The small companies also seem to have a far better "core" of drivers that have a great deal of loyalty to the company, or owners of the company, that will go more than the "EXTRA MILE" to make certain that the customer is kept happy.

Back when I pulled a covered wagon for a small company, we would go into Tower Automotive in Milwaukee and load auto frame parts. I don't kow how many times, I was getting loaded in rainy weather, and another company would send a truck there. The driver had just hauled a flatbed load, and was too lazy to put up the side kit. The bed of his trailer was all wet and they refused to load him.

There were others that came in with holes in the top. Same thing. They refused to load them.

It took a little extra time to take down the side kit to load a flatbed load, and put it back up again after it was delivered (unless we KNEW our next load was also going to be a flatbed load). Each time, we also inspected the cover and made sure if there were any holes, even pin-holes, they were patched before we went on to the next shipper. But, it also meant that we did not find shippers that refused to load us. It gave us a much better rep than the large companies. A company where the drivers are able to talk to the owner on a first-name basis, anytime, gets far more loyalty and dedication than a company where the driver must make an appointment to see the owner, or the owner is unreachable. That also figures very strongly into customer service and satisfaction. How many times have you heard a shipper request a driver by name, to haul their load? With small companies, you will find that. It also means that the small company will be hauling freight when the large companies can't find it.

The only advantage the large companies had over us was, by virtue of having more truck, often they had one closer to the shipper than we did. But, because we provided better quality service than the drivers that were simply numbers on a computer, we got the loads.

 

I am on my second or third CAD ID. You and I (and others) had a lengthy discussion on the "changing industry" thread, among others. Enjoy your nap.

I can't get rates up; not alone, at least. It would be nice to think that a group of Driver's could get together and arrive at a consenses on at least this issue. Unfortunately, we can't get two Drivers to agree on whether the sun is rising or setting. Fortunately, there is so much money at stake, the lawyers are starting to get involved. The Swift HHG miles class action lawsuit and the Washington State overtime lawsuit come to mind.

I'm not interested in a union, unless it comes down to that. The easiest and most fundamentally fair first step is to end the DOT overtime exemption. The railroads, airlines and merchant mariners have done it through collective bargaining. I think the only way it will happen with Driver's is to change the law. Regardless, when all non owner op fleets are held to account for reasonable wage and hour laws, rates will rise.

Maybe I'm wrong . . anyone want to join my union? Gman has expressed an interest in supporting a union and putting up the first $100,000 to cover start up.

Oh . . as for staying on topic . . I just got a preplan for 180 miles (combined) that will tie me up until tomorrow afternoon . . uh-oh . .

 

Help me out with the professionalism . . is it the belt buckle, cowboy boots, no panty option or toothless grin. I can never be sure.

I don't have a number for you but I'll guess Swift has more people employed in Customer Service, alone, in each hub terminal than you have employed in any capacity. I'm not suggesting you don't give good customer service, I'm only saying you really diminish your credibility when you make such incredibly absurd comments.

Don't get me wrong; I am not a rah rah boy for Swift. I simply can't ignore what is. Swift claims 19,000 power units, currently, so let's make a consevative guess and say 10,000 are under load, right now. That would compare to . . how many was it you said you had?

You need to stick to the things you're good at, like eviscerating the "I'm about to get off probation and my 4th OUI (the one with vehicular homicide) falls off my record . . " wannabees. For that service, I salute you!

 

We have 10 O/O's trucks in the company and the brokers are calling us to haul loads for a fair rate still. If the big coolie carriers are so good at customer service why aren't the brokers calling them?

I'm on a 3 stop 2992 mile run right now and delivered the first stop a day early. The second stop was suppose to deliver today and I had it there Saturday. The last stop was suppose to deliver Wed. and I am taking it to them today (Monday). They called their customer as soon as we had the tires unloaded. Their customer was very happy to get them early too. They had placed the order for the special order tires on Aug 4th.

 

They have their own customers, and don't need to use brokers for the most part.

 

:thumbsup::clap::thumbsup::clap:

All of my customers have my cell number, and my unlisted home number and can call me at anytime day or night...... I can instantly make a decision to solve a problem, unlike the coolie carriers who will bounce one around from department to department, or send them to voicemail jail.

 

It occurred to me, BigD, on the first leg of my 180 mile sojourn, I don't think it's very professional at all to run around disparaging the competition. Anyway, thank you for ignoring the queries I posed earlier. No point in comparing the Yankees or Red Sox to a Babe Ruth team. My best to you, regardless.

 

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

Coolie carriers are not my competition.......

My shippers prefer to deal with local carriers as they normally have problems with the coolies......:roll:

 

speak for yourself (edited). Dont lump those who DO give a rats azz about looking professional and not smelling unkempt. I always wear a hat. probably because the last thing on my mind is my hair. also, it lets me get away with not having to comb it before starting out the day, arriving at shippers and finals. I always have some Axe close by the left seat. and i ALWAYS say "please", "thank you", "ma'am" and "sir" whenever talking to a shipper/cosignee.

now i may have no tact on here, but i could really care less. But it is what i provide to the customers i drive for that counts.

 

I say, let me see the $100k in person first. if not, then let me put up the deed to my Lamborghini Dealership in Hayti, Missouri.