Choosing to work directly with an LTL carrier allows shippers to establish an ongoing relationship, achieve greater predictability around level of service and costs, and minimize operational inefficiencies that occur when calling multiple carriers each time a shipment needs to be made.
In return, for LTL carriers, establishing relationships with their clients provides the added benefit of getting to know their business and freight shipping requirements, providing greater predictability for their operations. Almost like an air traffic control operator, LTL carriers also act as control experts when it comes to the logistics of moving freight on ground, rail, sea, and air!
In this article we’ll talk about what a shipper should expect when working with an LTL carrier including the benefits and expectations.
What is an LTL Carrier
An LTL carrier is a freight carrier that can handle Less-Than-Truckload amounts of freight, also known as LTL shipping. LTL carriers may operate within a locality, a region, nationwide, or even international shipments. LTL carriers have their own fleet of trucks and partner with other carriers for shipments that require transfers before final delivery.
Advantages of LTL Carriers
Working with an LTL carrier provides multiple advantages for shippers. They include:
- Ability to ship freight without requiring payment for a full truckload (FTL)
- Cost savings associated with sharing a truck with other shippers going in the same direction
- Ability to handle specialized freight like pharmaceuticals, fragile items, and oversized freight
- Knowledge of localities and regions including expedient routes to take and how to best navigate congested urban areas
Along with the inherent cost savings for LTL shipments, some LTL carriers will also offer flat rate pallet shipping which makes your shipping costs that much more predictable. Once a rate is established with the carrier, shippers can move their freight knowing the cost up front.
Working with an LTL Carrier
Establish a relationship
Strive to establish a relationship with a great LTL carrier who understands your business needs. For shippers with ongoing, regular freight shipments, working with an LTL carrier can provide stability in your fulfillment operations. They will understand any specialized services required at your point(s) of pickup and delivery as well as any special handling that may be required for your cargo.
Prepare your freight documents
Important to the success of any shipment is the required freight documents. Having them prepared completely and accurately prior to pickup and delivery will make the shipment run smoothly and will minimize any potential cost surprises.
Having missing or incomplete freight documents will delay pickup. Inaccuracies are one of the most common mistakes shippers make, so be sure to take care when completing them as inaccuracies create delays and cost issues.
Our guide to freight documents can help you prepare for both domestic and international shipments.
Scheduling your shipment
When scheduling your shipment, let your LTL carrier know if delivery must be made by a certain time. Your carrier will be equipped to handle the decision-making logistics for routing and transfers to meet your needs.
In some cases, your LTL carrier may recommend using intermodal shipping when possible for speed and cost-savings. In others, your LTL carrier may arrange to have your freight transferred to another carrier for final delivery.
Working with an LTL carrier that also acts as a freight brokerage has distinct advantages for shippers when needing to move freight quickly. Those carriers are able to blend the use of their own trucks with those of another carrier, relieving you of having to schedule each leg of a journey.
Be ready for pickup and delivery
Your LTL carrier will provide a pickup time which may either be a scheduled appointment or a time window. Make sure that you are ready for pickup by having the freight completely packaged along with the freight documents. For LTL carriers, this is very important since they operate on a schedule and most likely have additional freight from other customers to pick up and add to their trailer.
If your pickup requires any specialized services such as a lift gate when a dock is not available, if the freight is not palletized, if the freight is fragile, or if there is anything unique or special to mention about the pickup location, be sure to mention that ahead of time.
Same goes for the delivery end of the shipment. Having someone there to accept and sign for the freight is necessary so it’s important to be available. Any special instructions at point of delivery should also be mentioned in the freight documents as well as when communicating directly with your LTL carrier.
Expect communication
Expect communication throughout the shipment when working with your LTL carrier. From the time you receive your shipment estimate through to delivery, your carrier should provide any updates around pickup, along the journey, and when scheduling the delivery.
Some LTL carriers have communication technology providing access to real-time progress of your freight including its location, while others will keep you apprised periodically.
While not the norm, sometimes freight pickups or delivery can be delayed due to circumstances beyond a carrier’s control such as traffic accidents or congestion, or dangerous weather conditions. Maintaining an open line of communication with shippers helps carriers keep them informed throughout the process.
With On Track, You’ll Always Know What to Expect
Since 1991, On Track Freight Systems has provided fast and streamlined LTL carrier services along with our intermodal and LTL brokerage services through our own fleet as well as through our robust network of premium partners. Our decades-long track record of handling many types of specialized freight has provided us unique capabilities that other carriers don’t have.
We make it easy to work with us through our online tool to request rate quotes, schedule pickups, and track shipments real-time.
We offer same day pickups and next day delivery service within the New York/New Jersey metro area.
Contact On Track today to get a free LTL shipping quote.
