FedEx Freight Diary (ala Russian Rabbit)

They are hiring in my area. But throwing boxes idk lol

 

i'd like to compare and contrast "purple vs. brown," for informational purposes if i may?

First, regarding delay time. i don't think we get "delay time" in the same way you/"purple" do? We go on the clock as soon as we reach a terminal----dropping and hooking, fueling, waiting for loads, we're on hourly pay. The only time we wouldn't be on the clock at a terminal is if you take your DOT break or any other break.

Next, i'd like to address terminals:


HUB
Yes, pretty much the same----freight gets brought in from all over the region to be re-consolidated onto outgoing trailers to go to their final destinations.

Pros---usually have fully equipped/fully staffed 24hr pro shops---can fix almost anything.
Usually have fast fuel pumps. Multi -lane.

Cons---too chaotic, and in our case, leads to possible rudeness.
i think in our case, large number of drivers is of no consequence----we have TOO MUCH FREIGHT---we only care about numbers after all. So, i don't think there is very much sitting around. Quite the opposite.

Mini-HUB wwe have mini-hubs, which are basically the same as a hub, just smaller in operations. Quite a bit of freight from a mini-hub may go to a regular hub. Some of it is relay(to be swapped with another driver/or team)

Ghost-HUB(S): These are unofficial, under-the-radar, possibly "experimental" "hubs" that operate just like a mini-hub, but are even smaller than a mini-hub. When i say "under-the-radar," i mean the customer does not know these exist for marketing purposes. Many/most employees don't know about them either.....

SATELLITE YARD:

What you're calling a "satellite yard," i call an EOL, End-of-line terminal. Meaning freight ends up here as it's final destination to be delivered by local, city trucks during the day. The local trucks will also pickup freight to go out at night---to the hubs. But freight does not come here from all around to be re-consolidated. These are usually, but not always, smaller in physical size than a hub. Some have shops, some don't. Some may not have fuel, so always make sure you have fuel before you leave your home yard. Some of these are "dark,"-----unstaffed at night by the time you get there. This could be a pro or a con.

"PROS"---smaller---everyone knows each other yes. We operate on strict union, seniority rules----thus you bid, every six months, on which run you want. It really depends on the terminal, but in many cases, you DO NOT do everything----dock, jockey, etc. You might just drive.
Linehaul runs are not necessarily short, although many are----because you'll just be going to a hub and working the dock for a few hours---we call this "Niteliner." Still good money. Extra-board, you will run your tail off if you want.

"CONS" Yes, any major work on equipment will require getting the equipment to a hub---and then it can be tied up for weeks. We generally don't have any drama that i've seen. What we DO have is an unhealthy obsession with numbers and a complete disregard for residential freight and residential "customer service."

RELAY YARD:
i don't think we have relay yards(?) We do have relay meet points---usually a truckstop or 24hr convenience stores.

The pros and cons wouldn't apply here because all relay runs operate out of hubs/terminals because i don't think we have relay yards. Also, i think percentage wise, based on my experiences at least, about 30-40% of the time a set is already hooked up.

 

FLG and Holbrook are sorta both, right? Which is why the new FLG terminal being planned, to put all those runs in one box, from what I gather.

 

HOL is a relay yard. No P&D, no make & break. FLG is technically a hub, kind of like what Rabbit termed a mini-hub. Due to its unique circumstances, it has some comon ground with satellite/EOL yard, but it technically ain't really one.

Haven't heard about them planning a new FLG center, but they never tell us anything so I'm not surprised.