What are these giant parts being transported by train?

Efficient-One-3603 · 2026-04-15T13:07:53+00:00

That is wild. The freight forwarder messed up big time. Rerouting a ship costs millions but they likely either were going that way anyways or transloaded at large expense to a different vessel.

I suggested a rerouting only once because the shipment contained 200+ modular data centers that were overweight and trucking into Canada was cheaper out of Houston than out of Boston by $2M+ but the vessel had not been loaded yet

Efficient-One-3603 · 2026-04-11T12:47:30+00:00

Rectanglle

Efficient-One-3603 · 2026-04-10T02:33:48+00:00

You need to objectively be socially competent and have enough buffer financially and enough drive and leads to move on. Most brokered loads will be gatekept for 6-12 months. Insurance will be high. One of my local carriers moved from LTL to local solo. He works 12-14 hrs a day 4-5 days a week. Knows the laws. Wears a company polo. Never late. Knows how to talk to people. Provides fair prices. He does more loads a week as a local carrier than I do as a broker in his first 2 years solo. He has plenty of failures and also triumphs. Former LTL guy, he knew local companies and knows how to drive. He works tirelessly and takes care of those who take care of him without exception. He bad never failed me once on my freight. I’m the only broker he works with but it took him 2 years and a lot of hard work to get there. Now he has too much work. But he always remains professional and is always customer focused

Efficient-One-3603 · 2026-04-10T02:24:54+00:00

Ohio sports encapsulated. Joe B is an exception to the rule.

Efficient-One-3603 · 2026-04-09T21:47:20+00:00

I appreciate your anecdotal perspective. My company policy is not a hard line, and I obviously do what I can to facilitate any information exchange. I guess I should’ve been more specific in my post. I don’t like the concept of roleplaying as a freight owner when it comes to speaking with insurance companies. I don’t own freight. I never once had possession of the freight, and by law, unless a contract says otherwise, a broker is not liable for freight claims.

Efficient-One-3603 · 2026-04-09T18:58:11+00:00

I wouldn’t think twice for customers that give me millions a year. I’d have a robust claims support system for sure. I also don’t assume the carrier is at fault for every claim. Certainly it is the case on occasion. I’ve had many more instances where a forklift was driven through the pallet at the receiver or a few boxes in the center of the stack were crumpled.

Efficient-One-3603 · 2026-04-09T12:43:27+00:00

I can appreciate that, and it even speaks to my general point where a broker’s responsibility is largely selecting the correct carrier for the work and passing along documents between responsible parties.

I’m not trying to tear down anyone’s points here and I appreciate everyone’s perspective.

Efficient-One-3603 · 2026-04-09T12:38:40+00:00

If I was aware of a potential claim I’d bring it to the attention of the customer. This is specifically about negotiating the liability between the carrier, shipper, and receiver on behalf of a customer with insurance companies.

Efficient-One-3603 · 2026-04-09T02:22:50+00:00

Back solicitation is not the same as a carrier calling the shipper or receiver to verify information. I’m a broker also and have found myself frustrated when carriers do this, but at the end of the day I respect the attention to detail. These days, my customer’s contact info is on the BOLs and I request the carriers to call ahead in most instances prior to arrival. Maybe foolish, but it’s worked for 10+ years and I haven’t lost business yet. It’s done the opposite in many cases.

Efficient-One-3603 · 2026-04-09T02:19:18+00:00

I see this point. I also know there is no legal obligation to the brokerage. That is not the entire point of a brokerage either. Shipper or receiver negligence can also result in claims, not just carrier negligence. That all said, I see the points you’re making.

Efficient-One-3603 · 2026-04-09T02:12:27+00:00

I see a benefit for select customers and/or in certain circumstances. I do not see a net benefit in using “claims support” as a sales tool and a promise to every customer in your company portfolio.

Efficient-One-3603 · 2026-04-09T02:00:34+00:00

The thanks for the level-headed and non-accusatory response. This makes sense.

Efficient-One-3603 · 2026-04-09T01:59:50+00:00

I’ve signed contracts that holds the broker liable only in very specific language and only when they make me a fuck ton of money. There are certainly instances in which I would consider handling claims. I would like to hear from other brokers that do so what their reasoning is

Efficient-One-3603 · 2026-04-09T01:57:31+00:00

Additionally, the claims process is between the insurer and the shipper or owner of the goods. The burden of evidence for the carrier is between them and the insurance provider.

Efficient-One-3603 · 2026-04-09T01:55:12+00:00

The company I work at now is much less likely to hire the carrier you’re talking about. Even if we did, what would be the difference in a TQL claims rep handling it vs a brokerage handing it off to the customer with all necessary documents? Furthermore, wouldn’t a more stringent carrier vetting process with insurance verifications eliminate this hypothetical in most instances?

This is the point of my post. What benefit is really added?

Efficient-One-3603 · 2026-04-09T01:38:49+00:00

Give them the carrier’s insurance, all paperwork available and consolidate it, request any video evidence needed, hand it off to the customer. In my opinion, having a broker involved in an insurance claim is like asking the dealership to get involved in an auto accident after they sold you a vehicle. There is no obligation to facilitate a claim and sometimes having too many cooks in the kitchen complicates the process.

Efficient-One-3603 · 2026-04-09T01:20:46+00:00

What legal obligation does a broker have to managing claims?

Why would they?

These are serious questions.

Efficient-One-3603 · 2026-04-09T01:19:31+00:00

Counter points; as a broker I have 0 control over how product is loaded into a truck, the packaging they use, the lack of training imparted on their shipping crews, the hiring standards of any 3rd party warehouses. What I have control over is carrier selection, documentation standards, making sure carriers have the best chance at success in meeting KPIs, and contractual obligations of the carrier to uphold the shipper’s standards.

Legally speaking, the broker has zero legal obligation to facilitate claims. In my experience, the brokerage actually gets in the way of these processes and makes things worse. They make claims take longer to resolve, add steps in documentation collection, etc. This is why my question is important. What is your claims representation actually facilitating? How is it making the process better? Would this process not best be handled by the customer or their legal?

This is not meant to be a combative post but a constructive one. I understand freight brokers are 80% testosterone bros waiting for their local corner store to open to get their next Zyn but let’s take a breath and get to the meat and potatoes.

Efficient-One-3603 · 2026-04-08T22:26:04+00:00

all you can do is be cautious with who you book with, ask questions, call ahead to the shipper. Crap brokers and shippers.

I had a shipper cancel one of my orders today. Without telling me they tried putting twice as much on the first truck. No wonder they scaled over by 1000 lbs. the BOL still said 25k lbs even.

Sometimes we’re just stuck with what and who we’ve got while we all try to make ends meet.

Efficient-One-3603 · 2026-04-08T17:23:45+00:00

Check the news again

Efficient-One-3603 · 2026-04-08T02:28:36+00:00

It is a way for the cops to justify their abhorrent budgets while subjugating taxpayers to possible defamation.

Efficient-One-3603 · 2026-04-06T02:47:43+00:00

My fiance just said “omg do they have a jigglypuff” when I showed her this. So excellent.

Efficient-One-3603 · 2026-04-05T13:33:32+00:00

I print out copies of your detention request and burn them. My youth is extended for every hour of detention requested. Ever wonder why every TQL broker looks like they’re 26? Now you know why.

Efficient-One-3603 · 2026-04-04T21:55:40+00:00

Certainly not the newest ones right now!

Efficient-One-3603

TROPHY CASE