Macropoint - $250 Fine

With ATS, if you have a good working deal with them you don't have to use it...

 

That's with any broker. You can also negotiate macro point out of the deal or pass up on the load. I've never had a problem allowing macro point. No-one shipping something cheap ever wanted it anyway and a lot of crazies think someone is out to get them via mp.

 

Why would it not be legal? You sign a contract agreeing to it (the rate sheet) If you don't like it negotiate another contract (without the clauses you don't like) Of course the client of yours (broker) can say no thanks and ask someone else.

-Steven

 

These type of threads amaze me. The same guys crying they can't get a good rate are the ones refusing to give the service the customer wants.

 

Have had mp put on my phone several times usually on high $$$ loads. No big deal to me. I do not think they care where I am just their frieght

 

some good loads required, it is no big deal disable location feature on app setting when you are not using other wise it run on backgrounds and kills your battery.

 

As a local guy, had one load where I got a text from a broker about that. Clicked thinking it would take me to a website where I could read about the app and perhaps download it...turns out it wasn't really an app, but rather just initiated tracking on my cell number. I immediately disabled location services and looked into how to revoke the permission I never intended to give in the first place. I found it on their website, and followed the instructions on how to remove myself from their system. Got another text saying it was "required", but sorry...you don't need to track ME when I park my truck and head into town to have dinner with my wife or any other running around I might have to do. If you want to track the load, install a tracking device on the load. Our main customer (we pull their trailers) has them on their trailers, and I'm fine with that...their trailers, their choice to track them. Many companies do that to protect their assets. You don't get to track ME, though, especially not through a device I bought and pay for. The tracking device WILL NOT be carried in my pocket.

 

They figure everyone has a smartphone so it is more cost effective than buying some tracking device for a trailer or every load. Music to my ears that drivers resist using macro point. I don't see it as a big deal. Easy to turn on and off. Always on the money loads they want you to utilize it. If you won't then someone else will get the money. The $250 fine is because of dishonest truckers who booked a good paying load saying they would turn on macro point and then didn't. If people did what they said they'd do none of this would even be necessary.

 

Don't even need a smart phone. I clicked on their link figuring it would take me to their website where I could click another link for apple or android where I'd go to their respective app store for the free download. Then, I could have politely texted them back informing them their app wasn't available for my OS. Instead, it initiated tracking (which I had not agreed to). Don't even need a smart phone, as it tracks off your cell number.

Like I said, if they want to track the load, track the load. If they want to track the trailer the load is in, track the trailer. If it paid enough, I might even be inclined to allow my truck to be tracked. However, I will not be tracked. When I climb out of the truck, leaving it parked in the driveway as I go about taking care of what needs to be done around the house, around town, etc...there is no good reason for them to have access to my whereabouts or to track my movements.

Maybe next time, I'll swap phones with my wife for the day. I'll deliver the load while they're tracking my phone heading off through the woods while the wife's out riding horses with her friends.

Might be different if I were OTR, and didn't have other modes of transportation readily available to take me anywhere else I want to go. If I were stuck babysitting that load 24/7 until it delivered, sure, no problem. They don't need to track me running to town to grab dinner, heading out to the farm to ride or take care of some chores, or anything else I'm doing off the clock and miles away from the truck and their load. Different animal altogether.

Funny thing is, the load wasn't even anything high dollar...just stacks of empty pallets. I could see them having a desire to track a shipment of electronics, or a load of pharmaceuticals...but empty pallets? The absurdity would be amusing if they didn't take themselves so seriously.