Quote:
Originally Posted by Roadhog
Some drivers can run hard and take that extra load, others probably shouldn't. It's hard for a driver to turn down making extra cash.
Some brokers don't keep their word and after the driver follows through, you guys (or dispatch) make the extra money, and stiff the driver.
We give our word over the phone, nothing in writing, so you push a good driver and put them away wet.
There are also companies that will punish the drivers for trying to operate by the rules. I was once given a short run, followed by a long one. I delivered the load in MA on time, but then only had 3 hours left on my 70. Not enough time to get to the next pickup. That was on a Friday morning. A 34 reset and I would have been good to go again, but they left me sit there till Monday afternoon. A thousand miles back to the terminal, another 34 reset, and for months after that, nothing over 1100 miles a week.
Now, keep that in mind when the driver accepts the load. If he is honest about his hours, the company isn't going to like it. If he takes the load and tries to keep it on schedule, DOT isn't going to like it. Often, brokers are of the opinion that the driver taking the load is fresh with a full 70 available. That may be true in some cases, but certainly not all. Expect that more than half the drivers are picking up a "backhaul" and have used up half or more of their hours on the way out. On top of that, the driver is generally picking up your load near the end of his 14 window and will have to find somewhere to park for the next 10 hours. I've had brokers, rather than the company, schedule the delivery times and had to run as though I was fresh off a 34 reset.
I've also had brokers that required me to call them. When I did, they got my hours available. Then, they scheduled the delivery time according to my logbook, and even allowed for a 34 reset along the way. Then, they would call me back and give me the details. Those were the guys ( and gals) I liked working with the best. I didn't have a problem at the shipper, I didn't have a problem with the broker, I didn't have a problem with the consignee, and I didn't have any problem with DOT. I also did not get brokers like that very often. Usually, it was someone that was a retired driver, was very well acquainted with the driver's side of the transaction, and worked with the driver as much as they worked with the shipper or consignee they worked for. But, like dispatchers, brokers are not required to have any time behind the wheel.
One company I worked for would send out the dispatchers on a "ride-along" with a driver about every 6 months or so. If I were to come out of retirement, I wouldn't mind going back there.