01
Match the lane to the carrier
Carriers are most reliable on lanes they run weekly with drivers who know the docks. Award recurring lanes to a carrier that will position for them rather than to whoever is cheapest this quarter.
02
Set appointments the clock allows
A 926-mile run is two days on one driver or straight-through on a team. Appointments that ignore hours of service produce late loads by design.
03
Start on time
Late pickup is the largest predictor of late delivery. Fix pickup readiness and dock scheduling first.
04
Predict, don’t react
Live position, remaining hours, weather and traffic checked against the appointment can flag a risk with hours to act: swap drivers, reschedule, notify the receiver. Ask carriers whether their system does this or whether you will find out at the dock.
05
Measure and review
On-time pickup and delivery by lane, weekly, with causes coded. Shipper-caused, carrier-caused and receiver-caused delays need different fixes.