Load assignments

Shipper name and city, state.
Consignee name and city, state.

You can send in a macro to get the address of shipper, stop(s), consignee and routings. A lot of the times you are going to the same places and you don't need this info. I never use their routing.

Load/deliver dates and times.

PO#
Load #
Unload #

If you are close to a terminal whether you need to fuel and/or wash.

Commodity, weight, minimum weight, tarp or not, pieces.
Load miles, bounce miles.
Remarks: Any special instructions pertaining to the load.
Gross amount if you are on percentage.
Pro #

Second page if required for additional remarks.

Not all fields are use every time.

If multiple loads are available, your FM may or may not let you know. This is something you have to work out with him. Obviously, if you have a good relationship with him/her, in other words you are not a pain in the #####.

 

I think it is wiser to choose a load based on what it pays, how many miles it is and most importantly, what freight is available at your destination. For instance there are many good paying loads into Southern Florida. Very few good paying loads coming out. I had to take a load of sod once. I made a whopping $59.00 for a full days work. Just to get out of Southern Florida. A couple of days ago, I split a load with another TMC driver who had been stuck in North Dakota with several other TMC drivers for a two or three days because no loads were available.

You may also select a load because it is easy, light, small profile. Load can effect your mileage. Some of the loads you mentioned I would consider as easy loads. I do understand your meaning though. We all have loads we prefer. I usually will go for higher paying than any other criteria.

 

I'd take anything except 8 foot high lumber loads that need to be tarped. I've decided I really hate those. Maybe I'll change my moniker to nolumbertarps4me .

 

Actually, 8 foot high lumber loads that are uniform across the top aren't so bad. Your tarps drapes properly and you don't have too much excess. I can usually tarp those pretty fast. It is the irregular loads and the ones that are not 8 feet high that are harder to tarp. You have to walk on the load after you tarp, which can be dangerous when you can't see where you are stepping, Getting your tarp even and then dealing with all the excess which has to be rolled up and bungied. The worst is a Lowes load. They stuff anything and everything on your trailer. Try walking across that even before it is tarped. Of course any load is difficult once the wind picks up. You have to have a lot of patience once the wind picks up, either that or help. This is why I will get out and help another flatbed driver, even a Maverick driver!

 

Mack, on TMC Q COMM the work assignment reads stop and wash truck. Load can be late, but truck needs to be shiny!

 

Lookin' good in the neighborhood!

 

Experience. Once you have pulled enough loads in a particular area, you will know where you will be going next. Sourthern Florida and North/South Dakota are three places I might avoid.

OK, that would include anything simular, airconditioners , salt, aluminum billets, and many other items. Sheet steel isn't difficult, nor is pipe or round stock. Just watch out for greasy pipe. Always, build your bulkhead. You don't always get to choose.

Ninja claws! You can climb up walls with them.! No, you can find a way up any load.

Unfortunately.

I am talking about those times when you have trouble unfolding the tarp while on top of the load. You unfold one section and before you get to the other end of your tarp it is folded again. Sometimes you have to have a lot of patience. The tarp may not stay on top of the load long enough for you to get down so you can clamp it. Anyway I can bungie it as fast as you can clamp. Another person is the answer in these situations.