How long to secure load?

Mortar palletized was my bread and butter all last year. 13 pallets. Maybe 15 minutes to throw 9 straps and hit the road... If your good you can strap as the forklift guy is loading and you both finish at the same time.

 

And there is the crux. I imagine you were alot faster on your last load than your first. How about all the guys that show up and have never loaded before and it took you 15 min? What cracks me up is all these guys that complain about it. Yet how many have gotten their fat ##### out of their seats to help the other guy out and maybe teach him a better way?

This wasn't aimed at you BTW. It just seemed like a good example to use.

 

If the truck ahead of ya is taking longer than you go help them, you’ll be helping yourself as well.

I’ve been on both sides

 

You are exactly right . that was my first thought when reading the original post.. Why not go help him out if hes in the way. I dont know many flatbedders that would deny some help.. I always appreciate when someone offers to help throw straps or roll them up or fold tarps. Whatever it is .. Helping the guy in front always makes things move faster..... Whenever i load at places where van trucks load as well. I always lookup when im on top of the load tarping and i just see them staring at me like they never seen someone do manual labor before. Always makes me laugh the way non flatbedders watch flatbedders do work.

 

My last load down to Houston was a load of coils. Never hauled into the place I was going. The place was really busy and I could tell I was the only otr guy there. All the rest were local guys. I had a guy hop up on my trailer with me and help me untarp, roll it up, and unsecure. Afterward he ran all my chains and binders up to the front while I put them away. Super cool guy. Why? Because he knew I would hold up the show because I was next in line. Which is OK by me. Asked him if he needed anything and he said no. If there was a taco truck there, I would have bought him lunch. I was very grateful.

 

The first time I ever tarped was in high wind. I should have just walked away and quit right there.

 

I agree
That’s why I said if safe etc for him to do so

Many times it might be outside and simply moving a few feet might allow the next guy in line to get loaded

I wouldn’t expect a guy to move out of a bay. Especially with tarp loads etc and most shippers wouldn’t want the truck outdoors either until fully strapped and covered

 

So many guys live in their own world out here man.

That said I'll help untarp, tarp, roll straps etc but I don't touch anything involving load securement.

Liability is too high. Same reason I don't give hand signals other than "STOP" or "keep coming"

 

Quite frankly I don’t care. I pull a tank. No straps, chains, or tarps needed. I’m just tired of inconsiderate jackoffs in general.