What are LTL Services?
Less-than-truckload (LTL) Services transport shipments typically between 50 and 10,000 pounds. These shipments are commingled to ensure that they do not bear the full cost of transportation. With over 65 years of experience with such operations, AAA Cooper Transportation is well-suited to provide superior service for your LTL shipping needs.
Facility Locations
AAA Cooper Transportation, Midwest Motor Express, and DHE Transportation operate SC# strategically located facilities across ST# states.
Find Your Service Center
To access detailed information about a service center location or local coverage map with transit times, select a location on the map or enter city, state, and zip.
Additional Services
AAA Cooper Transportation offers a wide variety of services, which typically include additional charges and specific rules. Some of the more common services used by our customers are listed below.
- Guaranteed Services (see complete terms here)
- Restricted Access Services
- Full Value Coverage
- Inside Pickup or Delivery Services
- Liftgate at Pickup or Delivery Services
- Marking and Tagging
- Notification Before Delivery
- Protect From Freezing
- Hazardous Materials Shipping
For more information and a complete list of rates and rules surrounding these and other services, please review our current LTL Freight Services 190 Rules Tariff and our Quick Reference Guide to Accessorial Rates.
Data Exchange
Modern shipping is a highly integrated process where the rapid exchange of large volumes of information between various systems is critical. As a segment of your supply chain, we understand that this information requirement also extends to us. Accordingly, we provide many options to ensure information is efficiently managed.
Website “Workspace”
As the name implies, Workspace is where active shippers and other customers complete various shipping-related tasks. It is designed to make these daily tasks as simple as possible. Please take a moment and visit Workspace to experience just how convenient and helpful it can be.
With AAA Cooper Transportation’s Web Services, you have the flexibility to choose the development platform or programming model that best suits your needs. You can easily access the following information via AAA Cooper Transportation’s Web Services:
- Rate Estimate
- Imaging
- Tracking and Tracing
- Transit Time
- Pickup Request
AAA Cooper Transportation can transmit EDI documents directly to customers via FTP, SFTP, and AS2 or through an approved Value Added Network (VAN). We can also send and pull documents from the customer’s server. Although many EDI exchanges are custom setup, the common form types provided include:
- 204 – Electronic Load Tender
- 210 – Freight Details and Invoice
- 214 – Shipment Status Message
- 820 – Payment Order/Remittance Advice
- 997 – Functional Acknowledgment
Document Downloads
AAA Cooper Transportation provides several forms and various certifications for your reference. For a complete list of available documents, visit the Documents Library.
Safety
It is the policy of AAA Cooper Transportation to maintain a safe work environment throughout our system. The primary goal of our program is to prevent accidents, incidents, illnesses, and injuries and to fulfill our moral obligation to protect the general public. By doing so, the employees of the company and the general public will be best served.
Unsafe acts or working conditions create unnecessary hazards to the health and well-being of our people, our customers, and to the good name of the company. AAA Cooper Transportation therefore commits itself and its resources to these ends:
- Provide safe and healthful working conditions.
- Maintain all company equipment and facilities in good and safe order.
- Correct any and all conditions that could lead to an accident or injury.
- Provide ongoing safety training to all employees.
- Comply with all federal, state, and local laws or regulations related to safety.
To these ends, I commit all of the resources of AAA Cooper Transportation, including the best efforts of all our family members.
Charlie Prickett
Chief Executive Officer
Safety 365®
AAA Cooper Transportation's Safety 365®- Safety Every Day program ensures that safety is at the forefront of everything we do each day of the year. Each number represents a significant part of the program, contributing to and ensuring that our safety culture meets and exceeds the highest safety standards in the industry.
| 3 | Safety Awareness and Professional Driver Training every 3 years ensures compliance with all state and federal requirements. | |
| 6 | Every 6 months, our leadership meets with each team member one-on-one. Discussions focus on all aspects of safety and are designed to ensure comfortable open communication during the meeting and throughout the year. | |
| 5 | Team members' recognition and awards escalate for every 5 year milestone of safe service achieved. |
Sustainability in Action
AAA Cooper Transportation is committed to supporting environmentally sound business practices. Whether through a formalized program such as SmartWay® or by simply reducing miles driven through advanced operations research applications, AAA Cooper Transportation strives to achieve a minimal impact footprint on our environment. Some of our efforts that favorably impact the environment include:
- More fuel-efficient tractors with automatic transmissions improve RPM control during shifting.
- Side skirts on trailers improve the overall drag coefficient and MPG.
- Enhanced tire compositions and setups lead to reduced rolling resistance and increased MPG.
- LTL system flow improvements enhance loaded fill rates, reducing the miles required per shipment.
- Advanced data center designs reduce HVAC demands and overall utility consumption.
- Recycle used oil, oil filters, antifreeze, batteries, and scrap steel.
- Maintenance shop towels are laundered for reuse.
- Retread tires to extend lifespan and reduce tire waste.
- Utilization of efficient LED lighting and solar technology.
- Integration of electric vehicles and forklifts.
- CARB compliant.
- Use of R99 renewable diesel fuel to reduce emissions.
View the AAA Cooper Transportation SmartWay certificate.
Excluded Commodities
AAA Cooper Transportation provides transportation services for most all commodities except for:
- 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, and 1.5 Explosives
- Nitrocellulose
- Carbon Black
- 2.3 Poison Gas Zone A
- 2.3 Poison Gas Zone B in bulk packaging
- 6.1 Poison Inhalation Hazard Zone A
- Radioactive Yellow III materials
- Shipments requiring a Waste Manifest
- Original works of art
- Taxidermy
- Currency
- Corpses
- Live animals
For more information regarding Hazardous Materials, see: Hazardous Materials Lookup
Outstanding Service Awards
AAA Cooper Transportation and Midwest Motor Express named Uber Freight LTL Carrier of the Year
Uber Freight’s decision was based on several key performance metrics, including value-added account integration, volume and spend management, high tender acceptance rates, superior service levels, call check compliance, real-time visibility, and a collaborative operational relationship centered on open feedback.
AAA Cooper Transportation and Midwest Motor Express recognized as TQL’s LTL Carrier of the Year
TQL Preferred LTL Carrier Program measures 40+ LTL carrier partners on key performance metrics. The honor was awarded based on the strength of the partnership, ease of doing business, year-over-year volume growth, communication, and overall excellent service.
AAA Cooper Transportation and Midwest Motor Express named LTL Carrier of the Year by Gates Corporation
Gates Corporation recently named AAA Cooper Transportation and Midwest Motor Express its 2023 LTL Carrier of the Year. The Gates Corporation LTL Carrier of the Year award recognizes AAA Cooper and Midwest Motor's commitment to providing outstanding service.
AAA Cooper Transportation receives Safety Awards from South Carolina Trucking Association
The South Carolina Trucking Association awarded AAA Cooper Transportation the 2023 Truck Safety Awards in the General Commodities, Intercity – 5,000,001 to 10,000,000 Miles category, and the Combined – 5,000,001 to 10,000,000 Miles category.
AAA Cooper Transportation receives Kentucky Trucking Association Safety Award
In August 2023, AAA Cooper Transportation was awarded 1st Place for outstanding achievement in highway safety in the LTL division, 0-10 Million Miles category.
AAA Cooper Transportation recognized as The Home Depot 2023 LTL Carrier of the Year
AAA Cooper Transportation was named The Home Depot 2023 LTL Carrier of the Year. The Home Depot LTL Carrier of the Year award recognizes carriers committed to on-time service, flexibility, and ease of doing business.
AAA Cooper Transportation receives Oklahoma Trucking Association Safety Recognition
The Oklahoma Trucking Association honored AAA Cooper Transportation with the Great West Safety Award. AAA Cooper was awarded 2nd Place in the Regular, 1-5 Million Miles category for outstanding achievement in highway safety.
AAA Cooper Transportation receives Tennessee Trucking Association Safety Award
Tennessee Trucking Association honored AAA Cooper Transportation with the Great West Safety Award. This award was presented on September 20th, 2022, for 1st Place in the Less Than Truckload 7,000,000 – 15,000,000 Miles category.
AAA Cooper Transportation receives Award from Indiana Motor Truck Association
AAA Cooper Transportation was awarded the 2021 Fleet Safety Award by the Indiana Motor Truck Association Safety and Maintenance Council in the 2,000,001 to 5,000,000 miles category.
AAA Cooper Transportation receives Georgia Motor Trucking Association Safety Award
May 6th, 2022 AAA Cooper Transportation was awarded 1st Place for outstanding achievement in highway safety for General Commodities – LTL Division, 20 – 30 Million Miles.
AAA Cooper Transportation receives Arkansas Corporate Fleet Safety Award
Arkansas Trucking Association presented the Corporate Fleet Safety Award for 2021 to AAA Cooper Transportation in the Less Than Truckload Division Intermediate Carrier category.
AAA Cooper Transportation receives Safety Award from Mississippi Trucking Association
Mississippi Trucking Association Safety Management Council awarded AAA Cooper Transportation 3rd Place for fleet safety in the Local, Over 1 Million Miles category.
AAA Cooper Transportation receives Safety Honor from the American Trucking Association
In April 2022, AAA Cooper Transportation was awarded 3rd Place by the American Trucking Association in the General Commodities LTL/Line-Haul Over 100 Million Miles category.
AAA Cooper Transportation receives Alabama Trucking Association Safety Award
In March 2022, AAA Cooper Transportation received 2nd Place in the 2021 General Commodities Combined, Over 20 Million Miles.
AAA Cooper Transportation receives the LMTA Great West Safety Award
AAA Cooper Transportation was awarded 1st Place for outstanding achievement by the Louisiana Motor Transport Association for highway safety in the Less-than-Truckload 9,000,001 – 12,000,000 Miles category.
AAA Cooper Transportation receives Amazon Award
In February 2022, AAA Cooper Transportation was named Amazon’s Best On-Time Pick-Up Performer for Q3 and Q4. AAA Cooper Transportation achieved this recognition during the highest activity quarters of 2021.
AAA Cooper Transportation receives the Florida Trucking Association Fleet Safety Award
The Florida Trucking Association awarded AAA Cooper Transportation with the 2nd Place Florida Trucking Association Fleet Safety Award for outstanding achievement in the LTL Division.
Pricing Options
Service Areas & Direct Pricing: AAA Cooper Transportation offers single-contact, protected pricing agreements across our Direct Service area. Through strategic carrier affiliations (Affiliate Carrier
Service), AAA Cooper Transportation provides full U.S. coverage at market
competitive prices.
Tariffs: AAA Cooper Transportation offers several pricing options. Although we can use nearly any publicly published tariff, we prefer to use our privately published tariff, “AACT 501.” This tariff offers the best overall price and service structure possible.
Terms: The most applicable shipping agreement terms are in our LTL Freight Services 190 Rules Tariff. This document outlines the rules surrounding our transportation practices and the applicable rates for various accessorial items.
Establish Credit: Please submit a credit application.
Discounts: Discount percentages off the base tariff rates are common in LTL shipping, as we also provide market-competitive rates based on this practice. Typically, these discount levels vary by shipping lane.
Submitting Sample Data: We can simulate shipping patterns and price models, but you will receive a more accurate price by providing a sample of your shipping history.
FAQ
Listed below are some frequently asked questions we receive. Please contact us with any additional questions you may have.
About Accounts and Account Setup
How can I establish a relationship with AAA Cooper Transportation?
The easiest way to establish a relationship is by contacting your local service center. Please enter your location information in the Facility Locations section for contact information.
How do I get in touch with the service center that services my address?
Please enter your location information in the Facility Locations section for contact information.
I have an account. How can I associate it with my web ID?
To associate an account, you must go to Manage Associations. Once there, click on Associate/Dissociate Accounts, type in the account number you wish to associate with, and click Associate. The request will then be forwarded to our corporate office for review.
How do I establish credit with AAA Cooper Transportation?
To establish credit, you may contact your local service center manager (Facility Locations) or fill out an online credit application located in our Pricing Options section.
About Rates
Freight class is established by the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) and is based on four attributes: density, stowability, handling, and liability. There are 18 different classes of freight as outlined by the NMFC.
Can I estimate my shipment weight?
No. We need the exact weight of a shipment so planning can be done for operational efficiency.
What is the density of my shipment?
Density is described in pounds per cubic foot (PCF). View our Density Calculator page to learn more.
A rate estimate may be obtained in two ways. You may register and log into our website to receive a quote on the Rate Estimate page or call Customer Service at (888) 715-7690.
Can my actual freight charges differ from my rate estimate?
Yes. At the time of the estimate, we make every effort to give you the exact amount you will be billed. If the information provided at the time of the estimate differs from the shipment characteristics, the charges may also differ. In addition, the fuel surcharge may differ depending on the day of the estimate versus the day of the shipment.
What does cubic capacity mean?
Cubic capacity refers to the amount of space a shipment occupies. As defined in the LTL Freight Services 190 Rules Tariff, if a shipment exceeds 750 cubic feet and has an average density of less than 6 pounds per cubic foot (PCF), or, if a shipment occupies 12 linear feet or more of trailer space and has an average density of less than 6 pounds per cubic foot (PCF), a shipment could qualify for a cubic capacity minimum charge.
About Shipping
To schedule a pickup, you may contact your local Service Center, visit the Pickup Request page, or Contact Us at our corporate office.
What type of labeling does my shipment need to have?
Shipping labels must be placed on every piece of your shipment. The shipper and consignee information must match the bill of lading information exactly, and your labels must be legible and complete. Ideally, labels should be on each side of each piece. In addition, DOT hazardous material labels are required when shipping hazardous materials as specified by the DOT.
You may trace a shipment using the Shipment Tracking tile on the Workspace page. If you need a more detailed tracking method, registered users have access to the Tracking page.
Are there any items AAA Cooper Transportation will not haul?
We make every effort to meet the needs of all customers. Unfortunately, there are some items we do not transport. For a complete list, please visit our Excluded Commodities list.
Does AAA Cooper Transportation offer special handling?
Yes. We offer multiple special handling options including, but not limited to, Shipper Load-Consignee Load, and Shipper Load and Count. For more details or additional handling options, please contact your local Service Center.
How do I guarantee my shipment’s transit?
AAA Cooper Transportation offers Action Guaranteed Day Service. For Action Guaranteed Day, notate Action Guaranteed Day on your Carrier Bill of Lading and notify the driver at the time of pickup. For a complete description of the Action Guaranteed Day Service, refer to Item 895 in the LTL Freight Services 190 Rules Tariff.
What is AAA Cooper Transportation’s coverage area?
AAA Cooper Transportation offers direct coverage throughout the Southeast, Midwest, and West Coast. For a complete coverage map, please refer to our Facility Locations.