Caution using Old Dominion Freight

[torquen]

I would like to caution people about using Old Dominion Freight Lines. I recently received my 40% Godfrey Aviation Extra 300 from a professional builder out of Midland Texas. The builder made an outstanding crate that was very strong and secured the plane very well. I had the crate sent to a friends business address because this saved me a few dollars.

When I went to pick up the crate from my friends business everything looked OK. There was a small split in the side of the crate where a fork from a Hi-Low had hit. The split did not cause any damage to the airframe nor did the fork go all the way through the crate.

When I brought the crate home and unpacked the plane I found that the plane had sever damage. The cowl had 3 impact points which chipped off the paint and also caused very deep cracks in the cowl that traveled about 9". The cowl ring was ripped from the cowl and broken in half, the engine box bottom was broken off, the F-1 former was broke loose from the motor box and also split in two. The side of the fuse next to the cowl also had a scrape all the way through the monokote to the wood.

I contacted Old Dominion Freight Lines right away to start the claim papers. I was needing a new cowl, red, white, metallic blue, aluminum, and clear to get everything back to normal. I added everything up and came to $200 dollars.

I submitted my claim and in the mean time went out and bought the materials I needed and started repairing. I did not charge for the damage to the plane, only for the cowl. About 3 weeks later I received the claim form in the mail and my claim was denied. The reason in the letter was that I don't have proof that the plane was damaged in their possession. I told them that the builder would not put a damaged plane in the crate. The plane was broken from the crate being dropped.

Now with a few phone calls they are trying to give me a 33% payback. But that was two days ago with no more word from them. Just wanted to caution people that Old Dominion will do everything possible to not support your claim.

Garrett Morrison
p.s. One person even told me that shipping a model airplane is not prohibited from Old Dominion. Even though the item was described to Old Dominion and written on the crate Model Aircraft.

[torquen]

By the way, this is the second time I have used Old Dominion. I had my last plane built by the same builder and the crate was beat up very bad. This caused damage to the plane as well but I did not do a claim.
There is no way the plane could have been packed any better. The entire aircraft was supported with foam and bubble wrap.
Garrett Morrison

[IFLY]

I had a 37.5% shipped from California to Louisiana on Old Dominion. Received it in only 3-1/2 days. Cardboard and protective ply had some damage. I opened it on the spot and the plane was good.

Had another 37.5% Shipped from Florida to Louisiana on UPS/Overnight Trucking in 4 days and cardboard and protective ply came in with some damage and plane had quite a bit of damage. When I saw the damaged box, I opened it on the spot. Saw the damage and refused it.

My thoughts are, neither of these boxes had any instructions on them. If anyone did'nt know it was a plane in the box and you're on the forklift and just looking at the size of the box you would think it's very heavy, so it's only natural to scoop it up with a forklift. Neither of these boxes had Fragile, or Top Load written on them.

Using any truck/freight co. is taking a chance when it comes to planes unless the packaging is bullet proof. I had good service from Old Dominion.

I FLY

[torquen]

The intension of this thread was not to say that your plane will never survive shipping through Old Dominion. Its to let people know that "if and when" something does happen Old Dominion will do everything possible not to provide the claim. This crate had boards on each end to allow the forks to slide underneath. The problem with the shipping companies is that the forklift drivers are too lazy to pick the crate up the proper way. Instead they just push them around using the forks.
Garrett

[bgold]

Try Forward Air. They are a trucking company but specialize in hauling fragile freight. All their equipment is air ride suspension, suspossedly softer ride. You have to deliver to terminal and pick up at a terminal which are located at most airports. 40% plane Florida to Portland $200.00 plus $10 per thousand for insurance.

[SleepyC]

Tray Greyhound.
I've had 3 planes shipped to me, Cali to Ohio $85.00

Never a scratch.

No fork lifts.. just guys lifting the crates.

[torquen]

Reporting back! I was contacted by Old Dominion Freight. They let me know that my claim was being re-processed and a check would be sent to me. Yesterday I received the full amount. Some pressure seemed to help. But in the end they came through. Thank you Old Dominion.
Garrett Morrison

[Firefly]

Here is how to correctly ship an receive freight.
Ship on Wednesday and mid month its the least volume of freight.
Unless you ship your stuff in a titanium box there is always something that is capable of crushing it.
Forklift, drums (55gal can weigh 500lb on average) and you just have to imagine it can be anything.
A loose drum will crush almost anything.


When the driver delivers your package his entire life goal is to get you to sign the bill clean with no exceptions. The best method to accept freight to give you the best chance of getting the claim paid , DO NOT SIGN THE BILL if there is anything wrong with the exterior of the packaging, DO NOT OPEN the package! , as soon as you open it you can not write an exception on the bill, once you open the box it is yours. If the box has any damage, even slightly! Tell the driver and make a notation on the bill BEFORE you sign it and call the trucking company immediately!, ask procedure for filing claims. most companies have an OS&D department (Overage, Shortage & Damage) make sure you speak to the correct person who handles claims, not the dispatcher, terminal manager etc . . .
Do not open the box until that person on phone tells you its ok to do so.
don't hesitate to take a picture of it on the truck. the more evidence you have the better.


if you see its is obviously damaged, refuse it entirely.


These rules and regulations applies to all trucking companies and these procedures are regulated by the federal government. Of course no one explains them to you until its too late.


Try be as accurate and clear in your notations.
for an example: hole in box, content exposed, create is broken top right corner and etc . . .

phases like "subject to inspection" as a notation on the bill means absolutely nothing.



Concealed Damage.
Lets say you signed for the package because everything looked good.
All trucking companies have the same rules about concealed damage, if you open it and its broken its not their fault, you must find out what the shipper's rules are in regards to their claims policy is.
Shippers policy can conflict with trucking company's , so before you buy or order from them find out their policies regarding claims and procedures. Some companies will not pay claims period. As soon as its on the truck its not their problem anymore. They will put this in some fine print somewhere or even on a big sticker attached to the freight. Customer beware.
Trucking company says its your problem once you open it - Shipper says to open package to inspect = this is the conflict, either way the claim will get denied.

Cindy

[Tired Old Man]

I'm still looking for a 35% Sukhoi shiiped to me via Greyhound over a year ago. More planes have been lost through that company since that time and they limit loss claims to abotu $300.00. So your plane better be worth less than that amount.

Forward Air has done a very good job on my last 4 planes but I pick them up at the airport. I will not permit small box truck deliveries to to the way those trucks are loaded. The big stuff is always on the bottom.

A caveat about Forward Air. When you go to inspect your package at their airport terminal they like to make you sign for it before you open it. They tell you you can't open the box until you sign. Not true. You have the right to inspect the contents since the package has not been delivered, and because you are the consignee. They are holding the package in trust for you since they were paid to convey it.

So if that situation ever comes up, stand your ground and worst case refuse to accept delivery due to suspected damage. Since they get to pay the return freight that usually loosens them up.

Oh, and always have a digital camera when you open and inspect stuff, especially when you open in front of the delivery guy. It's hard to deny they weren't there when they are in the picture