Shipper Abuses Wearing Thin

LAS VEGAS — Delays and mistreatment of drivers at loading docks are forcing several trucking executives to consider discontinuing service to some shippers and locations.

A roundtable discussion at the Truckload Carriers Assocation convention touched on the problems in the wake of preliminary findings of a study released by the group.

The survey showed drivers for dry van fleets spent almost 11 hours less time waiting to load and unload than their refrigerated fleet counterparts. The initial results show that dry van fleet drivers wait an average of 33.5 hours a week. In a 1998 study, refrigerated fleet drivers were found to wait an average of 44 hours a week.

Martin Labbe, president of Martin Labbe Associates of Ormond Beach, Fla., and the author of both studies, cautioned against making comparisons until the full study is completed in a few months.

However, trucking executives said a shortage of qualified drivers is forcing them to take a hard look at whether to continue serving some locations where truckers are frequently delayed or mistreated at loading docks.

Richard Durst of Arctic Express in Hilliard, Ohio, said he stopped serving IBP Inc. because of the meat packer’s poor record and its refusal to change loading and unloading policies.

However, not all companies are that bad, Durst said.

Consumer products giant Procter & Gamble offers $50 million in discounts to carriers that unload its products within two hours. Kraft also has incentives for receivers to get freight unloaded quickly, he said.

For the full story, see the March 22 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.