To lump, or not to lump?

My partner used to be on the Dollar Tree account dedicated. He said that's very hard work. Typically he'd try to unload 2 full trailers a day but that involved running illegal HOS to make it happen. Great money but massive wear and tear on the body. Then the company started getting popped for the drivers' HOS, plus the unload pay dropped by almost half ($120 unload became $80 unload) he jumped ship.

Just about every month I get a message on QC offering Dollar Tree dedicated where I live with many benefits like more hometime, more pay etc. I told my partner about it he surmised that driver take the bait but they don't get paid fairly for their hard work so they go back OTR.

 

No. I'm anti-lump. I won't lump unless it's required and stated in the trip info.
Lumping cuts into your 14. The company is okay with paying a lumper, then so am I. Here's your check. Thanks for the receipt. I'll be in the back sleeping. Knock on the door when you're done.

I've only had to live load once and it was in Minneapolis picking up some home decoration stuff. The shipper pointed at the line of 4 pallets that were mine. Said I could use the electronic pallet jack. I showed them my certification to use one. Put those 4 pallets on. Got paid on the next check for it.

 

Random idea: I'm currently not working and I'm going to take a Forklift certification. If I do that could I get away with hanging around docks offering to "Lump" for a lower price? Kind of like a 4th party underbidding the 3rd party?

I mean if the trucker shows up and thinks the lumper fee is absurd could I walk up and offer to work for the trucker as an independent lumper?

I suppose it's a silly idea but just amusing to think about seeing the looks on the faces of the ripoff lumper company if the trucker can tell them "No Thanks" they have someone else who is also Forklift certified ready to unload it for them.

 

I'm sure the company docks are going to boot your hiney off their premises.

 

What's that old expression? Something about "if you don't Like it [waiting], lump it?

 

or Mitchellen.... a whole 0.10 per tire ohhh wow you get about 80-100 bucks all said and done plus stop off pay but then the might think twice about lumping after that

 

The ones that I like, if you are not certified, you can not use the power jack. You must hire a lumper, but the Shipper will not pay for the lumper. P&G, water loads. And all that the receiver has, power jacks.

The best is Wal-Mart, driver pulls in, LTL, and he has is own power jack on the trailer. Can not use it on Wal-mart docks, even though certified. Never have figured that one out, along with, why Grocery Dist Center, you mostly have to pay for their own help, to unload their product, but the other DC's, they unload for no fee.

 

With Werner I think after orientation they give you a little card that reads "Electronic Pallet Jack Certification"