When Pulling Reefer....

For those running 500-800 mile average trips and aren't paid well on cpm model, I'm sure many or most are struggling and having to accept less miles in an average week. But running long freight is not a problem except on rare occasions.

 

I smoked some refer once but I did not inhale if that helps!

 

14 plus hour wait times to load or unload were common at the reefer outfit I used to pull for. Never again. Spent 26 hours on a dock at an Americold facility getting loaded one time. Not a penny in "detention pay" either.

 

That's bad and I'm sorry for your experience but can we at least agree that some outfits suck really bad, some are great, and many lie somewhere in between?

I'm just trying to bring some balance in because there are too many who insist on saying "ALL refrigerated carrier jobs suck because all refrigerated work is the same" which simply is not true. Granted, you may have to sacrifice some home time to get in with some of the better options with fewer hassles.

 

It's probably safe to say that "most" reefer loads with mega carriers suck because they're usually super market DC's with trucks waiting to get in and slow lumpers with late night appointment times. Most of those same DC's suck regardless if you have a reefer or dry van.

I worked reefer 2 years with a small carrier that only hauled chilled goods (55 F)and had a dedicated run of 700 miles each way with the same stops every week. Paid by a flat day rate, no night driving and it was an easy job. Worked 5 days a week and every weekend off.

 

2-3 days to load produce In California with 5-6 pickups. 2800 miles to the customer in Pennsylvania. 34 hour restart in PA. Head back to west coast for another run. Typical coast to coast job. Those miles only apply if you live out west or back east. Where you live is what determines the potential.

 

Ok have been doing 75% reefer for the past 2 plus years. Averaging it out I would say my avg wait time is 2 to 3 hours whether at a shipper or receiver. I have noticed wait times have decreased since the e log mandate went into effect. I was in and out of cotsco the other day in less than 2 hours..they have about the best set up. I have also noticed that I have not been waiting as long at Wal Mart DC's. Usually out of there in less than 4 hours at the most..used to be a lot longer.

 

I was reading some of these comments and was reminded of a day i was at a Walmart DC that was in total C/F mode. Drivers were screaming at the traffic clerks and some screaming they were going to leave. I came in and just stood watching the goings on. By this time I had bumped the dock and my tractor was parked in the bobtail area. I found a chair and just sit. I noticed one of the traffic clerks looking at me. I still was holding my bills. I was called up to the window and while going through the in processing I was asked why I just sit quietly. i said I was at the end of my day. This DC had a place just off site to park. I had plenty of food and things to do. I then told her I was planning to just go to bed while I was unloaded. I was in no hurry. I gave my bills my company had a prepaid lumper account. I then walked out after giving this lady my cell number. About an hour later she called me telling me to come pick up my bills. I went inside and got them. Then this lady told me what happened after I walked out. She called the dock boss over on the reefer side and asked him to put me next on the list. @TripleSix has spoke of this before. Sometimes when things have went to hell it's best to just stay quiet and do as Dr friedman said on MASH, pull down your pants and slide on the ice. You drive a reefer waiting to be loaded and unloaded is just part of it. However if I could I would go back to doing it tonight.

 

I run Reefer, mine are morning or afternoon.

 

I just get all mellowed out and like to play computer games.

Oooops my bad. I thought it said when pulling on a reefer.