The Late Pickup Cascade
Situation: It is 13:00 on a Friday. Your driver, “Sir Galen” (Truck #404), is currently being unloaded at a cold storage facility in Chicago. It’s taking longer than expected—the “lumpers” (unloading crew) are on break.
The Stakes: You have a high-value load booked for pickup in Joliet (45 miles away) at 14:00 sharp. This load pays $3.50/mile going to Miami—a “Royal Run” that will make your week’s profit margin.
The Crisis: If Galen doesn’t leave Chicago by 13:15, he will miss the Joliet appointment. The broker, “Iron Fist Logistics,” charges a $250 “Truck Order Not Used” (TONU) fee if you cancel within 1 hour, and they might blacklist you.
Declassified Data Real World Translation
The “Service Failure” Trap
In the simulation, lying to the broker seems like a smart gamble. In real dispatching, this is a career-killer. Brokers use software like Macropoint or p44 to track driver GPS. If you say “5 miles away” and the GPS shows “still at dock,” you get flagged as DNU (Do Not Use).
The Cost of TONU
A “Truck Order Not Used” isn’t just a fee; it’s opportunity cost. If you hold that truck for a $2000 load and miss it, you not only lose the $2000 revenue but you now have a truck in Chicago at 3 PM on a Friday—the worst time to find freight.
Mission Debrief Checklist
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✓Did you check the driver’s remaining HOS (Hours of Service) before accepting the Joliet load?
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✓Did you factor in Chicago Friday traffic (average speed 15mph)?
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✓Did you communicate with the receiver to ask for a “work-in” appointment?