, you're asking for trouble.

Congrats on the 1500 John. Another award to hang on your wall.