MetaChat - Trucking question.

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30 January 2010

Trucking question. Something I ordered was shipped by FedEx ground and took about 36 hours to get from Keasbey, NJ, to Salt Lake City Utah. Google Maps says the drive takes about 34 hours, so that doesn't leave a lot of time for breaks. Did they switch off drivers midway through at some station? Someone else sleeping in the cab? How does this work?

post by: grouse at: 14:40 | 5 comments

I suspect trains, not trucks.

posted by Miko 30 January | 14:46

They have a massive air fleet too.

posted by MonkeyButter 30 January | 14:53

Yeah, "ground" doesn't mean it travels the entire way by ground, it's just FedEx's way of describing the cheapest delivery service. Your package sat around until they were ready to put it on a plane.

posted by JanetLand 30 January | 15:03

FedEx Ground is the name of the division and has nothing to do with the transport method. It's what used to be company RPS before FedEx bought it and runs pretty much independently of FedEx Express.

posted by octothorpe 30 January | 22:57

Agreeing with others that "ground" doesn't always mean truck transport exclusively, but to answer your question in general: Yes, some trucking companies will transfer freight to a new driver while it's in transit in order to meet a dealine. Also, there are many companies who employ team drivers (one drives while the other sleeps). But, relatedly, almost all drivers are forced to drive longer hours than state and federal guidelines indicate is safe. Most companies have official rules about following the guidelines, but will openly teach their drivers how to circumvent them. Long haul trucking is a brutal business.

posted by amyms 30 January | 23:21

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