Picking up at Southwest

paullud

Veteran Expediter
I have my first airport pick up in the morning at Southwest Airlines in Louisville, KY tomorrow, where do I go in the airport to do a pick up? I am guessing I don't go in the normal enterance, has anyone been at this airport before that remembers where to go?
 

Moot

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
You're welcome! Anything for the Big Ludwikowski.

I've gotten to the point where I will refuse a load if my carrier can't provide an AWB or a pro number for an LTL carrier with the load offer. I your carrier doesn't have the AWB you may have to wait until morning for them to contact their customer. Good luck!
 

paullud

Veteran Expediter
You're welcome! Anything for the Big Ludwikowski.

I've gotten to the point where I will refuse a load if my carrier can't provide an AWB or a pro number for an LTL carrier with the load offer. I your carrier doesn't have the AWB you may have to wait until morning for them to contact their customer. Good luck!

The pick up is in the morning but I am hoping night dispatch has the info so I can get in there as early as possible and get it delivered since it is a short run.
 

scottm4211

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
Moots right (even a broken clock...)
Anywho, without that AWB # they'll give you "the look".
 

Moot

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
Thanks Scott. I believe for security reasons a driver needs an AWB as proof of authorization to take procession of the freight.

Twice in my expedite career I picked up packages at passenger terminals at the baggage claim. Once the box was sitting next to a locked baggage claim office with other baggage. I grabbed the box and fled the scene.
 

Dakota

Veteran Expediter
I've picked up at a few airports and usually call ahead and they bring out an escort vehicle, that is if your going to be going onto the tarmac. Guess it depends on what you are picking up.
I've also received and delivered items to the ticket counter. This was at Fort Wayne International(Still don't know why its an International airport, you can barely get a flight to another state)
 
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paullud

Veteran Expediter
Moots right (even a broken clock...)
Anywho, without that AWB # they'll give you "the look".

Yeah that's what I am trying to avoid, they treat you like an idiot even though it is your first time there. Boy it seems like dispatch would have known this when they sent the load this evening. Since it is at an airport I am also concerned I may turn down the wrong road and end up with a roadside prostate exam.:eek:
 

scottm4211

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
Back in the 80's I used to carry on 2 boxes of gun parts from Linamar Machine (now a huge auto parts manufacturer) on flights from Buffalo going to Springfield and then on to Colt Firearms in Hartford. Things have changed since then :p
 

LDB

Veteran Expediter
Retired Expediter
If your carrier is like mine you will get the airbill number without asking for it about once every three runs. You should get an exact address for your pickup even when it's on airport proprty unless it's on the Tarmac. I've never done one of those but for Delta, Continental and Air France at various times I've had specific addresses and almost always the gps has found it. Good luck.
 

Dakota

Veteran Expediter
I would say it's much easier in a cargo van, in a straight truck you have to watch out for clearances, plus no place to park. Been there done that up at the Detroit airport
 
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paullud

Veteran Expediter
I would say it's much easier in a cargo can, in a straight truck you have to watch out for clearances, plus no place to park. Been there done that up at the Detroit airport

That and when you do make a wrong turn you can just make a U-turn, it happened to me on Tinker AFB when I was a truck driver, what a nightmare to get turned around.
 
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