Let’s be real: most drivers aren’t going to walk into your shipping office and tell you what’s wrong with your operation. They’ve got places to be, a clock that never stops ticking, and, frankly, they’re tired of being ignored.

But that doesn’t mean they don’t have thoughts. And if you’re a shipper who wants freight moved on time, with fewer headaches and a solid reputation in the carrier world, you should want to hear them.

So, on their behalf, we’re saying the quiet parts out loud. Here are six things drivers wish you knew:

Everyone loves to talk ship about bad brokers. The ghosters. The lowballers. The margin-chasers who disappear the second things go sideways.

But what about the ones who are trying, and still missing the mark?

Let’s be honest: a lot of people come into this industry and get handed a phone, a list of leads, and not much else. If they’re lucky, they get an afternoon shadowing Chad, who might be a top earner, but also happens to have a mountain of bad habits (and possibly a superiority complex).

Transportation fraud isn’t just a nuisance, it’s a growing, multi-million-dollar problem in North American logistics. From double brokering to stolen loads and hijacked payments, fraudsters are getting bolder and smarter.

And no one is immune.

Whether you’re a shipper, broker, carrier, or driver, the only way to stay ahead is to stay informed, and be proactive. Below, we break down exactly what each party can do to reduce risk and keep freight flowing safely.

The cradle-to-grave model has been a staple business model in logistics brokerage for years. And with the rise of the agent model across North America, it’s seeing a bit of a glow-up.

Everywhere you turn, there’s another post selling the dream: Be your own boss. Work from anywhere. Build your own book. Keep more of your commission.

Sounds great, right? And to be fair, it can be, it’s how I started my entrepreneur journey. Cradle-to-grave can offer freedom, autonomy, and a chance to build something of your own. But let’s not romanticize it. Because when you’re the one selling the freight, booking the truck, tracking the shipment, handling the fallout, chasing paperwork, and invoicing the customer… that’s not freedom. That’s a one-person logistics department. And it burns people out.

The freight’s delivered, the truck’s empty, and the driver’s already asking about their next load.

You’re done, right?
Not even close.

This is where a lot of dispatchers coast, but this stage can make or break your margin, customer relationships, and ability to get paid. It’s not glamorous, but post-delivery is where the smart teams pull ahead. Tie off the loose ends now, or deal with the fallout later (usually in the form of disputes, denied accessorials, or annoyed billing staff).

Here’s your checklist for after delivery.

You’ve made it past the pickup, congrats. But now the load’s rolling, and the clock is ticking. This is the part where a lot of dispatchers mentally check out.

Don’t.

Because in-transit is when things can start to fall apart quietly, and if you’re not watching closely, you’ll only hear about it when it becomes a problem at delivery. Or worse, in a claim. Here’s what you need to be checking while the load is moving and before that trailer door gets cracked open on the other end.

Booking a truck on a load from a brand-new customer? Take a breath. Before you hit confirm, run through this checklist, because nothing kills a day faster than realizing too late that you’re missing a crucial detail and you can’t back out now.

This isn’t just a CYA move (although yes, it's that too). It's about protecting your time, your team, your drivers, and your profit. Putting in extra effort on the front end helps you avoid the possibility of an absolute dumpster fire later on. Skipping these questions is how you end up with equipment mismatches, rejected freight, or worse safety violations.