Detention claim process from your side — what actually works?

TQL were masters at NOT paying detention in my experience. I finally blocked their phone calls entirely.
They built themselves a nice on-site gym a few years back. Maybe, some of the funding was from my unpaid detention claims. You welcome, TQL.

 

Marking in and out times on the signed POD is standard operating procedure but also equally as important and not to be forgotten is communicating with the broker before detention starts. You have to call the broker and let them know detention is about to start. Typically if you will read your rate con it'll outline the brokers procedure for you to follow if you expect to get detention pay. If it's not it'll be in the agreement you signed when you sent packets back and forth to set up. If you don't see it, ask. I never had any problems collecting detention from brokers 99% of the time. I always dotted all the i's and crossed the t's. Usually the big players CHRW, TQL, etc were the ones with clear procedures to follow. It's on you to figure out what to do and to document everything. No-one will hold your hand.

 

Most of it was in pre ELD era.
I called them 1 hour before and most of the loads were tracked on Macropoint then I invoiced them with a detention charge.
Not that it was any big money.
Maybe I wasn't too persistent with my calls, pestering like Lt. Columbo ...

 

What actually works is learning who to work with and do not to work with. This goes for brokers and docks. Asking a few key questions to a broker and negotiating a good rate, asking about detention, etc. is the way to work this out. Not after the fact.

sad note, AI is not your friend on stuff like this. You need verbal and written communication beforehand. I can almost tell if I'm working with a broker who cares about my time.

I invoice a couple hundred loads a year and probably asked for detention once or twice.

It's been many years since I did not get it when it was due.

 

Those are good questions. It seems like everyone develops their own system over time, but the more documentation you have, the harder it is for someone to dispute a legitimate detention claim. I'd also be interested to know which brokers are consistently fair about paying detention and which ones make drivers fight for every minute.

I have a feeling the paperwork and follow-up probably take more time than most people expect. Hopefully some experienced owner-operators will share what has worked best for them.

 

As you’ve found here nobody has a structured plan.because there isn’t one.Typically people who are hauling broker freight have no real contract with fees for detention,Cancellation of a load etc you are working under an agreement which some can make an argument is a type of contract but isn’t as clear cut.So many times it really comes down to the broker and your relationship with them.As mentioned you should bring attention to the broker b4 you are 2or 3 hours into detentions give them a chance on helping the situation

 

No structured plan? Sounds like you're posting about things you have no clue about. Ever seen a broker and/or carrier packet before? That's the contract. The rate con may or may not have different terms. A carrier/driver should read these contracts and make changes as needed then both parties sign off on it, or not. More often than not the carrier or driver just signs without reading so they can book a load and get moving then get all bent out of shape when they realize they're "getting screwed" out of whatever money because the broker covered their bases in the contract that was agreed on...