A dock is the spot at a warehouse or distribution center where a truck backs up to have freight loaded or unloaded, usually at a raised platform that lines up with the trailer floor. Docks are the pinch point where a lot of a driver’s waiting happens.
If loading or unloading runs long past the free time, the delay can trigger detention charges. At busy facilities, a yard jockey shuffles trailers in and out of dock doors, and lumpers may be the ones physically handling the freight.