Streakn1
Veteran Expediter
In the thread "Understanding the load opportunity", Ateam refers to an O/O getting Canadian load offers ( which happened regularly) when his (my) T/T was not legal in Canada, according to Canada's maximum wheelbase length and overall length laws. That is correct. In fact, the Canadian load offers continued up to when we cancelled our lease two months ago (after the "load opportunity" system was already up and running). Since I chose to pull the plug on FECC and move to another carrier I can no longer reply in the FECC forum, so I will do so here.
I (as several not legal for Canada long wheelbase tractors still are) was allowed to lease my 327" wheelbase tractor on with them. They were fully aware that even pulling our 48' reefer (as others still do) we would not be able to go into Canada without purchasing an overlength permit on a run by run basis. Had the carrier offered to do so and the run was profitable (which none were since most were discount auto parts) we surely would have taken the run(s). The carrier did not offer and we were not willing to purchase the permit ourselves. Furthermore, we were told our not being able to go into Canada was not a big issue for them when we leased on, they were more concerned about our payload weight capability, which we fell well into the average weight capacity of the other long wheelbase ER-units leased to this carrier. Also, we were not the lowest on payload weight capacity T/Ts leased on with them since we could carry 39,000lbs winter (carrying required chains) and 40,000 lbs summer. We were told by some of the other ER-units in the fleet that they could only carry 32,000 lbs payload.
Although all of the specifications regarding the size of our equipment,etc, plus additional information stating "Truck not legal for Canada, overlength" was in the computer system, the computer would still pick us for the loads on a regular basis even though we were'nt qualified for the load. Based on the information entered into the computer system, should'nt it have skipped over us as "not matching" the load requirements? Surely we were'nt qualified for the load! It did not, and surely we were'nt the only truck availible in the area every time we were offered these loads.
If since I've left the rules have changed regarding the wheelbase allowance for tractors, I would imagine that when it comes time for several O/O's to replace their current tractors, they will be forced to downsize or leave. So I wonder who will down size and who will leave and go to a carrier that allows long wheelbase tractors. Our leaving has greatly increased our bottom line. Glad we moved!
Disclaimer: No bashing the Fed here. Just stating the facts!
I (as several not legal for Canada long wheelbase tractors still are) was allowed to lease my 327" wheelbase tractor on with them. They were fully aware that even pulling our 48' reefer (as others still do) we would not be able to go into Canada without purchasing an overlength permit on a run by run basis. Had the carrier offered to do so and the run was profitable (which none were since most were discount auto parts) we surely would have taken the run(s). The carrier did not offer and we were not willing to purchase the permit ourselves. Furthermore, we were told our not being able to go into Canada was not a big issue for them when we leased on, they were more concerned about our payload weight capability, which we fell well into the average weight capacity of the other long wheelbase ER-units leased to this carrier. Also, we were not the lowest on payload weight capacity T/Ts leased on with them since we could carry 39,000lbs winter (carrying required chains) and 40,000 lbs summer. We were told by some of the other ER-units in the fleet that they could only carry 32,000 lbs payload.
Although all of the specifications regarding the size of our equipment,etc, plus additional information stating "Truck not legal for Canada, overlength" was in the computer system, the computer would still pick us for the loads on a regular basis even though we were'nt qualified for the load. Based on the information entered into the computer system, should'nt it have skipped over us as "not matching" the load requirements? Surely we were'nt qualified for the load! It did not, and surely we were'nt the only truck availible in the area every time we were offered these loads.
If since I've left the rules have changed regarding the wheelbase allowance for tractors, I would imagine that when it comes time for several O/O's to replace their current tractors, they will be forced to downsize or leave. So I wonder who will down size and who will leave and go to a carrier that allows long wheelbase tractors. Our leaving has greatly increased our bottom line. Glad we moved!
Disclaimer: No bashing the Fed here. Just stating the facts!
Last edited: