No matter what job you end up in, there is always some kind of secret ‘industry language’ you’ll have to try to decipher. By the time you get your head around all the jargon and insider jokes you may think you’ve landed on another planet. Courier work is no exception and you will come across many words and phrases that are completely foreign to you at first; but stick with it, and you too will soon be peppering your conversation with some of these little gems and actually knowing what they mean!

Drop it and Get Clean
The most basic of all courier terms are ‘drop’ and ‘clean’. Without these you won’t know whether you’re coming or going. Drop, simply means completing the job that you’re doing right now. As in ‘I’ve got a drop in Newcastle’. Depending on where you are in the world, this can also be referred to in a variety of different ways so if you hear, tag, ticket or run, then be assured, they all mean the same thing in courier land…

‘Clean’, means that you’re, in effect, empty. As in, you’ve done your drop and you’re ‘heading home clean’. This can also be called ‘clear’ or maybe even the obvious one – ’empty’!

Backloads and In-boxes
A backload is a load that you pick up and carry on the return journey of your original courier job. If a backload is advertised it usually means that the company isn’t fussy about a quick delivery and consequently will want a reduced rate – so be aware of this.

Just when you’ve got your head around emailing and the Internet, the meaning of the word ‘in-box’ has just changed! Well, in the courier world anyhow. An in-box is a little like a left luggage department. The courier will leave the consignment in a designated locked box to be collected later by the client or their representative.

Dedicated Deliveries
Hopefully this will also refer to the driver’s attitude as well but, in courier language, a dedicated delivery is a consignment that has been paid for to be picked up, and then delivered to the destination address with no stops in between to pick up other jobs. If you are being paid for a dedicated delivery it is important to respect the integrity of your company and adhere to the rules.

ETA, FLT and ITT
Double Dutch? No, these acronyms are simple once you learn how!
ETA (estimated time of arrival) is probably a familiar part of your language already and, in courier speak, it means the same as anywhere else; although in this business it’s probably a little more important than letting your wife know what time to put the pie in the oven to coincide with your homecoming.

FLT just refers to a fork lift truck – an accessory you may become friendly with in your travel in the courier world.
ITT is an invitation to tender for courier jobs. The client will set out details, expectations and budgets and a company is invited to quote for the courier job.

There are many more quirky sayings and slang terms used in the freight and delivery world but these few may give you the incentive to spend some time learning the language of the road. Who knows, one day you may even add your own phrases to the collection!

Author Bio: Norman Dulwich is a correspondent for Courier Exchange, the world’s largest neutral trading hub for the same day courier and express freight exchange industry. Over 2,500 transport exchange businesses are networked together through their website, trading courier services and capacity in a safe ‘wholesale’ environment.

Category: Automotive
Keywords: courier