Pros/cons of tracking using smartphone apps

Discussion in 'Freight Broker Forum' started by AaronP, Feb 14, 2019.

  1. KingKush

    KingKush Bobtail Member

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    Well first off..Alot of us drivers pay good money for our phones,for not to be told that these GPS's apps damage your smart phone!..(FACTS)..Debate all you want.. (Glitches,texting take longer,can't send pictures, getting late emails and texts)..And more!2nd..You can't control or tell GROWN MEN AND WOMEN what to do or force us to use anything that involves are personal property!..Last but not lease..If brokers and companies want us to use this app,it's simple...SUPPLY THE PHONES!!...Be bless!
     
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  3. God prefers Diesels

    God prefers Diesels Road Train Member

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    I have Macropoint. I got a call asking if a had a truck near such and such city. Well what a coincidence, I'm about ten miles from there, but I'm already loaded. Then it happened again. And again. And again. And I realized there's no way this is a coincidence. And these are calls from brokers I've never dealt with.

    Now I'm not going to uninstall it, because I don't care if I'm being tracked. But if it's on your phone, you're being tracked 24/7 by someone.
     
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  5. 86scotty

    86scotty Road Train Member

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    That's easy. Go in to your phone settings and turn it completely off (in location services on an iphone). I toggle all tracking apps on and off as I use them. Trucker tools is the worst offender I've seen though. As soon as you accept a load that uses it your phone blows up with offers and all kinds of crap.

    Still, I don't mind using them, I just turn them on and off.
     
  6. ProfessionalNoticer

    ProfessionalNoticer Road Train Member

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    Smartphones track an INDIVIDUAL person, not particularly the freight per se. I charge $150 for tracking and it's amazing how fast the load no longer requires it after they see that fee in writing.
     
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  7. staceydude

    staceydude Road Train Member

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    I’ve hauled a few loads that use truckers tools and MacroPoint. I do exactly as @86scotty said, I don’t turn location on until I am at shipper and turn it off as soon as I have signed paperwork leaving receiver. sometimes I delete the app but lately I just turn off location services for it.

    The kick in the nuts is when you are on MacroPoint, and still get annoying calls from broker.

    I hauled a load recently that had a couple trucks drop off. It paid very well, they wanted MacroPoint… okay… then I get an email with like 4 ccd on it they asked questions everyday where the load was and then I also got phone calls. Lmao. By the time that load was done I was very happy to cancel that and never haul for them again unless in a pinch.
     
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  8. MOBee

    MOBee Road Train Member

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    There are many ways to track your load without tracking my personal cell phone. I pay for it not the company, I don't care to install a tracking app for anyone. Where is the load? Call dispatch or look on the company's web site that will tell your exactly where your trailers is it this minute. That way I am not asked to give you access to my contacts, photos and camera by your "harmless" little app.
     
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  9. ZVar

    ZVar Road Train Member

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    Exactly. I'll gladly add any tracking app too any device the company provides. I will not, however, stand to put it on my personal phone.
    I also will refuse to talk to any customer of the carrier on the phone. That's the office person's job.
     
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  10. SMK Shoe

    SMK Shoe Bobtail Member

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    Aug 24, 2012
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    I use it because some shippers want it, but I have noticed that even after I shut it off. A couple days later my weekly update on the phone states Macropoint has accessed your location 332 times in the last week. Load was only a overnighter so why didn't it stop. Most brokers leave me alone with check calls with it running. But some brokers call constantly. One broker called me eight times before I even finished loading, also called four times over a weekend while on a 34 hour reset. Don't pull much for that broker anymore.
     
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  11. Mr Uturn

    Mr Uturn Light Load Member

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    Jul 30, 2021
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    Personally its probably cause im old and dont trust anybody for anything.
    I dont let my wife track my phone. So cust, broker, company, etc. Doesnt stand a chance.
    I also dont use 3rd party apps, face book messenger. I am one of the few who actually READ the term and conditions. Hmm funny thing aftet that i usually hit the do not accept button. MOST people would if they read and knew what they were agreeing to.
     
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  12. RedForeman

    RedForeman Momentum Conservationist

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    I don't have any privacy hangups about tracking. What I object to is:

    1. Any failure of the tracking system is always assumed to be the driver's fault.
    2. It never prevents or reduces check calls.
    3. It invites second guessing trip plans.
    4. I have my ELD system integrated with MacroPoint, TruckerTools, and 4Kites. Takes the often unreliable cell phone app completely out of the equation. So of course they stick with cell phone tracking.

    To be fair, the cell phone apps have improved a great deal in just the last few years. It's time to move this concept into the 21st century by expanding ELD based tracking (it's been the law for coming up on 4 years now), to take individual drivers and whatever cell phone they bring to the table out of the process.
     
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