LTL in Pictures

Good thread, just got done reading through it. New here. I'll see if I can dig up some pictures. Spent time with CFCC back in the day (dockworker only), CF (10%er so a grab bag), short time with United Van Lines, small regional guy (MI, OH, IL, IN, WI) doing van and flatbed work, tanker with Suttles out of Demopolis, AL, private fleet all over east of the Rockies, and finally at R&L as linehaul for a year and city driver for 9. Seen a few things. Those CF cracker boxes were a hoot to drive. No fuel gauge, straight 7 speed, air start, no radio unless you brought your own with you. The FLC's were a Cadillac compared to the COEs

 

Here's an LTL photo, the Tucson barn for Reddaway...was the first place I tried to get LTL work back then. It's closed, the signs are gone.

 

My dolly shouldn’t look this mid April after my run.

 

A few pics of jacked up loads by dock. We DO NOT load our peddles.


Shaft was in a crate. Destroyed enroute. Gouges in end from forklifts. 18,000$ shaft.

Carpet was 1800 lbs for both rolls

 

At the time this photo was taken I had a customer that would deck his freight but only with dunnage between skids or on bars hence the plywood. I had one of those LE series where the verticals Etrac was on 4' centers and only had two pop riveted horizontal Etrac, not good for bars and heavy skids. Now I've got a newer one with vertical Etrac back to normal spacing so I carry load bars with me. My area has a lot of heavy dense freight and I'm the type of guy who'd rather pack and stack and stay out rather than floor out and come in. Outbound dock hates it but dispatcher and SCM and customers are happy with it. It's not unusual for me to hit the gate with 36 or more skids and 44,000 in the box. Looks more like a linehaul trailer than a P&D trailer.

 

You've got that right! I've got my dispatch pretty well trained though. I kowtow just enough to let them think they're in charge. Their illusion of control keeps them out of my hair and makes for a pleasant day for all involved. One of my heavy hitters in outbound doesn't even want to see us till 1630 daily. So by the time I get done with them it's 1715 or so and I'll have a few spots open to help out if need be but generally it's "head in and thanks". It's worked out good to be willing to help dispatch in evening without squawking about it. There's been several times I've pulled their bacon out of the fire when I didn't really want to but in turn on several Fridays I've called in with a few open and ask if he needs help and he'll say something like "naw, I've got two at so and so but I'll have Bob cover it". Don't really consider myself an arse kisser but hey, I help you out, you help me out.