Paper logs vs. electronic logs

I am on irregular route with van and the e-logs are not an issue. While I generally haul for a group of customers, they are not the same ones each week. Each situation will be different for each person, for sure. If folks use the stuff between their ears to plan and book loads shipments in accordance to any ELD, they will cut any real problems down to size. I know everyone wants what they are having delivered, done yesterday, and I try as best I can to get stuff to someone who wants it. I tell folks when It will be there, before I even leave the shipper. I have even told brokers to deal with it. You don't like it, put it on another truck. As long as one communicates from beginning to end, most customers don't have a fit. If someone is going to be totally unreasonable and act like a child over when they get their stuff, I can just as easily have it taken off the truck while still at the shipper. Then it will really be late. I have pulled away from a shipping dock and closed the doors because folks at either end wanted to act like little school children instead of adults.

Look at it this way, when you order something that is going to be brought to your home via Fed Ex or UPS, you don't get to dictate some appointment when you want it. They let you know the general time they will be delivering. Now, I take that same methodology and apply it to the stuff I haul. When I pick it up, I tell them when it will be there. I rarely get grief from anyone. Communication is the key, folks. You have to let other know what is going on.

This is the 21st century, folks. Not 1990. Start acting like it. I don't give a rip how we had to do it back then, this is now. We have to change with the times, and the shippers/receivers have to change as well. Else, they will not get their stuff. Folks talk about strikes and other stuff to deal with this. Forget that nonsense! Just act like adults and do what you need to keep things in order and get things done. If most of us would just act like we know what we are doing, it will have more of an effect on this stuff than strikes and other old school nonsense. Not a lot shippers and receivers can do about it. We have them by the short and curlies if we act like it.

 

I like your attitude, I share the same one, lol! Things have to change and shippers must change with them.

I think the future of trucking will be more and more shippers having dedicated trucks. They will sign deals with carriers for a certain set amount of capacity. This in turn could make our lives better, for those that don't mind semi dedicated that is. Capacity is all the rage with shippers these days. I don't just pull this out of my butt, I'm very good friends with a salesman at Schneider Bulk and he tells me that shippers simply can't get enough trucks in to handle all the freight.

I think the future is bright for us drivers. If you take a look company after company is raising pay. Is it where it should be? No, but at least it's not stagnant. I was told over on the Schneider forum that the new trucks they are getting have factory installed inverters, finally!
These are good signs and to me at least signals a refocusing on drivers. Of course there will always be Negative Nancy's but all in all its bright.

 

I also think that shippers could see a real benefit of having close relationships with carriers. For one of they sign the right deal the carriers will probably pay for the addition of drop yards, the yard dogs etc.. Plus having a majority fleet of drivers who have been in the plant before and know the customers will result in better service. Also, as drivers lives improve it lowers turnover.

Shippers and receivers need to understand that they also play a role in driver retention. Small things make drivers go crazy. All day we are by ourselves and we obsess over little indignations. Like bathrooms, the ability to park overnight, quick efficient check ins, loads being ready on time etc.