Declined Loads

Also the DM can pay for your out-of-route miles to go and get it washed out.

 

Windsmith, I see what you are saying but you still never tell them "no". Yes you can make suggestions or give them reasons why it wouldn't be the best load but in the end you do what they need done. Put yourself in your DM's shoes. The load has to be taken care of. If a driver takes that load for you without giving you a hard time and you know this driver does whatever he can always to help you, then you are going to give that driver the best runs and miles that come across your desk! Does it suck to do a crappy a run? Sure. Its all part of trucking though. If you have to do one crappy load to get ten really good ones, BRING IT ON!!! That's a no brainer! If some of you drivers heed this advice I bet dollars to donuts you will find your miles increase!

 

Exactly. Don't refuse the load outright. Just explain the situation in detail. The DM can decide what to do.

Have to drive 60 miles to do a washout? Let them know. Maybe they can get the CSR to change the appt time. Things like that. As long as you appear to be willing to work the load anyway you can you are golden.

 

For a long time there I had about a 50% load refusal rate at my company (independent contractor). I was very picky and finicky. I believe I was punished a little bit but it's one of those things you can never prove.

Eventually I got motivated again and started accepting every load and my miles have recovered for the effort. Plus we have a feature over here wherein if you have a certain ontime percentage and above, the computer system can send you 1, 2 or 3 load offerings based on your hours available and loads in your area available instead of waiting around for the DM to or planner to send a load offer like some mama bird feeding her chicks. Sometimes I'll be in a poor freight area and have to take whatever they offer though.

I think if I saw that load offer to that place you don't want to go, I'd decline and say something like I think I have an air leak, or need to do 3 loads of laundry, or otherwise enter your excuse that you're heading to the local shop to check it out, set my time out another 10 hours or something. This is nonconfrontational.

 

It's easier to bend then it is to break.

 

after having a great dm move to trip planning it has been a struggle the last 4 weeks
I have been 28 days without a reset and have 20.5 hours available tommorow
I think i have taken my fair share of crap loads
my paycheck has dropped 20 % with the new dm
maybe i should just kill her

 

OMG this is so true...

I've made much progress with my company because I'll do what most other guys don't want a part of.

For example, a trailer with a leaking wheel seal at a staging yard; Everyone is passing it up. Leaving it there. Not me. I get on the horn and ask the head of maintenance if they wanted to send someone up to fix it or want me to bring it down. They asked me to bring it down. I did. I saved the company money. Also "pre-loads". I won't refuse em. WHATEVER my dispatch (within legal reason) has asked me to do, I have complied.

Now, I'm on some good runs and will be getting a 2012 Volvo after it has a wheel bearing replaced Monday. Mechanics are super nice, Dispatch is super nice now, my DM is super nice.

Just sayin, you're right Chompi!