How is detention typically charged?

How is detention typically charged?

• A. A flat fee per shipment.
• B. Detention is charged after free time at an hourly rate, e.g., 2 hours free, then $50/hour.
• C. Detention is waived for all shipments.
• D. The scheduled timeframe for delivery.

Answer: (B)

Detention is the fee charged when a driver is kept waiting beyond the allowed free time for loading or unloading. The standard approach is to offer a grace period—often a couple of hours—without charge, then bill the waiting time at an hourly rate, such as $50 per hour. This method links the cost directly to how long the equipment is tied up, so a short delay costs little and a longer delay costs more. A flat fee per shipment doesn’t fit because waiting times vary a lot from load to load, making a fixed charge less fair and predictable. Detention isn’t about the scheduled delivery window, which is a separate timing concept. It’s not typically waived for all shipments either, since carriers rely on these charges to offset idle time.

Detention is the fee charged when a driver is kept waiting beyond the allowed free time for loading or unloading. The standard approach is to offer a grace period—often a couple of hours—without charge, then bill the waiting time at an hourly rate, such as $50 per hour. This method links the cost directly to how long the equipment is tied up, so a short delay costs little and a longer delay costs more. A flat fee per shipment doesn’t fit because waiting times vary a lot from load to load, making a fixed charge less fair and predictable. Detention isn’t about the scheduled delivery window, which is a separate timing concept. It’s not typically waived for all shipments either, since carriers rely on these charges to offset idle time.