CVs only: questions when signing on
- Thread starter AMonger
- Start date
You might want to ask "If I move my van to stay in the shade do I lose my place in line"
Jack_Berry
Moderator Emeritus
might help to tell us what you asked the first time and we can add after we see the list.......but with certain large fleet carriers that above question could be relevant.
AMonger
Veteran Expediter
Well, we didn't ask anything. We were entering into an arrangement with a guy we had worked with in the past, so we essentially knew the deal. I don't know what my fleet owner asked, other than rates and such. But I'm the one doing the asking now, asking around other carriers, then taking the list of the good ones to my owner.
Dakota
Veteran Expediter
You might want to ask "If I move my van to stay in the shade do I lose my place in line"
That is a good question actually, because what if you wanted to go down the street to do a little shopping or to go to eat. Vans have certain freedoms of being able to park anywhere and it would be spoiled by having to sit in one spot the whole time.
AMonger
Veteran Expediter
We won't be signing on with any carrier that uses a Qualcomm or similar, so that won't be a problem. We're looking for smaller companies that conduct business by phone.
I used to be with one of the big boys who used a QC. The day went by without a load offer, and I was near Chicago at the time (this was before the economic slowdown, too). I called in to make sure I was in service, and they said I hadn't been dispatched because I had no hours left. "I got my hours back early this morning!" I protested. I had been pinging between multiple spots, even though I was stationary the whole time. Safety had to override the satellite info to show I had hours. Lost a day that time.
Anyway, in a CV now, no HOS, and no satellite.
DannyD
Veteran Expediter
I wouldn't rule out all satellite. I used to hate em too. I still think QC is expensive for what ya get. That's an opinion not everyone shares, but I agree w/ you on QC.
Some companies though, will let ya use Sprint/Nextel GPS. That's only $15/month & well worth it. The first run I got cuz of having that thing was like a $500 run that I wouldn't have gotten w/out that GPS. So right there the thing paid for itself for like 30 months.
To my knowledge Load 1 uses that system as does Metro Parcel & Freight out of Sterling Heights, Michigan. Their drivers can chime in if they think it's a good set up or not.
Some companies though, will let ya use Sprint/Nextel GPS. That's only $15/month & well worth it. The first run I got cuz of having that thing was like a $500 run that I wouldn't have gotten w/out that GPS. So right there the thing paid for itself for like 30 months.
To my knowledge Load 1 uses that system as does Metro Parcel & Freight out of Sterling Heights, Michigan. Their drivers can chime in if they think it's a good set up or not.
AMonger
Veteran Expediter
I'm not ruling out a phone-based system. But we'll be signing on with multiple companies, so we don't want an actual Qualcomm or People net or whatever they're called.