Dedicated Run

A run that typically always goes to the same place, on nearly the same schedule. Many drivers would love to get a dedicated run. As a result, you usually have to wait awhile before it's offered/available to you.

Consignee

The receiver. The company taking in your freight. The place you deliver your load to.

O, S & D Department

Overage, shortage and damaged. Someone in your company is in charge of OS & D. You must call in if you have any of these conditions with your load before leaving the receiver -- and in some cases, you must call before even pulling out of their dock.

Rider Policy

A policy the company might have that allows someone, not employed by the company, to ride along with you. Typically limited to certain times of year (April to November) and limited to age of rider. The Policy might also stipulate the person must be an immediate family member only.

Owner Operator and
Company Driver

The Owner Operator owns his own truck, or pays payments on it, just like you do with a car. He/she pays their own fuel, maintenance and repairs for that truck. They have a great many more bills and responsibilities. The company driver pays none of these expenses. Becoming an O/O is a huge step and should be considered long and hard. It isn't suggested that a new driver even think about it until he/she has been driving a couple of years.

Kingpin Lock

A lock that fits over the kingpin on the trailer. It makes it harder for someone to just back up to the trailer and take it. Not terribly expensive, a kingpin lock may help your peace of mind.

Drop & Hook

This means that you take your empty trailer into a shipper's facility and drop it. You then pick up a trailer that has already been loaded. It saves an enormous amount of time and most drivers find a company that has a high percentage of drop & hook to be a big advantage. (less dock time.)

Fingerprint a load

If the driver must "fingerprint" a load, it means he/she must unload it themselves. Not a terribly popular option to most drivers.

"No Touch"

Means the driver does not have to "touch" the load -- doesn't have to fingerprint...doesn't have to do any of the unloading.

Deadhead

You are "deadheading" when you are traveling without a payload. You are pulling an empty trailer. Sometimes referred to as "dead" miles.

Home Time Policy

Most companies profess to have a "Home Time Policy". It is more or less what they try to do in regards to getting drivers home. Some of the more popular "policies": 1.) You earn one day home for every day you spend on the road. 2.) You earn 3 days for spending 2 weeks on the road. 3.) You are home every weekend. This usually means you'll probably be home sometime on Friday and have to leave out sometime on Sunday. Every company is different, of course, so if home time is important to you, be sure to ask any potential employer!! This is a source of problems for many drivers. They are told one thing by a recruiter and it works differently when they start to deal with their dispatcher. Also keep in mind that there will be times that you just won't make it home. Freight will just not be flowing right. The weather will be bad. Your equipment will break down. Give a carrier a chance to "do right" by you in regards to home time but if it is a constant difficulty - and it's an issue that matter to you - you may have to look elsewhere. Just don't jump ship too soon.