how long is too long to wait for a load to be ready?

[mighty3]

My husband works for Transam and was scheduled to pick up a load in Nebraska 3 days ago. He got to the shipper and the dispatcher never sent a pick up number so that load got cancelled. 24 hours later they told him to hang tight and would get him another load from the same shipper. Well, he's been hanging tight for over 72 hours. He's stuck at the distribution plant, can't get a straight answer and it's Saturday so he can't talk to his fleet manager until Monday. what a major waste of time. Has this happened to anyone else and what would you suggest he do if this happens in the future? (Since he's been sitting there he's seen several Transam trucks pull up, get their loads and leave!). Please advise!

[dieseldogtrucking]

Just make sure you get layover/detention pay for sitting, since this was not your fault.

[mighty3]

He does get 50.00 a day layover, but he would rather be driving of course. Is this normal to be held up at shippers for so long?

[aztrucker]

happens all the time...He should be getting a minium of 100.00 a day for layover. which isnt much but it helps. Trans Am will get paid for it, and dont let them tell you different. Demand payment or move on..

[dieseldogtrucking]

I dont wait, I would just be looking for another load. But then I am not leased on to anyone. I pull flatbed, so I very seldom wait, especially not that long. :?

[greg3564]

happens all the time...He should be getting a minium of 100.00 a day for layover. which isnt much but it helps. Trans Am will get paid for it, and dont let them tell you different. Demand payment or move on..

How do you "demand payment" for more money than the layover policy states? If he starts doing that, they might just show him the door.

[Karnajj]

happens all the time...He should be getting a minium of 100.00 a day for layover. which isnt much but it helps. Trans Am will get paid for it, and dont let them tell you different. Demand payment or move on..

I disagree about it happening all the time. 24hrs maybe, but sure as heck not 72.

[Drew10]

I gotta agree that 72hrs is unacceptable. This sounds like TransAms probable, not the shipper.

He got to the shipper and the dispatcher never sent a pick up number so that load got cancelled.

Then to top it off his dispatcher goes home for the weekend and leaves his driver at the shipper without further instructions.

24 hours later they told him to hang tight and would get him another load from the same shipper. Well, he's been hanging tight for over 72 hours. He's stuck at the distribution plant, can't get a straight answer and it's Saturday so he can't talk to his fleet manager until Monday

How can it take 24hrs to respond to tell your husband to "hang tight", and then keep him there over the weekend??

Why didnt hubby leave and find a suitable place to park for the weekend?

This sounds like the TransAm dropped the ball, not the shipper. Transam owes our husband big time. TransAm should have had the pickup number available for you husband.

My opinion, this goes beyond detention and layover pay.

[aztrucker]

greg its because of guys like you, who dont put there foot down when they get screwed, that these companies think they can do it to everbody...dont be a spineless brown nose, and let these idiots take advantage of you..

[greg3564]

greg its because of guys like you, who dont put there foot down when they get screwed, that these companies think they can do it to everbody...dont be a spineless brown nose, and let these idiots take advantage of you..

I didn't say I EVER did that. So don't just assume I did loser. You don't know me and don't know anything about me. This coming from a guy who works for, and recruits for, a second rate company that gladly hires ex-felons, drunk drivers, etc.

[thebaldeagle655]

Gee, 72 hours, I and to think I was complaining about an 11 hour wait to get loaded! I guess I should feel lucky!

[Part Time Dweller]

Dwelling, it's what you make of it. $50 a day? You can make that at Wal Mart, and go home at night.

Why anyone puts up with this abuse is beyond me.

[Double R]

greg its because of guys like you, who dont put there foot down when they get screwed, that these companies think they can do it to everbody...dont be a spineless brown nose, and let these idiots take advantage of you..

Ya, ok.

[Double R]

My husband works for Transam and was scheduled to pick up a load in Nebraska 3 days ago. He got to the shipper and the dispatcher never sent a pick up number so that load got cancelled. 24 hours later they told him to hang tight and would get him another load from the same shipper. Well, he's been hanging tight for over 72 hours. He's stuck at the distribution plant, can't get a straight answer and it's Saturday so he can't talk to his fleet manager until Monday. what a major waste of time. Has this happened to anyone else and what would you suggest he do if this happens in the future? (Since he's been sitting there he's seen several Transam trucks pull up, get their loads and leave!). Please advise!

Tell your husband that's trucking for ya. Large companies could careless about the driver. And $50 a day for layover is a joke.

[RottsATruckin]

Unless it's first come-first served, anything over 2 hours is unacceptable, I'd be on the phone with dispatch every hour until I had a load, if they went home without giving me a definite answer, I'd go home too (or at least someplace fun locally) "200 miles out of route? well dispatch told me to go someplace and wait for a load"

[mighty3]

My husband finally left the shipper at 2:00 am! Yippee! My husband wanted to haul flatbed orginally. In your opinion, what is better (meaning pay, home time, less waiting etc)? Flat bed or reefer?

[GMAN]

Flat bed by a wide margin. I rarely do much waiting on either end, but it can happen. With reefers, it isn't uncommon to have long wait periods on both ends. As far as pay is concerned, flats tend to pay the driver more. If both are on percentage pay, then it could be a toss up as to who earns more money. Reefers seem to command higher rates than vans. Flat beds usually do well on rates. Both have their pros and cons.

[Aligator]

My husband finally left the shipper at 2:00 am! Yippee! My husband wanted to haul flatbed orginally. In your opinion, what is better (meaning pay, home time, less waiting etc)? Flat bed or reefer?

Kinda depends where ya at. McElroy sends their trucks home every weekend. I never worked for them, but I do like them.
Also...now that he has a little experience, he may want to consider getting away from the freight companies and going with a manufacturer or retailer. Watch the trucks that seem to be from your area and read the ads in the local paper. You'll want a company that is based close to you.

[Ironturkey]

I've set 24hrs at Bolthouse in Bakersfield for 4 pallets of carrots.
Also set 4 days in Texarkana waitin for a load tires, the load was there and I had the numbers was just waitin for them finish loadin the trl.

[dollarshort]

I give them 2 hours after my scheduled appt. If they can't have me out of there by then I am gone.