At Keller Trucking, we are committed to dependable service for our customers. In the trucking industry, we face many issues that can make that commitment a challenge. One of these issues is driver detention, or how long a driver must wait to have freight loaded or unloaded.
Driver detention can result in problems for everyone involved in the supply chain process, from delivery delays and unexpected detention fees, to impacting a driver’s ability to meet federal Hours of Service (HOS) safety requirements.
What can we do to reduce driver detention and get products from one place to another on-time and without added expense? Here are five suggestions.
- Contracts between carriers and shippers/receivers can include a driver detention clause outlining a detention pay agreement. The goal of these agreements, rather than just collect more detention pay, should be to increase shipper efficiency. Recently, Overdrive presented an argument for $64 per hour for detention pay.
- By implementing a transportation management system (TMS), shippers can schedule delivery appointments with carriers. A TMS will allow for clear standard operating procedures for carriers as well as providing data to manage potential driver detention causing issues like over-scheduling and facility or personnel limitations.
- When setting delivery appointments, if possible, plan for extra time for live loads and unloads if it is a container that can take longer than normal. That can help everyone plan and the shipper to be aware of any extra driver delivery fees.
- Drivers should plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before the appointment time to be ready to load or unload. They can also contact the shipper facility in advance to find out the busiest times for docks to avoid them if possible and find out if they are required or allowed to help to speed up the process.
- One of the easiest and most efficient ways to reduce driver detention is through open and transparent communication between carriers and shippers. If there seems to be a problem facility, talking through where the breakdown occurs can solve many of these expensive issues.
By working together, the trucking industry can combat the crippling issue of driver detention in a way that remains fair for shipping customers, carriers and our drivers.
Find out how Keller increases on-time deliveries and reduces driver detention for our customers.
