Learn to how to identify the two types of inland pickup in the United States

US carriers offer LTL or FTL  services as cargo pick up options.

The LTL (less than truckload) service is characterized by grouping several customers with small loads onto the same truck, whose destinations are the same or very close in proximity.

Therefore, it is important to understand that when contracting an LTL service, delays may occur, as the trucks usually do not leave empty from the place of origin. For this reason, the transit times of LTL services are commonly estimated.

Another pick up option is FTL (full truckload), which implies the availability of a truck for a certain load, shortening the transit time. The carrier guarantees the date of arrival, so this pick up has guaranteed transit time, which can be a decisive factor for the success of the operation.

This type of guaranteed arrival date is very important for sensitive loads such as perishables, which need to be placed in a cooler once they arrive at the destination. Obviously, this pick up will have a higher rate than the tariff of an LTL service.

Still within the FTL modality, the truck can be partially made available for the load in question. The space will be divided between the loads of 2 or 3 customers of the carrier (but not with many other customers with small loads, as in LTL mode). In this case, the pick up no longer has guaranteed transit time and starts to have an estimated transit time.

Our expert team here at Global Cargo handles both LTL and FTL services, request your quote today!