I don't have a problem with R&L buying used tractors and trailers. The problem I have is we purchase most of these trucks on the internet, and most we never lay eyes on until we get them to the terminal to put them in service. I know I've never purchased my personal vehicle without looking at it first, why should we be doing the same with the bulk number of trucks we are purchasing?
When it comes to rebuilding "junk" you also have to realize there are reasons why they do this. Brand new trucks for one, have many problems with the new emission standards in place. For example, ALL 2010 or newer tractors require DEF. DEF is very expensive and requires a stable temp environment. Plus think about this, just using some example numbers here, a new tractor will run an easy $108,000. That price for example is on a 2012 Internation Prostar Daycab with a MAXXFORCE engine. That's another thing that we often forget is that with the new emission standards comes new kinds of engines. Our mechanics would need training and resources that let's just put isn't cost effective right now. Getting back on track here, a used truck might run you $37,000 (2007 International 9200i Daycab).
Basically they purchase the used equipment because they can buy it cash out without a "loan" and they don't have to worry about paying it off. Plus there is an abundance of used equipment on the market right now. Don't get me wrong I would love to see some brand new units on the road and they are going to purchase some brand new trucks and spread them out over the system basically so the shops can get familiar with them before they start purchasing them in large numbers. I like the fact that they are trying to save money and not get themselves in a bad spot.
Now I could list all kinds of way I would like to see R&L improve. First off I look at "Pride in our people. Pride in our performance" all day long. Now the guy that I work with today made a comment to me and he hasn't been working with me long. He said "Pride in our people? How come they don't show it?" I got thinking about things that R&L used to do for their employees, the things they used to give away throughout the company. Where did it all go? Hey guys I know you're trying to save some money, but remind us why we work for you and not the other guys. (I KNOW for a fact you are reading this) <- Reference not meant for the average reader.
When it comes to parts, this is a HUGE issue. Lets take WIL for example. You're waiting for parts from WIL. OKAY lets say in the computers at the shop at NOR (for example) lets say they used 15 wheelbearings in FEB. Okay so WIL will send them 15 bearings. And lets say we've only had 20 bearings at WIL. So we shipped 15 JUST TO fill the numbers at NOR to make the computer happy. Well now we've shut down 7 tractors due to weather change for seals. Lets say we shut down PT9999 for a LFD and a RRD seal. Ok that's 2. We shut down PT9998 for a left steer. That's 1. PT9997 - RRD, PT9996 - LFD... and so forth. Well before you know it we NEED 12 seals. Well we only have 5 because out of 20 we shipped 15 to NOR to make the computer happy. Make since there?
Could we solve this issue? Sure. We'd have to order larger numbers of stock. Does WIL have room for that? HAHAHAHAHAHA NO! Our company has become wayyy toooooo big with the small parts wearhouse we have. I believe that it's time for R&L to make a nice, organized, external warehouse to hold additional parts.
Anyway I just wanted to throw a couple cents in. I know it doesn't mean much I'm still going to get bashed because you will NEVER make a truck driver happy.
Just kick back, relax, and if you help take care of your truck (if your assigned one) or take care of the spares we could keep the fleet up to date. Don't wait 4 weeks to write up something because of your fear of not getting it back. There is no one person to blame. If you eat white castle and you can't get off the toilet, who do you blame? White Castle for cooking, or yourself for shoving 27 sliders into your gut?
Do proper pretrips, and don't take for granted the programs that we do have. Think about this, if your safety lane shuts down a trailer for a wheelseal, and then it gets fixed and it's back on the road within hours. Lets say you decided the bypass the safety lane that day. You leave Monday and get 300 miles out, and oops your LF axle just lost it's wheels because a seal was gone that didn't get caught. Sometimes we forget how good we do have it at times and we forget to tell each other how much we appreciate them.
To the drivers, P&D:
Thank you for picking up the freight that makes the money that pays me everyweek
To the drivers, LH/Teams:
Thank you for moving the freight from terminal to terminal quickly which makes the customer comes back so the P&D guys can keep shipping their freight
To the dock:
Thank you for loading and unloading
To the mechanics (Last but not least):
Thank you for fixing the tractors, trailers, forklifts, pallet jacks, load bars, generators, air compressors, and everything else you fix with the little that you have to fix the stuff so that the other guys can keep moving freight.
I hope everyone has a safe weekend, and thank you for what you do, and I hope you stop today and tell someone thank you.
Remember, relax and go with the flow and you'll be less stressed out I promise.
Okay BASH away lol