CDL A Dry Van NOOBS: Shipping and Receiver process

Experienced Truckers' Advice
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Ask that question on Experienced Truckers Advice and probably get good advice.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
If you're going to Millis Transfer, you'll learn how they do it, as part of your orientation.

 

I don't think I tackled this topic.

You show up at the gaurd shack on time. (Most people cannot get across town to doc within 10 minutes of stated hour appt time. And you are expected to cross a whole Nation against all weather, all traffic or none day and night for a week to be there no later than 10 minutes prior to your arrival appt time assigned to you.

Give them their papers. (The bills of lading) They call it in. If it's good you are told to go to here and wait. With either your radio on or go inside and wait there.

It will be a while before you are called.

If you are all excited for formally delivering your first load ever, that will burn off in a time. Don't worry.

You are told what door to back in

If you are lucky, a forklift unloads you in 10 minutes. You are handed back the bills signed and time stamped (Which is a problem now that you have to log this...)

Anything is possible with such a simple topic. Long answer short. If you can make sure it is a drop and hook and go. Don't throw your back out on that landing gear, you have to still drive a couple thousand miles.

 

Main thing is don't be late. Shippers/receivers can ruin your whole day if you're late even a couple of minutes.

 

1. Bathe.
2. Put on fresh clothes.
3. Arrive at shipper. Look for signs saying "Trucks this entrance" or "Shipping and Receiving."
4. Write down all the load info from whatever dispatching computer your company uses. Shipper number, load number, product code number, whatever
5. Write down your trailer number
6. Carry all of this in with you along with your driver's license and talk to the shipping clerk.
7. "Hi, my name is _______. I am here for _______."
8. Follow the shipping clerk's instructions.

Luck in battle.

 

I pulled reefers most of my career and most places were pretty strict on appointment times.
I pulled dry vans for maybe a year and the only places that were jerks about appointment times were grocery warehouses. Most other places I dealt with were pretty laid back.
If it's Millis you're going to, I'd say, your overall experiences will be positive.