CDL A Dry Van NOOBS: Shipping and Receiver process

Today's logs are driven by computer. Stories abound of truckers being precise to the minute to be legal.

To have signed BOL is nice. That means we all get paid.






I tried to be smart and haul trucking to where you lost very little to no time at all dropping and hooking versus sitting around trying to get a dock.

 

Some places also want your truck license number. I kept that info on the inside cover of small note book and don’t forget your ID

 

Be ready for every shipper/reciever/warehouse/distribution center have a different process.

 

Yes they will all have a different process but some tips apply everywhere

• Do not go in with a bad attitude
• Always have all possible numbers transposed from truck load screen to notebook. You sometimes don’t know which number applies where
• ALWAYS pay attention to any/all signs near entrance and driveways and even small notes that may be taped to a nearby phone or keyboard
• Always have your DL with you. In your notebook front cover, have your truck license and USDOT and main phone # written down for permanent reference at some places that want this info
• Many produce shippers want the trailer license plate state and number
• Always try and go in with empty that is at least mostly clean inside. Do not go in with trailer that is trashed and filthy inside.
• Breakfast is here. More later

 

AND.......if you think they're taking too much time to load/unload you......go in and give them some crap about it....that usually speeds 'em right up.
But seriously, most places plan on a 2 hour live load / unload. If it's been more than 2 hours, politely go in and ask when they think you might be done. Tell 'em your dispatcher wants to know. If it gets abusive, ie been there 3 hours and no one has touched the truck, call your dispatcher and let them handle it. Whatever you do, don't get into a confrontation.

Good luck.

 

The op asked a perfectly legit question, and you put out another post full of exaggerated misinformation, as if you are trying to “scare him off.” What is the point in this?

 

A more realistic scenario is, you pull into the truck entrance and find the shipping/receiving office, tell them you are here for pickup # xxx, or delivering load xxx, they assign a door and you back in and let them do their thing.

Different shippers/receivers have their own little rules and procedures, sometimes there is a security guard that handles everything, sometimes they make you wait inside while they unload, etc. sometimes they will have a scale to get your loaded/empty weights before making the bills... you just have to pay attention to signs and if you are ever unsure, just ask.

The nonsense about waiting for days to get unloaded is completely unrealistic with dry van.

 

Don't laugh. It will amaze you, when you go into a place and trying to sign in and other drivers are there that REEK like sour piss. And the shipping clerk had to deal with Stinky, YuckMouth, and Dufus, and may be in a foul mood. You be cool. Dress well, be cordial and keep the body odor under control and you will actually stand out in the crowd.

 

Same as your reply offers no assistance to the OP's question.

Some topics are basic enough which allows a little room for interpretation of a life time of delivery in story book form.

 

A couple more points.
First, never block a dock to get to shipper/reciever. Even if you have to walk an extra 200 feet, park as far away as possible.
Second, even if you see others going directly into a door, if you've never been there before go inside and get a dock assignment. Those guys are likely there everyday, they know the policies.