LTL Isn’t The Way to Go
When you hear the phrase “less than”, it doesn’t often come with positive connotations. When we hear it, we generally think of something that hits below standards. Maybe it’s expectations for a new movie, the number in your bank account, or even the portion size of your favorite dessert. (Hey, just keeping it real!) This disappointing “less than” idea can even be true when you’re discussing less than truckloads.
Clients who need to ship freight that is less than truckload know their cargo won’t fill an entire trailer. We get it. You want to save some cash by combining loads that are going the same direction. Seems logical.
But, as transportation professionals in Dallas Fort Worth, when we hear the phrase “less than truckload”, we often cringe. That’s because when customers go with LTL, they often get a “less than” quality.
No matter how much cash you save with LTL, it never pays to go with a less-than-quality carrier.
These are the risks you take when you settle for a “less than” carrier for your LTL delivery:
“Less Than” Carriers Skimp On Your Specifics
If your cargo requires special handling or temperature control, it’s tough to find an LTL courier that will accommodate. Sure, they might say they’ll accommodate. But when your client receives three pallets of frozen produce that are now defrosted, it’s tough to agree that your product was cared for properly!
It’s true. It can be tough to handle multiple loads in one trailer. But that’s why you hire a professional like Eagle Express.
“Less Than” Carriers Leave You in the Dark
Just because your cargo doesn’t take up the entire trailer doesn’t mean you have to settle for “it gets there when it gets there” tracking. Some LTL carriers will only track the vehicle itself. If your cargo is tossed into the container with multiple other clients, you have no way of properly planning for its arrival.
Instead, an experienced LTL courier will track your specific load. With barcodes and state of the art tracking, couriers like Eagle Express will track your cargo with real time updates, from pick up to drop off.
“Less Than” Carriers Combine Loads
Some things don’t go together. Like lamb and tuna fish. But seriously- some things are just dangerous when they’re together. Medical couriers transfer everything from live viruses to live organs. That load should never be combined with a load of office furniture. While that example is unlikely, a more likely example would be combining foods in one load. Fresh poultry should not be in the same cargo container as fresh produce. The same goes for seafood and freshly baked goods. Hazardous materials also need their own load. Some items that you might not even consider are labeled as hazardous, and require special handling. This includes paint, varnishes, and chemicals.
Combining loads might save money, but if your cargo is in the wrong hands, the costs can be deadly.
“Less Than” Carriers Subcontract Your Load
Less than truckload items are subject to couriers combining loads, but they’re also subject to couriers combining loads with other couriers. Customers save money by using LTL, couriers save money by subcontracting small loads to other carriers. When this occurs, the chain of responsibility is broken. As a customer, you’re not even sure who to go to if an error in your delivery occurs.
Eagle Express believes in one chain of responsibility. We’ll handle your cargo from start to finish.
Don’t settle for “less than” when your LTL cargo can have a dedicated courier like Eagle Express.
Whether you need to transport a truckload or a single parcel, our couriers have the right vehicle and the right driver to transport your product. Special requests? Certified handling? Temperature control? No worries! We accommodate all your specifics, and guarantee a secure delivery- backed by generous insurance policies by A-rated providers.