Reefer division

1. Having to pulp your load every couple of hours so that the load maintains the proper temperature.

 

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...-drivers/101589-pros-and-cons-of-reefers.html

 

Reefer is not for everyone it can be a major headache. I dont mind it but will say Dry-van is much easier and less headaches. But I find it pays a little better. If you get reefer experience it easier to find work. The more you do the more options you give yourself later.

 

Reefer you sit alot and run hard when loaded because of customer demands on perishable freight. Shelf life is usually less than 2 weeks and the freight has to get there to be sold. It's not for every driver as your clock gets twisted all around and you might run all night. Late night deliveries are common as early morning too.
I like it for the long runs. Reefer drivers make a little more and usually have nicer equipment. I do alot of drop/hooks picking up and live unloads. Many trips have multiple drops which you can rack up drop pay. I always have some detention pay every week, 1-5 hours. I seldom have to clean the trailer. When it's dirty you just get a trailer wash out. People always have to eat so the freight is there even in tough times.
Each trucking job has it's advantages and disadvantages.

 

Wait to you have on a load of lettuce and you keep getting caught in traffic jams. OK now you you are 5 hours behind schedule now what you out of hours? Think not it got to get threw. Like CondoCruiser said there is a shelf life and people need to eat. Owe #### now the little light on the reefer went from green to RED!! The Reefer just took a crap and not working no more!! Now only you behind schedule now your precious cargo is going to go bad unless you get the reefer fixed!! This is a true story it happened to me.

 

Yeah I've seen that a few times which is why I sit where I unloaded untill a load comes up or I find the closest place to park. That 40 miles is 3/4 hour off the log book. That's why I like doing NYC! I can get washed out if needed, and there is parking all over that town and food that's cheaper than truck stops and better also! Not to mention the scenery that walks by all the time!

 

I certainly agree with the idea that you have more options yanking around a reefer...ya get used to the reefer motor after awhile, but you also become more attuned to the absence of the reefer noise if it craps out. Draw backs: disp says this ld has 7 picks in
Salinas, Gilroy and Monterrey over two days and then delivers four days later in NJ/NYC and Boston. Pull into the first pick in Salinas...the dock is f'd up and everyone's behind sched by at least 45 min or so....next pick you're 1 hr late and the dick at the dock(wonder if that's a union position or description) decides to punish you...even though your disp "supposedly" called him to let him know you'd be a bit late. Now you leave your second pick almost two hrs late...more calls for the disp to make and appts to be redone. NOW...let's say your disp has no idea how all this works!!!! He thinks...gee...why can't my driver make these appts. And then you STILL have 5 more picks over the next day and a half...and you KNOW you're not gonna make that delv. date on the east coast. THAT can make you wanna go to flatbeds or dry vans in a heartbeat. Just another day in paradise for a reefer driver.