California Delivery Associations 2003 California
MESSENGER-COURIER SURVEY

This is the fifth survey of the California messenger-courier industry conducted by CDA.  Even if you are not a member of the California Delivery Association (CDA), we want ­ and need ­ your input to develop an accurate profile of our industry.  Please take a few minutes to complete this survey and return it to us by mail, or FAX it to us at .  If you'd like to discuss the survey, or have suggestions for future surveys, please call us at .

Click Here for a printable version of the NEW 2003 California Messenger Courier Survey.
1. Operational Issues:
a. What is the average number of drivers you have in the State of California?
b. What is your average number of daily orders (all jobs) in California?
Less than 50  50-100 100-150 150-250
250-500 500-750 750-1000 1000-1500
1500-2000  Over 2000    
c. What types of vehicles do you operate (check all that apply)?
Automobiles Light pickups Vans Bobtail Vans
Bicycles Scooters Heavy-duty trucks(tractor-trailer)
Other (describe)
d. What types of services do you offer (check all that apply)?  
On demand Routed Next flight out Air cargo
Distribution Legal process Parts banking Logistics
Other (describe)
2. Compensation Issues:
a. How do you pay your employee drivers:  
Fixed rate per hour plus fixed reimbursement per mile for vehicle use.
Commission (allocated to wages and vehicle reimbursement)
Fixed rate per hour (company-owned vehicles)
We don't have employee drivers. We use independent contractors
We lease our drivers from a labor leasing company.
Yes No
If you have employee drivers, do you also have some drivers that are independent contractors?
Other (describe)
b. Which of the following paid employee benefits do your drivers receive?
Health insurance Pension Paid time off Vacation (Days/Yr )
Dental/Vision Bonus Holidays (No./Yr ) No paid benefits
Other (describe)
c. What are your average annual wages/salaries (compensation) for the following employee categories:
General Manager:
 $ Operations Manager: $
Office Manager:
 $ Bookkeeper: $
Accountant: $ Controller: $
Dispatcher: $ Customer Service Rep. $
Hourly drivers: $per hour  
d. How are your sales personnel paid?
Commission only. Base salary plus commission Salary only.
3.Independent Contractor Issues (for companies that use IC drivers):
a. How long have you used independent contractor drivers?
Less than one year 1-2 years 3-5 years More than 5 years

b. How do you pay your independent contractors?
Fixed rate per hour plus fixed reimbursement per mile for vehicle use.
Commission (please state amount, or range): %
Other (describe)

c. Do your independent contractors have their own Motor Carrier Permits (issued by DMV)?
Yes No Some do/some don't (state percentage that do) %
d. Do your ICs utilize a TPA/Broker (NICA, CMS, SCI etc.)?
Yes No
e. Do your ICs work for other messenger or courier companies?
Yes No Some do/some don't (state percentage that do)   %
f. Excluding financial considerations, how would you rate your experience with ICs (circle one)?
 Terrific
Poor 

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
4. Financial Issues:
a. What was your company's 2002 sales volume in California?
Less than $500K $500K - $1 million $1-3 million $3-5 million
$5-10 million $10-15 million Over $15 million
Other (describe)
b. How did your company's 2002 California total dollar profits before taxes compare with 2001?
Higher % About the same
Lower%
5. Technology Issues:
a. Which company's software products do you use?
(Please identify)
b. Do you currently have a website?
Yes No
c. If you do not have a website, do you plan to establish one in the next year?
Yes No
d. If you do have a website, which of the following features are available (check all that apply):
Order entry Electronic billing Package tracking Rates/Pricing
Credit applications Mileage estimator Driver application forms Confirmation of delivery (POD)
Other
e. Has e-commerce had a
positive negative
unchanged impact on your business?
f. Do you currently visit the CDA website?
Yes No
g. What additional features would make the CDA website more valuable to you?
6. Please identify the four issues which you are most concerned about.  Please rank them 1 through 4, with 1 being the issue you are most concerned about, 2 being the next most important issue, and so forth.  You may identify other issues in the "Other" space, but please do not rank more than four issues.
Automating and improving the technological capabilities of my company
Potential liability for past overtime
The proper use of independent contractors.
Securing and retaining good employee drivers
Workers' compensation insurance costs
Insurance costs (PL/PD)
Insurance costs (health/medical)
Cutthroat rate (price) competition
Illegal competition (companies without DMV motor carrier permit)
Fuel prices
Collection problems, delinquencies
Class action lawsuits
Other (specify):
7. Miscellaneous:
a. Do you offer warehousing services to your clients?
Yes No
b. Do you operate outside the State of California?
Yes No
c. Do you transport hazardous materials or hazardous waste?
Yes No
d. Does your firm conduct pre-employment drug testing
of its non-DOT regulated employees?
Yes No
e. Is your auto liability insurance secured through the
California assigned risk plan?
Yes No
f. Do you operate any vehicles in excess of 10,000 lbs. GVWR?
Yes No
8. Please identify changes that would make CDA more valuable to you:
9. Please mark if you are a member of any of the following organizations:
CDA MCAA
ACCA
CTA
ATA
None
10.Where is your principal California office located?
Northern California (Greater Bay Area) Northern California (other)
Southern California (LA Basin)
Southern California (other)
San Diego Area
Sacramento Area
Central Valley Area  
(Furnish the following information if you want us to send you a copy of the final survey results)
Company Name
Email Address
Mailing Address
Phone No. Contact Person
You are NOT required to provide your company name, but if you do so, be assured that all replies will be kept COMPLETELY CONFIDENTIAL.  Your name will be used by CDA staff only, and only in the event that contacting you would provide amplification or clarification of your responses.
 
Also, if you are not a member of CDA and wish to receive, a copy of the completed survey, it will be necessary to have your name and address so we'll know where to mail it.

Mail or FAX it to:

CALIFORNIA DELIVERY ASSOCIATION
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