1 Pallet Missing at Delivery

Some of you make it sound like we have a choice in the matter as drivers. I've never stepped foot on the loading dock. All the places I go to I'm not allowed to be on the dock. I am expected to sign paperwork though. No I won't refuse to sign because at the end of the day I need to work. It's not that easy were not all truly free to do what we want.

 

Usually, if I had a load that had to be sealed after loading, they’d write the seal number on the BOL and I signed for the seal. Before I left the property however, the shipper had someone there to verify the load was sealed. They signed the BOL stating the load was sealed.

And you’re right, the world is not perfect...and that’s even more so when you pull a box. The problem is, if push comes to shove, despite the wagon you choose to pull, once you leave the shipper, it’s your baby.

Check your PMs.

 

you know what, I've heard that excuse before, and I say then cover your butt - put on the BOL "driver not responsible for load count - shipper load", put a seal number on the BOL and shipping and have them sign it then put the seal on it before you leave. Drivers should carry seals with them, no excuse not to.

 

Some shippers say explicitly that they do not allow SL&C on their BOL but then they should allow drivers on their docks to count. If it the counting is not feasible then a driver should never sign for the count. I did once refuse to sign BOL in Salinas, CA but quite frankly I was very pissed off at them for loading me the whole night with some mixed produce and then when with some spite I "dared" to put down SLC and remarked the pulp temp was not taken then the shipping lady started yelling and I torn down the BOL wanting me to sign another one. I told them to offload the truck and so that I can count it. The manager came over and understood my point of not wanting to assume liability for any shortage and we went trough another hour and a half of unloading and counting the staff and reloading. The count was correct with what the BOL stated. I felt that I shoot myself in the foot even though it was my job. I worked for a 1099 outfit at the time who would have charged me for any shortage claim.

 

But you did what needed to be done. Sucks but think about how much worse your situation would have been if there was a shortage. If only more people would do this. Sometimes spite is a good thing. It builds character.

 

I get that a lot from my drivers, I tell them they are to put it on with a seal number and if the shipper don't let you have the shipping papers back, have them unload the thing right there and then - you are not to be responsible for a load you can't confirm.

I won't charge back my drivers, I will eat it but most of the time I have the lawyers get involved and let them hash it out. By the way, you guys know the difference between shipping papers and the BOL?

The BOL is the carriers' receipt to haul what's on board.

 

About a 1000 years ago when I started with CRE, I took a pre loaded/sealed load of beef to Atlanta.

It came up 1 case short of ribs.

They were also have a bar b q that day.

 

You can't put it on the driver. Itsbthe shipper's fault all thw way. The order comes through and its up toh the shipper to get it right. The reality is that drivers are not allowed in most warehouses. They can't see whats going on, and a lot of times they don't really know what they are looking at once they leave the dock. Besides, how realistic is it check every single product, especially if it's those assorted Walmart loads? Yoi should not short the carrier or put it on the driver. If anything, you should charge the shipper. Put the blame where it needs to be.

 

Is it possible that the receiver, or a sticky-fingered dock hand, could have swiped the missing pallet?

 

Yep just same way they'll damage something and say it came off the truck like that.