2d • General discussion
Learn the Lingo!
In freight dispatching, knowing the industry jargon is essential for communicating efficiently with drivers, brokers, and shippers. Below is a breakdown of key dispatching terms, categorized by how they are used in daily operations.
1. Load Booking & Essential Paperwork
- BOL (Bill of Lading): The master legal contract between the shipper and carrier detailing what is being shipped, quantity, weight, origin, and destination. The driver must have this signed at pickup and delivery.
- Rate Con (Rate Confirmation): The legally binding contract sent by a freight broker to a dispatching carrier stating the exact pay, route details, pickup/drop times, and special requirements for a load.
- POD (Proof of Delivery): The signed BOL or delivery receipt confirming the consignee (recipient) received the freight intact. Required to get paid.
- TONU (Truck Ordered Not Used): A fee paid to the carrier (usually $150–$300) when a broker cancels a booked load after the driver has already started driving toward the pickup location.
- MC Number (Motor Carrier Number): A unique identifier assigned by the FMCSA giving a carrier or broker legal authority to transport or arrange interstate freight.
- Lumper: A third-party worker paid to unload or load freight at a distribution center. Shippers/brokers reimburse the driver for lumper fees via a lumper receipt.
2. Rates & Accessorial Charges
- Linehaul Rate: The base pay for moving cargo from Point A to Point B, excluding fuel surcharges or extra fees.
- FSC (Fuel Surcharge): An additional fee added to the linehaul rate to offset fluctuating diesel prices.
- Accessorials: Extra charges billed for supplemental services or delays outside standard transport (e.g., detention, layover, tarp fees, extra stops).
- Detention: Hourly pay billed to the shipper/consignee when a driver is kept waiting at a loading dock past the standard grace period (typically 2 hours). Rates range from $50–$100+/hour.
- Layover: A flat daily rate (usually $150–$300) paid to a driver when detained at a facility overnight through no fault of their own.
3. Equipment & Loading Procedures
- Live Load / Live Unload: A setup where the driver stays with the truck while warehouse workers actively load or unload the trailer.
- Drop & Hook: A fast process where a driver drops off an empty (or pre-loaded) trailer at a facility and hooks up to a different trailer without waiting around to load/unload.
- Power Only: A load where the carrier brings only the tractor (power unit) to pull a trailer owned by the customer or broker.
- Dry Van: Standard enclosed trailer used for dry goods and boxed cargo.
- Reefer: A refrigerated trailer equipped with a temperature-controlled cooling unit for perishable goods.
- Bobtail: Driving the tractor (truck cab) without any trailer attached.
- Deadhead: Driving a tractor with an empty trailer attached to get to the next pickup spot.
4. Tracking, Time & Compliance
- Check Call: A periodic status update call or message between the dispatcher and driver (or dispatcher and broker) to confirm current location and ETA.
- ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival): The expected time a driver will reach a pickup or delivery site.
- HOS (Hours of Service): Federal DOT regulations limiting how many hours a commercial driver can drive and work each day to prevent fatigue.
- ELD (Electronic Logging Device): Mandatory hardware wired into the truck engine that tracks driving hours, duty status, and speed automatically for compliance.
- Consignee: The receiver of the shipment at the final delivery destination
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Learn the Lingo!
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