1. Pop-up fleets are growing in popularity with shippers looking for capacity during a surge in demand, but the short duration contract places a lot of demands on the carrier. Is this concept one in which your company has already participated in over the last 12 months?

   53% said yes
   47% said no
    

2. Are your company drivers and / or owner operators currently stepping up equipment buys to beat government - mandated deadlines for cleaner burning engines, due in 2007?

   67% said yes
   33% said no
    

3. The driver shortage did not go away after industry wages increased an average of 2.8% in early 2004. With the likelihood of another driver wage increase in 2005, combined with that of 2004, would result in the largest increase in ten years. Given an increase in wages will your company find recruiting and retention efforts more successful? (Please check one response that would apply to your company)

   38% said more successful
   4% said less successful
   58% said no change
    

4. Efforts to lower the age for commercial drivers are met with support from those that feel we are loosing the younger workers to other careers before they're eligible age for CDL. Others contend that it is better to bare the pain of shortage rather than the increased risk of younger drivers. Which side of the argument do you currently favor?

   32% said lower the age
   68% said maintain the present age limit
    

5. Efforts to increase size and weight of commercial vehicles are supported by those who view this as an effective way to combat driver shortage while others contend this would pose a higher safety risk. Those who argue against increased size and weight fear lack of compensation for extra freight hauled.

   27% said increase size and weights
   73% said do not increase size and weights
    

6. Does your company require loaded trailer doors to be locked in addition to using trailer seals?

   57% said yes
   43% said no
    

7. Most all companies have three ways to grow: increasing revenue with existing customers, adding services to the company's 'menu' or acquiring other business. Which (if any) has your company done over the last year? (Please check all the responses that apply to your company)

   43% said increased revenue
   33% said added services
   24% said acquired other business
   0% said none
    

8. Are shippers fair with their on-time service requirements given the increased road congestion and the fact that congestion itself, occurs during longer portions of the day?

   38% said yes
   62% said no
    

9. Some shippers have experienced sizable rate increases over the last two years, yet report declining service levels. Has your company experienced any declines in on-time service with customers you took increases with?

   33% said yes
   67% said no
    

10. How do you measure equipment detention? (Please check one response that would apply to your company)

    17% said 30 minutes to an hour
    22% said over 1 hour but under 2 hours
    61% said 2 hours
     

11. In periods of tight capacity, how do you allocate your available equipment on a daily basis? (Please check one response that would apply to your company)

    1% said first come, first served
    83% said core customers receive priority
    12% said based on forecasted volumes
    4% said other
     

12. What percent of freight do you commit to exceeding your capacity level? (Please check one response that would apply to your company)

    13% said never
    43% said under 10%
    35% said 10% - 20%
    3% said 21% - 25%
    6% said over 25%
     

13. What is the average lead time for load tenders overall within your company? (Please check one response that would apply to your company)

    9% said same day
    57% said 24 hours
    34% said 48 hours +

    What is the ideal time period in which customers should offer loads to ensure the likelihood of capacity? (Please check one response that would apply to your company)

    0% said same day
    26% said 24 hours
    74% said 48 hours +
     

14. Fuel volatility has been a factor of the trucking economy. Does your company now have formal agreements in place to allow for price fluctuations?

    88% said yes
    12% said no
     

15. There have been numerous changes in the transportation sector over the last two years. The trucking industry is experiencing capacity declines with increasing freight demand, insurance premium increases, driver turnover, federally mandated engine emissions laws, fuel pricing volatility and the H.O.S changes impacting driver productivity. What is your company doing to mitigate these impacts? (Please check all the responses that apply to your company)

    #1 pass costs on to customers
    #2 reducing empty (deadhead) miles
    #3 increasing use of drop and hook freight
    #4 promotion of continuous move to drive revenue for all miles
    #5 improve accuracy of hitting appointment windows
    #6 encouragement of collaboration amongst multiple shippers to link freight net-works together
    __ Other: Re-negotiating insurance rates, increase sales on short-haul and equipment upgrades.
     

16. States are finding easier access to future tolling proposals, tax increases and indexing taxes. If your company had a choice, which method would your company accept? (Please check one response that would apply to your company)

    23% said new tolls
    37% said tax increases - (i.e. fuel tax increase)
    40% said indexing Taxes - (i.e. add-on tax
     

17. The economists are forecasting growth GDP of 3.6% and an unemployment rate of 5.2% for 2005 with no shortage of freight. Is your company finding it more challenging to attract and retain drivers?

    92% said yes
    8% said no
     

18. Is your company planning any major equipment purchases / leases (tractors and/or trailers) for 2005?

    79% said yes
    21% said no
     

19. Do you believe the CEO's and other top manufacturing managers have a firm grasp of the logistics issues that traffic managers encounter today vs. the on-going demands from 'Wall Street'? (Please check one response that would apply to your company)

    7% said yes
    52% said somewhat
    41% said no
     

20. Does your company utilize trailer tracking devices with features such as cargo sensors or continuous visibility of trailer location?

    32% said yes
    68% said no
     

21. With regard to the shippers response to the new hours of service, have you seen an increase of drop lot capabilities?

    65% said yes
    35% said no
     

22. When it comes to collaboration, many companies (shippers) talk a good game, but few put it to effective practice. In your opinion, has your customer base improved its collaborative efforts over the last three years?

    58% said yes
    49% said no
     

23. Do you currently use the railroads for long-haul moves?

    29% said yes
    71% said no
     

24. Enforcement agencies around the country continue to keep an eye on trucking in an effort to prevent future terrorist threats. Has your company taken any proactive measures to safeguard your fleet?

    68%said yes
    32% said no

    If answered "Yes", what proactive measurements have you taken?

    Highway watch
    Satellite Tracking
    Secure drop lots
    More stringent background checks
     

25. Have any of your long-term customers recently shifted some or all of their transportation management to a third-party logistics provider (3PL)?

    66% said yes
    34% said no

    If so, did the shift cause your firm to gain or lose business?

    42% said gain
    58% said lose
     

Comments about the survey?

• Do shippers read the FSA Carrier Surveys?
• Would the shippers undertake a survey of their own to share?
• Very good questions!
• Survey was relevant to the convention
• Very concise and detailed survey