FCFS (First Come First Served)
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Definition
FCFS means a facility loads or unloads in arrival order rather than by appointment.
You may have a scheduled window, but if six trucks arrived before you, you are seventh in line.
Why it matters more than the appointment time
An appointment at a scheduled facility is a commitment. An appointment at an FCFS facility is permission to join a queue. The difference is invisible on a load posting and decisive for how the day goes.
FCFS is the strongest single predictor of detention, and it compounds: a four hour wait does not just cost four hours, it costs the delivery window on the next load and potentially the driver's remaining hours.
What to establish before booking
- Is the facility FCFS or appointment based?
- What are the actual operating hours, including breaks and dock closures?
- When does the detention clock start: arrival at the gate, or check-in?
- What is the typical wait?
The last question is the one carriers do not ask and brokers can usually answer.
How to work with it
Arrive early where you can, because position in the queue is the only variable you control. Get detention terms in writing on FCFS loads specifically, since they are the loads where you will need them. And factor likely wait time into whether the rate is worth taking: a well paying load into a facility known for six hour waits can pay worse than a cheaper load that turns quickly.
Related terms
Frequently asked questions
First Come First Served: the facility handles trucks in arrival order rather than by appointment.
Often yes, but it grants access rather than a time slot. Arrival order determines when you are loaded.
Yes, if the rate confirmation provides for it, which is exactly why it is worth confirming on FCFS loads.
Arrive early, ask the broker about typical wait times before accepting, and price the load accordingly.
Hey Bubba! confirms facility policy, hours and detention terms before booking. See how
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