$650k In Lobster Tails Missing From Load

Always look at the BOL. The load is our responsibility once we sign for it. If there is ever a question as to what exactly that means; ask us or ask your Driver Leader. And don’t arbitrarily break the seal, not the driver’s call unless asked to-do so specifically by a LEO.

If the BOL states a 40,000lb load...rule of thumb, it should be scaled. Even so, a brand new driver can easily tell the difference between a 40k lading and a near empty trailer.

That makes me wonder if it was "an inside job"? And, I cannot believe the plastic seal did not foil the thieves!

At U.S. Xpress we have what are known as high value loads. The driver must call and speak with a fleet manager (dispatcher) for verbal instructions before moving the load. They tell you that you must drive X amount of miles before stopping and tell you you can't stop at certain locations, etc. Do other companies have similar rules for high value loads?

Schneider does but not for all high value loads, I did a high value load for FedEx where I had to call in and discuss certain steps, and what to do in case something goes wrong such as someone breaking into the trailer, bring followed, etc.

Always look at the BOL.

This is important, I always look at the bills but today made an error and didn't notice it until after I signed and left. At the bottom of the bills it asked who counted the freight, and they put the driver counted it although I wasn't allowed in the warehouse and they sealed the trailer after I pulled away from the dock a few feet.

I am always amazed at how many unlocked trailers i see on the road and at truck stops. Swift requires a specific lock, and it is to be used on all trailers. Loaded and MT.

The high value loads should have a bolt seal....

Yes, and a number of shippers have specific procedures. I picked up some TVs not long ago...a security car from the place followed me to the highway.

Typically, high theft target shipments require driving at least 200 hundred miles before stopping, bolt seals, and restricted park/drop locations. I've experienced this with electronics and pharmaceuticals.

At U.S. Xpress we have what are known as high value loads. The driver must call and speak with a fleet manager (dispatcher) for verbal instructions before moving the load. They tell you that you must drive X amount of miles before stopping and tell you you can't stop at certain locations, etc. Do other companies have similar rules for high value loads?

A longer news story also said that the driver showed up a day late and was seen parked somewhere for a while with a personal SUV, and that he was uncooperative. So....

This is why carriers are so strict. 20 pallets of product goes missing from the trailer and the driver didnt notice?

He is either a thief or stupid.

For those of you who haven't driven yet, a driver should know how much their empty truck and trailer weighs. When you get bills that say 40,000 pounds of product and the truck only weighs a total of 45k pounds, something is wrong. i recently picked up a trailer from our drop yard. The bills said 2900 pounds. We were on the scale that said 77k. That meant I was 40k pounds over what the bills said. Turned out I wasn't given all of the bills.

Good drivers take the time to learn and pay attention to bills and weights. Stupid ones just sign bills and drive. I would love to hear how he is going to try to defend this.

They didnt say anything about the seal either.

There was a seal? Maybe he ate the lobsters.