nothwithstanding the equipment capabilities as driving 77 mph as far as ABF is concerned is unsafe, the general idea of the company is to expedite linehaul lanes,
meaning the bypassing the breakbulks to a terminal whereas a PSE employee will swap sets
currently in the northeast here is the prime example and it is accomplished with equipment not exceeding 62 mph, previously 59 mph
the PSE guys get paid hourly so there is no rush as for you linehaul guys speed is helpful but how much time are you really looking to shave off the run, 15 -20 minutes? is that extra money really worth it when you could end up in a ditch by rushing around?
winston-salem freight that used to go to carlisle now is taken to avenel nj by roadmen from 051whereas the area terminals send PSE employees with a set destined to winston salem to do a "swap"
this freight never hits the avenel dock except their own freight, as this terminal is just utilized by abf as a STAGING POINT
this practice shaves one day off the service time which without PSE would be a 3 day lane now it is a 2 day lane
wherever the company wishes to implement this type of expedited linehaul i do not believe it will prove to be too difficult:smilie_132: except of course for the break that is bypassed, those roadmen unfortunately lose that work
I think that 77 miles per hour is absolutely ridiculous, 65 or 66 would be plenty fast and really faster than I wish to drive. However, if you analyze the systems of the others, who can accomplish NEXT day 700 mile relays, you'll find that being able to keep the speed up to the legal limit, is imperative. I know that there is added cost, with regard to fuel consumption and the like, but I believe if a cost/reward study was done, you might feel that there may be support for added speed. Additionally, if these tractors were allowed to utilize more POWER that is available, that is, pulling power, be increased, and the "soft cruise" removed, the driver could actually drive the truck. Set up as is, actually hinders reasonable operation of this equipment.
I really don't think it is a matter of more money. To some, it might be, but as far as I am concerned, with all the abusive delays we are forced to endure, 15 to 30 mins per run, could add up to 3 extra hours with a guys family. What PSE and P&D guys sometimes don't understand is that after your shift, you go home.
The ABF system is already set up to take advantage of well thought out relay points, both line haul and PSE, the trouble is that there, since the addition of an extra hour to drive, some idea there that has enticed central dispatch to try to utilize that hour, unsuccessfully. This has thrown the well oiled machine that we once new into convulsions, and causes more delays, although minor, are still delays. There was a time our line haul relay has done with regularity, overnight service from Springfield, MO, to Green Bay. ABQ to Syracuse, NY in 36 hours, punch to punch. Therefore, bypassing the breaks, (road domiciles)has done more damage than benefit.
I think that nuckinfutz has a valid point as do you. However, I believe that a blending in some time in the near future of PSE and line haul, could bring our service to levels never before seen in the transportation industry.
The whole big picture screen needs to change channels back to the working smarter channel, instead of the working harder channel.
