How Would You Have Loaded..

I am laughing right now thinking about my response if one of my ops people told me they were booking a load of crated apples...not on my truck!

 

Years ago when I started out, I hauled a load of round watermelons in square cardboard boxes from the field some 200miles into Portland. It was 100deg that day and they were mostly stacked 3 high. I ran V-boards and all that jazz but of course the straps had to be one clicked tighter every 25 to 30 miles. Got to Safeway in town QUITE frustrated and the dock guy asked me if I wanted to hire a lumper! Well, I am German-Irish so you know whats coming next, I informed him that he was insulting a flatbedder and he was a _____ _____-____ and so on. Then I also told him if he did not get his a__ on the forklift and unload that I would unload it my way , pull the straps and do brodies in the lot, at the time as young as I was I did mean it and would have proved it. Within seconds out he came on the lift and afterward he invited me in to sample the product and it was like we were long lost pals. I would not suggest pulling a stunt like that, must remember that was almost 20yrs ago, diplomacy is what pays but it was worth a story, could have turned out much different. Not a fun load, guess I am not cut out for produce hauling...
J-J

 

What is this lumper thing you speak of? Sounds horrible

But yeah, most of the apple guys in Wa. State run specialized v board and thread either rope or cable to lock it all in. Safe it ain't...

 

In NY we need a securment endorsment, this manual is everything you ever wanted to know about Load Securement. Handy little booklet for anyone to print out and keep on hand or you can get it free from any DMV in NY.

http://www.dmv.ny.gov/forms/mv79.pdf

 

Hey Kansas,
Lumpers- guys that hang around the docks unloading trucks for money. From what I know, which is limited on this, us flatbedders do not use these fellows. People that order stuff on a deck better have a way to get it off themselves, thats our attitude. Yeah I have seen the cable thing more lately, these guys usually are taking it pretty easy at least till they get empty then get out of the way cause here they come. Oh I laugh about the watermelon thing now it was long ago and someone else gets the job now.
J-J