pier / container hauling... if your thinking about doing it, read this first.

Good advice! I did the container deal years ago and hated it also.
Between the BS at the ports and junk for chassis....non working lights,junk chinese tires,ect.It would be my last resort for a trucking job.

 

how does o/o get out quicker than a company driver?

 

i dont think o/o get in and out any faster they just get the whole rate
my friend has 3 trucks at Port of Newark and has 3 houses

 

My dad knows guys who pull out of Piers/Rail Yards. Says its all about being in good with the yard manager or someone inside. Can be in and out with the best loads quick or spend all day and make nothing if you are on their *hit list.

 

I've been hauling containers for 15 yrs, while it's definetly getting better, the thing you have to understand is your dealing with steamship companies, not trucking companies. Chassis are owned by steamship lines and placed in a pool, they don't give a #### about regulations, safety, repairs, it's not part of their job. Who do you think are the companies fighting the intermodal safe container act and it's various ammendments? I primarily deal with two intermodal terminals, UPRR and BNSF, they are definetly a step up from the Port work, which we do on occasion. The only way the quality of equipment, times, etc. will improve is when the Port drivers get organized (with or without union help) and shut down, go on strike, let the product rot to get the point across.

The problem you have with customs, quite simply customs is understaffed. We deal occasionally with customs, usually it's taking a loaded sealed container to an approved customs inspection location, drop it, come back in a few days to pick it up and redeliver it.

As for poor tractors, that's a problem at any pier or intermodal terminal, it has nothing to do with the type of freight, it's called laziness. Right now, we only have one O/O that's leased to us, the paint on his tractor is faded, but I'll guarentee you it will pass any roadside inspection. Every Sat. he's in the yard checking it out, if something needs replaced, he replaces it or fixes it. At one time we had 3 O/O's, this guy was one of them, he had no problem going anywhere dispatch asked him to go. The other two, they were afraid to leave town, neither of their trucks could pass a roadside. In our case, our O/O's have their own authority and use us as a broker. I've seen the settlement checks they get, they are paid 95% of what we charge for the load. If the company charges the CH Robinson $100 to pull the load 5 miles, and that O/O get's that load, he'll make $95.00 to go 5 miles. I've seen these guys pull down $4,000 for working 5 12 hr days and they never leave the Denver Metro area. So, they can't say they aren't making good money, it's a combination of laziness and piss poor work ethic.

Look at my avatar pic., that's the tractor I drive, that pic. was taken the day it was delivered, in fact on the 27th of Sept., it'll have been 4 yrs to the date since it was delivered. It's a '09 model, 361,000 miles at present, aside from a faded bumper and chipped paint on the hood, mechanically it's spot on, no problems. It's because the company expects us to take care of the equipment and treat it like it's our own, we have to take responsibility for it. This will bug some people, but if I tear something up on the truck because of neglect or carelessness, they don't turn it over to the insurance, they fix it and take the repair cost out of my check. Is it legal, marginally, it is ethical, maybe not, but by comparison, our 14 tractors range in age from '99's to '13, all of our '99s are still in very good shape, why, because no one wants to foot the repair bill for a screwup, so they pay attention and don't tear up the equipment.

As for pay, I'm a company driver, I make a split oof hourly or percentage. All work within 100 air miles is paid hourly, anything beyond that I get paid 30% of what the total charges, less FSC. On a $1,000 load, I'll make $300. I make decent money, could I make more, possibly.

 

The thing about contaniers is most people is to lazy.. You got to pre-trip every chassis make sure pins are locked check brakes tires light climb in sweep it out. I rather spend 5 mins checking it out then get put oos because of a light out or something.. as for top heavy thats only when you turn.. Who wants to turn fast anyway?? I get up in the 75 easily..

 

Doing port containers sounds like crap work from everything I've heard. Rail terminals are maybe a notch better but still a PITA on the wrong day.

 

People say this people say that so they get more loads...