ExpeditersOnline.com The Expedited Freight Information Center

great ideal but to get the real feeling about the road and dispatch you should go under cover

I commend the ceo and cio of panther for wanting to learn what it's like out there,however, if they want the complete picture, why a sprinter? Why not a straight truck or tractor trailer,where they would also learn about log books,weigh stations,trying to find a place to park, hours of service,etc. I also wonder why only a week.Most of the expediting carriers prefer you stay out 3 to 4 weeks at a time. Don't get me wrong,I think they have the right idea,but seriously,do you really think they will be "showering and sleeping at a truckstop"? (more like the nearest Hilton or Holiday Inn)If it's a learning experience you want "Go big or stay home"

GREAT IDEAL,BUT I AGREE WITH THE DRIVER THAT SAID DRIVE A BIG TRUCK,DRIVING A SPRINTER WOULD BE LIKE A VACATION TO US. I SAY IF YOU CAN'T RUN WITH THE BIG DOGS STAY ON THE PORCH!

I commend you on what your doing by going out on the road to experince what your drivers do. But in order to get the full effect of what a daily over the road driver go's through you must spend way more then a week out there.then and only then will you understand the daily struggle a over the road driver.what it's realy like waiting on a load or waiting on your dispatcher heck just wait at doc's to be loaded or unloaded for hours not to mention the time spent away from your loved one's and not noing when you'll be able to get home for a couple of days after you've done this for a whole month then and only then will you understand please let me no what you think about what i have said here just so i no you got this thank you so much for your time have a good trip

I really think it is a great ideal for the two go out there. But the other drivers r right, u need to stay in a trk for more than a week. Everyone knows that there is going to be favorite dispatch for these two.They should drive a stright trk or a big trk and really know what driving is all about. Get treated like an idoit like general dispatch treats alot of there drivers, and get passed on dispatch, or told it doesnt pay ur rated but u need the money right. Leave the credit cards at home and bank card and live off pod like everyone else who just starts with panther. And one driver said try to get a parking at a trk stop at night to sleep, that will really be fun.

Nice I do it all the time from a cargo van to a semi I have a class a cdl too.I make sure the other drivers get a load first befor me.Try a truck under cdl if you do not have a cdl.Good luck be safe and have fun.

I agree, this is a great idea but undercover. No dispatcher will treat them like any other driver. As a panther driver, I am glad to see this but would like a more realistic feel than a "KNOWN" CEO will get. We have some awesome dispatchers but like any group we have some bad apples as well. Perhaps our frustrations would be understood if these two had to deal with those.

Maybe these guys do not have a cdl. As has been mentioned, a real life experience must include logging. Trying to "legally" run a load after waiting five hours at a shipper. Or getting to a consignee who says "you don't have an appointment to unload, come back tomorrow". I got to give them credit for trying. We will never see Landstar's Henry Gerkin driving a truck like these guys are doing!!

I am very impressed with the efforts to gather more information. I understand that you would be in the cargo van instead of the straight or tractor assuming no CDL, wondering what the ratio of vans are in comparison to straight/tractors. Also, it would be interesting if the offers, acceptance, refusals and rates would be made public to the fleet. This would be a true / accurate picture of whether or not this team gets preferential treatment during this experience since the above states that dispatchers are aware that you are heading out. Looking forward to learning how the week turns out. Good luck & drive safe!

I think if these guys are sincere about wanting to learn what it's like on the road,from a driver's perspective,they should find a 3rd management person,then pick a driver from each division(van,straight truck,tractor trailer)and ride with that driver for a minimum of 4 weeks.This should be done without the dispatchers knowing which drivers they are riding with.During this time they should keep a journal of their activities and any negative incidents that may (and surely would) happen.Then at the end of the 4 weeks they could all 3 meet in one of their plush offices and go over their journals and discuss their "Experience" with each other. Then,so the charity wouldn't be left out,they should donate their salaries,for the month,to Toys for Tots. I'm sure that would amount to more than they would make in a sprinter for a week. As I see it, this plan has only one major drawback. What driver wants an exec riding with him/her for a month? Just a thought.

I 'bout feel out my sleeper when I read this. I wish the cheif executive officer at my company would drive just ONE DAY with our dispatchers!!!!! RIGHT ON PANATHER! Seems some bosses care. WHats there phone number???

Ray
Southbound Hammer down

getting a feel for what it's like is commendable, but for them to get a real feel, let them be out for 2 weeks, taking just one week's pay with them and not touch bank accounts, let them live for that time on what drivers make.