HAQM has multiple major sales events throughout the year. Customer orders increase, and so does the demand for transportation to deliver those smiles. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or considering joining the HAQM Relay carrier network, there are best practices that will help you make the most of extra freight – while staying safe.
Note: It takes about 2 weeks for Relay applications to be approved (and we recommend 2 weeks to process new insurance for existing carriers). Make sure to factor in that timing when you’re looking to book HAQM’s high-volume events.
Performance score
A Relay performance score determines how much and how often an approved carrier is able to book HAQM loads. A strong score is earned with on-time, safe execution of assigned work. Carriers start by hauling spot work from our load board. Some opportunities – like contracts – are only available to carriers with consistent excellent performance.
Maintaining a healthy score gives Relay carriers access to the most freight opportunities during high-volume events (including early access). Whether you’re a new or potential carrier looking to build a score, or an existing carrier that wants to expand your business – let’s take a look at some best practices to minimize disruptions.
- Preview your score. Scores refresh every week. As a Relay carrier, you can get a daily, real-time prediction of your upcoming score in your account, and see your company’s performance trends on a weekly basis. That allows you to proactively identify when and where issues occur, so check your score early and often to plan for loads ahead.
- Take advantage of notifications. Make sure your primary administrator’s contact info is current in Relay. Email and push notifications allow HAQM to reach you with timely updates. You’ll get booking alerts about your area and equipment. But you’ll also hear about any hiccups on the road or in the yard.
- Consider extra drivers and/or vehicles. You can make the most of a sales event’s high volume, and make sure your company has a back-up plan in place for last-minute sick days or equipment breakdowns. Relay has discounts for truck rentals.
- Confirm load specifics. High-volume events may offer additional lanes and attractive rates, but only book work your company can confidently execute. Relay lists all load details ahead of booking so you’ll usually know the equipment requirements, scheduled arrival time, rate, locations, and driver type (solo or team) before you commit. With Post A Truck, you can automatically match with the load details that fit your tractor availability.
To manage your loads and account details on the go, we recommend downloading Relay’s app (iOS or Android). You can also use it to apply to our program and track your approval status.
Preventative maintenance
Take the time to make sure your fleet is in good working order. Proactive measures can prevent breakdowns, and Relay offers exclusive discounts on truck parts and maintenance. If a breakdown causes a delay or forces you to reject booked work, your performance score can be impacted, and affect your ability to be out and earning during a big opportunity.
Stay ahead with these vehicle maintenance best practices:
- Manufacturer guidance: Follow any recommended maintenance guidelines, including service schedules and intervals for changing vehicle components.
- Driving conditions. Keep in mind that fluctuating traffic speeds, mountainous roads, and adverse weather may mean your vehicle needs maintenance more frequently. Each season may call for different maintenance needs.
- Pre-trip inspections: To stay on top of employee safety and vehicle maintenance, complete thorough pre- and post-trip inspections to identify potential defects. Drivers can report equipment issues during a load in their version of the Relay app.
Safety reminders
The roads and the yards are busier than usual during HAQM’s major sales. Here’s how you can prepare.
- Follow safety standards. To be eligible to haul HAQM loads, Relay carriers must comply with HAQM’s BASIC score thresholds (which are stricter than FMCSA), in addition to all safety regulations required by law. During high-volume events, consider putting additional processes in place to help prevent and reduce the risk of operational incidents.
- Maintain Hours of Service compliance. To avoid delays, anticipate road conditions and plan driver schedules accordingly. Relay navigation factors HOS into our tour planning.
Apply to Relay for HAQM’s high volume events
With these best practices, carriers and drivers can get ready for the work associated with high volume events. Want in? Start your application on desktop or in the Relay app on iOS or Android. But first, check out Relay’s carrier requirements to make sure hauling for HAQM is the right fit for your business.
Disclaimer: HAQM does not tender loads through any third-party load boards. Any HAQM loads posted on third-party load boards will only be tendered directly to approved and onboarded carriers via the Relay web portal or Relay mobile app. If you are interested in hauling loads for HAQM, sign up and book directly on relay.haqm.com.
