Post - Covid vacation - driver shortage

[tasuinam]

Is anyone else experiencing this - we have drivers who have been with us prior to Covid and we work well together. However they had put vacation and wedding plans on hold... now we have 5 drivers ( 2 getting married, one's sister getting married, two need to visit home as haven't been in 3 years to see parents and family) going all at once...
What is a small company to do - cannot stop people from getting married - well that's another discussion

 

[Igor Galanter]

Use driver service, if you can

 

[NotForHire]

Is anyone else experiencing this - we have drivers who have been with us prior to Covid and we work well together. However they had put vacation and wedding plans on hold... now we have 5 drivers ( 2 getting married, one's sister getting married, two need to visit home as haven't been in 3 years to see parents and family) going all at once...
What is a small company to do - cannot stop people from getting married - well that's another discussion

or just post your trailer as power only or broker the whole thing out if the customer allows

 

[tasuinam]

Use driver service, if you can

is there a company you know of?

 

[tasuinam]

or just post your trailer as power only or broker the whole thing out if the customer allows

might look into brokering - apparently we have all the insurance and bond requirements - just need to get the authority

 

[loaders]

might look into brokering - apparently we have all the insurance and bond requirements - just need to get the authority

I would find it strange for a carrier, or anyone for that matter, to have a 75K surety bond in place if they were not already brokering freight. I mean I suppose stranger things have happened, but you might want to double check your bond status as it pertains to freight brokerage.

 

[tasuinam]

I would find it strange for a carrier, or anyone for that matter, to have a 75K surety bond in place if they were not already brokering freight. I mean I suppose stranger things have happened, but you might want to double check your bond status as it pertains to freight brokerage.

Checked with our Insurance broker and he said we are good - I will double check for that specifically just to be sure

 

[loaders]

All I am trying to say is, if you are not already brokering freight, there would be no need for you to have a 75K surety bond registered with FMCSA. Even with regular insurance, some brokers (insurance) are not really all that familiar with the specific requirements of a freight broker versus a carrier. Just be sure the advice you’re getting is knowledgeable and correct. Good luck!

 

[Igor Galanter]

is there a company you know of?

I haven't deal with any, but I know they are exist..
There was one at Manitoulin terminal on Shawson rd in Mississauga, ON..

 

[lowmiler88]

Any time we looked at a driver service going to the US it was insanely expensive and really not worth it. Brokering is probably the best option.

 

[TRKINSURE]

All I am trying to say is, if you are not already brokering freight, there would be no need for you to have a 75K surety bond registered with FMCSA. Even with regular insurance, some brokers (insurance) are not really all that familiar with the specific requirements of a freight broker versus a carrier. Just be sure the advice you’re getting is knowledgeable and correct. Good luck!

I agree loaders. First thing I thought of when I saw the prior post. Insruance broker is probably guessing that you’re good to go. The US broker bond is really in place for only 1 purpose and that’s to broker freight into/out of the US.
you can buy your bond from Intact/GCNA for $3,000 USD or call Peter Suess Transportation Consultants, they have a deal with a US broker for the BMC84 Trust Account which is less expensive and less scrutinized from a. Underwriting standpoint.

 

[tasuinam]

I agree loaders. First thing I thought of when I saw the prior post. Insruance broker is probably guessing that you’re good to go. The US broker bond is really in place for only 1 purpose and that’s to broker freight into/out of the US.
you can buy your bond from Intact/GCNA for $3,000 USD or call Peter Suess Transportation Consultants, they have a deal with a US broker for the BMC84 Trust Account which is less expensive and less scrutinized from a. Underwriting standpoint.

Thank you - we have never brokered freight as we have not been set up for it - currently rethinking options