Booking Loads

Personally every time I've had a load booked to pick up after I drop off the load I have, something always goes wrong. First time my truck broke, second time the guy I was dropping off at refused to pay (crazy story), and the third time I got stuck waiting 6 hours to drop off my load and they cancelled the next load on me. Anymore I'd rather wait until I'm empty before ill book my next load. Usually that load you were looking at is still on the board along with a hundred others and there's more that just got posted.

 

What Nedrudt said

 

Completely disagree. Most open deck loads are not overly time sensitive. You can usually adjust a pickup appointment. It is usually pretty easy to guestimate how long it will take to get to unloaded and to the next pickup. If you get the feeling from the customer or broker that things are time sensitive, take a step back. That may not be the load you want to prebook.

 

I pre-book a lot of dry van loads. Sometimes as many as 3 in a day sometimes as many as 4 or 5 loads out into the week. Just depends on what I'm seeing. I can also kick back and book a load at a time as they come when I finish one. Key things here are I'm familiar with my lanes and many of the customers I go to have been there at some point or another. I also ask a lot of questions about loads that I've never done before. The brokers I work with regular don't spew bull #### about load details. I can read when I'm being fed some bs most times from brokers i don't know. Things going south and loads cancelling is a risk. Have had it happen a few times. Very rare for me to ever give anything back that i've booked can only recall that once in the past couple of years. You have to think things through, plan, and execute.

 

If you got a good equipment and you are responsible and know what you working with, why not? Its all Judgmental decision. My business is open deck. I know my drivers are responsible and have great equipment, if anything feels weird they let me know ASAP, But 90% of the time they don't sit waiting for loads unless they are off loading has a late crane appointment or if the place is notorious to take their sweet time, when that happens book something for the next day. You should have an idea how long loading and off loading is going to take and know how long your DH is going to take to pick up the next one. If you work with agents, just ask if they are ready for you or when you get a rate sheet call the customer in advance and let them know you are coming and cant be sitting around. All great loads are easy and quick. Post your truck up agents will call you and you will have an idea with what you working with.

 

I find loads to pay better the father out it loads a load picking up Friday I find always pays better on Monday or late Friday. My day goes way better knowing where my next load is picking up get in get out and move on and if I'm waiting last min I'm watching the board 24hours before!

 

I am booking sometimes 3 loads ahead. all depends on area and price. stepdeck