I`ve almost always hired a lumper.Sometimes i`ve unloaded myself by choice and other times by coersion.If you are tired a lumper is worth it only if someone elsr is paying for it.My companys` shippers all pay for lumpers no questions asked.Some places I go the lumping is on a prepaid account.After looking at all the aspects of my job I`ve concluded that I am giving away the best money to a lumper since I could get paid the same thing they are paid.Last week on 20 pallets of french fries I paid the going rate of $180.An hour and a half later I pulled away from the dock.SO if it took me twice as long I would have made $45 an hour-substantially more than I make driving ! I deadheaded 90 miles to reload then waited 6 hours on product and shipper B.S. It would have been way better for me if I had Put that cash money in my pocket EVEN IF it shorts my hours available to drive. The physical work would do most of us alot of good,the extra lumping money would help take care of my family and I wouldn`t feel as though I`m being raped when I`m quoted a price for unloading.
Now I am going to get forklift certified (pallet jacks,etc.),buy steel toed boots and insulated coveralls.Then jump thru whatever hoops I have to and unload myself whenever possible.Another benefit to this-INSTANT CASH-of course I`ll have to report what I made to the IRS.

there were alot of place that I went to made us wait untill they broke down the palletts and counted every single thing

the company that I worked for asked for a receipt for every lumper and they go to those places often so they would know a forged receipt when they would get one.
If the company would pay me the same amount as a lumper then I would not mind doing it. but they only wanted to pay 65.00 if even that much for the full load and I belive it was 25-35 for 1/2 load

If the company pays for the lumpers, and you do it, I would be willing to bet that they try to screw you out of that pay. They have an account with them to do it, how will you ever see that 'cash'?? You said if you do it yourself, that is instant cash in your pocket. What do you do, write yourself out a comcheck?? (that is what i am guess, but could be wrong) unless I am super tired, i wouldn't have a problem doing it myself, ESPECIALLY if i'd make $50/hr. Does the shipper just pay a flate rate to do it ?? where can you go to get forklift certified ??

I`m not touching the ones that are pre paid.My company will pay me the same as the lumpers,and if i give a receipt,who cares? as for forklift certification,check with employment agencies or gov`t. agencies.Possibly find documents at an office supply store and certify yourself.At best all the receiver is going to let you use an electric jack-most make you use a hand jack.Thats okay I`m a big boy!

i can understand staying away form the pre=paid lumpers, but how would you get paid unloading if you wern't 'authorized' to unload your own truck?? just curious, because if i can unload my truck using a electric jack, and get paid $50 an hour for it, by all means, i'll do it. Cant get a reset by taking 2 hours in the sleeper anyways....not to mention you wont get much sleep anyways with all the noise...

Most of our customers pay for unloading,all i do is call in with the amount of lumping charges after i am empty.Or i have to call in for a check,if i dont have cash.This is a small mom and pop company in business for 30 years with a good long term customer base and a reputation for being fair and honest.With most companies I have worked for I worried about getting ripped off,but here i can get paid what is owed me without all the hassle.Whatever the lumper wants-I get the same thing.Up til now i just stayed outsidein the truck and let them have it.After thinking about my healthAND finances,I`ve decided to give this a try.We deliver to the same places alot,so I figure after the first couple of times it should be easier for me to get my load checked in,even if some "tipping" is involved.Besides I know i need the exercise!!lol

You won't make 50 bucks per hour, you don't write yourself a com-check, the best way to anything in regard to this lumper vs driver unload get your dm/fm on the line and ask them to answer your questions on this matter. The shipper nor receiver does not pay you to load/unload your truck, this is something that you should ask your company.
Getting paid for unloading your truck isn't instant cash in your pocket depending on your company's policy you will need to have some paperwork or whatever is your company's policy is in regard to payment normally you turn in "driver's assist" with your bills and assignment work and you get the (Ha!Ha!) money when you get paid for the load.

Try this one out and see what your company says.

General response to all:

First of all, I'm glad to see so many are so willing to do manual labor to earn their pay. Keeps me from doing it as a professional, OTR driver. I'll just hire one of you guys next time I need manual labor.

Second of all, back in the "good old days," many companies paid ZERO to get trucks loaded/unloaded and claimed it was part of the driver's pay. That only changed when professional drivers began refusing any such load. But, it took awhile.

So, now here we are with "professional" drivers inquiring about how much they should be paid to do manual labor. Professional drivers do NOT load or unload trucks unless they are local drivers being paid by the hour. If you are an OTR driver, you are a moron if you load or unload trailers. Mainly because if you continue doing so, it will not be long before you will be right back where we started, doing it for FREE.

If that's what you want, go for it. I'll be in my sleeper watching tv.

Now, to the subject at hand:

Typically, when a truck arrives at the shipper or receiver, he is told to either wait or to back into a door. It may take as long as 12 hours to get into a door. Picking up produce, it can take days, not hours.

He is then told what is required (go to your truck and wait, stand on the dock and wait, or load/unload the truck). If he is told to load/unload, there will usually be a lumper service available that already knows what is required and how much they intend to charge.

At which time the driver either hires the lumpers or he is told by the shipper/receiver what is required. Palletized loads generally pull straight off, but quite often, they must be broken down and placed on different pallets.

(Beware of the broken pallet jack scam)

If it is a floor load to be unloaded, it usually has to be placed on pallets according to the customer's specs. If it is being loaded, the process is reversed, take it off pallets and stack it on the floor and hope you get it loaded right (for weight & space). The majority of shippers load trailers so drivers are rarely asked to load them.

You''ll become very familiar with terms such as 10/6 or 4/5 or 6/9, etc.

I'll let you find out what those mean on your own.

And, after the driver-lumper or lumper does whatever he is supposed to do, the shipper/receiver still has to prepare the bills. Many receivers, especially grocery warehouses, make the driver wait until the product is counted and checked for damage.

The driver is required to wait until the bills are signed before he can leave the dock. Which can take hours, depending on location. Which is nonsense given the fact the receiver can sign the bills "subject to inspection & count" and let the driver go as soon as the trailer is unloaded.

But, anyone who thinks he is going to hand load/unload a floor loaded 53' trailer in less than two hours probably needs lots of training.

And, a final thought about the comment about unloading five trailers a week:

If you are hiring on as an OTR driver and are required to hand unload five trailers a week, RUN for the nearest exit.

Just friendly advice . . . (and you appear to need LOTS of advice, more than I'm willing to give without being paid to do so).

whats with the name calling? could you not have made this post without that in there? this the sign of a professional driver??

and IF i can get paid extre bucks by unloading (with/out help) and not kill my HOS that day, i'll do it, and have more $$$ in my pocket. I'll enjoy a sit down dinner once more often than you, than yet another PB&J sandwich.

this one sounds self explainatory...

gee, thanks. Thought this board was ment to be informative.

who is this comment intended for??

Is it really that common to get stuck at a dock for days when the load isnt ready?? Why would you be dispatched to the shipper when the load is nowhere near ready?? (not sounding 'know it all' here, just asking a simple question) And is the shipper really going to load your truck, and make you "...sit for hours..." while the paperwork is put together, while their load spoils??

wow, this post created more questions than it did answering any.....

and a 'professional driver', is more than just someone who 'only drives the truck. S/he isnt someone who gets to where they are going, then sits in his/her sleeper with folded arms if asked to unload. A professional driver is THE FACE of the company when at the dock doing business with the customer. 'You' are more than just a driver, you are a businessman, but without the high dollar suit and tie.

It is amazing just how disrespectful and inconsiderate drivers are that come thru our fuel building when they stop for fuel. You are representing yourself AND the company, quit acting like a little child.

I appreciate GOOD and HELPFUL information. I am open to taking in every little nugget of info.......just bake sure it is just that.....helpful.