What happens when you are late?

I just kinda do what I want really... Broker can set times, but I show up when its convenient. Never been more then 5 minutes behind, but he only gives loads now, knowing, it'll get there eventually.

 

I just came close to a service failure. It was on me and I own it. But the stars aligned, hell froze over, and I was able to escape the stigma. 100% service rate 8 + years! Still, #### happens and I do what I can...

 

If you get delayed by a lot, everyone else will be delayed too (holiday weekend, traffic fatalities, road closures...etc. if you're the only one that's getting delayed ALOT, and your truck hasn't been in the shop, then they may start requesting explanations. Now at a bottomfeeder, your dispatcher may click the Slacker Tab on your file to help the planners. The higher up companies will replace you with someone who wants to work.

 

In my driving career I can remember only a few situations where I was not give ample time to make a delivery appointment. I have had things like blowing a turbo, locked up trailer brakes and a medical emergency to detain me. I put a fleet manager on notice once that I was not going to cross the mountains of Pennsylvania on I-80 with ice all over everything. He said they would repower the load, but nobody took it because of the ice. You are the final authority of the operation of that truck. In 2012 I was loaded with beer loaded in Cartersville Ga. My Fleet Manager got me all messed up that day and while I was on my 10 hour break I did not get enough rest. I was headed for Little Rock and had just made the transition from the old US-78 to the new four lane coming out of Birmingham headed for Memphis. I ran a bit off the road. It was around 2AM and I was too dangerous to drive. I did something I have always advised young drivers not to do. I pulled under an overpass and stopped. I said too hell with that appointment and went to bed. The company got me another appointment. Never drive tired, never allow yourself to get in that situation.

 

You are getting some good information mixed in with some folks not taking it to seriously.

The key is to communicate with your company. Let them know what is going on. If the issue is one of safety make sure you record the conversation. Safety trumps everything.

Remember that everyone involved wants the product delivered. The shipper, the receiver, and you. Some companies love to make you make another appointment. Walmart is one. The folks that make the call are all about protecting their power. It makes them feel good to make you come back. The higher ups in the company just want to make money. They just want their product. So you have to learn to people manage.

Call your Dispatcher as soon as it looks like you cannot make your appointment. Ask for instructions and let him make a call to customer service. They will work out a new time.

Failure to call in and failure to ask for help will get you fired. Always let someone know what is going on. I.E. when in doubt, pass the buck.

 

The advice is getting good - should I be suspicious?

 

It is what it is, many things won't be within your control, however, if you are late because of things within your control, you may have some splainin' to do.

Communication is the key, you'll know you are going to be late before you are late, so don't wait till you're late to call and tell someone. I personally call receiver first to see if it's a problem, if it's not you have no need to call your company.

 

If your a girl and your late then this could happen

 

once they get you back at the terminal, they make you strip down to your birthday suit. they then have these island gals stretch out your scrotum hairs, and put hot curls on them. once done, they then dye your crotch hairs a color of purple.

when that is done, they make you get dressed in a micro-mini skirt and make you prance around the office, for all to either laugh....or.....come onto you.

when they had thier way with you, you will then be allowed to go into another room, for a Brazilian wax. this will not hurt as already you will be too humiliated to even care.

when that wax job is done, you are told, "be late again, and your new name will be "Samantha"...........


so i highly suggest you not be late.

or at the very least, tell me where you work, i wanna take pics.......(and maybe a video)


many drivers, are NEVER late again...just saying...

 

Wha? Nothing wrong with running Brazilian...