Detention time at shipping and receiving docks is one of the most frustrating productivity drains in commercial freight. Sitting unpaid for 5 to 8 hours burns valuable 14-hour on-duty clocks, reduces daily earnings, and causes drivers to miss subsequent pickup appointments. To successfully collect detention pay ($50 to $75 per hour) and layover compensation ($250 to $400 per day), carriers must follow a strict documentation and communication protocol.
1. The Golden Detention Protocol
- Verify Rate Confirmation Terms: Ensure the rate confirmation clearly defines the free waiting time (standard: 2 hours from appointment time) and the hourly detention rate.
- Arrive on Time & Log ELD Geofence: Arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment window and ensure your ELD records the on-duty arrival status.
- Send 1-Hour & 30-Minute Warnings: At 1.5 hours on-site, email or message the broker: "Approaching 2-hour mark on load #12345 at shipper XYZ. Detention will begin at 14:00 at $65/hr."
- Get Signed In/Out Times on the BOL: Never leave a facility without the guard or warehouse supervisor signing their initials and exact timestamps on the Bill of Lading (BOL).