After evaluating participants in the Best Fleets to Drive for Program by the Truckload Carriers Association, we have documented a lot of changes in the industry over its 12-year history. What we’ve learned is that the Best Fleets in the industry continue to innovate, regardless of market conditions. They’re always looking to improve company culture and improve efficiency. That held true again this year.
Here are some of the programs we saw the Top 20 Best Fleets continue to adopt or improve, as well as other interesting findings from the 2020 program.
Improving the shipper-driver experience
Drivers don’t have the patience for shipper delays, nor should they. It costs them money. Ever since the standardization of ELDs, the need for a driver to maximize their hours of service is more important than ever. The Best Fleets understand all this, and we’ve seen a number of them work with their drivers by creating innovative ways to minimize shipper delays. Or, if they are delayed, compensation is increasing, and coming sooner.
Recently, we’ve observed Best Fleets use mobile apps for drivers to enhance transparency between the shipper, driver, and fleet. Many of the apps are designed so that a driver can rate the pickup and delivery experience.
Drivers can review a shipping yards’ amenities, ease of entry/exit, experience working with staff, wait time and other topics that contribute to a driver’s overall experience while awaiting freight. This allows drivers to report back to their fleet with information that can be considered for future planning with that shipper. Maybe even a rate review if needed.
All of this makes it easy for a driver to provide honest feedback about their negative or positive experiences with specific shippers. It’s especially important during this pandemic when facility access may change from day to day.
