Waiting at shipper?

First of all, remember the delay is likely not the fault of the clerk in the shipping office, so they probably feel annoyed that you keep bothering them and interrupting their Facebook time, or whatever they are doing.

Another thing, at least in my experience, is it could easily be a mistake on your dispatcher. I used to have this one shipper that I hauled for often, my dispatcher would always say the load can pick up any time after 0800. So I would get there at or around 0800 and the load was never ready and I’d have to sit around for hours waiting like an idiot. Finally after the 3rd or 4th time this happened the dumb kid on the dock asked me, “why do they always send you here so early? This shipment is scheduled for noon. We gotta wait for our shuttle truck to show up with the parts.” Turns out, my stupid dispatcher just said 0800 because that’s what time they opened. LOL

Welcome to truckin’!

 

Hurry up and wait. Welcome to Trucking.

 

I ALWAYS go out of my way to be nice and friendly to the shipping and receiving folks. They're just folks trying to do their job, same as you. Chances are highly likely they have little to do with your load taking longer than you wish to begin with. And, seen too many truckers being 'unpleasant' to these folks. No wonder so many have such a bad attitude toward drivers. Also, being cheerful, kind of bubbly and joyful is my normal disposition toward others anyway. It's kind of just the way I am to begin with.
Anyway, I always do my best to be cheerful, polite and accommodating. I almost always tell the folks, I'm in no hurry, work me in however you want. Regardless of if I'm actually in a hurry or not. I have serious doubts it's ever slowed me down. Matter of fact, it may have got me faster service a couple times. And, those folks tend to be nicer to me and remember me in a good way the next time I'm there. I remember delivering to this place once. About a year later I was back and as I walked up to the desk, the gal got a big smile, called me by my name off the top of her head and asked me how I was doing and why so long since I'd been there. It was sweet.
And, if you look at it, those folks are our customers who are paying us to ship stuff. It's basic customer service. Being nice helps to reflect beyter on my company. Never know if it actually makes a difference, but it certainly doesn't hurt things to be nice, pleasant and flexible.

 

The issue with truckers getting peessed about "delays" is that a lot of them think everyone is obligated to smile and welcome them for showing up to pick up or deliver.

 

A bit exaggerated statement)

 

If you don’t want wait time switch to flatbed.

I BARELY have any wait time. When I do, I start charging the customer for it and I instantly start to get loaded…..funny how that works.

 

Unless you are picking crane parts and have 10 trucks lined up ahead.

 

My appointments at 10, if I’m sitting past 10:30 I’m billing…..haha

On the flip side, when I book crane jobs I’m usually getting $8+/ mile so I don’t mind waiting a bit.