MrFedEx
Engorged Member
The official reason for installing these is to eliminate Trip Reports and Driver Logs, but the real reason is to allow management to start using the COMPASS system to monitor (micro-manage) local CTV routes. On the longer routes, it could have the beneficial effect of reducing meet-point times by allowing RTD's to alter the meetpoint enroute (via GPS) to increase efficiency. Overall, however, this is a small part of the equation. All of the RTDs I know already are aware of the Master Plan. Sorry Fred, they aren't as stupid as you think.
The real issue will be in how closely management decides to monitor the RTD function, since the jobs of courier and RTD are so different. Attempting to micro-manage CTV routes would be problematic on two levels.
First; Most managers don't understand the RTD job and it's associated functions and many will be tempted (or ordered) to try and increase efficiency by micro-managing truck routes, which won't work. Try calculating-in factors like chaining-up,long pre-trips,traffic,positioning containers, and managers who lie about departure times from DGO stations.
Second; The RTD workgroup is more likely than any other to go union. Many of the drivers are maxed-out in the FedEx retirement system, very senior, and have everything to gain by going Teamster. Pissing them-off by trying to micro-manage their jobs will be throwing gasoline on the fire, since they're already extremely angry. In the long-run, forcing this new technology onto this workgroup will do more towards forming a union than anything else Memphis has thought-up so far. It won't take long for the RTD's to figure out the real reason behind the new device (COMPASS), and they'll sheet a brick when management starts trying to run them like couriers.
Another good move Fred. Do your best to alienate the most senior and antagonistic workgroup within the company, and then see how they react. It's kind of like pissing-off the pilots, the only other workgroup in the company that has direct control over the line-haul of significant amounts of freight. A bad case of the RTD Purple Flu could really put operations into a tailspin, and you're inviting disaster by screwing with a workgroup that can screw you right back.
The real issue will be in how closely management decides to monitor the RTD function, since the jobs of courier and RTD are so different. Attempting to micro-manage CTV routes would be problematic on two levels.
First; Most managers don't understand the RTD job and it's associated functions and many will be tempted (or ordered) to try and increase efficiency by micro-managing truck routes, which won't work. Try calculating-in factors like chaining-up,long pre-trips,traffic,positioning containers, and managers who lie about departure times from DGO stations.
Second; The RTD workgroup is more likely than any other to go union. Many of the drivers are maxed-out in the FedEx retirement system, very senior, and have everything to gain by going Teamster. Pissing them-off by trying to micro-manage their jobs will be throwing gasoline on the fire, since they're already extremely angry. In the long-run, forcing this new technology onto this workgroup will do more towards forming a union than anything else Memphis has thought-up so far. It won't take long for the RTD's to figure out the real reason behind the new device (COMPASS), and they'll sheet a brick when management starts trying to run them like couriers.
Another good move Fred. Do your best to alienate the most senior and antagonistic workgroup within the company, and then see how they react. It's kind of like pissing-off the pilots, the only other workgroup in the company that has direct control over the line-haul of significant amounts of freight. A bad case of the RTD Purple Flu could really put operations into a tailspin, and you're inviting disaster by screwing with a workgroup that can screw you right back.
