This is probably backwards thinking for most in the industry but I sure could use some guidance from you good folks here. (Been coming to this forum for a couple of years for good advice and have had lots of luck. First time posting myself.)
I'm a driver originally from south Louisiana, turned Colorado (Denver, I-70 east from there to KC and 25 north to WY mainly), turned Florida (entire state, mostly city driving).
Most of my experience in the industry has been local end dump, local dry van D&H, little reefer here and there. I had a bit of OTR a few years ago but not as much as I one could have hoped for at the time.
I come here to ask for a little advice. After few years of local/regional, I'm deciding to go OTR the proper way. (Already landed on with company I enjoy so far, they're happy with my driving abilities, etc) but there's just one thing (well, could be considered couple of things lol) I need to really brush up on.
I've been scratching my head on some of the paperwork requirements that comes with OTR. BOL's, transflo, ESPECIALLY delivery receipts (never filled one out if I'm being honest). I love my work and pride myself on being safe and courteous but just didn't give myself a lot of room for learning the proper way to do a lot of the written paperwork. (I'm good with ELD). I'd just love some pointers. I know it's different company to company but there's gotta be some general pointers on basic ways to fill out receipts, sending paperwork back to homebase while out for months at a time. I'm one of those that doesn't need much time at home. Any advice is welcome and if you feel the need, you can scold me for not doing OTR long enough with a trainer to show me these things but just didn't pan out that. But I'm here now and wanna further my career and provide for myself. Thank you for reading and if this is something that could have been found and consolidated elsewhere, please forgive me and point me in the right direction if you'd be kind enough.
Have a good'n
Local and looking for specific OTR tips
Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by BravesCountry91, Sep 6, 2022.
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Dude, i can't fathom how your trainer didn't teach you these things.
For me, BOL signed and see ya. IDK how it works in the real world though.Last edited: Sep 6, 2022
BravesCountry91 Thanks this. -
Nothing really harsh to say about trainer like most, he was fair in that he really improved my driving, backing, safety, etc. Just fell short on the business side of things and once I went local none of these places cared outside a quick dropoff of BOL, no signature needed half the time. (Night driver, throw it in a mailbox no questions asked) I'm mostly good with BOL's, just not sure about delivery receipts and mailing off my PW to terminal when I can't get there mostly
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Turn right back around and talk to the person who did your orientation. They should of covered this all.BravesCountry91 Thanks this.
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You’ll have to get on getting paperwork in on time or your payroll will be a mess. Bill of Lading should be all you need for the load. The only delivery receipt I can think of you may need would be for exchange pallets. Other than those two it’s something the suits and skirts in that office dreamed up. Usually that’s all they teach you is how their precious paperwork systems work. You need someone with knowledge of that system to sort you on it.BravesCountry91 Thanks this.
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The " delivery receipt " is just copy of the BOL signed by the receiver, mostly. There are a few receivers that will also give you thier thier receipt.
Send both to your company via thier preferred method ... either via tranflo at a truck stop or a company provided ap on your phone..
Bottom line your company will explain it all to you during orientation.BravesCountry91 Thanks this. -
I really appreciate all of your answers. I finished their quick 1 day orientation with mostly just them explaining benefits, elogs, things I'm already familiar with. If it's any consolation to myself, it's a PODS account which will most likely end up being self explanatory after the first couple of loads. I'm meeting with my DM tomorrow and I plan to be honest and up front and hopeful they'll be cool with my learning curve if it should occur. That's always hit or miss as we all know lol. Thanks again everyone. I'm always confident and outspoken with questions that I have with companies I'm with. Just like to reach out to my fellow drivers first
Big Road Skateboard Thanks this. -
It's been a long time since I was OTR, but I had a simple way of doing it. I wrote the load number on every piece of paper associated with the load. Then I transflowed all of it. I figured if there were things they didn't want they would call me. Never got a call.
Florescent-android92, Flat Earth Trucker, dunchues and 1 other person Thank this. -
This is the route that I plan on taking. Figure if they don't need it at least I didn't miss anything. Great advice. Also, go bolts!
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Probably the best thing is sit down with the people who actually deal with the paper work in the office. Ask them straight out, how do I do this, what do you need. They will be very happy to help you learn the system. Take notes if needed. Do it the way they want and you’ll be rewarded for your efforts.
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