FCFS vs. appointment

FCFS means "first come, first served": the facility loads or unloads trucks in arrival order during set hours. An appointment is a fixed time slot. Each works; a rate con that mixes both for the same stop invites trouble.

The two scheduling types

FCFS (first come, first served). The rate con gives a window, such as "FCFS 0700–1500". You can arrive any time in that window and wait your turn. There's no late fine for arriving at 1400, but there's also no promise of when you'll be done, and detention may only start after a long free period, or not at all.

Appointment. The rate con gives a time, such as "Appt 10/14 0800". You must be there on time, often checked in some minutes early. If you're late you can be refused or rescheduled, and a late fine may apply. In return, detention usually starts from the appointment time if the facility is slow.

Why mixed terms are a red flag for planning

The checker's sample rate con says "10/14 0800 appointment. FCFS 0700-1500." Which is it? If the driver plans for the window and arrives at 1000, the broker can say the 0800 appointment was missed. If the driver plans for 0800 and waits until 1400, the broker can say it was FCFS, so no detention. Ask which one governs before you plan the trip.

Scheduling and hours of service

Time waiting at a facility to be loaded, or attending a truck being loaded or unloaded, counts as on-duty time (on-duty time, 49 CFR 395.2), and a property-carrying driver may not drive after the 14th hour following 10 hours off duty (49 CFR 395.3). A long FCFS wait early in the day can leave too few hours to make the next appointment legally. That's worth pricing in.

What the Rate Con Checker flags

If the text contains both "FCFS" (or "first come, first served") and "appointment" (or "appt"), the checker marks a flag: mixed scheduling terms. If only one appears, it shows a note saying which. The checker can't tell which stop each term belongs to, so on a multi-stop load with an FCFS pickup and an appointment delivery, the flag is a prompt to confirm, not proof of a problem.

What to ask for

Please confirm whether pickup/delivery is a set appointment or FCFS, and the hours.

Also ask: when does detention start for this stop (appointment time, or check-in for FCFS)? And who makes or changes the appointment: the broker, the shipper, or you through the facility's scheduling system?