Layover and Detention Request, how do you go about getting it?

First off, you need to have some kind of agreement with a broker of how to detention is handled. It describes terms of how long you're sitting free and then what it pays after. This is best done before the load is booked. If there is no agreement at all, they can deny your detention demands and there's practically nothing you can do about it.
Typically, every Broker-Carrier agreement has some generic detention formula, most standard I've seen is 40-50 dol per hour after 2 hours of the appointment time, provided you show up on time. There is often a maximum amount paid e.g. $250 per occurrence.
In order to have a better deal, you need to negotiate it with a broker prior to committing to a load, and it is better to have it in writing e.g. on Rate Confirmation. For example you can hand write on a Rate Confirmation; "Detention is to accrue 2 hours after the appointment; $75 per hour. No time cap" and request a broker to sign/initial next to it and send it back to you as an acknowledgment that they agreed to it. Some honorable brokers will pay you based on what they promise you. You just have to know whom you can trust.

Don't trust anonymous TQL agents, that's all I can tell you.

Additional thoughts:
As far as executing the detention; you just invoice it - add the additional charge to a line haul rate, without necessarily waiting for an updated Rate Confirmation. Although, I know that CH Robinson would not pay without it...but they're cheap, so it is best to avoid them, anyway. As a proof, on the BOL you need to have time in and time out; best if it is put down by the shipper/receiver with their initials. Sometimes I take a pic of gate pass if it has any time stamps. There are times when shippers/receivers refuse or are not so willing to write down in/out times on BOL then I do it myself, without lying...I use ELD Keep Truckin, it will show exactly up to every minute where I was...I guess that would be my solid evidence, if they say that I falsify detention claims.

 

Pics of their sign on building or driveway. Or even the clock on their wall.

 

I'm thinking to install camera facing to my rear. I do have dash cam already. Maybe that's unnessesary, but it would be better proof with time stamps rather then dealing with employees who refuse to write time in and out. In a perfect world, I always hope that I never need to use those camera recordings.

 

Obviously, the better you supported your claim (ELD and/or cell phone records, geo tagged photos with time, etc) the more likely you are to get paid.

I usually give them about 2 days to return an updated rate sheet, then invoice them in full anyway. That is, provided we have already agreed to an amount preferably via email or text (in writing).

Generally about 1/2 will pay on that basis alone. Then about half of the remainder will take longer to get it from their customer and may ask for a supplemental invoice to collect it. Then the remaining 25% were never going to pay anything in the first place. Part of the fun of learning in this business is figuring out who those are and quit taking their phone calls.

What you really need to understand is that, once the load is off your truck, the urgency about making you happy is over. You're the only one in a hurry at that point. Do the best you can to collect extras and set your expectations low. I usually give it one or two follow up attempts. If they resist paying at that point, I don't need them as a customer any more. There are too many good ones out there to waste a lot of time with deadbeats.

Also: you will see there's a connection between specific shippers and the detention game. Once you figure it out, just expect it and inflate your base quote a few hundred dollars to cover their usual delay or miserable location. If you're gonna deal with a place that sucks, you might as well get paid to do it. If you're too high and the load goes to someone else, let them have it. You're better off avoiding the headache.

 

As mentioned, this is an up front agreed price and it is part of the invoice to the broker.

I have a real issue with brokers who try to weasel out of their contractual obligations by demanding proof the driver is or was there, if the driver calls the broker when the delay starts and informs them that there is a delay with a name of an employee, that is what we will stand on. I don't play games with this crap, I won't let them give logs, send pictures or any crap like that, it is the fact I trust and back my drivers and expect the broker to do the same.

 

What if there is no agreement but just instructions about obtaining the detention proof?

 

Every broker I've ever dealt with that agreed to detention or TONU sent a revised rate con the same day as delivery.... EXCEPT CH ROBINSON.

They screwed me out of hundreds.

Most brokers are pretty honest.

IMO, CH ROBINSON has some #### brokers and should always be avoided.

 

make sure to read the fine print on the rate con.... some brokers will put in there "accessorial pay is included with the rate" tarp pay, detention, fuel surcharge, etc...