"Most brokers won't book a load until they speak with the driver". In my experience as a company driver, the load is already booked when I call for pickup numbers. They do sometimes insist on me calling them for that info rather than give it to the carrier though. So you're not totally wrong there. But if it's CH Robinson I stubbornly refuse to call them and somehow the information I need magically shows up on the Qualcomm anyway.
Since they started giving shippers and brokers access to our satellite tracking, it seems like they quit calling for updates every 30 minutes.
That is correct, alot of apps like Samsara are great because you can get a tracking link for a certain time period. That way Broker can check locations. If you're an OO and are booking loads for yourself, it's very unlikely you have this so they will call you, or request Macropoint or they have tracking apps.
And certain brokers due to a relationship with carrier might not need it. But as I said Most brokers aren't booking unless they speak to drivers. And due to so much competition if they book a load, you sign the rate con. And don't follow thru with their procedures they will cancel the load.
As I said carriers, OOs drivers have no upper hand.
Its just the way it is