Running with JCT, Part Deux

How did you know the weight of the load to put in that field for the Loaded Call? Plus the AM/PM temp should go out right behind the Loaded Call which will ask if you scaled the load etc. Not trying to be an Ahole. But if you wait to scale your load before loaded call you can protect yourself by being eligible for detention pay in this way as well.


They offered me a big cross country load which will take 55 driving hours not to mention pretrips and fuel time, shipper loading time. I have only 51 hours available before delivery. I accepted, hopefully they do a little better job of setting up a repower for me en route than they did last time this happened. I believe the last time the load ended up being late due to dropped repowers.

 

Yeah but ive been lucky and havnt run into this situation since ive been back and last year when i was with allison it was never a big deal if i had to go back

 

I only put the weight of the product in the weight space on the macro. Ive had instances where the load planner called to confirm cuz the shipper tried to sneak more product than they told the planner or something like that... it was last year sometime

 

I used to that myself when I did my first lease at my previous company. Didn't have the help there that we have here. I almost went under and with the help of an old timer; I managed to pull myself up by my boot straps. That strategy only works for so long before it catches up to you.

I have no problem letting them run their own show. I prefer that way. But when the other driver brings up the subject and ask for my opinion or advice; I will give it. If they tell me that they make more blindly following the suggested fuel route, I want numbers. Not just your rebate balance.

For example, say you get a fuel stop at PFJ where the cash price is $2.45. Minus the rebate; that's $2.30 a gallon. You put in 150 gallons, that's $367.50 And you got a rebate sent to your card for $22.50 Across the street at a Other brand it's $2.00 a gallon. That's $300. I saved an extra $52.50. Also, the cheaper place is straight ULSD and not the B20 crap PFJ uses, so, that's better fuel economy. Most drivers I talk to keep an open mind and listen. Some try it to see for themselves. Yet, there are a few drivers that will tell me I'm full of it and that the fuel route is better savings. Those are the Kool-aid drinkers.

The fuel route is a tool. Look at it. Is it the same route you are planning to take anyway? If yes, look at the stops. Is there a place to save even more on fuel a few exits down or next door. If yes, then go to the cheaper place and fill with the suggested amount and take the extra savings.

I don't try to force them not to follow the fuel route. I try to open their minds to other possibilities and use it as a tool to help find places near those on the fuel route that can save you a little more money.

But I get it, some people need to be hand held the whole time or can't see the bigger picture and will continue with their routine. That's fine, but don't blame others that tried to help you if you happen to fail.

 

That's why I love mostly being on I-10 corridor, easy to find cheap fuel plus fairly flat terrain. Not to brag, but our settlements on 5-6 thousand miles are pretty substantial. Truck generally pays us 50-54 cpm. Before taxes of course.

 

That's what irritates me to end all.....
I get on average 2 ppl/week to mentor. I wait for them to call. Once they do, I get some background info on them and their truck. Then the 1st thing I talk about is fuel.

That's when the debate starts. I tell them scout the PFJ fuel suggestion and hope I rarely use PFJ. They start to argue and I simply come back with, "you're obviously having problems making your business successful because if you weren't, you never would have talked to Laura and accepted a mentor. I'm here to help you. Listen, don't listen, no sweat off my back because I'm VERY profitable." That's when they usually shut up. LOL

 

Yep, never understood how can you ask for help, then refuse the help when it's given. It's like why did you even ask for help in the first place?

 

The loader who worked my load said that scale is always showing heavy... i laughed and said a cat scale can be a couple hundred off not thousands... thats why they are certified. Plus if this happens alot here you would think they would know how to load us without us coming back

 

Another thing to consider is drivers often have a problem with money management. To a guy with poor money skills, getting $60 bucks next week on his fuel card rebate is better than having saved $120 bucks this week buying cheaper fuel than the route suggests because like my exwife he will find a way to blow $240 bucks lol.

 

That's why you have to learn how to budget. Running a business without that skill is asking for trouble.