dumb question regarding LTL

Pro number is the number that the shipment in this case less than a truck load , 1 box up to several pallets , is tracked on. Bill of lading etc. Think of UPS the tracking number . I am sure someone here knows more than me about it, but thats the basic.

The freight can be subbed out by the way and each carrier would have their own number and reference the numbers so they get paid and can trace company to company.

 

not bad , you would get use to identifying the numbers, and looking at the freight you pick up to note damage , visible damage on the outside, to protect you and your company. You would have to instruct the docks where you want the freight in your truck , and or manipulate it yourself with hand trucks / pallet jacks so you can pick up as you go without trapping freight you have to deliver yet. I am still looking for local work, it has many pros for me.

 

Think of it this way; trailer or straight truck with one load-one stop on it is Trailer Load (TL). Trailer or straight truck with multiple drops to multiple customers is Less Than Truckload (LTL). Each drop is considered a "load" for billing purposes.

 

What do you mean, thats the best thing about the job. Not really though. I worked for a lumber yard too and was the back up driver for our shingle conveyor. Its always fun to unload 3 pallets of shingles by yourself in 95 degree weather. I couldnt complain though, I was driving a tmf when I left. I loved shingles with that just back in and sit my but on the forklift.

 

do you do a combination of city driving, highway driving, deliveries and backing into loading docks...??? you basically answered YES you do, so from one pint of view, you are doing "city work" (of sorts) and you can fall right into LTL city work if you wanted to try and get an LTL job. you are right now showing you are doing city driving, albeit a class B truck, but like i mentioned early on, there ARE local LTL companies that have class B trucks that might be able to use you. your job as it stands now, is not LTL freight, but you are still driving in and around the city areas and loading docks. when i first responded to you, i was going along the lines of the driving in city areas you are working in. in effect, daily deliveries much like an LTL driver would (in some respects), paperwork, loading, unloading, etc,etc.

 

You should call yourself a route driver.

The difference is most have a short tractor and a 28' van to get into tight spots at small outfits, not a box truck, so your experience does not include a trailer. Play up your safety record (no accidents or tickets, right?). Can you move up to a truck and trailer combo at your current employer?

 

o.m.d.,
Your a DSD(direct store delivery) driver. Right now that is what you would be considered. Did you try looking at food service companies in your area? Some that have Class B trucks and Class A trucks? Some of those may take you on as a Class B driver and then train you to drive Class A.

As fo LTL, keep in mind taht you would be the lowest man on the list, so when times are slow, you will have no work.