In trucking, a “live load” is when a driver arrives at a facility, docks with the trailer, and waits for workers to load and/or unload the freight. As the driver waits, detention fees can accrue and increase overall costs for the load.

Compared to drop-and-hook, live loads can require more coordination from the shipper’s transportation team. Incoming and outgoing loads need to operate within scheduled appointment windows so that facility workers are available to move freight on and off trailers. If the schedule falls off track, there’s a heightened risk of facility backups which can increase driver wait times and detention payouts. 

While drop-and-hook loads still require coordination and scheduling, they bring more flexibility to shippers’ transportation teams. Facility workers have a much wider time window for loading and unloading trailers. Drop reduces average carrier unload wait times from three hours to under one hour, which in turn results in fewer detention fees paid by shippers.