An IC meeting in Green Bay.

sealevel · Aug 15, 2016

Opus said: ↑

I thought I might add some 'flavor' to the discussion, but I wanted to get home where I could think things out, sit comfortably, and drink a beer whilst I pontificated. I'll start with Whipper's post and move down the board......

10: Destroy ALL 9 series trailers (tho they're already destroyed)
Personally, I think Schneider has done a pretty good job of replacing the older trailers. That's not to say that there are more that need to be gone, but it is saying that I think they've made a real effort to upgrade the fleet. Furthermore, I'd rather pull a 93, 94, or 95 than have nothing at all.......and that has happened more than once.

9: Hire enough staff to where hold times will never exceed 15 minutes
I'll go along with that, but for a different reason. I'd like to see more folks hired so that the ICA's lives are a bit more tolerable. Frankly, I wouldn't have that job.

8: Tie E-Logs to load board... thus no booking loads while truck is on drive line
I agree completely. I think Schneider's response would be that people use 3rd parties to book their freight. My response would be, "tough noogies". They seem to have an endless supply of folks wanting to be contractors, yet at the same time reluctant to pizz anyone off. Plus, there's no reason why these folks that use 3rd parties can't pull over when their fat wives put down the pop tart long enough to tell them they have a load. Safety First, people!!

7: Focus more on obtaining more short freight contracts being they're profitable for both Schneider and ICs
I'm not convinced of that and I'm not sure I'm ready to get on board with that. Look, the freight market is stinky right now; it just is. And, frankly, I think Schneider has done a dang good job of keeping the board populated with, while not the greatest freight in the world, enough to keep most of us busy and profitable. I don't have any issues here.

6: Fix the load board estimated miles to where it's based instead on practical miles.
I agree completely, but perhaps for a different reason than most others. My biggest gripe is that when the put the wrong information in, it causes me to jack up my hours. I book freight based on what it pays and how long it takes me to do it. But the problem I run into is that if it's a 60 mile deadhead, but turns into a 90 miles deadhead, I might not have the hours to make it. I recently had one from Lynchburg VA to Stuarts Draft VA. I booked it as a 50 mile deadhead, turns out, the only way a truck can go makes it a 90 mile deadhead.......plus, it was a really crappy route. So, what starts out as an hour deadhead, turns into a 2 hour plus deadhead. You do that a couple times a week, and your hours tend to get jacked up.
Long story, short; the rate is what it is. But I need to know before I book so I can plan my day......(and , no, I don't trip plan every assignment. They go so fast, sometimes you just got to get it and hope for the best.).

5: More drop lots in the Northeast
Whatever...........I would say drop lots equivalent to the amount of freight in the area.

4: Create a way for Schneider ICs to find and book loads outside of Schneider's load board (while still giving up same % and going through approval process):
That would give US more opinions in picking freight and could mean more money for us and Schneider
Awesome idea. Hey, it's all money for everybody.

3: Dentention after 2 hours
Absolutely, and find or create a better way of getting exception pay. We could cut down on the phone calls if we had a more efficient way of filing for detention, VNU, and the rest.

2: Fix the load board to where no software can autobook loads
Agreed.

1: Add customer directions into remarks for every load. Jill doesn't always get it right.
I would like to see an option for 'Driver Remarks'. There's a whole lot of information that's not being shared because there is no way to share it. The CS remarks are simply what the customer told CS some years ago.

And, on to the other suggestions...........

They could do something about the Cs problems... Consistently putting wrong information on loads like pickup times and putting putting wrong information like drop and hook when it's a live unload or load and vice versa... and the issue of showing up to pick up a load that was supposed to been pre-loaded and they didn't have no trailers because they said I failed to get them any trailers... Can't keep pissing off his customers in order to keep the freight
Second, stop this bs with CS making up appointments and windows that don't exist.

Keep in mind that 99% of that information is populated by the customer......CS has little or nothing to do with it.

Fifth, trailer searches paid /mi for all miles.

I guess it really comes down to how far are you willing to drive to pick up a piece of revenue producing equipment? The MTY hunt has always been a sore spot for me as well, but when you put it into the afore mention perspective, it kinda changes the dynamic a bit. There's a big difference between running after a trailer so that you can get a load, and re-positioning equipment for the needs of your #1 customer.

If a pre load turns into a live load or unload then detention should start immediately.

And if a live unload turns into a drop and hook we rebate the the amount equivalent to 2 hours of live unload? Look, fair is fair. I don't complain about the drop and hooks that turn into lives any more than I complain about the lives that turn into drop and hooks.
Again, 99% of what you see is populated by the customer. And if the $10.50 an hour clerk doesn't know the difference between a drop and hook and a live unload, there's not a lot that Schneider can do about it. Furthermore, if you pick a load that shows as a drop and hook but has a hard pick up and/or delivery time, and bells don't go off in your head, you just need to keep doing this a bit longer and you'll figure it out.

Eliminate the redundant company mandated employee training.

Honestly, this is kind of a PITA for me as well, but they pay me for it, so, no real big deal. Honestly, what they could do to take the sting out of it, would be to make it work on more platforms. The only way I can access it is to go to an OC, and that makes it a chore.

Accountability is my biggest issue. If we screw up, we're charged for it. If Schneider screws up, we're hit with the loss of time and money in every single case. $150 VNU because you sent a company guy to pick up my load I had booked is not my fault. i lose the deadhead revenue, the load revenue and in 90% of circumstances the whole chain of events j had already booked after the load that just got scrapped. $150 is an insult. As is $25 to be a trailer shuttle. CS has no monetary impact for screwing up, ICA's have no monetary impact for screwing up, box planners have no monetary impact for screwing up, customers and shippers have no monetary impact for screwing up yet every single one of these instances have a direct impact on all of us financially every single time with absolutely zero regard to compensation. That needs to change. If my work assignment changes in any way that isn't what I AGREED to, the difference should be compensated. Period.

Agreed, to the degree where Schneider has the responsibility. Again, you have to understand that most of this stuff is being booked by an hourly clerk, not Schneider.

Me personally I think we ICs should get paid after every load.. That's the one of the many things I miss about Mercer.. And our advances should be half of the load

Really Dudie??? You can't go from one pay period to the next without running out of money?? Bro, you have a Dudie problem, not a Schneider problem.

the issue of them claiming they never receive transflo and want to jump all over the IC because they don't have it

Tech, the only time I've ever had an issue with this was when I didn't Transflo something.......other times I simply gave them the confirmation number and drove on.......no big deal.

Load cancellation on an ic should pay as much as SNI charges us for a relay.

Agreed.........$400 for relay due to a breakdown is just punitive, simply put. I mean, really. A load you were going to get paid $300 for and you breakdown half way there now becomes a $700 load?? Come on. Particularly when you can provide towing and / or shop bills.

Stop this ridiculous rule about not taking a trailer home. Buy more trailers, but don't expect me to go drop a trailer somewhere if I am taking a couple days off at home

Not your trailer, not your business. Our business model depends on using someone else's equipment. As such, the have every right in the world to decide where it needs to be. Don't like it? Buy your own trailer.

Trucking is a 24/7 operation. Staff a support crew accordingly. I'll be danged if I am going to leave a voicemail for my ICA so they can take care of something the next day when they decide to get around to it. Schneider's support makes me feel like I am leased to a 5 truck carrier. When I call in, no matter the time of day, or day of the week, somebody needs to answer the phone, and they need to answer it quick. I'm calling because I have a problem, and don't need to be sitting on hole "for the next available person" for 30 minutes. 5 minutes is too long. And when I send in a message for non priority concerns, somebody needs to be able to address it, rather than send a message 5 hours later telling me to speak to 1st shift. If you can't handle problems, why are you there?

2nd shift.......man, used to be the bane of my existence......until I thought about it. So, here are somethings to think about / consider........
1. Shipper is closed.......they can't make them open.
2. Shipment is wrong for whatever reason......the person who could fix it won't be in until 8 am.
3. Gate is locked.......Green Bay can't open it
4. Guard is being a dick.....Green Bay can't make his life happier
5. Trailer's not here.......Green Bay can't make it materialize and whoever knows where it is, won't be in until 8 am.
6. Been delayed here 2,4,6,8, hours........what do you fantasize Green Bay would do about it? Call them and tell the they're fixen' to come down and lay a whoop ### on them?? No.

In short, there's #### little GB can do about anything after hours; which is why it makes perfect sense not to staff after hours.

In conclusion, honestly, I'd say most of your complaints run into the company driver category. If you wish to be a company driver, by all means, do so. On the other hand, if you wish to be a business owner who is capable of making his own decisions and handling business problems in a professional, businesslike manner, then again, by all means do so.
Finally, I'd say this; watch your tone. You'll notice that Schneider does not go to the traffic manager at WalMart and tell him, "Look hoss, you'll release our trailers or we won't be pulling for you any more.". Let that be your guide and at the end of the day, remember this one thing; YOU HAVE EXACTLY ONE CUSTOMER. It would be in your best interest to keep him happy.........at least, that's what a smart business owner would do.

As an aside, it's my understanding that Schneider does indeed have an annual meeting with self selected contractors, yet is open to volunteers who wish to participate. Contact your ICA for details.

Best wishes to all........

Click to expand...

Now that I'm home,in the recliner and enjoying a cold Busch light would like to reply myself. First off thanks @TennMan. It's been a great read and a place for IC'S to get things of their chest. Opus. I agree with almost every thing you said, with one exception.
There seems to be a huge problem with the mobile app with many ic's due to booking freight while driving. Well that's just plain illegal. SNI policy or not. It's illegal. I don't see why anyone should expect SNI to tie the load board to e logs. It seems childish. Not calling you or anyone childish just the idea. My wife books freight. She is on the board even when I'm home. We work together. It's OUR business together. I don't even own a Bluetooth headset. I play by the rules to a fault. Don't understand the reasoning wanting to punish me and others like me to stop others who are not playing by the rules. Last thing we need is more oversight. Just seems childish that's all.
With that being said, the real problem is the freight market. It's just plain bad right now. Changing the mobile app won't change that.

TennMan · Aug 15, 2016

I don't think nor want sni to tie logs to booking. I don't care how or who books freight. That's a whipper issue.

drvrtech77 · Aug 15, 2016

sealevel said: ↑

Now that I'm home,in the recliner and enjoying a cold Busch light would like to reply myself. First off thanks @TennMan. It's been a great read and a place for IC'S to get things of their chest. Opus. I agree with almost every thing you said, with one exception.
There seems to be a huge problem with the mobile app with many ic's due to booking freight while driving. Well that's just plain illegal. SNI policy or not. It's illegal. I don't see why anyone should expect SNI to tie the load board to e logs. It seems childish. Not calling you or anyone childish just the idea. My wife books freight. She is on the board even when I'm home. We work together. It's OUR business together. I don't even own a Bluetooth headset. I play by the rules to a fault. Don't understand the reasoning wanting to punish me and others like me to stop others who are not playing by the rules. Last thing we need is more oversight. Just seems childish that's all.
With that being said, the real problem is the freight market. It's just plain bad right now. Changing the mobile app won't change that.
Click to expand...

Agree..besides sni would know who's booking when driving anyway...those that do will eventually be caught anyway and be gone...

drvrtech77 · Aug 15, 2016

@cabbie... take your trolling somewhere else

traderpats · Aug 15, 2016

sealevel said: ↑

Now that I'm home,in the recliner and enjoying a cold Busch light would like to reply myself. First off thanks @TennMan. It's been a great read and a place for IC'S to get things of their chest. Opus. I agree with almost every thing you said, with one exception.
There seems to be a huge problem with the mobile app with many ic's due to booking freight while driving. Well that's just plain illegal. SNI policy or not. It's illegal. I don't see why anyone should expect SNI to tie the load board to e logs. It seems childish. Not calling you or anyone childish just the idea. My wife books freight. She is on the board even when I'm home. We work together. It's OUR business together. I don't even own a Bluetooth headset. I play by the rules to a fault. Don't understand the reasoning wanting to punish me and others like me to stop others who are not playing by the rules. Last thing we need is more oversight. Just seems childish that's all.
With that being said, the real problem is the freight market. It's just plain bad right now. Changing the mobile app won't change that.
Click to expand...

Well said. Same setup wife and I use. It's a team effort that has worked well enough for years now. And yeah the overall market rates are horrible. Just a year or two ago you didn't see such competition as there were enough decent paying loads available. IF rates stay low for much longer I'll be looking at going local. Anyways good luck everyone....

MACK E-6 · Aug 15, 2016

drvrtech77 said: ↑

@cabbie... take your trolling somewhere else
Click to expand...

Done, with a litle assistance...

PoleCrusher · Aug 15, 2016

sealevel said: ↑

Now that I'm home,in the recliner and enjoying a cold Busch light would like to reply myself. First off thanks @TennMan. It's been a great read and a place for IC'S to get things of their chest. Opus. I agree with almost every thing you said, with one exception.
There seems to be a huge problem with the mobile app with many ic's due to booking freight while driving. Well that's just plain illegal. SNI policy or not. It's illegal. I don't see why anyone should expect SNI to tie the load board to e logs. It seems childish. Not calling you or anyone childish just the idea. My wife books freight. She is on the board even when I'm home. We work together. It's OUR business together. I don't even own a Bluetooth headset. I play by the rules to a fault. Don't understand the reasoning wanting to punish me and others like me to stop others who are not playing by the rules. Last thing we need is more oversight. Just seems childish that's all.
With that being said, the real problem is the freight market. It's just plain bad right now. Changing the mobile app won't change that.
Click to expand...

When one of these jacktards (my new word this week) on the board while driving runs over your wife will you be so ambivalent then?

I seriously don't care about ICs whos wives have nothing better to do than stare at a computer all day Its not about being beaten to loads, that's going to happen regardless.

It's about the fact that my family's lives are more important than your convenience.

Opus · Aug 15, 2016

sealevel said: ↑

Now that I'm home,in the recliner and enjoying a cold Busch light would like to reply myself. First off thanks @TennMan. It's been a great read and a place for IC'S to get things of their chest. Opus. I agree with almost every thing you said, with one exception.
There seems to be a huge problem with the mobile app with many ic's due to booking freight while driving. Well that's just plain illegal. SNI policy or not. It's illegal. I don't see why anyone should expect SNI to tie the load board to e logs. It seems childish. Not calling you or anyone childish just the idea. My wife books freight. She is on the board even when I'm home. We work together. It's OUR business together. I don't even own a Bluetooth headset. I play by the rules to a fault. Don't understand the reasoning wanting to punish me and others like me to stop others who are not playing by the rules. Last thing we need is more oversight. Just seems childish that's all.
With that being said, the real problem is the freight market. It's just plain bad right now. Changing the mobile app won't change that.
Click to expand...

well put, and I apologize for characterizing the wives as "fat, pop tart eating".
You know, it's kinda like Moose said, there's always been challenges, and there always will be.......so, congratulations on having someone you can trust to book loads for you. I, on the other hand, have a wife that is full of whimsy and "high hopes"........no way I'm turning her loose on the board.......LOL. (But.....she will mow the grass!!!!).

drvrtech77 · Aug 15, 2016

http://www.overdriveonline.com/prop...drive&ust_id=404aeac06fe087a50280a418550ce3a9

Speed limiter rule...

Opus · Aug 15, 2016

drvrtech77 said: ↑

http://www.overdriveonline.com/prop...drive&ust_id=404aeac06fe087a50280a418550ce3a9

Speed limiter rule...
Click to expand...

Man, I thought we already tried this????
ATA.......wow, what a misnomer.....
I guess that's the union boss for the MEGAS.........'make everybody drive 65, because we make all our people do it so we can save gas........' (It would actually serve to put more freight on the road as well (longer).....if you get math.)
Kinda like E-Logs

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