“Shuttle” per the dictionary means “to travel back & forth frequently”. In the moving and storage business a shuttle occurs when the over the road truck, which is typically 70 to 80 feet long, cannot park within a reasonable distance of the loading/delivery address. This distance is 75 feet or less. When a shuttle is required at origin, the booking agent will include it in the cost of the move. When a shuttle is required at destination, there is no charge for this service depending on the moving contract. At origin, the over the road driver will park his truck as close to the pickup address that is a reasonable distance and safe. The origin agent typically furnishes the smaller truck and a two man crew to help load the items out of the origin residence onto the smaller truck. The smaller truck will than transport the goods to the over the road van. The driver and his crew of the over the road van will than transfer the household goods from the smaller truck to the over the road van. Depending upon the size of the shipment, this process could take several trips with the small truck. At destination, the process is reversed if there is a need for a shuttle.
Our Columbine agencies in Aspen and Eagle, Colorado encounter many situations where a shuttle service is necessary. Our estimators, Lee and Chip, will determine if a shuttle will be required when they come to your residence to do the estimate. Lee or Chip, with 63 combined years of experience in the moving and storage business, have the expertise to determine whether an over the road truck can get close enough. Reasons for shuttles can be, but are not limited to the following conditions: snow and ice packed roads, heavy snowfall the night before the move, overhead power lines, narrow road, dirt/bumpy road, sharp turns, various clearance issues, overhanging tree limbs, city parking issues, apartment building requirements, entrance archway over a driveway, heated driveway, weight restrictions etc.
Just last week, a Columbine truck did a shuttle across Aspen Mountain’s “Little Nell” ski run as seen in the picture displayed.