If you’re already a drayage driver and are looking for your next valuable position, or you’re thinking of taking up this career path, it can be helpful to know some of the top tips for finding a drayage job. Beyond finding an available drayage job you would be interested in or able to consider, finding and securing the right drayage job with an excellent drayage company can significantly impact your career success and quality of life while maintaining the job. In this article, we’ll discuss what’s involved in a container hauling job, some top considerations and focuses for finding a drayage job, and some of the top tips for finding the right drayage job for you.
What Is Container Hauling?
Container hauling is one of the biggest parts of a drayage job. Drayage itself involves the short-distance transportation of goods. This means much of your work as a drayage driver consists of hauling shipping containers that hold a range of different freight. For this reason, container hauling over a short distance is also referred to simply as container drayage. In addition to the range of freight you may transport regularly, you will also likely have a range of pick-up and drop-off locations. These locations include railway terminals, sea or ocean ports, harbors, and warehouses. Container drayage involves loading, unloading, and off-roading activities.
This type of hauling and more in a drayage job can involve shuttle, door-to-door, pier, intra-carrier, expedited, and inter-carrier drayage within intermodal transportation. While drayage refers to short-distance hauling, intermodal transportation is the wider term for hauling involving multiple forms of transportation. Container drayage is a part of intermodal transportation and is a large part of global shipping efficiency and ultimate success. Cold chain transportation, for example, requires efficient container drayage for success, as this transportation involves hauling perishable freight, such as flowers, food, and pharmaceuticals.
Finding a Drayage Job
As an integral part of global logistics, the role of a drayage driver has the potential to greatly impact worldwide shipping efficiency and success, as well as your career and personal happiness. There are many benefits to being a drayage driver, including shift flexibility, work variety, and freedom that comes from traveling alone at your own pace. There are also considerable benefits to a drayage driver role with the right company, including sign-on bonuses, cutting-edge tools, room to advance, and competitive pay. However, once you’ve decided to continue pursuing a career in drayage, finding a drayage job can be complicated.
When you begin the search for a drayage job, there are a number of considerations. You’ll want to consider the ideal location for your job. While drayage driving is a transportation job, you’ll still have a central area, which you’ll likely want to make as convenient as possible. It’s helpful to consider whether you need a job near your current location and if you have any distance flexibility, or if you might be willing to relocate for the right position. Once you reflect on location, you’ll want to take the steps toward certification and licensing if you’re new to the field. Becoming a drayage driver takes a few initial steps, including passing a physical exam and obtaining a CDL, port entry license, and DTR sticker. An RFID tag can also be helpful.
Getting UIIA Certified
Another consideration when finding a drayage job is becoming UIIA-certified. A UIIA certification means you have entered into one of the most standard industry contracts. This type of industry contract exists between drayage companies, drayage drivers, or other motor carriers that use shipping containers, chassis, and other types of intermodal equipment, and the rail carriers, ocean carriers, or leasing companies providing the intermodal equipment. A Uniform Intermodal Interchange and Facilities Access Agreement (UIIA) is the only contract of its type that effectively outlines the regulations for interchanging industry equipment between equipment providers and intermodal trucking companies.
This type of agreement benefits drayage and other motor carriers by providing them with access to the facilities and equipment of ocean carriers, railroads, and equipment leasing companies through one contract. Being UIIA certified essentially means that you have a certificate validating that you meet agreement regulations for equipment providers. This type of certificate is a UIIA certificate. UIIA certificates are administered, collected, and validated by IANA, the trade association that developed them to increase intermodal efficiency and productivity. In order to participate in this type of agreement, a drayage carrier must provide basic company info, a UDOT/MC number, a SCAC code, an EIN or tax ID number, and proof of insurance. There is an annual fee.
Choosing a Drayage Company
Once you consider drayage job location requirements and preferences, and complete the processes for verification and certification, (either required or highly beneficial), you can more effectively sift through the hiring companies. It’s important to know what you’re looking for and should consider prioritizing when choosing a drayage company to work for. Some of the top focuses when choosing a drayage company include job advancement opportunities, competitive pay, sign-on bonuses, work diversity and flexibility, and support.
Job advancement opportunities are an essential attribute of a company worth considering. You don’t want to get stuck in a less desirable role or find yourself unable to progress in your career. Competitive pay and sign-on bonuses can also greatly impact your career success and quality of life as they indicate a company’s support and value for you. Work diversity and flexibility are among the core benefits of a job as a drayage driver. The best drayage companies to work for are aware of this attractive quality and also able to work with you toward a work-life balance and other fluctuating needs.
Finding the Right Drayage Job for You
When you begin searching for a drayage job, it’s helpful to consider your location requirements, the benefits and requirements of the role, and your top focuses for a company. Heavy Weight Transport can provide you with a drayage job that supports your interests, needs, and more.
