Proper carrier selection may be one of the most important tasks for Freight Agents to keep their business safe.

I remember the first time I dispatched a driver to pick up a shipment thinking, “Wait, I just met this carrier for the first time. I’ve sent their driver to pick up a shipment for one of our top customers.”

Needless to say, I made about 10 calls to the driver, carrier, and shipper to verify everything was legit. It still boggles my mind to think that a shipper, whom I have never met, will entrust thousands of dollars in THEIR freight to a company that will then send a driver, whom they may have never met, to haul it away.

This scenario happens thousands of times daily across the U.S. and the world. Most of the time, everyone involved does what they say they will do correctly. But there are times, albeit very rarely, when one of the parties is involved for the wrong reason.

First, let me say Trinity Logistics and other logistics companies in our space get the chance to work with great carriers each day. Yet, there are still some bad actors out there. They want to involve themselves in our industry and do things the wrong way, often at the expense of hard-working and trustworthy carriers and Freight Agents.

So, Freight Agents, what can you do to protect your small business and the business of your customer, when arranging shipments with carriers? This is where having a carrier selection process is key to best serving your customer and mitigating any risk. Here are some items you should verify every time you arrange a shipment with a carrier to ensure its success.

CARRIER SELECTION PROCESS

Always Ask This Question

“What’s the name on the side of your truck?”

While this seems like a simple question, it’s the number one question that can identify a potential double-brokering situation. Now, there will be times when the name on the side of the truck doesn’t match the carrier with whom you booked the load. Leased-on drivers are a great example of this.

What do you do if the answer to this question is different from what you expected?

Well, it gives you the opportunity to ask follow-up questions to investigate. It’s far better to find out this information before versus after the shipment has been picked up. I‘ve also heard of some requiring the driver to text a picture of the side of the truck door for added assurance.

Does it Match?

Does the email and phone number match what is registered with FMCSA?

Again, there may be legitimate reasons for the phone number or email not matching the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) website. Maybe the carrier’s contact information has recently changed for valid reasons. Perhaps it’s an owner-operator that registered with their home or office phone number but is on the road and calls from their cell phone.

In any event, it gives you a reason to pause and ask more questions to ensure you have confidence that this is the actual carrier with whom you trust to handle your customer’s freight.

Other Carrier Selection Vetting Freight Agents Should Consider

What about the stuff you can’t see by looking at the FMCSA website?

You can quickly see things like liability insurance coverage or a carrier’s operating authority history on the FMCSA website. But what about referrals – good or bad – from other logistics companies?

Luckily there are tools available to see beyond the information reported by the FMCSA. There are platforms like CarrierWatch, Carrier 411, or Highway that provide a glimpse into any skeletons that may be hiding in the closet. It’s important to note that these are pay-to-play platforms. Freight Agents that choose to partner with an experienced logistics company, like Trinity Logistics, have access to a Carrier Compliance Team that continuously monitors these comments to protect you and your customer’s best interests.

FREIGHT AGENTS, DON’T OVERLOOK YOUR CARRIER SELECTION

Carrier selection is important as you are placing your trust in them to meet your customer’s shipment needs. Doing a little bit of homework and, when necessary, trusting your gut with your carrier selection, will save you future headaches and, ultimately, protect your Freight Agent business.

TRUST OUR QUALIFIED CARRIER RELATIONSHIPS

We’re here to help your Freight Agent business succeed all around, and that includes your carrier selection. Safety and exceptional service are our highest priority, and so our Carrier Compliance Team takes care of our rigorous carrier vetting to verify that the carrier you select is qualified and experienced.

With our People-Centric Team and best-in-class technology applications at the ready, Freight Agents working with Trinity Logistics can spend less time on back-end tasks like carrier selection and more time growing their business.

Go ahead and choose to get in touch with a Trinity Freight Agent Representative today so you can start receiving world-class support to get ahead of your competition. Call 800-846-3400 x 1908 or click the button below to begin your conversation with Trinity.

Trinity Logistics is proud to announce its earned spot on Transport Topics’ 2022 Top Freight Brokerage Firms List for a 20^th consecutive year. Trinity earned spot 22 on this list of 100 top freight brokerages. Companies are ranked based on gross revenue, so it means a lot to Team Trinity to see such a high ranking, showcasing the impact we’ve been able to make on the lives of customers and carriers within supply chains. 

“This ranking continues to show Trinity’s strength and determination on serving our shipper and carrier customers with our customized logistics solutions,” says Sarah Ruffcorn, President of Trinity Logistics. “Team Trinity works hard to continue to grow and strengthen our shipper and carrier relationships, to simplify logistics, and ultimately, to provide an excellent Trinity experience. Earning this recognition continues to show we are rising to the ongoing supply chain challenges, and are serving our customers well. Thank you, Transport Topics, for the recognition. We’re honored to have made it another year on the list – #22!”  

It’s easy to see why Trinity continues to earn recognition such as this based on the feedback we hear from our relationships.

“As a carrier, it’s always a pleasure working with Trinity Logistics. The loads are as described, the broker that I work with is responsive, and payment for our services is on time. Thanks, guys!” – H.F. Williams Transport, LLC

“Working with Trinity has been very great so far. We have been working on moving some oversize loads and the patience and professionalism along with providing all information and answering millions of my emails is just amazing. No doubt in my mind that we will continue working together in the future as well.” – Sekula LLC

Trinity’s parent company, Burris Logistics, has ranked number 15 on Transport Topics’ Top 100 Logistics Companies List and number 5 on their Top Refrigerated Warehousing List. 

To see the complete list, visit Transport Topics.  

About Trinity Logistics

Trinity Logistics is a Burris Logistics Company, offering People-Centric Freight Solutions®. Our mission is to deliver creative logistics solutions through a mix of human ingenuity and innovative technology, enriching the lives of those we serve.   

For the past 40 years, we’ve been arranging freight for businesses of all sizes in truckload, less-than-truckload (LTL), warehousing, intermodal, drayage, expedited, international, and technology solutions.  

We are currently recognized in the Top 20 freight brokerages on Transport Topics’ Top 100 Freight Brokerage List, an Inbound Logistics top 100 3PL, and a Certified Great Place to Work ®.  

Trinity Logistics is proud to announce their 2021 Distinguished Providers of the Year. Trinity began their Distinguished Providers of the Year Award Program in 2020. The program was created to give Trinity Team Members a chance to recognize top providers within all the company’s transportation modes.

Distinguished Providers are selected carriers within the Trinity network that continue to support their customers and provide exceptional service, despite the continued challenges faced in supply chains set forth by the pandemic. Those awarded are well known amongst the company as providers that are highly valued partners for Trinity Logistics. 

Trinity Logistics thanks these carriers for their continued commitment and service, as they have become an integral part of the day-to-day operations.

2021 Distinguished Providers of the Year

“We are honored to recognize these Service Providers which were selected among Trinity’s deep book of relationship partners demonstrating consistent value to our Shipper Customers throughout 2021,” says Bradley Palmer, Director of Carrier Development and Pricing at Trinity. “Building upon years of experience with these partners, they each distinguished themselves among their peers when reviewing feedback from our Operations teams across the country. And with pride, Trinity Logistics presents its “Trinity Titan” award to three small fleets our Leadership was compelled to honor their dedication and grit hand in hand with our partnership.” 

In addition to the top providers recognized by mode, there is also the “Trinity Titan Award”. This specific award recognizes very small fleets within Trinity’s network who regularly dedicate their capacity and demonstrate uncommon value, or “grit” as we like to call it, throughout the year. This award is determined by a person of exceptional importance and reputation that stands out for greatness of achievement that reflects Trinity’s values. 

2021 Trinity Titan Winners

“I can’t believe we have closed another year and what a year it was,” says Hayley Dobson, Group Vice President at Trinity. “It will certainly be one not soon forgotten. We couldn’t have gotten through it with such success without the help of all our carrier partners. They are truly the lynchpin of the supply chain.   We had several amazing carriers to review and struggled to make final selections, but I believe the ones that rose to the top were a shining example of what a true partnership means. We are so thankful for the dedication and excellent service they provide day in and day out. 

Each of the winners will be presented with a crystal award to commemorate their success and achievement with Trinity Logistics. 

“Trinity’s Authorized Agents are grateful for the support and service of these Distinguished Providers,” says Greg Massey, VP of Agent Development. “Trinity’s Agent Team had the opportunity to work with several of these amazing providers and we are honored to have been given the opportunity to help nominate and select this year’s winners. Thank you for your commitment to Trinity and the exceptional service you provide us every day.” 

Trinity appreciates our contracted carriers with several other unique benefits and awards. Carriers within Trinity’s network can make use of a 1.5 percent QuickPay rate through TriumphPay, access to over 1,000 loads daily, and technology options that help make your job easier. To find out more about our great customer service and benefits to carriers, visit https://trinitylogistics.com.

About the Trinity Logistics

Trinity Logistics is a Burris Logistics Company, offering people-centric freight solutionsâ. Our mission is to deliver creative logistics solutions through a dynamic mix of human ingenuity and innovative technology, enriching the lives of those we serve. 

For more than 40 years, we’ve been arranging freight for businesses of all sizes in truckload, less-than-truckload (LTL), warehousing, intermodal, drayage, expedited, international, and transportation management solutions.

Trinity is currently recognized in the Top 20 freight brokerages on Transport Topics’ Top 100 Freight Brokerage List, in the Top 100 3PLs list by Inbound Logistics, and is named a Top Company for Women to Work for in Transportation by Women in Trucking.