Tag Archives: trucking

Hotshot Trucking Tips

Hotshot Tips for drivers.


~If you fail to plan then plan to fail.~

These tips are for new Hotshot truckers or ones looking to streamline finding loads. Good luck!
DO!
-Look for loads that match your equipment, i.e., trailer type, length, weight, width, and date you want you to load. It makes it easier to find matching loads. *Just because a load matches to you doesn’t mean a customer will load a Hotshot. **Please note: A lot don’t load trailers that are not dock high.**


-Get qualified/set up with as many brokers as possible. Doing this will ensure there are no delays in you taking a load. Just because you see a matching load doesn’t mean the agent will hold the load while you get set up. Most will not due to the volume of carriers who never finish the packets and now they have to scramble and find someone else to cover the customer’s load.


-Carry tarps, chains, straps, and PPE.


-Understand and abide by all broker and customer expectations. If you can’t then don’t accept the load.


-Keep in contact with the agent and or broker. Turn in clear copies of Rate Con, BOL/POD, and whatever other required paperwork, promptly, to ensure you get paid.

EX: Load search on Landstar load board, which is free!



Speaking of Free…below are a few more boards that are free:
Free load boards:
Landstar
Trucker Path
Load Up (junk removal)
Freight Finder
Nextload


**I do not endorse any of the above-listed companies, I do, however, utilize a few. **


~There’s no crying in Trucking. Either you’re All In or All Out.~

DON’T
-Think you know better than the place you’re calling for the load. If they tell you they don’t see or can’t find the load, 9 times out of 10 it is because YOU are giving the wrong info, like pickup date, trailer type, Hazardous, etc. If the broker agent tells you they can’t find it either check the info you entered or ask if they have something else coming out of your area. BE POLITE, the people answering the phones get paid to help YOU. We want you to be successful as we understand every load depends on YOU maintaining your livelihood.


-Overbook loads because at best you look eager to work and at worst you’ll have to give back loads. This will get you on the DO NOT USE list quick dealing with brokers/agents because you seem unreliable. Brokers keep notes on carriers so if you have an ugly note other agencies under that broker will see it and not use you.


-Turn down a decent paying load because it has a lot of stops. Also, don’t do something that will be detrimental to your current situation either.


Need more help?
Email me!
4kidz4jobz@gmail.com


DispatcHER
A 4DGIRLZ Company


Dispatching w/ DispatcHER 🚛💨

Hello, I’m Sharmyn. I wanted to talk about truck dispatching and give some tips as I have been working in the trucking industry for a total of 11 years.

In order to be a dispatcher, you need to have thick skin and be ready for the unexpected at any given time. Examples are truck breaks down, trailer lights go out, problems with the load or it cancels, or pay is not right, to name a few. Losing your cool in these situations will only harm your health and potentially cost you a carrier and/or customer. Possibly your job, so breathe and always have a backup plan.

Next, when you are looking for loads for your drivers, it’s best if you know what type of load your driver will take and if he has all the right equipment to do the job. There is nothing worse than sending a driver 150 miles or more, only for him to be turned away. The driver is pissed and the customer may not give you another chance to load at their facility.

Searching loads can be grueling and time-consuming. It involves a lot of phone calls and looking through load boards. This task is made easier if you know what equipment you’re working with, what type of load you want, and if you’re set up with the company you are calling. Furthermore, it will make booking the load easier. If you don’t know the type of equipment, you have to call and ask the driver. Don’t know if the driver wants to haul lumber or shingles, you have to call and ask. Not set up with the company, may need to get qualified which takes time and booking agent may take you off the load due to that. The moral is to BE PREPARED OR RISK LOSING OUT ON THE LOAD.

Alright, everything has worked out in our favor and now we have the load! Make sure you read the rate con THOROUGHLY and verify the pay, miles, commodity whatever was agreed upon is on it before signing and sending it back. This is a binding contract so if they changed anything your signature agrees to the changes. Make sure you comply with any notes put on it like, call when loaded and empty, tarping and/or strapping, pre calls, etc.

These are just some basic tips. My next post will dive a little deeper into certain subjects regarding dispatching and drivers.

If you found this helpful please follow me. If you have questions contact me on IG @4kidz4jobz or email me @ 4kidz4jobz@gmail.com

Be blessed and be safe!