Fuel for Thought

Dialogue At The Shipper

At the gate.

Me: [pointing at the address on my clipboard] Is this the right gate for this address?

Them: Sure is. Let me write down your information [I send in my arrival macro over the qualcomm].

Them: Do you know where you’re headed?

Me: It’s been a couple years. [pointing] Is shipping at that corner of the building?

Them: It is, but you need to pick up at dock 16. Follow this road around to the back, and you can’t miss it.

Me: Can’t miss it? I’ve heard that before. Thanks.

Around back where none of the docks or doors have any numbers, I pick the man-door that looks the most used and closest to the most truck activity. This door typically has many small signs about all sorts of things you have to do or aren’t allowed to do.

Me: [to the first non-driver looking person] Who do I see about a pick up?

Large man: Did you see a fat guy on a forklift?

Me: Uhmm…how fat?

Large man: There he is. [pointing to another large man that is smaller than him.] Talk to that guy.

Me: [to other man] Good afternoon. I’m here to pick up two pieces going to Holland, Michigan.

Shipper guy: You have any part numbers or address?

Me: [pointing to the appropriate places on my load form] This is my address, and I have this reference number here.

Shipper guy: That’s even better.   Pull up to this dock here.

Me: I’m not dock high. I’m in a cargo van.

Shipper guy: Pull up to the ramp around the corner of the building. You can’t miss it.

Me: Do you want me at the top or bottom of the ramp or all the way inside.

Shipper guy: When I open the door pull all the way inside.

Inside and doors open.

Shipper guy: Will these two pieces fit?

Me:   Sure. It’s shorter than me, so I don’t have to measure it. Can you load the heavy one first?

Shipper guy: Sure.

Loaded.

Me: Do you have paperwork for me to sign?

Shipper guy: Yep. It’s right here.

Me: [verify address, piece count, and weight. sign.] I’ll pull outside and strap everything down there, so you don’t have to wait on me.

Shipper guy: Great, and have a good day.

Me: You as well, thank you.

Pull out, secure load, enter load information in the qualcomm, and depart.

A couple finer details. As I pull into the dock area, I try to figure out which ramp or roll up door I’ll be loading at. Some drivers will park there, I don’t unless it’s the only place out of the way of trucks and forklifts. And if I have to park at the ramp or door, I park so there is room for forklifts to get past my van. The place I try to park on arrival is as close to the drivers/shipping entrance without being in the way of traffic and keeping in mind the lanes the big trucks need for turning and backing. I’ll take an employee parking space before blocking a truck space.

When I first encounter the shipper I don’t say who I’m driving for, because there is a good chance that the load was booked through another carrier or broker. I start my introduction with number of pieces to pick up, the destination by city or company, and any reference numbers. The carrier name may be on my shirt or on my notes, but I don’t say it unless asked or I’ve already been instructed who I’m supposed to be representing. Too often it becomes a distraction. I want the shipper to associate me with the pieces and parts that are going where I’m headed as soon as possible, so the freight, paperwork, and me are converging on my van as soon as possible. If the carrier name is an issue it can be sorted out, but it  usually saves time if the ball is already rolling.

The process is similar at the delivery end. Some times the consignee asks—“What are you carrying?” I usually don’t know, but I try to help them by referencing any part numbers or names from the paperwork or what I may have seen if I could see any of the freight. At the very least, I say, “Whatever it is someone must want it in a hurry, since they shipped it Expedite.” I also make sure they understand how many pieces I’m delivering, because they’ll get to it quicker (sometimes) if they know it’s a quick unload.

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