[Detmike208]

Being relatively new at Panther (Feb 08) my wife and I have avoided backhauls like the plague....mostly because we have no idea what we're doing when it comes to booking our own work.
Anyway...last month, after a fantastic week (3600 miles) we capped it off with a trip to Victoria Island, BC which added some 2500 miles onto our total. What we didn't know was how badly this would place us in terms of getting a load back. In fairness, Panther sent us load after load of possibilities for a backhaul.....which we just ignored or for lack of a better reason, turned down. After 6 days, with no run, we finally accepted a backhaul that would pay us (after Panther's cut) 935 dollars to go to Indianapolis. Bad, granted.
So, I accept the load, make my own arrangements and we're off. First of all, at the shipper, we're held up some extra 2 hours because of a quarantine issue regarding China. Then, the original 10 skids, 5,000 lbs became 15 skids, 7500 lbs. Not wanting to rock the boat (or not knowing any better) we said, fine, let's just go . Then, we we arrived at the consignee, we found out that we would have to hand unload 465 pieces. We did it and realized that there was noboby to blame but us for not asking the correct questions in the first place. So, here's my question....we have avoided multiple load backhauls due to my fear of not being able to book all the loads I'd need to make any money and being stuck with just one load that wouldn't come close to paying just for my fuel.....why don't we recieve any training regarding backhauls during orientation? I remember the speakers discussing backhauls, but merely to the effect that they exist and are a potential way to avoid sitting in a bad area....I did speak with the backhaul people after this load and I was basically told that I need to ask the proper questions prior to taking the load to protect myself. Fair enough....but man, that was one tough lesson. In fairness, Panther obviously works very hard to provide potential backhauls....but, booking loads in ignorance serves no one well. I'd be interested to find out how some of you experienced drivers deal with backhauls. I am most appreciative of any advice you may provide.

[LDB]

The operator is the CSR and the dispatcher when it comes to backhauls. It is up to you to obtain all the information you will need to 1. know whether you want to do the load and 2. how to successfully complete it if you do take it. You negotiate everything yourself. Once that's done you call Panther and notify them of the shipper and terms. They will call and confirm. You'll be sent the load via qc and deal with it like any other load at that point. Panther will call with or send via qc backhaul 'suspects' for you to call. You can also use their login for getloaded.com to look on your own as well. You can take as much as your truck will legally carry. Sometimes you can get at least 2 of them going to the same general area and combined they'll pay a reasonable amount for getting back to the lanes. Good luck.

[davekc]

You were advised correctly in that you do need to ask many questions.
The initial ones would be the weight and dimensions. One has to make sure that it fits your truck.
Know exactly what the load is.
Why? Because you need to know that the load is covered by insurance. (what is the value of the load)
If it is any type of food or perishable item you must know whether a lumper fee would be involved. If so, I have it noted that the broker pays all extra costs. Same with anything that is a hand unload or blanket wrap. We also confirm delivery on both ends before the load ever gets on the truck. The eliminates any type of surprises.
Fear of the unknown is what keeps most from going down this path. We broker a fair amount of loads and like anything, it gets better and easier as time goes along and you develop relationships with different brokers and 3PL's. Some of the best loads are never on a broker board.
Feel free to PM me if you have a question

[Detmike208]

thanks guys....for your very informative replies....my immediate question, and one that I neglected to ask in my original posting is ......when you book 2 or more backhaul loads, in order to maximize your profits, what happens if , after booking one, the other two have been taken or turn out to be something you can't do....now you're stuck with one of your potential 3 loads and losing considerable money because you've agreed to take this first load (based on all 3 coming thru).....this is my greatest fear regarding backhauls.....thanks again for your advice, I read both of your postings and have learned more from you guys than you can imagine.

Mike and Deb

[LDB]

you call a and come to terms that allow you to do it then tell them you must get approval from panther and will call them back asap. you call b and do the same. you call c and do the same if there's a 3rd. you do not call panther after each call. that is just your reason for not committing to the load at that moment. when you have agreeable arrangements with them all then you call back to make sure they haven't placed the load elsewhere. tell a it looks good and you'll have the final answer in 5 minutes, please hold the load. tell b it looks good and you'll have the final answer in 3 minutes, please hold the load. tell c you'll take it then call a back and say yes and then b. after that you call panther with all the details. that's the most foolproof way I can think of to secure them and not be stuck with just one.

[davekc]

Originally Posted by Detmike208

thanks guys....for your very informative replies....my immediate question, and one that I neglected to ask in my original posting is ......when you book 2 or more backhaul loads, in order to maximize your profits, what happens if , after booking one, the other two have been taken or turn out to be something you can't do....now you're stuck with one of your potential 3 loads and losing considerable money because you've agreed to take this first load (based on all 3 coming thru).....this is my greatest fear regarding backhauls.....thanks again for your advice, I read both of your postings and have learned more from you guys than you can imagine.

Mike and Deb

Everyone likely has their own way of doing things, but this is generally what I do. If we are to do two shipments, I book them from the same broker or right from the same area. Laredo would come to mind. If one cancels or someone else gets it, you are likely five miles or less from the replacement load.
I usually book the first at the needed rate so the second is basically a gravy run.
The other way is to go on one of the boards and do a seach by lane.
This would be a option if for example you are in Denver (not the land of 1000 loads) and book something to say Columbus, Oh I would try to book one from there, and when I lane it out, I may find another load along the way like in KC. What I am doing is looking for opportunites along I 70 that are going east.
Keep in mind we don't really do this too often. In the majority of cases I can get our required rate on one load.
Hope that helps

[Scuba]

Transportation act of 1980 says if the driver is to be required to unload or pay someone to unload he "must" be notified before the driver accepts the load. If they leave the info out no way in the world would i unload the freight period i would take it to a warehouse and store it first. I had this happen years ago when i was leased to crst ooida made the calls found me warehouse space i paid to have it unloaded and when i recived my money to include what i paid to unload it i released the freight to another carrier to make the delivery. You have to stand up for your rights no one else will do it for you. Even if you fail to ask by law they must tell you in advance if you have to unload or pay someone to unload you.