I'm the only ABF guy in my area. One other LTL has 3 guys, and another has 4 guys. And several others have 2 guys. Go figure.
Sounds like you work @ 184....lol
I'm guessing it's the same company-wide. GROSSLY understaffed no matter what time of year it is.
I can only speak for my terminal & the answer is yes. Every other carrier is saying how slow they are& this company is leaving freight all over the place. One of our biggest customers we have, we left 60 skids on their dock this week (Nbty)
You are speaking of Natures Bounty Vitamins and supplements, correct?Leaving all that sort and segregate freight behind may be a blessing. NTBY was always exempt from assessorial charges when they negotiate with carriers. Always was a loser. Too labor intense to make any profit on it.
We have a large warehouse in my area that requires us to downstack and count the cartons! I've gone in there with pro's that have anywhere from 1200-1900 cartons... 2 1/2 hours AT LEAST!!! Then, start my regular route! We have other distribution warehouses that we deliver to as well, but the one I'm speaking of is a real pain! And like you said, Big R, they are EXEMPT from assessorial charges, which is CRAP in my opinion. A couple years ago I started checking the 'Sort & Segregate' box on our PDA's for this account, and was called on the carpet on it within a week. I told them: "if what we are required to do there ISN'T sort and segregate, then tell me what IS!" I can't stand the way we kiss these accounts' ASS all the time. No backbone whatsoever.
I don't know what it's like on the other end, but it's nice freight when we pick it up. Every carrier out their picks it up or is trying to out bid for this freight....
I remember sometimes, 1 pallet breaking out to 30 skids sorted. But again in 40 years of being around trucking, I blame the company themselves for letting shippers such as these, especially retail dictate who will deliver their freight and in what manner. Let them hire their own people as employees for this.
Used to have a couple of grocery warehouses here with sort and seg. Of course they all want it for nothing but I always check the box for everything I do, residential, inside, ground, sort and seg, etc. I tell them it's my job to check it not my job to argue over who pays for it. With my new attitude it doesn't bother me. I bring a foldable chair and get myself set up to make it as easy on myself as I can (there are tricks to everything). If they're waving the accessorial charges and I work at a pace that won't kill me ABF will make a change, it's not my problem.
I believe you are correct and I wonder how many fall into that category.
That's exactly what the drivers who pick up the Sky Forts, Treadmills and hardwood flooring say when they're punching out at the end of the day.
Had my share of all that you listed, bottom line is my terminal is missing multiple pick ups on a daily basis & nothing is being done about it & that's a problem no matter what kind of freight your picking up....
Maybe your regional sales manager can help you out.
They're gradually bleeding them away. You have a legitimate grievance when some low-level necktie with a clipboard tells you that you MUST stay and wait at the HVXP because some other driver is running late,....or was dispatched late,......and has some freight that goes to your terminal. Because of someone else's screw-up,.....they are costing you money. They would be happier if everyone was paid by the hour.......Then, who cares how long you have to twiddle your thumbs, waiting on freight? They'll put you right to the 14th hour every day, if they could.....
I have never met/seen this person yet, don't even know his name....
Ya really gotta love this place. If they could say the same about us we'd be toast.
I can say one thing the expense account is not being drained like it was with the other guy. Those seafood meals over banko's are not cheap....
Banko's had to reduce staff when the other guy left.
