Link America.. GOOD

They do need to start sticking to PM'ing trailers on time. Lately, I've gotten several trailers that have had 2+ bad tires (chunks missing, cords showing...) in the SW region. There's ways to accomplish this without creating issues with us or the customers.

I went to drop a load in Wilmer, TX yesterday. Only empty Link trailer available was red-tagged for RRO tire. Chunk missing from tread, sidewall severely damaged. Also discovered that LRO tread was seperating from the sidewall. Flat out told them I'll gladly take it for repair (I wasn't preplanned yet), but I will not load it until it was fixed. I mentioned that there was a T/A right outside of Dallas, and they hooked it up. Got both tires replaced, and they also had the brakes lubed, too. Found another trailer at the consignee that needed fixing, too, gave them the heads up on it. They will get someone to fix it tomorrow as it's still loaded as of yesterday.

I gotta hand it to them...they are trying to get to the top, or at least compete with them. In my region, they seem to be willing to kiss you-know-what to make it happen AND retain drivers. I don't need my you-know-what kissed, and I won't let them kiss it too much cos it just feels weird, but they treat me well enough to really put forth the effort to help them. Like someone said earlier, one hand washes the other. Maybe SE dispatch/safety needs to be looked at closer???

I've often said (amongst friends) that if I like ya a month from now, you're worth keeping around for a while. Nearly two months later, I still like Link a lot.

There are still some improvements to be made, and Link needs our input. So let's give it to them. Call that number if you can't get anywhere with your DM or their supervisors. Like any company, they're not going to kiss our azzes to make the sun shine on a cloudy day, but UNLIKE other companies, they will try to meet us halfway or better if they can. They've come a long way over the last year, and they strive to do better for us AND their customers. There's got to be a happy medium for all involved, or Link loses customers and drivers, then ALL of our jobs are on the line. In today's economy, that's not cool at all!!

If a driver hires on for SE, keep him there. If a driver hires on for SW, keep him there. If a driver says "if you need the help there..." then you know you have someone to cover a COUPLE of loads (not completely switch regions). ASK a driver if he is willing to run out of region on occasion. If he's not willing, leave it alone...it means your loads in the region can be covered if you have to send someone out of he region. If he IS willing, throw him that bone now and then. I've offered to help in the SE because I know the region (used to live in GA and FL), and with my current goals I could use the extra miles and I stay out 2 weeks at a time. Not everyone is like that. That's just me... everyone is different.

They do a knock-out job of being driver-oriented compared to other companies. But they can only do so much and remain profitable...we have to be willing to do what they hired us to do, and at the same time, hold them to their end of the deal. That will help them help us, and we can all win in the end. There's room in the game for all of us.


That's my public service announcement for today...

CALL THAT NUMBER!!!

 

Well, I got stuck behind a state trooper blockade on i75 while a beam was hung for a bridge. That held me up for several hours. I arrive to Lee and clerk is doing yard dog work and his work. He goes to lunch after I check in. I'm supposed to be delivering right now, two hrs away, but no paperwork and I'm at shipper waiting. I have a feeling I'll be turned away at receiver since I'll be more than one hr late. Long night when it should have been a short one.

 

I arrived at the Walmart here in Douglas and they said they canceled this load last week. Here at the truck stop I will nap while the planners figure this mess out.

 

Was able to drop load in Douglas. Waiting on load to be ready in Savannah with two stops. One in Raleigh and other in Fayetteville. I'm sure that will burn up my day tomorrow.

 

That is fast for Food Lion! Did you slip a 20 or something? Lol

 

Attention Southeast Drivers.... Please be on the lookout!!

A friend of mine who drives for US Xpress posted a stolen truck report on my wife's page, and I wanted to pass it along to y'all...

Truck was stolen in Lady Lake, Florida today. It's a US Xpress truck pulling a Family Dollar Trailer. Truck number is 21739, and the trailer number is FDD800720.

If you see this truck and/or trailer, please call the police or highway patrol. DO NOT TRY TO STOP IT OR APPROACH!!!

Easy numbers to remember for highway patrol... *FHP for Florida Highway Patrol, and *GSP for Georgia State Patrol.

AFTER you notify police, be sure to call 1-800-601-5500 and let them know. I don't know of any rewards, but who knows? Just doing the right thing for our fellow drivers regardless of who they work for!

 

Always...

I'll keep an eye out. Florida is one of the top cargo theft states. Truck theft happens a lot there.