Schneider chat room - Closed see new thread linked in the last post

It's one of those days. I drove 400 miles to drop a load. Picked up an empty and was dispatched to a 2.5 hour live load with 4 hours left on my clock. I was told "don't worry, they'll get you loaded." When I was down to an hour and still had not even begun to get loaded I called weekend support shift. I was told to stay the night there. I told them I couldn't because A. They won't let me and B. they are closed all weekend. I was then told to drop the trailer and pick it up in the morning. Well I can't because like I said, they are closed all weekend. Now I'm stuck in a crap town with now food in the area. I do have tuna and PB&J in the truck though.

 

you need to haul arse

 

Your DBL Marci? Anyways, support shift won't do crap, they are in Green bay and they can't do much. You should of called and rescheduled, thats why they have the customer number there. I rescheduled loads and unloads on weekends when support shift couldn't do jack. At least you got food. Sometimes tuna and pb&j's are all you need.

 

They didn't want to reschedule. The shipper wanted me to stay. I couldn't get them to understand that I was out of time. I don't know what it is with most people these days. It's almost like trying to talk to a little kid. Ya gotta keep telling them over and over until that little light bulb goes off in their head.

 

That's not Schneider's fault. The shipper just was lazy and ready for the weekend. Sorry you can such a bad night, but that can happen at any company.

"Do what thou wilt."

 

You're right. Ultimately it is my fault. I accepted the load with little time left. I shouldn't have accepted it but I'm so darn eager to please

 

Really isn't your fault, if the load said 2.5 hours live load, and it took 4, why would you not accept it? The live load times in your load assignment are "averages". They take the amount of time drivers were there for the last X amount of times, and average it out.

But that's trucking, happens all the time, not Schneider's fault, not your fault, mostly the shippers fault.

 

It happens to us all.
Next time you're running close, as soon as you get there, let the folks know that you really need to get it and go (if possible). I have found that most people will make the effort if they know the circumstances....otherwise, they'll just assume you have all the time in the world.

Then, set drop dead times for yourself.
"I'm pulling off this dock when I'm down to one hour."
"I'm going to let them know that loaded or not, I've GOT TO leave in one hour." (this is at the 2 hour mark).
"I'm going to let them know that I'm running a little short on time and would really appreciate it if I could get out of here soon"......or, simply inquire as to how long they think it might take to get loaded. (this is on arrival).

In the meantime, communicate with 2nd shift via Qualcom (never call.....it's a complete waste of time and cell minutes) that, these folks are running a bit behind, and, loaded or not, I've got to roll out of here at 'x' time. Also, in your free time (and indeed it is FREE time), hunt up a place to park using,
My DAT Truck Stop app......get it in the android store for free.....this thing has saved my hiney more than once.

At the end of the day, communication is the key.......be nice, be humble, be professional and you'll usually be fine.

 

I hear ya. I did everything you mentioned. I was told by the shipper "don't get in a hurry here". I also sent messages via Qualcomm. Always professional. I say "please, thank you" and in this case I even apologized for any inconvenience.

 

Well....you can only do what you can do.
At the same time, I would have been tempted and even might have responded (depending on the day and everything that came before) to his remark about "don't get in a hurry here",
"not in a hurry, brother. I'm just trying to let you know that this truck will pull off of this property in 'x' amount of time and at this hour; whether your stuff is on it or not."

Yeah, sounds like big talk......probably is......but just once......

hope the parking lot is kind to you......look around.....you can always find neat stuff to look at.....