Perhaps one too many Mercedes Galandewagens parked outside broker offices? I have no doubt that 5-10% of broker services operate legitimately and take a fair percentage for their services. Unfortunately, you have guys like that one guy from Chattanooga openly bragging on LinkedIn about how he took $2500 of a $3100 load, and lied to the carrier to make it happen. I, for one, having had a freight brokerage, while also being brought into lawsuits where these disputes are levied, I see much more than the average person would care to admit. This, like anything else, expanded into the Wild, Wild West and now it's going to be brought back to reality. I'd suggest a Toyota Highlander instead of a Galendewagen next time.

I understand if someone is just out there to scam how they wouldn't make any real effort on an email address, but I've got a formal email address for $5 a month - unlimited storage and five different accounts - under one $5 subscription. IONOS Webmail. [email protected]

@Sydnie Theisen the first thing I look at in a truck crash investigation is the driver qualification file. The second is social media for the driver and the company.

@Nick Padgett Yes. 391.51, 383.111, and 391.11(a). 391.51 has 10 or additional regulations that pertain to the DQ file.

@Bill Robinson I get it for the reasons you've spelled out, but as a driver, I always contacted the receiver once I'm underway, because MY time is the most important factor in the whole equation. I know I'll get the load there safely and on-time, but making contact with the end user usually gives me additional information. I wasn't in a position to back-solicit or anything like that - I just wanted them to know I was coming, would be on-time or early, and in a nice way, wanted to get the point across that I didn't want my time wasted. To give over all that communication to a broker who doesn't plan on paying any detention time to begin with, or set up a load as FCFS is nuts, imo. I dealt with a company that only used broker freight in my last full-time driving job in 2022 - 95% of hat our lazy dispatcher booked was FCFS...so I was guaranteed a full dead day on the day of pick up and another one on delivery. Not cool, and never again.

@Sean Ruch The problem is that when the broker takes on all the communication in a scenario, they've become the dispatcher and sled driver, so to speak. It's very hard to defend a broker who takes an aggressive stance n ruling out all other communication - especially when you have a crash and an HOS violation is involved. Bear in mind that I see everything from a crash investigation perspective, and then whatever side I'm working with, be it defense or plaintiff, I have to look at all aspects.