Want to avoid carrier hell? Don't make 'em dwell!

Shippers, want to please the carriers in your life? Don't keep 'em waiting!

According to a survey of 75 truck carriers released today by third-party logistics provider Transplace, 97 percent of carriers said driver dwell times at docks and terminals was an "important" or "critical" factor in determining the preference status of a shipper. Looking at it inversely, 65 percent said "in-transit" delays were a "major" factor in weighing if a shipper should receive preferential status.

Paying early and often helps, too. Payment terms and average length of time until payment was also a key area for many carriers with 63 percent ranking it as a "major factor" and 36 percent considering it "important but not critical." Carriers considered 30-day net payment terms to be acceptable; however, paying in less than 30 days would "really differentiate a shipper," Dallas-based Transplace said in a statement accompanying the survey results.

Shippers who provide driver-friendly facilities, who take the time to understand a carrier's cost issues, and who work diligently with their carriers to manage them also scored high on the preference list, Transplace said.