What is Linear-Feet LTL Pricing?
Linear-Based LTL Contracts offer significant advantages, particularly for shipments with high freight class or unconventional dimensions that result in low density. In such cases, where traditional density-based pricing may not be suitable due to the irregular shape or high freight class of the freight, linear-based contracts provide an ideal solution.
With this pricing model, charges are determined solely by the linear feet utilized, rather than the
NMFC code, weight or
density of the shipment. This means that shippers with odd-shaped or high freight class items can benefit from a straightforward cost structure based on the space their freight occupies in the trailer, rather than its weight or density.
Real Life Point-to-Point LTL Example:
For example, a TLI client shipping giant reels of wire may opt for a linear-based contract because of the unique loading method, such as pinwheel style, which can result in irregularly shaped freight. With this contract, they pay based on the linear feet the freight occupies in the trailer, rather than its freight class or density. This allows them to accurately budget and manage shipping costs, regardless of the characteristics of their freight.
For instance, if a shipper is transporting bulky, lightweight items with high freight class ratings, they may find that a linear-based contract offers a more cost-effective solution compared to other pricing models. By paying based on the linear feet used, shippers can better manage their shipping expenses, especially for irregular or non-standard freight. This flexibility makes linear-based contracts an excellent choice for businesses with unique shipping requirements or specialized freight characteristics.
How to Calculate Linear Feet
Calculating Linear Feet is easy!
- Divide the total number of pallets by 2.
- Take this number and multiply it by the pallet length in inches.
- Divide this number by 12, and you'll have this shipment's linear feet.
What's the Point?
Linear-based LTL contracts differ from
point-to-point LTL pricing in that they are not dependent on specific origin and destination points. Instead, they provide a more flexible solution that can accommodate various shipping routes and configurations, making them suitable for businesses with diverse shipping needs and logistics challenges. Ultimately, the purpose of linear-based contracts is to offer shippers a simplified and cost-effective LTL shipping option that aligns with the specific requirements of their freight and shipping operations.
