Glossary Of Terms

A person who transacts business on behalf of another person or company with full or limited decision-making authority. 

White Wolf Logistics is your Agent

The bill of lading or BOL is the contract between shipper and carrier, broker or agent that binds the parties together and defines all aspects of the freight shipping arrangement including what is being shipped, to whom, where they are located, etc. This critical legal paperwork is vital when shipping anything as it is usually the only legal documentation used. Our BOL must be presented to the driver when they arrive to pick up any shipment in order to make sure the carrier is billing us directly. Otherwise, you will not have access to our discounts and will be charged a much higher price by the carrier for the shipment.

This is a type of service offered with dry van full truckloads. If blanket wrap is requested, the truck will come equipped with moving blankets (also known as pads) to help protect the freight. This service is not widely available when it comes to LTL shipments.

Also known as bracing, blocking refers to wood or other supports used to keep shipments in place on trailers or in containers.

A person who makes freight shipping arrangements on behalf of a person or company. The broker has experience in the industry and negotiates the best possible rates on behalf of the client. 

White Wolf Logistics is your Broker

A person or company who transports freight for a fee is known as a carrier. This is the actual trucking company that touches and physically transports your freight.

The term 'common carrier' is used when referring to one of the national freight haulers or big players in the carrier space.

When the recipient of a package is not able to see the damage to the item(s) until opening the package. The damage is called concealed because it wasn't visible at the time of delivery.

In most cases, concealed damage means that the delivery receipt was signed for clear (meaning no damage noted). 

In order to file a damage claim, the carrier must be made aware of this concealed damage within 5 days of delivery. If damage is communicated to the carrier after the 5 day cut off, no claim may be filed. 

The maximum payout by the carrier on a concealed damage claim is 1/3 of the claim amount. 

It is very important that your customers note the Proof of Delivery with any damage.

The receiver of a freight shipment is known as the consignee.

When two or more shipments are combined to save money on freight shipping costs, the freight is referred to as a consolidation.

A carrier who picks up the freight and then brings it back to their terminal and waits for the full container to fill up before shipping it out. A shipment may pick up on a Monday, but not start moving towards it's destination until Friday because it took time to fill up the container. They normally try not to let it sit for more than a week.

Most of the time, they send it via Rail. When it comes to consolidators, the estimated transit time is rarely accurate as it depends on when they fill the container and it starts moving in the right direction.  

Consolidators are a great choice if cost is most important as they are always well priced. Sometimes they run long transit times depending on how much freight they have moving in the same direction, so they may be better for some shipments over others. 

We have listed the carriers that are consolidators below… just so you can book according to your specific needs on future shipments…

Consolidator Carriers:

Clear Lane

Daylight Transportation

Dot-Line Transportation

Frontline Freight

Roadrunner Freight (sometimes)

Shift Freight

The total freight load capacity of any truck, train or ship is measured in cubic feet, and therefore the carrying capacity is known in the freight industry as cubic capacity.

Also referred to as dimensions – These are the measurements of the packaged unit. They are listed in order of Length x Width x Height.

(Also referred to as Waiting Time) – In trucking we're referring to the extra time a driver spends at either the pickup or delivery location. When referring to full truckload shipments, most loads include 2 hours of load/unload time at both the pickup and the delivery location. Once this allotted time is used, the 'detention' time clock starts.

Usually this is a per hour charge. When receiving freight quotes from various brokers or carriers, be sure to ask what the standard detention rate is per hour and when it begins. A truck for $1,000 that only includes 1 hour load/unload time may seem cheaper than the $1,150 truck at first – but after 3 to 4 hours loading and unloading you're rates can change dramatically and can cause unwelcomed price tags.

When a problem such as shortage or damage is noted at the time of delivery by the consignee. An exception is noted on the Proof of Delivery before it is signed to indicate that there was a problem with the shipment.

Is a machine that is used to move crates and pallets usually in a warehouse or yard setting. The 'fork' refers to the front of the machine where it has two 'prongs' that resemble a fork. These prongs are lodged underneath a pallet or crate which then allows the machine to 'lift' and move the freight.

The total weight of the transport vehicle including its cargo is called the gross vehicle weight or GVW.

This is where either capacity is tight or a driver is looking to make a certain amount of money to pay for his run. Headhaul freight lanes are more costly.

For example, coming out of Chicago (or another major metropolitan city) is a headhaul lane, drivers can charge a lot for freight coming out, but coming back into Chicago, we see the total opposite. Costs are generally lower due to the extra capacity and drivers wanting to get back 'home'.

The transfer of freight from one carrier to another is referred to as interline shipping.

Used mostly in full truckload shipments– A piece of equipment that looks like a long metal bar that is used to brace or block cargo to ensure it does not move or shift during transit. Load locks are placed into the e-tracking on the walls of the trailer, locking it into place. This bar will then prevent any cargo from moving up and down the trailer when there is a sudden stop or sharp turn.

If this is needed for your load, please make sure to specify as all trucks do not have them equipped.

LTL usually ranges from 1 to 6 standard sized pallets (40x48) and is usually less than 10,000 lbs. You can send up to 6 pallet spaces which equals 12 linear feet of truck space. Be very careful not to load more than 12 feet of truck space when sending shipments via LTL carriers as they will charge you extremely high rates (thousands more) for sending over the LTL capacity of 12 feet.

Shipping LTL allows for freight to be matched up and consolidated before moving to its final destination. Rates for this service are much lower than paying for an exclusive use truck but will make multiple stops and changes at different terminals.

Transit time is usually longer and does not come guaranteed unless you pay extra for it. 

Your freight must be securely packaged per NMFTA guidelines as it will be moving from truck to dock and back to truck multiple times as it makes it's way to delivery. If not packaged properly, carriers will refuse to move it due to liability reasons.

LTL is an extremely popular way to send shipments that do not require use of a full truck. With the rates that White Wolf Logistics has contracted with our carrier network, LTL  shipping has never been as economical for shippers. 

A hand operated device that aids in the movement of pallets and crates.

(also know as a Tractor) – The front of the truck that moves. Various types of trailers are usually attached which hold the cargo to be transported.

A type of trailer, which is usually 24 to 32 feet in length with a single axle. You may see multiple 'pups' attached to one another and moved via tractor especially with LTL carriers. A Pup Truck makes residential or limited access deliveries much more accessible for the carriers.

Nickname for a refrigerated trailer used to transport frozen or refrigerated goods. They can accomodate a wide variety of temperature sensitive goods.

(Also known as a Bobtail) – A type of freight truck that can range from 12 to 26 feet in length. A straight truck differs from a tractor-trailer – as it is all one unit. This means the front 'power' does not detach from the back 'trailer'. In essence it is all one 'straight' single vehicle.

Straight trucks can come equipped with liftgates and are used for inter-city, limited access pickups/deliveries as they are able to maneuver through smaller streets and roads more easily than a semi truck.

A tariff establishes the cost and contract of freight shipment for the shipper and the carrier. White Wolf Logistics extends our discounted rates to you by shipping under our contracted tariffs.

Simply put, this is the front of the truck where the driver sits and where the power comes from. The 'trailer' is attached to the 'tractor' which makes up the full semi-truck. A tractor is also commonly referred to as the 'power unit'.

The total time from pickup to delivery. Many LTL carriers provided "estimated" transit times. Unless you guarantee an LTL shipment, the transit times are estimated and the carrier will not reimburse any costs due to a delayed delivery.

A full truckload refers to the exclusive use of an entire trailer. Typically 53 feet long. No other freight will be added / removed between pick up location and delivery location as you have paid for full exclusive use.

A less than truckload or LTL term for rates that are specifically made subject to shipments that exceed 750 cubic feet.

If your shipment ever takes up more than 750 cubic feet, you need to get a volume rate because if this is sent as an LTL shipment, you will incur heavy penalties from the LTL carriers.