Getting Every Minute's Worth

Schneider National Inc., Green Bay, Wis., highlights ways manufacturers can help themselves by helping drivers get the most out of their workdays. "[Customers] are going to have to place a lot higher value on a driver's time when they come into and exit a facility," says Bill Matheson, vice president and general manager, truckload services at Schneider. "Having cleaner freight, using palletized unloading methods or a drop-and-hook configuration can help mitigate [delays]." Another best practice companies can implement: less-rigid appointment times. "If a driver arrives at a destination an hour or two early, they lose those hours in terms of productivity," if the customer won't accept the load, notes Matheson. "That rigidity adds cost to the operation." To help its customers and drivers understand the regulation changes, the company has added a section to its Web site (www.schneider.com/hos.html). The Web site features an hours-of-service tutorial, impact examples of the new rules, frequently asked questions for shippers, consignees and drivers, and U.S. Department of Transportation information. Additionally, the site suggests companies employ their own personnel to handle miscellaneous tasks currently performed by over-the-road drivers.