Macropoint cell phone tracking

I understand your feelings. I really do. And for the most part I try to live up to that standard.

But when a broker posts a load and neglects to mention that they will have a 3rd party that in no way directly represents the broker or the shipper and then asks me to put software on my phone and give that software excluvive right to turn on my gps location and track me. Nay nay. How do I know its even from or for the load I am on? They dont include that information when they request me to allow it.

If the broker advertised that the load needed to be tracked.. or at the very least included that in the booking/confirmation sheet I may react differently. But being the jaded cynical prick I am... nay nay.

Hurst:smt111

 

I never said I would quit. I wont like it. I will hold out to the bitter end. But like everything else.. I need to make a living. Hopefully by the time it comes into effect I will no longer be driving and just have drivers who have to deal with it.

What kills me is how openly people give up their privacy. Maybe its not that important to most people. I see so many folks posting their private business here on the forum. Things I would never dare admit much less bring it out in the open on a public forum for folks to read and ridicule. I hold mine with a lock and key.

Hurst:smt111

 

Im just curious, how many people on this forum got their load stolen, giving out there number?

 

No one that I know of.

For me its two things. Principle and having grown up in the ghetto (I dont mean trailer park.. I mean SE Wash DC) I have been privy to things most people would be horrified to know much less be witness.

So even though as an adult I dont know anyone personally.. to say it cant happen would be a false sense of security in my opinion. I'd rather be the guy with the tin foil hat then become a statistic because I was naive enough to trust someone I dont know.

Hurst:smt111

 

Don't mind them tracking the load it's what they can do afterwards someone that likes to hack around can easily get into your phone good idea just to carry a spare phone use that more and more Brokers are demanding this micro crap

 

I get asked to download it from some brokers i've told them my phone will download it but thats it but shows error , I have got different phone but i still tell them the same ole excuse i've never had a problem with broker all they tell me is to call in so thats how i do it .I dont feel comfortable with all info they might be able to get ..Ps the brokers will tell you to call the customer service to see if they can boot it for you but i tell them also i've allready did it and no more from them bout it .

 

I agreed to move a load that required MacroPoint. As I moved to the pick up, the standard text came to ask permission to turn on the MP. I did allow it to be turned on. Then the interesting part starts.

The shipper did not know which machine to load so I sat and waited for all the phone calls to be made. I called the broker 7 times about the delay. As it came upon the 3rd hour of sitting in their yard the load was finally put on my truck, chained and I pulled out.
I called the broker that I was loaded and asked about the detention time, " don't worry we will take care of it." , just write you in and out times on the rate sheet, which I did.
The broker called the next day and she stated that the manager of the shop said, "We stop loading a 3:00." It was 3:54 when I called in loaded. NO detention pay!

I said to the broker , "Look at the MacroPoint, it will show how long I was sitting in the yard."
Broker, " No it does not work that way. It will not show how long you have been sitting."

It is obvious, MacroPoint only works when it is to the broker's advantage.

 

I can see both sides. I wouldn't feel too well about somebody tracking my every move, but I also know that a lot of drivers lie. Tracking helps keep drivers honest about their location and when they will arrive at the shipper/receiver. I can also see tracking to be safer as not to distract the driver with phone calls. I fully understand people not wanting to use it though.

 

Funny thing is a lot of them will continue to call even with macropoint tracking. But, this is a service industry. You'll get passed over for not providing the service they want because someone else will. I don't have a problem with it. No-one really cares what's in your phone or where you go they just want those tracking updates to satisfy their customer demands.

 

I was asked to use macropoint with my last load, when I booked it.
I said sure.
They never sent the email or text to run it.

Maybe because I loaded a day early and delivered three days before the project deadline.