Trucking Solutions Uncovered, How to Make it Work
Trucking
Every warehouse relies on trucking as a primary way to move goods in and out. In many cases, trucks handle ninety-five percent of the inventory we receive or ship. No matter how big or small your business is, that means a lot of trucks. So, let’s dig deeper into the trucking side of warehousing.
Problems
The list of potential trucking problems runs long. For that reason, we will focus on the most common issues. First, do you operate on an FCFS basis or on a schedule? Is one better than the other? Next, does your facility accommodate non-English-speaking drivers? Does your property allow overnight parking? If you operate on a schedule, how do you handle drivers who fail to show up?
Resolutions to Trucking Issues
At our warehouse, we choose to operate on a schedule—and for good reasons. First, scheduling allows us to stage loads based on departure order: first, second, or last. Second, scheduling helps us know who to contact if a truck doesn’t arrive. We also use the schedule as a tool to gather critical information, such as time on premises.
Our Scheduling Process
- First, we schedule all loads—whether inbound or outbound—every thirty minutes.
- Next, we encourage drivers to call for directions to avoid no-truck zones.
- Then, we allow drivers to arrive fifteen minutes early or fifteen minutes late without penalty.
- After that, we expect dispatchers to call if a truck breaks down so we can reschedule it.
- Finally, we work hard to accommodate drivers who run behind. We treat those drivers as work-ins and process them as soon as possible.
When a warehouse operates on an FCFS basis, trucks often wait for hours before loading or unloading. Most trucklines allow two hours of free time, and then detention charges begin. This is a major drawback of using an open schedule.
Not knowing what will happen next, what workers need to pull, and what needs to go on a truck creates confusion and chaos. That confusion often leads to incorrect shipping and unhappy consignees.
Language Barrier
Language has become a real barrier. Many drivers do not speak English, and this creates problems for both shippers and consignees. If a driver cannot communicate, how can we ensure they get the right load? This is a legitimate issue. Drivers and warehouse personnel must communicate clearly to keep operations running smoothly.
