Plus One

The load I'm on now had a Plus-1 delivery time of 1530 tomorrow, which I knew would never happen.
I called my DM and he told me it could deliver anytime up to midnight.
Refused it with a delivery of 2300 and it was kicked right back to me with that delivery time.

When there is any question we need to call and get the real windows, or simply refuse it with realistic times.

Personally, I think calling the DM is best.
It does two things.
You can get more accurate information, plus it ties up the DM's time.
The former we need to stay safe and legal, and the latter - if done enough - might just get the DM's complaing enough that things are changed.

 

My delivery is set for live unload at 0700 tomorrow. Got a preplan 30 miles away to pick up at 0715 but it gets even better they want the deliver 290 miles away at 0731-- The Same Day! I fixed the times and it kicked back the offer but I let it die on the vine anyway.

Later in the day got another offer picking up at 0700 in the morning but 120 miles empty. Ummm do they (the planners) not see I have a live unload at 0700? It's a sweet load too but the pickup time was set in stone so they pulled the offer off.

 

On a beer load from Fort Worth to Glenwood Springs, CO. 871 paid, a bit over 900 actual miles. Pickup time was from a couple days until 06/14 0800, delivery 06/15 1115. I KNEW when I took the load (it was offered to me 4 times via MAC 30 before I bit) that unless everything went perfect today that there was NO WAY I could make the 1115 delivery time. Since I was still sitting at Miller @ 1000 I messaged my DM expressing my doubts. He replied with "Can you get it there by 1400" to which I replied "I think so".

Between my off-load this morning and playing games with Miller I was deep into my 14 by the time I hit the road. Was nearly noon before I finished fueling and weighing the load. I made it to Amarillo with 2 hrs left on my 14. Decided to stay here rather than try to find a spot to spend my 10 on a 2-lane road I've never driven before.

I'll be legal @ 0240 MDT tomorrow, 11 hrs-20 mins to go 600 miles in a 78,000 lb truck. Were I not headed for the Rockies I'd say piece of cake, as it is I think it will be close.

 

More than close.
600 / 11 = 54.5 MPH.

That heavy on those hills?
Even doing the run without any stops might not be possible.

 

First of all, let me assure you that every department has been complaining enough and upper management has begun to take notice. The response at my terminal has been to stand by the program and instructions were given that we are not to be told the actual delivery windows as this defeats the whole purpose of the Plus One program. These instructions, while I know they have been given, are not being followed by most of the office staff that I deal with. They are on the same side as us. That side is, for the majority, hating the program.

Secondly, I totally disagree with your opinion that we should intentionally tie up our DM on the phone over the issue. I happen to have a great DM who gets the job done. I see no reason why I should make his life harder because of something that is not his fault. Instead, I should turn down the load with arrival times to shipper and receiver that are realistic and have plenty of room for error, traffic, mountains, whatever. This would still apply even if my DM was the worst the company has on staff. The logic still applies, even more so: why make the job of someone who's bad at that job even harder? It only makes things worse for you and everyone else.

The phone number you should be calling is the home office. They are the ones who you need to be complaining to. But even then, I'd be very careful if I were you. Plan out your argument, and make sure you plea to the logical and rational reasons, devoid of any emotion. Emotional arguments don't carry much weight in business. Highly emotional ones are usually ignored and, depending on just how emotional you get, could come back to bite you. The logic you displayed in your second argument is a perfect example of one that would not only lead you to being ignored but also come back to bite you.

In short, how do you deal with the Plus One program--that is, a load that cannot be done safely and comfortably with the appointment times given in the initial offer? Macro 9. Enter N on the first line, and enter both times you are comfortable with, even if you are only requesting one appointment be changed. DO NOT give a reason as well. Only give a reason if you're turning down the load for some other reason than appointments or HOS. If that works for the customer, great. If not, stand by for another load...

 

Yeah, don't flood your DM with calls. They have plenty to do.
Better yet, message over the QC whenever possible.
Need a fuel stop? Message the request. Unless your DM really sucks you will probably
get a response faster than calling. Need an arrival fixed, message it. Etc....

Maybe plus one is getting better?
I used to decline 90% of them with new times.
Maybe now just 70%.
The last FOUR I straight out accepted!
And if it's rejected... whatever - don't want to run it then anyway.

 

Made it with 21 mins left on my 11! Spent 10 hrs at the receiver then moved down the road to a truck stop.

 

I got a good one this morning... 06/24. @1045..
PU 06/23 10:00-10:00... 100 empty miles
Deliver 06/24 10:30-10:30.. 450 loaded
JIT

I had it on my Qualcomm for less than 5 mins before they gave it to someone else...

 

I've actually been beating some of the plus one delivery windows here lately. Don't know if they are loosening them up some or not. Or if I'm just getting used to it.

Like this morning I had a drop window at the Walmart DC in Bentonville from 06/30 00:01-09:30.....got here at 06:30.












Just to find out it was really a live unload with an 11:45 appointment time!!!!!
To make matter worse I then get a preplan picking up in Fort Smith at 11:00. So not only did this little tidbit of misinformation cost me 5+ hours of sitting but it cost me my next load too.

Yay.....Cheers to Plus one and improved efficiency.

 

I had a JIT load last week that delivered in Commerce, CA (east LA). 1300 appointment time, notes in the dispatch NOT to call for an earlier time. So I show up @ 1230 only to find out the customer was expecting the load @ 0500! Would have been nice to know as I was trying to spend time with my family in San Diego. Next time maybe I'll call to "verify" my appointment time.