Detention On Full Truckloads - Advice for Shippers

What is a Layover in Trucking?

A layover in trucking is when a driver has to stop for an extended period of time, usually overnight, to comply with hours of service regulations. Layovers can occur for a variety of reasons, including bad weather, traffic delays, or waiting to be loaded or unloaded.

Layovers can be costly for trucking companies, since they often have to pay for the driver's hotel and meals. They can also be disruptive for drivers, who may have to find their own lodging and food options. Some large freight shipping companies offer per diem payments to help offset these costs.

Layovers can often be frustrating for drivers as they can add significant delays to their overall travel time. However, there are ways to make the most of a layover and use the time effectively. Here are some tips:

• Plan your route in advance: This will help you avoid any unnecessary delays and make the most efficient use of your time.
• Check for traffic updates: Before getting on the road, check for traffic updates to see if there are any delays or accidents that could slow you down.
• Make sure your vehicle is in good condition: Before starting your journey, make sure your vehicle is in good condition and all the necessary maintenance has been done. This will help avoid any breakdowns or unexpected delays.
• Bring along some entertainment: Layovers can be long and boring, so it's important to bring along some form of entertainment. This could be a book, music, or even a portable game console.
• Take advantage of rest areas: If you're feeling tired, make use of the rest area facilities to take a nap or simply relax for a while. This will help you stay refreshed and focused for the remainder of your journey.

The shipper’s perspective on detention and why they don’t want to pay detention fee was recently summed up by an email I received from an unhappy client who posed the following:

He has a point, although it is based on several misunderstandings.

Few Facts to Remember:

#1. Freight Brokers do not own these trucks. For example, when you book on Expedia and are charged an extra luggage fee, you get mad at the airline, not at Expedia. Similarly, shippers should not get furious at their freight broker for applying the detention fees. Freight brokers cannot provide shippers with great pricing and service without being indemnified for the extra charges imposed by the carriers.

#2. The spot market works on the assumption that after two hours of waiting, if the carrier was on time, they are entitled to charge detention. Period. It is a very standard contract term. It is reasonable. Carriers and drivers cannot, without compensation, hang out very long getting loaded or unloaded, and stay in business. They also deserve compensation for their time and equipment being out of service. Detention is part of the Broker-Carrier contract and is in every Trucker Tariff. If you sign an agreement with any broker, online or otherwise, you (the shipper) are subject to the Trucker Tariffs and various Accessorial Price Agreements of the Full Truckload or Volume truckers, if that is what you booked. It is unethical not to pay drivers and carriers reasonable detention and other charges IF the carrier was early or on time for the appointment UNLESS special exceptions were carved out in advance with the carrier.

#3. The shipper’s expectation of compensation due to a truck not showing up and the consequent downtime with per-hour labor the shipper is paying is, strictly speaking, a feature of and risk to the shipper’s business and not to the carrier’s or to the broker. All carrier tariffs and the agreement with the freight broker usually will clearly say that “we are not liable for the damage to your business due to late deliveries, missed pickups, etc”.

Proposed Solutions:

A shipper can contractually get the carrier to accept that liability or perhaps some defined penalties for lack of performance, including missed pickups, but the shipper needs to state this upfront and modify the contracts and agreements with their freight brokers or carriers. The shipper needs to be proactive and do this in writing in advance. These new contract terms might reduce the pool of available carriers to you, and it might raise your prices, but it might not also it will depend on the specifics.  The increased costs for more reliable on-time truckers might be greater than the labor savings and hassle savings.

To answer the question of “Who pays for other trucking companies' detention when I am late because Carrier A showed up late on the first appointment slot?” or something close to that – again, such a negative cascading effect on the shipper’s loading plans for the day is for the shipper to manage.

A solution is when the first driver is late – say he is a half hour late – you agree to load him but you make the broker make the carrier sign an Addendum to the Load Confirmation that the carrier foregoes any possibility of charging you or the broker detention, and any resultant layover charges as well, and that you reserve the right to load him in an intermitted fashion between other carriers who show up on time for their appointments during the day – so you kick him off the dock when the other trucker’s show up – and you bring that late truck who has agreed to the Addendum back between the other “on-time” trucks. I also would make sure the driver understood the arrangement, I’d make sure the Broker called them - without the driver's agreement it makes for a miserable day obviously and no one needs drama.

Detention, missed pickups, and layover charges are real cost killers – but they can be reduced drastically if managed properly.