I call upon the P&D's for guidance!!!

Discussion in 'LTL and Local Delivery Trucking Forum' started by Woodys, Jul 25, 2014.

  1. Woodys

    Woodys Heavy Load Member

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    Here's the deal. I currently work for a freight company as a linehaul driver. Stupid easy job ... clock in, drive somewhere, #### up a bunch of freight with a forklift for a few hours, drive back, #### up some more freight for a few more hours and clock out. All night shift like every other linehaul position. However, my terminal is waaay short on city drivers and my supervisor basically suggested for me to switch over to city. I said I'd definitely think about it, and I'm really leaning toward it.

    Here's where I need your expertise. How do you judge a customer's layout? When I drove OTR you had all the time in the world to google earth the place, call ahead for directions, etc. etc. I know in the LTL world you don't have that luxury of time, and there are plenty of places that aren't designed for trucks to drive into. So whats your tips for knowing how to safely judge a customer's layout that you've never been to before?

    Any and every tip is appreciated!!!
     
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  3. Bakerman

    Bakerman Road Train Member

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    Drive there and check it out!!
     
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  4. Bakerman

    Bakerman Road Train Member

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    Cannot be afraid of having to bust your ###, product will either be delivered or it won't.

    Sometimes I go to places that don't have a dock, they have people that come out to help unload, or you figure something out-like take it back to terminal and have it transferred to a straight truck for liftgate service or something of that nature,

    You need to be a problem solver, not one who is always complaining about this and that-then they will see you as the go to guy when something needs to get done.
     
  5. Marksteven

    Marksteven Road Train Member

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    Dont be afraid to ask other Peddle drivers in your area of service for directions/the layout. Different situation for me: I have been Peddling in the same city for over 16 years so i have been to every imaginable buisnees daily, weekly or monthly and dont have to ask. The only time i may have some issues would be delivering to some B.S residential in a new sub division that isnt mapped yet.
     
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  6. w.h.o

    w.h.o Road Train Member

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    i use to just drive up and check the area out either my looking out the window or walking around the place till i found a suitable spot to get in and out. Always make sure you can get out, dont want customers coming in and then blocking you. also point your truck on the main road, look for truck tire tracks from previous drivers or damage walls/tress/poles, gives you an idea how they did it and what to avoid.
     
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  7. superpet39

    superpet39 Road Train Member

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    Don't be afraid to pull your air and get out and look
     
  8. okiedokie

    okiedokie Road Train Member

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    You want it 4 floors up. What's in the box? Find out about osd from your terminal manager/dispatch.
     
  9. 201

    201 Road Train Member

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    Personally, a linehaul is the only kind of trucking I will ever do again, but that's mostly, because I would only want to drive at night, and I spent most of my years on P&D. Remember, P&D is a whole different mindset than linehaul. It's easy to become flustered on P&D, as it changes so rapidly, and you can become overwhelmed. Many times, I'd call dispatch( before cell phones, which just makes things worse) and they would say, "Go back to so and so, they found 1 more pallet for you". And I thought, man, I was already there twice today.Not to mention dealing with day time traffic, can be challenging. I think, after a while on P&D, you'll be begging your boss to back on a linehaul.
     
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  10. Woodys

    Woodys Heavy Load Member

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    Thanks for the tips. Getting out and looking is definitely something I plan on doing if I'm not 100% sure. I'd rather make a few 4 wheelers pissed off than screw up. Keep them coming!!

    Another question: On customer's with docks, if it's my first time there, should it be a rule of thumb to walk in and ask what dock I need to back into? Or is it usually typical for LTL to just jump in any open dock?


    [QUOTE="semi" retired;4152380]Personally, a linehaul is the only kind of trucking I will ever do again, but that's mostly, because I would only want to drive at night, and I spent most of my years on P&D. Remember, P&D is a whole different mindset than linehaul. It's easy to become flustered on P&D, as it changes so rapidly, and you can become overwhelmed. Many times, I'd call dispatch( before cell phones, which just makes things worse) and they would say, "Go back to so and so, they found 1 more pallet for you". And I thought, man, I was already there twice today.Not to mention dealing with day time traffic, can be challenging. I think, after a while on P&D, you'll be begging your boss to back on a linehaul.[/QUOTE]

    I'm not gonna lie, linehaul is cake work AND pays better (with my company at least). I enjoy having my day split into a few different tasks (driving, dock work, paperwork) makes everything go a little bit fast, and I also looooove dock work for some reason. Freight P&D is something I think I could make a career out of ....

    I think dealing with customers will be my biggest challenge.
     
  11. Marksteven

    Marksteven Road Train Member

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    As long as no -one is waiting for a dock and there are no " Must check in before Backing" then hit the dock first. I dont cut infront of anyone
    but i dont check in. Its their freight, get it off the Trailer or load it!
     
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