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As the holiday season approaches, retailers across the country prepare for their busiest time by building up inventory.
UPS, one of the biggest carriers in North America, moves a large portion of that freight.
The UPS network sees a massive increase in the volume of holiday shipments beginning in early November.
Coyote, as a UPS company is uniquely positioned to give you exclusive access to dedicated loads in the retail industry’s busiest period.
Looking to get consistent rates and loads in Q4?
You’ve found the right place. Fill out the form to show your interest.
If you’d like to learn more about UPS Peak Season, you can read this guide.
Carrier’s Guide for UPS Peak Season with Coyote
What is UPS Peak Season?
In November, retailers prepare for the holiday season by bringing in more imports. This is when UPS Peak Season starts.
UPS (and all other parcel carriers) receive a huge surge in freight during this period, making it the busiest shipping time of the year. “Peak Season.”
UPS’s network is primarily made up of their own trucks and drivers, but during peak season, UPS adds third-party carriers to help move those time-sensitive shipments.
Coyote as a UPS Company helps them find that carrier capacity – , which means opportunities for companies like yours.
Who can participate in UPS Peak Season?
UPS Peak Season is available to all carriers on Coyote’s network.
You must join Coyote’s carrier network to access Peak Season Freight.
Important Dates for Peak season 2023
Peak Season offers a variety of ways to get involved.
Here are the dates you need to know:
- July 25th, 2023: Registration for Peak Bids opens (Local Trailer Repositioning, Expedited Trailer Repositioning, and Pre-Peak trailer Repositioning).
- August 10, 2023: Pre-Peak Trailer Positioning Bid (2 rounds)
- August 30 – September 18, 2023: Local and Expedited Bids (2 rounds each).
Where are UPS peak season opportunities? What regions are eligible?
In the 48 contiguous States, you can take advantage of accelerated peak opportunities.
All 50 states offer local peak opportunities to U.S. carriers.
How can I participate in Peak?
Fill out the Peak Interest Form to register for Peak. Include the following information.
- Name
- Email address
- Phone number
- Company
- DOT number
- How you would like to participate (Local or Expedited, or Post-Peak trailer Repositioning).
Why Carriers Love Peak Season
Coyote, as a UPS company plays a crucial role in helping UPS source carrier capacities during their Peak Season.
This gives Coyote Network carriers exclusive access to dedicated daily loads.
In the peak season of 2022, more than 1,800 carriers on the Coyote Network hauled almost 100,000 loads.
Carriers love to participate in UPS Peak Season — here are some reasons why.
- More freight available
- Consistent revenue
- There is virtually no waiting time at the facilities
- Coyote Support 24/7 Specialized Coyote Support
- Digital Load Management
- Drivers can choose between single and team driving.
Learn more about and why carriers love to participate in Peak Season.
Four types of peak freight opportunities for your business
Four different ways are available for carriers to participate in UPS Peak Season.
You can choose the best option for your business by comparing each of them.
1. Pre-Peak Trailer Repositioning
UPS leases more than 40,000 trailers in the US and relies on Coyote for help positioning them where they are needed.
Drivers will begin moving these empty trailers into UPS locations in September, and finish the week before Thanksgiving.
Pre Peak Trailer Repositioning:
- Freight moves September to November (week before Thanksgiving).
- Schedule: flexible
- Work type: mainly local hauls, empty trailers
2. Local Peak Season Freight
Local drivers must be prepared to run both types of peak season “Local” freight.
These schedules are determined daily and can vary between the two depending on UPS’s real-time needs.
Details of local opportunities:
- Freight moves November – December
- All opportunities require a single-power only driver.
- Drivers must be prepared to drive straight through and arrive with a fresh Hours of Service document (HOS).
- Drivers must be able to track digitally in real-time.
- The driver will return to his origin point at the end of their HOS, regardless of the type of work.
- T Endorsements (NY State only), HUT Stickers & UIIA certifications all have their benefits, even though they are not required.
- UPS carries out 75% of its work in the evening or late afternoon.
- All tolls are reimbursed on receipt of invoice.
Local-specific (LCD) details:
- Schedule: Daily 10-hour shift
- Pay Type: Flat rate per day (per driver)
- Work Type: Multiple local shuttles between UPS hubs and customer facilities, railroad ramps
Local-Regional-specific (LCL) details:
- Schedule: Daily, approximately 400+ miles (all drivers return to origin within HOS).
- Pay Type: Daily flat rate, or per mile, whichever is greater.
- Work Type: Regional runs with multiple stops between UPS hubs, customers and railroad ramps
3. Peak Season Expedited Freight
Local freight is slightly different from Expedited Peak Season Freight. It involves longer-distance transfers.
UPS’s carefully planned schedules leave little room for flexibility.
Driver teams run 5,000 miles per week and single drivers 2,500.
All drivers must be -integrated into one of our shipment tracker options.
Expedited Details:
- Freight moves November – December
- Schedule: Carriers need to have 24/7 dispatch
- Pay Type: Per-mile rate based on total distance traveled per route
- Work Type: Drop and hook, multi-leg runs from UPS hubs to customer facilities
4. Post-Peak Trailer Repositioning
UPS must return the 40,000 trailers it leased during peak season to support its surge in freight.
In January and March, drivers will return these empty trailers to the trailer leasing vendors.
Details on Post-Peak Trailer Positioning:
- Freight Moves January – March
- Schedule: flexible
- Work type: mainly local hauls, empty trailers
Certifications for Access to More Peak Opportunities
Two common certifications are required to haul many peak season loads: UIIA participation and T Endorsements.
Peak is not required for either, but having both gives you more opportunities.
UIIA Participation
Intermodal rail facilities are used by UPS to move many peak season loads. To be eligible for this opportunity, carriers must have Uniform Intermodal Interchange and Facilities Access Agreement participation (UIIA), which allows drivers access to rail facilities.
can access the UIIA Reference Guide for more information on UIIA membership.
T Endorsement
Many UPS Peak Season loads are also made up of multiple smaller trailers. To be eligible, drivers must have a T endorsement on their commercial driver’s license (CDL) that allows them to haul more than one trailer at once.
Visit the DMV website of the state that issued your CDL for more information on T Endorsements.
Have more questions about peak season?
If you have any additional questions about participating in UPS Peak Season this year, reach out to YMProcurement@Coyote.com.