Ports of Los Angeles and LB

Well Im not a west coast port man, I worked the central atlantic ports where the REAL shipping takes place. /tease.

Today you probably will want a TWIC card to gain access to dockside by the ship under the cranes to load a box now and then. 9-11 was a total game changer.

When I worked the ports, I was talked to and evaluated for a future in a Union working one of the cranes, I probably will have had a much different life then if I took that boss's advice. But in those days I was 21 and needed to see the USA as a life goal. You cannot keep a wanderer like me locked in a box for long. I don't live that way.

 

I worked out of both ports 20 years ago & they sucked then . Longshoremen didn't like non-teamsters drivers, and it doesn't sound like much has changed. I was just starting & wanted experience. Well, I got it.

 

Does anyone know of any companies with maybe more flexible hours running the ports? Driving 14 hours a day local in LA would get old quick. I'm from here so I know the area pretty well. I would like to go back to school and run off hours and weekends if possible.

 

Ports are tied to the ships. You don't stop until all the boxes in the 14 hour time is assigned and delivered onto the ship. It is incredibly big leagues because those ships are gone to the dot. Minute. Hour. Not one minute late. If your box is late It's going to either go to the next port of call down or up coast to try to catch that ship overnight. Otherwise you stand to be fired for having a customer's box rot on the dock for being late. You don't stop until dispatch says to knock it off for the day.

In a way, throwing boxes and chassis is not hard work. Just a constant inspections and so forth. Occasionally and regularly you are to go through US Customs somewhere.

The worst thing for myself is the constant awake time. That eroded safety and I got out of that to save myself and keep from killing someone or several someones.

 

stay away from the ports, well la and lb anyways unless you get an hourly gig that pays ot after 8. if you dont you will be getting ripped off big time. i talked to so many drivers there owner ops and company guys it was really really sad how bad they were getting screwed.

a lot of 1099 guys and probably most port trucks in general dont run logs so youll run more than 14 and for what, pennies is what you will make

 

So I like the ports I don't have to chase my money or wait for it like I do when I run my end dump. Yes I have to work long hours. I started at 05:00 I have one more move to make and I'm off I made over $1,000 today. You just have to be smart and pick the right loads. Example I go as far as they have a delivery early in the AM, cause it pays the most. I don't do live loads, I don't go to LA at all. When I go to the port I almost always take something out. Don't go in and BT somewhere F that get an empty they don't have one take another load. I did this as a company driver I do this as an O/O. Learn the ports how they work where things are, once you do that you can get in and out quickly.

 

Yes. You can ask for a terminal map at trouble window once inside.also if you see a big map on the wall or pedestal use your phone and snap a pic.... Are u in the ports yet?

 

You started at 5 but the ticket shows you're in the ITS /k line at 22 something that's roughly 19 hrs before driving back..... Also your license is out there bro. I suggest you edit that just to cover yourself. But othet than that you can make 800 bucks in 12 hrs i do it all the time. No need to work over hrs if you get paid better

 

I work as an O/O and I don't have TWIC. Only run to UPLA(RAIL) and San Diego. No ports. As a new O/O everybody warned me about getting TWIC. There is more money but a lot more hours. I do like that I am home every night. I don't need a fortune, I just need to make a living and be able to see my family. If I do ever find other loads that pay better and get me home everyday, I would take it.