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While attending a trucking school can provide valuable insights on how to safely drive a big rig, truck driver training isn’t the only thing you need to learn. Different trucking companies and their shipping partners often have unique standards for how they manage the delivery process. For most drivers, this means you will likely encounter both drop and hook and live loading and unloading situations throughout your career. Here is a closer look at what each of these terms means.

Drop & Hook

trucking schoolAs most trucking school graduates can attest, when done right, drop and hook (or drop and pick) delivery options can be the fastest, most efficient option for truckers. In this setup, the truck driver can simply leave their full container at a warehouse without waiting for it to be unloaded. The driver then picks up an empty container, which can be used for the next delivery. This is often used for companies that receive a high volume of deliveries.

However, an empty container isn’t always immediately available. In some instances, drivers may need to wait as long as 48 hours for the receiving company to unload the full container before returning to pick it up. 

Live Load & Unload

As the name implies, live load and unload involves actual people during the delivery. Instead of leaving behind an empty container, the driver waits while workers at the receiving dock unload their trailer. Depending on the situation, loading a new shipment will commence as soon as the container is emptied. Live load and unload is typically done for perishable items or companies with a lower volume of shipments. 

 

 

Whether you wish to become a truck driver or a diesel technician, Professional Driver Institute will help you on your way to a new career path. Serving the Greater Rochester, NY, area since 1993, this trucking school’s combination of classroom training and behind-the-wheel experiences will allow you to become fully qualified for this rewarding career option. To learn more about this trucking school and its programs, visit them online or call (585) 293-1203. 

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