Changes To JB Hunt Carrier 360 Program (not good changes)

[Mike]

JB Hunt's Carrier 360 program made some sudden changes.

As of the end of the year, Gold and Silver status vanished, and now you are a member, or elite. In order to see the shippers and receivers, you must be elite. to be elite, 2 loads per month. Somehow, I am at member status for January, and the reason they give is that I didn't do enough loads with them in December to start with Elite status. Odd, because I did 5 loads for them in December. Been gold status for a long time.

I was getting two Sirius/XM subscriptions for free as well as a gold member. Now, that is becoming a discount of $14.99/month for the service, so looks like I will be done with Sirius pretty soon as I see no reason to pay for radio.

Why would anybody book a load with zero information, simply based on city/state for shipper and receiver. At least with that information, you had a pretty good idea of what you were hauling, and could look up google reviews before putting in a bid.

They have been my primary broker for quite some time, now I am about to book my 4th load of the year and zero with them. Just senseless to book a load online and have zero information about the load, especially since they rarely give good information about the commodity of the load.

Clearly a big step backwards by JB Hunt.

 

[Electric Chicken]

Sounds like a big ol F U 360 then even when my MC is mature enough.

I won't book anything unless I know exactly what I'm in for. The rates they post on DAT around me aren't really that impressive though anyway. Amazon actually has better rates.

 

[Mike]

The rates they post on DAT around me aren't really that impressive though anyway. Amazon actually has better rates.

I would almost never haul for the rates posted by any carrier on DAT, or on their apps.

Many times, the rates on JB's app are higher than what they have posted on DAT. I only notice that because I sometimes go to the load via DAT's book now link. It's nothing for me to bump those numbers up sometimes 100%. Sometimes it's contract freight and they won't budge much, sometimes it's contract freight that really needs to move, other times it spot freight that they might immediately accept.

 

[Electric Chicken]

I would almost never haul for the rates posted by any carrier on DAT, or on their apps.

Many times, the rates on JB's app are higher than what they have posted on DAT. I only notice that because I sometimes go to the load via DAT's book now link. It's nothing for me to bump those numbers up sometimes 100%. Sometimes it's contract freight and they won't budge much, sometimes it's contract freight that really needs to move, other times it spot freight that they might immediately accept.

That makes sense. Otherwise I'd accuse you of hauling cheap freight. It's so bad I never bothered to ask for an exception to their MC age thing.

It's ironic though because I always feel like I'm the cheap guy being satisfied with what I'm getting already, comparing it with XPO.

 

[Mike]

That makes sense. Otherwise I'd accuse you of hauling cheap freight. It's so bad I never bothered to ask for an exception to their MC age thing.

this is the case with all the rates you see on DAT. If you aren't shy about negotiating, you will notice quickly that they are simply fishing in hopes that someone will bite. Don't let those posted rates scare you away. Learn how to offer up a counter, and if they don't accept, get your counter taken under consideration. Might take a while for the broker to call you back, but if they reach a point where time is running out, they will often call you back.

 

[Electric Chicken]

this is the case with all the rates you see on DAT. If you aren't shy about negotiating, you will notice quickly that they are simply fishing in hopes that someone will bite. Don't let those posted rates scare you away. Learn how to offer up a counter, and if they don't accept, get your counter taken under consideration. Might take a while for the broker to call you back, but if they reach a point where time is running out, they will often call you back.

Makes sense. The first one I did had no rate and they were like how much you want I was like I dunno how much you paying they said I dunno how much you want. I said 500 because it was stupid close and stupid easy (moving those on site trailers) and they were like yeah you're definitely new I'll make it 750. That was the 2 hour gig near my mom's house and it was a 10 minute conversation.

The other two had rates but I was okay with those because they already beat my target relative to XPO. I'm probably too cheap because I'm just looking to beat XPO because I have insurance as an added expense. Everything else is the same operating cost. That's why I was okay with those bakery trailers.

I'm still probably naïve but I'm beating XPO. I'm not afraid to negotiate but I need a basis to do it. It's also a little tougher when you're a month old.

 

[Mike]

Officially Elite Status now. Had to wait a couple days while they worked on bugs in their system that was causing the loads from December to not work for January. Looks like it will be a strict two load minimum each month now to stay in Elite status.

 

[Electric Chicken]

Officially Elite Status now. Had to wait a couple days while they worked on bugs in their system that was causing the loads from December to not work for January. Looks like it will be a strict two load minimum each month now to stay in Elite status.

Can you maintain that level or is it a dangling carrot?

 

[Mike]

Can you maintain that level or is it a dangling carrot?

Two loads per month is very easy, even for a one truck carrier. That is, if they are paying competitive rates.

 

[Electric Chicken]

Two loads per month is very easy, even for a one truck carrier. That is, if they are paying competitive rates.

That second part was the crux of my question.

 

[Mike]

That second part was the crux of my question.

Up until this month, I would put bids in on multiple loads, and scan the apps that allow you to book even if you can't bid. More often than not, JB Hunt has been coming through with an approval.

 

[Electric Chicken]

Up until this month, I would put bids in on multiple loads, and scan the apps that allow you to book even if you can't bid. More often than not, JB Hunt has been coming through with an approval.

I don't even see multiple loads to bid on most of the time. Is it possible that these brokers/carriers can post a load and block it from view for new MCs?

It just looks like the general board is more sparse than it should be for my area. We have literally thousands of warehouses/shippers here but I'm lucky if I see 10 PO loads that aren't Schneider on any given day.

 

[Mike]

I don't even see multiple loads to bid on most of the time. Is it possible that these brokers/carriers can post a load and block it from view for new MCs?

It just looks like the general board is more sparse than it should be for my area. We have literally thousands of warehouses/shippers here but I'm lucky if I see 10 PO loads that aren't Schneider on any given day.

I think Schneider is pretty entrenched in the east coast. Different companies are better in different areas, that is for sure. Also, not sure how each one stands with Power Only.

 

[Electric Chicken]

I think Schneider is pretty entrenched in the east coast. Different companies are better in different areas, that is for sure. Also, not sure how each one stands with Power Only.

They do have an assload.

 

[Electric Chicken]

I'm probably going to have to get a sleeper and trailer out of spite.

 

[Mike]

I'm probably going to have to get a sleeper and trailer out of spite.

I'm probably close to ordering a new trailer, so in the event I do, I will have one for sale. Clearly won't be available anytime soon, though.

 

[Electric Chicken]

Order now, take delivery 2024.