Get a Load of This!!! Tips to help you get you on the Road

Temperature, Equipment, and Loading Procedures & Guidelines are topics that we revisit regularly here. One of the reasons why is that we recognize that these factors are critical to the successful delivery of any shipment, and we strive to constantly share our wealth of knowledge with our followers!!!

Today, let’s review some essential loading tips. More information on loading can be found in our Carrier Loading Guidelines, available for download off our website, and in hard-copy at TC Trans in Blaine, WA!!!

There are many points that must be checked before and during loading to make sure that the integrity of the refrigerated trailer is maintained. For example, high temperature in a refrigerated trailer can allow bacteria normally present in food items to increase to dangerous numbers.

Below, a checklist with some notable features that should be checked prior to loading (all noted in our Loading Guidelines):

  Trailer container cooled to the recommended temperature?
  Refrigeration unit operated correctly, and as designed?
  Load thoroughly pre-cooled?
  Load locks/bracing used to secure load? (check out our previous posts on this topic!)
  Heating unit operates as designed?
  Trailer aired to remove residual odors?
  Temperature recorder working?
  Air delivery chute intact?
  Door seal undamaged?
  Side door sealed tight?
  Door, wall, or ceiling all undamaged?
  Floor clean and undamaged?
  Floor drains open and clean?
  Front air bulkhead installed?
  Inside height/width adequate for load?
  Door height adequate for load?

There are some other helpful tips to keep in mind when loading:

-  If the loading area is unrefrigerated, turn off the refrigeration unit while loading. Warm air drawn in during loading can cause the evaporator to frost, and will result in the refrigeration unit not being able to operate as designed.

- Avoid loading tightly against flat side walls by using pallets, racks, and dunnage. Room for air circulation must be provided under, around, and through the load.

- Do not block air circulation at the rear door.

Have any other tips you want to share? Please leave us a comment!

Now a part of the less than 1% club, UWC is TIA $100,000 Performance Certified!!!! Click here to read more!

References:
The Packer. The Guide 2011: Produce Availability & Merchandising Guide. Vol CXVIII. No. 54.

Newsflash!!! Shields Up!!!!

UWC increases its TIA Surety Bond to $100,000!!!

The TIA Performance Certified Program is an industry recognized Best Practices program of the Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) with guaranteed levels of freight payment. The Program offers a competitive advantage to transportation brokers and provides a guarantee of payment in excess of the $10,000 surety bond that is required by the FMCSA to conduct business as a licensed broker. There are five levels of surety bonds that are offered by the TIA; $10,000, $25,000, $50,000, $100,000 and $250,000. UWC is now ahead of the curve with the $100,000 bond designation!

In the dynamic freight marketplace, carriers, shippers, and customers must have the confidence that they are dealing with the most financially stable brokers in the market. The TIA Performance Certified program is the shield and guarantee that UWC is going above and beyond to provide security.

So, what are some key points of the program?

• The shield recognizes UWC as an industry elite. Less than 1% of brokers, forwarders, and others 3PLs are performance certified.

• The TIA Performance Certified Program is among the leaders in the 3PL industry, and as a part of the program, UWC practices leading professional standards of business operations while maintaining guarantees protecting freight.

• The Program is independent. It is neither part, nor dependent on the past collection experience of a factoring company or freight board.

• TIA has been the industry’s voice since 1979! It is the only broker/bond trust program that is run by brokers! Any profits of the program go back to support the Association.

• Improvement of Credit score – TransCredit (an independent agency rating brokers) awards UWC 3 extra points for being a TIA Performance Certified company that holds at $100,000 bond.

• The program allows us to stand out from the crowd! Only TIA Performance certified companies are recognized for their guaranteed broker trust and voluntarily increased trust amounts on every load major internet load board! Check out our diamond broker member status on the Internet Truckstop!!!!

What are characteristics does UWC hold that make it Performance Certified?

• Dedicated to the highest level of ethics, and adopts strict best practices by adhering to Program rules.

• Maintains a credit score of 90% or above.

• Uses written agreements.

• Maintains insurance coverage.

• Maintains a verified broker bond.

• Maintains a written carrier qualification framework.

• Maintains higher levels of bond issued by TIA Surety and Avalon Risk Management.

This program is one of many steps that allows us to drive the road ahead!!!! We want to wish all our Canadian followers a happy Thanksgiving weekend!!!!!