You've agreed to a load, the rate con lands in your inbox, and it's tempting to sign and start rolling. Don't. That one page is the contract for the entire trip — and everything you didn't read is a surprise you'll eat later.

Here's exactly what to check on every rate confirmation before you accept it.

The line rate — and what it actually covers

Confirm the linehaul number matches what you agreed to on the phone. It happens more than it should that a verbal rate and the printed rate don't line up.

Then look at how it's stated:

  • All-in vs. base + fuel surcharge. Know which one you're looking at so you're not double-counting or short.
  • Total miles. Practical route miles vs. shortest-distance miles can be a real gap on a long haul.
  • Load number and reference/PO numbers. Missing these on your paperwork can hold up billing.

Accessorials — the money that isn't in the line rate

Accessorials are the extras, and if they aren't written on the rate con, assume you won't get paid for them. Check for:

  • Detention rate and when it starts (see below).
  • Layover pay if you're stuck overnight.
  • Extra stops — a rate per additional pickup or drop.
  • TONU (truck ordered not used) if the load falls apart after you're dispatched.
  • Lumper fees — who pays, and whether you're reimbursed.

If any of these were promised verbally, they belong in writing before you sign.

Detention terms — read the fine print

"Detention pay" means nothing without the details. Look for three things: how much free time you get (usually 2 hours), the hourly rate after that, and — this is the one that burns people — how it's documented. Many rate cons require signed in/out times on your BOL or a check-call to get paid. Miss the documentation requirement and the detention line is worthless.

Special requirements — the stuff that eats your day

This section is where hidden costs and hidden hours hide:

  • Tarps, straps, or specific securement on flatbed and step deck loads.
  • Reefer temp settings, continuous vs. cycle, and pre-cool requirements.
  • Appointment windows and whether it's a firm appointment or first-come.
  • Driver-assist unload, pallet exchange, or hazmat notes.
  • PPE, escort, or facility-specific check-in rules.

A load can look great on rate-per-mile and still be a loser once you factor in three hours of tarping or a live unload you didn't know about.

Why a real dispatcher catches what you'd miss

When you're driving all day, you don't have time to cross-check every line while you're also negotiating and running credit. That's the difference between a self-dispatch app and a real person on your side.

At ARI you get a dedicated dispatcher who caps out at seven trucks — so they actually read the rate con, know your lanes, and flag the detention terms or missing accessorials before you commit. Because you run under ARI's motor carrier authority (not your own, and not through a load board you manage solo), the broker's or customer's credit gets checked and the load gets booked properly under authority before you roll. See how that setup works on why owner-operators join ARI.

You still choose your loads — there's no forced dispatch — but you've got someone reading the contract with you instead of leaving you to catch every trap alone.

If you'd rather have a dispatcher who reads the rate con so a bad detention clause never costs you again, take a look at the owner-operator opportunities at ARI or call (888) 600-9098. Read every rate con — but you don't have to read them by yourself.