Freight Resources and Tools

Tracking and Communications

In today’s shipping world, things happen fast. That’s why you need a carrier who can tell you what’s happening with your shipment at all times. If things change, that carrier must be able to react fast.

Good communications are the key to successful shipping and Cassidy’s has state-of-the-art tracking and communication technology that gives you all the options.

Primary Tracking and Communication

Many of Cassidy’s power units are equipped with a Shaw Tracking Omnivision tracking solution. Power units transmit a precise GPS location every ten minutes. Additionally these units provide the ability for two-way satellite messaging that is interfaced with a user friendly web portal.

*Customers may request their own user name and password for shipment tracking*

Secondary Tracking and Communication

Many Cassidy’s power units are equipped with a Satellite Personal Tracker (SPOT).

OK Button

When you press the OK button, SPOT acquires your location from the GPS network and routes it through the SPOT satellite network. Your contacts receive either an SMS text message on their mobile phone with your message and coordinates, or an email with your message and a link to Google Maps™ showing your location.

Help Button

Once activated, SPOT acquires your location from the GPS network and routes it along with the HELP message through the SPOT satellite network every five minutes for one hour or until cancelled. Your contacts will receive an SMS text message including coordinates, or an email with a link to Google Maps™ showing your location.

911/Emergency Button

Once activated, SPOT will acquire its exact coordinates from the GPS network, and send that location along with a distress message to a GEOS International Emergency Response Center every five minutes until cancelled. The Emergency Response Center notifies the appropriate emergency responders based on your location and personal information – which may include local police, highway patrol, the Coast Guard, our country’s embassy or consulate, or other emergency response or search and rescue teams – as well as notifying your emergency contact person(s) about the receipt of a distress signal.

Cellular Phone Communication

All drivers are each equipped with their own company cellular phones. Cassidy’s utilizes the services of TELUS Mobility and Blackberry Torch. When in a team driver operation, there are two cellular phones in the truck for added security. Each driver is issued a company email address so messages can be sent and received regardless of the coverage or the driver’s duty status.

Safety Performance Tracking and Route Verification

The Lookout Driving Safety System continuously views the road in front of the truck, capturing videos based upon driver inputs and generating warnings for dangerous driving situations. Lookout automatically sorts out high risk events and emails summary reports to fleet managers. Additionally the system records the route that the driver is taking byway of GPS/Satellite waypoints and compiles a detailed map of the route traveled.

Shippers Information and Transit Times

Transit times can be a confusing subject for many shippers.

In today’s demanding shipping world things need to happen fast and there is constant pressure on carriers to get the job done promptly. Cassidy’s knows this and does what it takes make sure the shipper gets what they need.

Safety and Security Come First

Cassidy’s has a responsibility to perform the job safely and in total compliance with all laws and regulations, particularly the new Hours of Service Regulations. Shippers also have a responsibility not to pressure their carriers to do something that places the carriers’ employees and the general public in danger. No load is worth exposing you and your company to legal liability.

Estimating Transit Time

If you are unsure how long your truck load will take to get from “A” to “B”, here is a simple way to do that calculation.

First go to www.mapquest.com or Google Maps and enter the origin and destination of your shipment. This will give you a mileage number.

Trucks average 50 miles per hour. Under the regulations a driver can drive 550 miles per day. Divide 550 miles into that mileage calculation and add one-half day for the pick-up, one half-day for the delivery and one-half day for a border crossing (if applicable).

For example, if you have a shipment going from Ottawa, ON to Los Angeles, CA:

• The distance is 2,800 miles.
• 550 miles divided by 2,800 miles is 5 days.
• Add one half day each for the pick-up, delivery and border crossing.
• Gives a total of 6.5 days transit time.

Options

Faster transit times can be achieved by team drivers but the cost is more. Less than Load (LTL) shipments take longer because the driver has more pick-ups and deliveries but the cost is less than truck load because you are sharing the truck with other shippers.

Protect Yourself From Unscrupulous Providers

Beware of carriers who promise faster transit times than is reasonable. They are either not telling you the truth or they are breaking the law. The consequences to you can be severe. If a court believes you displayed an indifference to safety, the damages are potentially enormous.

Please read this for more information. Protect yourself.