define HEATED SERVICE

[Parisite]

Yesterday was frosty outside. We hired QCT to haul our freight clearly indicated the need for heat and the range of acceptable temp. The client included temp sensors and the goods arrived below the acceptable level. Client signed b/l clear as there was no visible damage but once sensors got downloaded the low temp came to our attention. QCT first stated we didn't ask them to provide a reefer. Correct. We didn't. We asked for a heated van. The person on the phone says "we heated van up inside with a propane heater before we left whse" ...WTF ?

 

[Maggs]

OMG, that is not ethical by the carrier. All of our heated shipments are monitored, we ensure that the heater is on and at correct temperture even before arriving at the shippers. We also have our drivers ask the shipper if they want to confirm the temperture prior to loading and the same at the delviery point. With our heaters we can download information if there were any questions. Knock on wood...no issues. However, if this carrier arrived with dry van only, then it should be their responsibility to own up to the equipment error.

 

[Shakey]

If they were using the old propane heaters that is scary and funny at same time; I know people us to use them and don't think they are legal!!! Also do they have temp control endorsement on their insurance as well as that can be way out of the claim on you as well. What was the temp the product needed to be kept at? Might have needed a reefer depending what temp they had as acceptable. Heated vans are for protect from freeze but not keeping at a specific temperature.

 

[lowmiler88]

Truth be known if the shipper loaded a non heated trailer then they are the ones at fault, I don't agree with how this carrier operates but it is up to the shipper to make sure they are loading the proper trailer especially when they have tattle tales on the shipment.

 

[Parisite]

I saw the result of a propane heater explode in a trailer back at my Brazeau days a long long long time ago...made a 20' pup look like a football. If the carrier accepts a load which indicates heat and doesn't provide it then I didn't get what I paid for, so why would I paid what I agreed to ? If they don't have temp control endorsement, they shouldn't be accepting temp control freight anymore then they should be accepting haz-mat without appropriate coverage. While it may not be regulated it's still dishonest and pointing out the lack of ethics is the least I can do for my fellow "Inside" members. I agree that the shipper needs to take some responsibility but how does that conversation go when your client trusts you to send what he needs ? The shipper didn't indicate temp control on B/L either but I don't think that will get us off the hook.

 

[buzzy]

I lost track of how may singed eye brows and burnt fingers I got lighting the damn things back in the early 80's.

 

[Gord M]

When your driver picking up the load signs the "heated service" bill of lading your company has entered into a contract with the shipper to provide heated service. If you don't have heat you are out of luck, it doesnt matter if a freight broker didnt inform you it was a heated load the legal contract is the bill of lading. Your insurance company will pay out because they will loose a court case and will avoid the waste of money paying lawyers in a loosing battle. You can always take the load back to the shipper if the "heated service " notation is discovered before the load gets frozen.

 

[alx2]

Gord M has it right, The insurance company will certainly pay out and collect the deductible from you. Just make sure that you pay the $2.00/lb if there was no declared value specified. Although I believe that the temperature of the shipment in the trailer should also have been recorded on the bill of lading if there were sensors attached.
We never handled heated service loads if a certain temperature was required, although we did carry many protect from freezing loads from the South Eastern USA to Montreal without any problems, as soon as the trailer arrived the goods were transferred to our heated warehouse.

 

[Nawk]

although we did carry many protect from freezing loads from the South Eastern USA to Montreal without any problems, as soon as the trailer arrived the goods were transferred to our heated warehouse.

That's still risky alx2 if the truck breaks down, gets stuck at the border etc.

 

[alx2]

It is a minor risk that can be well calculated. The temperature rarely stays under the freezing point south of Greencastle pa. once north of there even if the temperature is under freezing , with the trailer moving the product will not freeze. We have done it at least 20 times in the last 2 years, of course with the approval of the customer, this of course only if they are really stuck.

 

[RK in AB]

Several years ago I booked a load that was keep from freezing with another carrier. I explained to them that our dry vans can't have a temperature set on them. They insisted that the load would be fine as long as it was moving and the delivery was the next morning, a Saturday. I agreed to accept the load as long as we wouldn't be held responsible if it froze. The driver showed up the next morning for delivery and the receiver refused the load saying it was scheduled for Sunday and they could not take it. I called the person on call at the carrier and told him and he said to deliver it on Sunday. I explained the problem and he said it was my problem not his. I got his name and told him that I was happy to do that but I would be sending an email to my contact and the big boss that I spoke to this particular person and what I was told. Miraculously I was given an address where we could park our trailer inside for the night and that the carrier would deliver the load for us on Sunday.

I took a chance to help out a carrier and we both were aware of what service I could provide. You just need a paper trail to cover your butt.