VOLUNTARY GUIDE to GOOD BUSINESS RELATIONS

Truckload Carriers Association and The National Industrial Transportation League for Shippers, Receivers, Carriers, and Drivers

For Shippers/Receivers | For Truck Drivers | For Carriers | Special Condensed Driver/Dock Version

These guidelines are not intended to serve as industry standards or to create a legal right or responsibility of any party. However, shippers/receivers and motor carriers/drivers agree that it is in their mutual interest to subscribe to the following guidelines to govern their relations.

I. Shippers/Receivers will:

A. Treat drivers with courtesy and respect.

1. Provide drivers access to safe, clean, and well-lit restrooms, water and other comfort facilities.
2. Provide drivers an environment that is free of harassment and discrimination.
3. Encourage and accept drivers' suggestions on service improvement opportunities.
4. Never solicit gifts or favors in return for preferential treatment.

B. Assure safe practices are followed.

1. Cooperate with carrier in establishing reasonable transit time requirements so carriers can comply with driver hours of service regulations and speed limits.
2. Comply with legal limits of size and weight: equipment will not knowingly be overloaded.
3. Assure that hazardous materials are packed in proper containers, loaded and stowed, proper shipping documents prepared, and labels and placards applied to supplied for containers (shippers responsible for supplying and not applying placards) and vehicles, in conformance with hazardous materials transportation regulations.
4. Tender the cargo at the requisite temperature, where appropriate, to avert temperature abuse. Clearly inform driver and carrier of any temperature control requirement.
5. Pre-cool trailers to the proper transit temperature, where appropriate, when the shipper controls the trailer, e.g. "drop and hook" arrangements.
6. Keep parking lots and unloading facilities clear in order to prevent delays and injuries.
7. Communicate to carriers and drivers any site-specific hazards and/or safety requirements that may be present at their facility.
8. Communicate to carriers specific type of materials handling equipment they expect the drivers to operate.
9. Cooperate with carriers and drivers in providing the stability of trucks during loading and unloading via wheel lock, dock locks, etc.
10. Respect the driver's opinion regarding his/her safety and safety procedures that need to be followed.

C. Foster honesty, fairness and openness in their dealings with carriers.

1. Strive to build a solid business relationship with carriers and drivers by negotiating honestly with them, and disclosing the value of cargo being tendered.
2. Select carriers and routing decisions based upon service/price/performance benefits to the shipper and its customers.
3. Establish loading/unloading requirements, use and payment of lumpers (consistent with current law), and responsibility for used pallets, with the carriers.
4. Maintain the lawful confidentiality of carrier data.
5. Never offer or solicit gifts or favors in return for preferential treatment in rates, availability of equipment, delivery of products, or approval of claims.

D. Expedite the movement of equipment.

1. 1. Bear the responsibility for loading and unloading except where drivers are trained to handle the specific equipment or cargo, or deliver express packages and LTL freight.
2. 2. Provide for prompt loading/unloading of trucks that arrive within the scheduled time. Do not unreasonably refuse to reschedule appointments if circumstances change. Cooperate in loading/unloading trucks that arrive early or late or without an appointment.
3. 3. Keep docks as clear as possible in order to prevent driver delays.
4. 4. Allow drivers to clean trailers and discard packaging material that was part of the load being delivered, as long as disposal facilities are available.
5. 5. If dock space is temporarily unavailable, make arrangements to contact drivers when a space becomes available, without the necessity for the driver to remain physically in a queue.
6. 6. If drop and hook are involved, make reasonable arrangements for a trailer to be available for pickup.
7. 7. Expedite accurate paperwork.
8. 8. Provide a mechanism for honest feedback on performance related issues.
9. 9. Maintain reasonable hours for loading and unloading.
10. 10. Offer clear driving instructions to the shipper's and receiver's place of business.

II. Carrier drivers will:

A. Treat shipping and receiving personnel with courtesy and respect.

1. Keep scheduled appointments or call ahead to request a changed appointment.
2. Explain the need to unload vehicles promptly, especially if inconvenient to the shipper/receiver.
3. Place vehicles, to the extent safe and feasible, at the locations requested by the shipper/receiver.
4. Keep the area around the vehicle clean; discard trash, packing, etc. only in available approved containers with the permission of the shipper/receiver.
5. By appropriate dress, look and act as professionals.
6. Never offer gifts or favors in return for preferential treatment in loading or unloading of equipment.

B. Maintain safe practices.

1. Inspect hazardous materials; as required by law, assure that the vehicle bears placards in accordance with hazardous materials transportation regulations.
2. Operate the motor vehicle in accordance with all DOT rules and regulations, including the commercial motor vehicle safety rules.
3. Observe shipper/receiver restricted areas, safety practices, and any requirement for wearing protective devices on plant premises such as hard hats, safety glasses, etc., provided by shipper/receiver.
4. Cooperate with any reasonable shipper load securing requirements, inspect all vehicles' cargo and load-securing devices prior to departure, and periodically during the course of transportation, as may be practical, and cause any evident adjustments to be made that are necessary to maintain the security of the load unless inspection is impracticable.
5. Understand and be prepared to meet any unique service requirements requested by customer, be trained and knowledgeable as reasonably practical of the products handled and how to act in the event of an emergency.

III. Carrier personnel will:

A. Negotiate honestly with shippers.

1. Strive to build a solid business relationship with shipper/receiver.
2. Sell services that are capable of being executed and will be honored by carrier management.
3. Maintain the lawful confidentiality of shipper data.
4. Quote transit times that can clearly be achieved within driver hours of service regulations and prevailing speed limits.
5. Maintain rates in a readily accessible manner, and respond to rates or conditions of service requests promptly. Clearly communicate the rates and conditions of service, including any limitations on cargo liability.
6. Provide equipment that is, to the best of the carriers' knowledge, clean, watertight and in good condition in accordance with commitments.
7. Never offer or solicit gifts or favors in return for preferential treatment in rates, availability of equipment, delivery of products, or approval of claims.

B. Provide safe and efficient transportation services.

1. Strive to meet all service commitments and to deliver shipments on timely basis (when loaded on time and within a reasonable transit time).
2. Cooperate with shippers in establishing reasonable transit time requirements, and assign drivers who can meet the requirements under reasonable conditions.
3. Not incur avoidable expenses to be assessed to shipper without advanced consent of shipper/receiver. "Expenses" do not include accessorial charges incurred as a result of the service provided.
4. Operate company in accordance with DOT safety, insurance, and other regulations to minimize risk to carrier, shipper, receiver, driver and public at large.
5. Educate dispatchers and drivers on customer operational guidelines, including actions where customer service is at risk.
6. Give clear instructions to drivers as to service and contract requirements expected by shippers and receivers.
7. Provide equipment that will permit shippers to meet all applicable load limits and safety requirements as described by customer.

Special Condensed Driver/Dock-Specific Version

In an effort to get the word out to as many audiences as possible, TCA has printed a special condensed version of the Guide that is driver/dock-specific. The condensed version is laminated for posting at terminals and docks and for drivers to keep in the glove compartment of their trucks. The condensed Guide is available at no charge in quantities of 50. Interested shippers, receivers, and carriers should e-mail TCA's Rochelle Applewhite at rapplewhite@truckload.org or call 703/838-1950 to request copies.

Truckload Carriers Association