The Business of Independent Service Provider Contracting

Why You Should Start Recruiting Drivers Now for Peak

As peak season approaches, the competition for qualified drivers intensifies, and so do the costs associated with recruiting them. Recent data from Indeed highlights a trend that FedEx contractors cannot afford to ignore: the cost of hiring drivers is set to increase steadily from July through December. With this in mind, it’s crucial to start your recruitment efforts now to avoid higher costs later and secure top talent before your competitors do. 

Topics: Driver Recruiting, FedEx, FedEx Ground, linehaul, fedex ground contractors, fxg, fdx, fec, linehaul contractors

We are thrilled to announce the release of LineDrive App Version 1.8.1, a major update designed to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of both linehaul contractors and their drivers. This latest version brings a host of new features and improvements tailored to meet the unique demands of FXG contracted linehaul operations. In this blog post, we’ll explore the key updates and how they can significantly improve daily operations for both contractors and drivers.

Dashboard: Your Central Command Center for Linehaul Operations

The redesigned Dashboard, formerly known as Home, now offers a more streamlined interface to help you stay organized and on top of your tasks:

• To-Do List: Manage your daily responsibilities with ease, ensuring all tasks are accounted for.
• Daily/Weekly On Duty Hours: Keep track of working hours to maintain compliance and prevent overwork.
• Holdover Times and Notes: Enter holdover begin/end times and notes prior to assembly, ensuring thorough documentation.
• Enhanced Main Menu: Access important features, including the Privacy Policy, from an improved main menu.
• Local Weather Updates: Stay prepared with current local weather information displayed at the bottom of the screen.

Topics: Timekeeping, FedEx, FedEx Ground, Dashboard, linehaul, Network 2.0, fedex ground contractors, fdx, fec, linehaul contractors

We're thrilled to announce the launch of our newest product, expressPRO by eTruckBiz !

Nearly a year in development and with the feedback and lessons learned by those that already have ventured into the Express integration, you'll want to read the valuable information below and see what the buzz is all about. 

Topics: FedEx, FedEx Ground, contractor, Network 2.0, definite, fedex ground contractors, fxg, CSP, time definite, fdx, time commit, Express, Integration

Topics: FedEx, FedEx Ground, Contract, Network 2.0, fedex ground contractors, fxg, CSP, time definite, driver management, fdx

The FedEx network, under the transformative wave of Network 2.0, is poised for significant change. This overhaul will extend its influence to all facets of FedEx and, by extension, to the lives of its customers. Amidst this transformation, there's a vital element that must remain unwavering for the successful integration of Express services into the Ground network: the FedEx Brand.

Topics: FedEx, FedEx Ground, Contract, Metrics, Costs, Network 2.0, fedex ground contractors, fxg, CSP, time definite

Topics: FedEx Ground, Dynamic Route Optimization, fedex ground contractors, time definite, driver management, BOSS

Topics: Business Tools, FedEx, ISP, FedEx Ground, Software, fxg, driver management, transportation business, BOSS

As eTruckBiz wraps up its 12th year, we take a moment to reflect on the journey so far and the exciting path that lies ahead. It's been a time of significant challenges and changes, not just for us but for the entire FedEx Contractor community. Despite the turbulence caused by ongoing changes within FedEx and the broader economic landscape, we've navigated these waters with resilience and innovation.

Topics: FedEx, Ground, ISP, FedEx Ground, Business, Contract, contractor, Profit, settlement, Cash flow, Network 2.0, Margins, fxg, CSP, time definite

Looking for our newest blog post? Click here to read Embracing Change and Innovation in 2024

In our last blog post, we released a legal summary of the most recent lawsuit making the rounds in the transportation business industry. Our goal was to provide contractors with the facts  and a summary along with our best industry recommendations. Our advice is always based on past experience and what we believe is best for contractors, but ultimately we want to empower contractors to make their own choices based on their unique business situations.

Topics: FedEx, Ground, ISP, FedEx Ground, Business, Contract, contractor, Profit, settlement, Cash flow, Costs, Network 2.0, Margins, time definate, low cost model, fxg, CSP

We've got some news that's making waves in our circle. A new lawsuit has popped up concerning contractor status. It's stirring quite a bit of chatter, and we at eTruckBiz think it's crucial to chat about it, especially since it touches on the heart of our operations – the independent contractor model.

Topics: FedEx, ISP, FedEx Ground, Business, Contract, Negotiation, contractor, Financial, Network 2.0, Margins, fedex legal issues, low cost model, fedex ground contractors, fedex ground legal advice, fxg, fedex lawsuit, Spencer patton, Patton Logistics, CSP

It has been a long time since economic conditions were favorable for a package rate war between UPS & FedEx.

In fact, because of generally good economic conditions, until a couple of years ago, there was little need for our two favorite competitors to try to steal each other’s business. A rising tide had been raising all boats, even including regional package carriers. Most indicators were signaling that there would never be another true price “war” like there was in the early 90’s, the early 2000’s or the period from 2008 - 2010.

Everything was stable in “pricing-land”...

Until it wasn’t.

Topics: FedEx, FedEx Ground, Business, Negotiation, contractor, Financial, Margins

Running a FedEx Ground contracting business has never been more challenging. As we navigate through the implementation of Network 2.0, contend with record inflation, and face labor market challenges, many CSPs find themselves pulled in various directions. The landscape is shifting, and margins are tighter than ever, making it essential to find a way to not just survive but thrive.

Topics: Driver Recruiting, Timekeeping, FedEx, Payroll, FedEx Ground, Business, DRO, vedr

Topics: Business Structure, FedEx, Ground, FedEx Ground, Business, Contract, contractor, linehaul, Network 2.0, transformation

This week, Contracted Service Providers will be introduced to the future.

(Project Drive?) is going to be unveiled to the masses.

What this means for CSPs is that business going forward is not going to be business as usual. Long-standing operating practices are all about to be changed, and with them, accepted CSP systems & processes will need to adapt, or get left behind. 

A new type of operating awareness is about to rule the day. Those who embrace change will thrive. 

At eTruckBiz, we've been anticipating and tracking these changes for a long time now. As a result, we have been developing a new application to make all of these changes easier for contractors. In our opinion, managing these metrics moving forward will be absolutely critical to success as a FedEx Contractor. With that in mind, we are introducing the Biz Status Tracker completely free.

Topics: Management, Business Metrics, FedEx Ground, Dashboard, Network 2.0, Real time, definite, Software, time

By now, most of us have seen or heard the news that FedEx is rolling out a new system for rating contractor performance. 

Initial indications are that there will be three tiers (Gold, Silver & Bronze) and your operation will be classified as one tier or another based on several safety, service and customer experience metrics, on a monthly basis. Word out there is that some operating efficiency data will also be included, so productivity will be a part of this too.

It appears that the days of simply meeting contractually accepted service & safety performance standards to assure continued contracting participation are about to be gone.

So the question being asked is, what does this really mean for contractors?

Topics: Business Outlook, FedEx, Management, Business Metrics, FedEx Ground, Business, Dashboard