Load Security

                There have been several messages come out over the Qualcomm in the past week about seal integrity and using lock boxes.  Honestly, it blows my mind that we have to be told this. Over and Over.

                Have we forgotten that we are at work?  Have we forgotten that we’re transporting thousands of dollars in products between our customers? I was thinking about this today; about how if I left the grocery store after purchasing a couple of hundred dollars of groceries, got home to find that two of my bags never made it out of the store, I would be going right back to the store to get those two bags.  Wouldn’t we all?  Don’t we expect to receive what we pay for?  We expect cashiers and baggers to properly handle the products we bring to them for purchase, shouldn’t our customers be able to expect the same from us?  It is our job to ensure that our customers are getting what they’re paying for (look at the bills) and then to transport those products securely (seals and lock boxes) and then to make sure the customer has received all of their order (look at the bills after the delivery.)  If there are any discrepancies, we have policies in place and people to contact to deal with problems that do arise from time to time.

                Why are we slacking in that area?  And do we understand the risks when we do?

                When I am training a new driver, I explain load security to each one, as many times as necessary.  Freymiller issues security tools to each driver upon being assigned a truck.  They expect us to use them.  When there is a cargo claim, there is a $1,000 insurance deductible.  A driver can be charged that deductible if he/she fails to use these tools.  I tell my trainees “I can’t force you to use your lockbox when you’re in your own truck, but understand this… the decision to not use it is the decision to risk $1,000 of YOUR MONEY if someone breaks into your trailer.”  This isn’t a joke; this is our job.