Thanksgiving Cargo and Equipment security

Preventing Tractor and Trailer Theft

Staying up-to-date on safety precautions and never letting your guard down is the best way to protect yourself, your freight, and your truck from crime.  The entire Total Transportation team is working hard to prevent cargo loss while focusing on the safety of our drivers.  If our drivers follow the regular safety practices set forth by the company, cargo loss can be prevented.

It is against Company policy for any driver to drop any trailer, loaded or empty, at any place other than a Company Terminal or Company-authorized drop yard without prior approval from your Fleet Manager.

1. Do not leave the truck running or the key in the ignition while the truck is unattended.
2. Do perform a pre-trip inspection every time you stop.
3. Keep all of the doors locked.
4. If you must leave the truck unattended, make sure the seal/lock is intact and back close to a stationary object.
5. Do check your seal every time you return to your truck.

What to do if your truck is stolen

1. Immediately call the nearest law enforcement agency. Report the theft and request that an officer meet you at the location.
2. Contact Claims at 1-800-601-5500. DO NOT DELAY.
3. Call Josh Rule 865-306-3904
4. Call Cargo Net 1-888-595-2638
5. Get the following information and write it down:
   1. Did any witnesses observe any persons around the truck? If so, get their name and a way to get in contact with them.
   2. Did any witnesses see the truck leave and in what direction was it headed?
   3. Description of possible suspects.
   4. The theft report, which records the number, address and telephone number of the investigating agency.
   5. Name and badge number of law enforcement officer(s).

All of this information is needed by, and must be forwarded to, the Claims Department.

Cargo Paperwork Policy

As a driver, only half of your job is actually driving the truck.  You are also responsible for ensuring that the paper work for the pickup, transit and delivery of your freight is completed properly.  Paperwork that is not completed properly can result in refused shipments, payment of cargo claims, refused or delayed payments by customers and possible D.O.T. violations.  If the customer notes a discrepancy on the bill of lading, such as a shortage or overage upon delivery or damaged freight, or should you discover any problem with your cargo—such as a broken seal, a discrepancy in the seal number and the number listed on your seal manifest, or a freight count that differs from the bill of lading—you must immediately contact your Fleet Manager or after hours, Night Dispatch.

Seal Manifest

ALL SHIPMENTS OF CARGO MUST TRAVEL UNDER A SEAL WHILE IN YOUR POSSESSION.  The shipper’s signature on the seal manifest at pick-up and the consignee’s signature on the manifest at delivery is our proof that no one tampered with the freight in the trailer.

You are responsible for accurately recording the seal number at pick-up, checking the seal integrity EACH time you stop the truck, ensuring that the SAME seal—with the same seal number—is intact at delivery.  NEVER break the seal prior to delivery without first calling the Cargo Claims Department for instructions on protecting the Company form a cargo claim.  The manifest, signed by both the shipper and the receiver, must be sent to the Company via Xpress Scanning.

High Value Product Policy (HVP)

1. Driver must have the required hours and fuel to run at least 200 miles after picking up an HVP load and before making any stops. If you are routed to fuel at a fuel stop within the first 200 miles, please bypass the fuel stop.  Call your Fleet Manager for additional fuel stop authorization outside of the 200-mile limit.
2. Drivers must send Macro 32 every time they stop during the trip. This includes fuel stops, rest areas, bathroom breaks, and stops at Company Service Centers and drop yards.
3. Prior to making any stop, the driver must inform his/her Fleet Manager of their exact location, interstate number, exit number and how long he/she is planning on being stopped. (This information should be sent on the Macro 32.)
4. If a driver must leave the truck/load unattended, his/ her Fleet Manager must be notified prior to the driver exiting the truck. The unattended truck must be off, locked, and keys in the driver’s possession at all times.  Make sure the seal/lock is intact and back close to a stationary object.
5. Never drop the trailer anywhere without prior approval from the Fleet Manager. This includes dropping at secure locations such as Terminals and all Company drop yards.
6. High Value loads can never be taken to or by a driver’s home nor any other residential location.
7. If a High Value load is assigned to a team, one member of the team must stay with the truck and/or load at all times.
8. Park only in well-lit and highly visible areas.
9. If a load has an extended delivery time, do not run all the way to the receiver. Ask your Fleet Manager ahead of time if the load can be delivered early.  If it cannot be delivered early, ask if there is a secure drop yard to which the load can be taken.
10. Drivers on HVP loads cannot stop within 50 miles of Las Vegas, Reno, Los Angeles, South Florida, NYC, or the Mexican Border. HVP loads cannot stop or park at any unsecured or high theft area such as casinos, hotels, malls, side roads, or residential addresses.  Fuel stops and breaks should be planned outside of these areas in compliance with HVP policy.
11. HVP loads can ONLY be dropped (after obtaining permission from the Fleet Manager) at secure locations such as Company Terminals or approved secure drop yards.