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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ's)

Q What’s an “air-ride” truck?
Air ride is a type of suspension system that is added to a truck’s rear axle(s) to help protect the load as the truck moves down the road. The truck is equipped with pressurized air-fed cushioning bags to absorb shock and bumps.

Q What does the term padded van mean?
It does not mean the walls of a truck are covered with a pad. The term refers to the practice of individually wrapping or “padding” each piece of cargo with a quilted blanket to protect it during transit and handling.

Q What is a freight forwarder?
A carrier that collects or aggregates small shipments often moving to a common destination city or country, consolidates them and uses a basic mode of transportation (normally either steamship or air service) to move them to their respective consignees.

Q Do I need an agreement or contract with a logistics or trucking company to obtain pricing discounts?
No. However, “contracted” rates for services are more aggressively priced by a supplier because they contemplate an extended relationship with repetitive work. Normally, a service agreement calls out specific services and charges as well as expected performance levels, liability limitations, inclusions and exclusions, billing and payment terms etc. It protects both the client and the carrier by specifying rates and services.

Q Do I need extensive packaging to move shipments by truck?
Generally, you’ll want some minimal level of protection for the shipment to facilitate handling and protect the shipment from road vibration. Air-ride suspension significantly reduces road-related damages and the need for extra packaging. The degree of packaging required is determined by shipment size and configuration, mode of transport, handling systems and load and delivery requirements.

Q How is transit time determined?
Depending on shipping mode, most carriers have scheduled routes or departures and take into account direct service availability, terminal distance to origin and destination and traffic volumes within the transportation lane. Transit times vary based on distance, location, size of shipment, and special handling requirements.

Q What kinds of things should I consider when selecting a carrier-partner?
Six key areas to evaluate are transit time, service cost, reliability, capability, accessibility and security.

Q Why is transportation service quality important in logistics?
The ability to get product to the customer on a timely, consistent, and undamaged basis reduces inventory and stockout costs. Product differentiation through the transportation service a carrier provides can be a significant non-cost marketing strategy.

Q What guidelines should I consider developing performance metrics within my logistics program?
Is the program consistent with your overall corporate strategy? Are processes and objectives aligned with your needs and expectations? Is their a focus on process control and improvement? Use technology to improve accuracy and effectiveness of your measurements.