You reefer drivers who unload ...

If you choose to unload it yourself, you have to do the same job as the lumpers. Lay it out on the floor space, break it down according to how many high and wide they want it, and have a boatload of pallets lying around to do that. There are separate guys that drive super tall forklifts to then move the product into the very high storage spaces. It would be impossible without that super tall forklift. Usually there is someone that will come around and put the proper tags on each pallet so the tall forklift guys know where to put that pallet. The tags for the pallets aren't part of the driver's responsibility if he unloads it himself.

 

I was strictly lumper! There was a few off the wall stores and such you might have to drag pallet or two off. Many don't want you on their docks. Unload/load was nappy time!

Along time ago at a Walmart I decided to unload a load of plums and nectarines. I had to use a pallet jack and pull them 2500 lb pallets up hill out of the trailer and break the pallets down in half. Two hours later I had it all done but 4 pallets. Walmart said they were rejecting the load because I was taking too long. What? I got a little hot but ended up paying them to take the last 4 off. That was my last driver unload!

I take that back. I tailgated about 10,000 plants on a nursery load with some help.

 

If there is breakdown, or actually having to put the product on the shelves I am not doing it. I have seen a few warehouses that have a staging area for lack of a better word where you put your pallets, but most seem to keep them close to where you are unloading and move them with the forklifts from there.

It also doesn't help that I am not really strong enough to pull a pallet full of pork (all I haul anymore) up an incline.

 

Driver is usually only allowed at dock, restroom, & if lucky a breakroom. Some places pressure you to use a lumper because someone in the warehouse is getting a kickback. 99% of the time I would tell them my company doesn't authorize a lumper & I would do it myself. Just palletize it like they want and leave it on the dock & warehouse forklift driver takes it from there. By unloading it myself, I could pocket $300-$500 dollars a week in taxfree cash; just turn in some type of receipt to the company. The reefer companies I worked for didn't care and would rather see the driver get the money than some lumper. Also, tell the warehouse you want pallet exchange; they give you empty pallets for the ones you left with their product on. After you leave the warehouse, sell the pallets for $100-$120; even more taxfree cash. I know many reefer drivers that live on that on the road & their entire paycheck goes home to the family plus much of the taxfree money.

 

difference between the beer delivery guys and trucks unloading at docks. 2 different jobs.

 

It depends on the customer. We have customers who do not want our drivers touching the freight. My dad delivers milk and he actually has to stock the shelves at some of his customers.

 

This really is a job customer specific question--most of those that posted here seem to be discussing the typical larger company truck load reefer op's--in those situations typically you don't--even if you wanted to--most larger warehouses w/lumper theives make it very difficult to do--and most companies will either:
a) pay you a much lesser rate than they have to pay lumpers or--
b)not let you do it at all--for numerous reasons--but mostly due to work comp issues
NOW there are many instances where you do unload--or help--all depends on stop and customer--In my case I do strictly LTL--w.everything form a MOM/POP restaurant to a Wal-Mart DC--So I unload about 70% of my loads--and am well compensated--and yes at some of the MOM/POPS I will help bring things inside--BUT--that is typically because they are real good folks and I am trying to expadite the delivery and keep moving--
So I guess my point here is there isn't really anything typical!

 

Very rarely would you ever unload the truck. Most companies don't want you to anyway. If you were to unload then you just unload it onto the dock so that they can account for everything. You would also have to break it down if need be but that's about the gist of it. One plus is that being reefer you are always unloading into a nice cold warehouse so you won't break a sweat!