A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T U W

sameday
A sameday courier delivery is one that has to be completed before the close of business on the same day the courier consignment was picked up. See also express.

screamer
A screamer is a job where the customer is demanding immediate courier service. The usual reason for a screamer is that somebody's forgotten to allocate the job and you'll need to use all your customer service skills to keep everybody happy!

sea waybill
A sea waybill is like a courier air waybill, but for transport by sea.

SLA (service level agreement)
Courier companies often have SLAs with their customers. For example, they might agree to always pick up within 20 minutes of the job being booked. This is good news for owner drivers because it means the company will subcontract a courier job out rather than wait for one of their own drivers to be available. But it also means they'll want you to get to the pickup quickly.

stem miles
This is another name for dead miles.

stillage
A stillage is any kind of container that is made for transporting goods / courier parcel and storing them, so they don't have to be unpacked and put on shelves. A stillage can be any size or shape, but is usually made so it can be moved by forklift truck, and stored in racking. The simplest stillages are open crates or cages for holding loose items, but some are purpose built to hold things like car components.

subber
A subber is any courier company who subcontracts work to another courier company. The subber can be a courier or transport company, a courier clearing house, or an owner driver.

subcontract
When a courier company accepts a booking from a customer, they have a contract with the customer. If they farm the work out to you, that's a subcontract and you're a 'subbie'.

subbie / subcontractor
This is anybody who is subcontracted by another courier or transport company.

supply chain
This is the "chain" of suppliers, warehouses, transport and delivery to the final customer. Some courier companies provide a complete supply chain logistics service for manufacturers or retailers.