What Are Drop Yards Used For?

When I drove for PAM I would usually t call a load at the Atlanta dropyard and bobtail home. When I came off hometime usually picked up an empty at the drop yard or deliver a local load that was t called by another driver to start off.

Mainly used for that type of scenario. Some my have a shop as well. Some drivers park at the yard if they dont want to park at a truck stop or there isnt one in the area.

 

A drop yard is used to drop off a loaded trailer. Another driver will come and pick up that loaded trailer and deliver it.

 

Drop yards can be used as stated above. Or to pick up an empty trailer as well as a safe haven if there's no parking any where around you. For example. Our drop yard is in the allentown, PA area. When going through late or early morning 11-3am I know parking is slim to non. So I'll go there and sleep for the night. Most are usually secured with decent lighting. Can't say that for all companies but I know it's a safe haven if I need to use it.

 

When I drove for Schneider, some of their drop yards were monitored from Green Bay, some had security guards. They had a camera and a 2 way speaker at the entrance. They verified truck and trailer info then opened the gate to let you in. Drop yards are more secure than truck stops especially in high crime areas.

 

Stevens used to have a drop yard here in El Paso in the north east part of town. Don't know if it's still there.

 

Werner's Albuquerque,NM drop yard is an unsecured lot next to the TA. Anyone could dissappear with a trailer.

 

We use the Pilot/Town Pumps in Montana for drop yards. No security and unlocked, loaded trailers at the edge of the lot and no one monitoring coming or going. However, the company does have "trailer track technology" so in the words of the immortal Alfred E. Newman, "What, me, worry? "