What is a Moving Shuttle?

Smaller Shuttle Truck

There’s usually a few components to interstate moves that are industry standards, but unfamiliar to moving newbies.  One such component is a moving shuttle.  Below are some of our frequently asked questions and answers around shuttles to help our customers understand why they’re a necessary element to many interstate moves.

What is a shuttle?

A shuttle service allows us to serve customers who are moving into or out of homes that are difficult to access with a tractor trailer truck.  The shuttle is a smaller truck that the customer’s goods are loaded onto at their home.  A shuttle truck allows the driver and crew to bring the vehicle close to the residence and load or unload your possessions as safely and efficiently as possible.  A shuttle is sometimes also called an auxiliary service.

How does it work?

Before the pick up or delivery occurs, the moving consultant or driver will scope out the residence to determine if a shuttle is needed.  If it is determined that the tractor trailer cannot access the home, the driver will rent a smaller truck.  He will leave his tractor trailer in a safe location (usually at a fellow Wheaton agent’s secure warehouse), and bring the small truck to the residence to expertly move the household goods out.  The driver then drives the loaded shuttle truck back to his tractor trailer, and offloads everything onto the tractor trailer truck.  Now that the customer’s items are safely loaded onto his truck, the driver can hit the road and make his way to the customer’s destination.  The process is the same but reverse if the shuttle occurs at the destination address.

What are situations in which a shuttle would be used? 

Movers need to use shuttles in any situation where the tractor trailer cannot access the home.  Most shuttles are needed for urban residences due to the narrow streets, lack of parking, and limited space to maneuver in cities.  Some neighborhoods and apartment complexes do not allow tractor trailers on the premises.  However, sometimes shuttles are also needed in even the most rural areas due to unpaved driveways with wet or loose ground, access that is too steep or includes a tight bend, or clearance problems due to tree branches or power lines.

Why are there extra costs associated with shuttles?  If I don’t use it, do I get charged?

Yes, using a shuttle adds additional costs to the price of the move, the cost is based on a per hundred rate and dependent on the size (weight) of your move.  Shuttles cost money because it’s almost like adding a local move on top of your interstate move, renting the truck and the additional time and labor to transfer everything from the small truck to the tractor trailer can all be costly.  For this reason, drivers like to avoid using shuttles unless they are absolutely necessary, shuttles are not profitable for drivers, and the extra time slows down their trip.  It is ultimately up to a driver whether or not a shuttle will be used.  Even if your moving consultant includes a shuttle charge on your estimate, you will only be charged if the shuttle actually occurs.

Why doesn’t the driver use a smaller truck for the move instead?

In order to make interstate moving cost effective for both customers and moving companies, an interstate driver and moving truck almost always has multiple customers’ shipments on his truck at the same time.  If the driver used a smaller truck, he could only bring one customer’s shipment from Massachusetts to Florida.  With a large tractor trailer, he can also services several other customers along that route, making moving much more inexpensive for everyone.

If  you have any other questions about shuttles, reach out to your moving coordinator.

Now that you have a better understanding of shuttles, request your free estimate for your interstate move.

Other great tips for Interstate Moving

Moving Tips in our Resource Center

When is the Delivery Date For My Interstate Move?

Moving Appliances & Special Furniture

Olympia works to renovate hotels for DC military families

Olympia at Fort Belvoir
Olympia on the job at Fort Belvoir

Olympia Moving & Storage is at it again! For the past three months our commercial movers out of Alexandria, VA have been working with a military logistics firm at Fort Myer in Arlington, VA. The project was to assist with renovating a 50 room hotel on Fort Myer.

This project has Olympia using its full menu of commercial moving services: warehousing, deliveries, installation, and debris removal.

Olympia received all of the new furniture for this project at our warehouse, and over the past several months we worked to ensure the renovation went as smoothly as possible.

Brock, a site foreman on the job, said “I have worked on similar projects across the country and Olympia has been by far the easiest to work with.  We get what we need from them when we need it and couldn’t ask for more.”

Recently, Olympia has been asked to assist with a similar but much larger project at Fort Belvoir. This project will certainly be a welcome challenge and our staff will no doubt handle it with the professionalism and competence we demonstrate on every commercial move!

Do you need help preparing for a renovation or another type of commercial move? Please feel free to contact Rob Weeks in commercial business development at [email protected] or visit this link to set up a free estimate.  We’d welcome the opportunity to discuss our services with you.

Read more about Olympia’s commercial moving experiences

PDF version of this newsletter

Olympia Moving & Storage on Town Talk 3/13/2013

Dennis, who is also a local realtor, interviewed sales manager Frank Landino and marketing manager Rachael Fischer about their experiences in the moving & storage industry.

Thank you to Dennis Ready and the Town Talk team for inviting us on the show! Town Talk airs Wednesdays at 8:30 on CTM TV in Chelmsford, Lowell, Westford, and Dracut (http://chelmsfordtv.org/).

Olympia Moving & Storage is a professional moving company operating out of Greater Boston & Washington D.C. area.  Request a free estimate for your upcoming move.

Fastest-Growing Washington DC Neighborhoods

Fastest growing neighborhoods Washington DCLast week we highlighted the 5 fastest-growing neighborhoods in Boston, MA.  This week we turn to the trends in our second location, Washington DC.

Population growth in Washington DC has been booming lately.  It’s estimated that since the census was conducted in 2010, Washington DC’s growth rate is higher than any other state.  Unlike many other established American cities, Washington DC seems to be on a path to healthy and brisk population increase over the next few years.  However, some neighborhoods are growing significantly faster than others.  If you’re one of many moving to the DC area in the near future, looking at the fastest-growing Washington DC neighborhoods is a great first step to finding your new home.

(All numbers refer to neighborhood cluster growth between 2000 and 2010, source)

Downtown, Chinatown, Penn Quarters, Mount Vernon Square, North Capitol Street, 58% growth

Almost 5,000 more people moved downtown, resulting in a staggering population boom.  This area also features many new institutions, business, and shops.

West End, Foggy Bottom, GWU, 38% growth

This area is booming with development, especially with many new luxury condos coming to the neighborhood.

Southeast, Navy Yard, 23% growth

The Navy Yard Southeast is seeing a lot of commercial and residential re-development including office parks, the new Nationals stadium, new Marine barracks, and more.

Howard University, Le Droit Park, Cardozo/Shaw, 20% growth

These neighborhoods are known for diverse populations, featuring Howard University and “Little Ethiopia.”

Woodland/Fort Stanton, Garfield Heights, Knox Hill, 18% growth

Long known as impoverished neighborhoods, this area is becoming one of the Southeast’s up-and-coming locations, especially with development in Garfield Heights.

Of course, after you find the perfect DC neighborhood, it’s time to find  the perfect DC mover!  Olympia Moving & Storage has a lot of experience moving our clients in all these areas!  If you’re looking to move to one of these neighborhoods, or anywhere else in the greater DC area, click here to request a free estimate!

Moving in Boston & DC Resources

Moving in or out of Alexandria ,VA

How to Get a Parking Permit

Self Storage or Full Storage, Which is Better?

Generically speaking, there are two storage options: “self-service storage” and “full-service storage”.  One big misconception about these two options is that self-storage is less expensive.  Surprisingly, this is usually not the case; especially for the equivalent of 5 rooms of furniture or less.Self and Full Storage Olympia Moving Washington DC Boston MA

Following are some of the pros and cons of self-storage versus full-service storage:

Full-Service Pros

  • Typically less expensive than self-storage
  • Furniture is professionally loaded into storage
  • Furniture is protected with pad and shrink-wrapping
  • Only authorized personnel are allowed in the facility for security purposes
  • Facility accepts liability for your property

Full-Service Cons:

  • Access is limited to the company’s hours of operation
  • Not a good solution if consistent access is required

Self-Service Pros:

  • No Access Fees
  • No appointments required to access your goods

Self-Service Cons:

  • Cost
  • No liability accepted by facility
  • Must load items into and out of storage without any assistance

To inquire about, or reserve space at one of Olympia’s storage facilities, click HERE.

Fastest-Growing Boston Neighborhoods

Boston might not be one of the fastest growing cities in the country, after all, the city has been around since 1630!  The city grew just 5% between 2000 and 2010 according to latest census data.  However, there’s still a lot of Boston moving, and some Boston neighborhoods are growing faster than others.  Recent neighborhood growth trends are often a pretty good indicator of which areas are up-and-coming and a great place to make a home.  If you’re looking to move in Boston, these five neighborhoods might be a good place to start:

Boston Moving

(All numbers refer to neighborhood growth between 2000 and 2010, source)

Downtown Boston, 46% growth

Downtown, which includes Chinatown and the Leather District, is by far the fastest-growing area in Boston.  This neighborhood boasted 5,000 more residents in 2010 than it did on 2000.

Fenway/Kenmore, 15% growth

Though growth in Fenway lags far behind downtown, its second place spot definitely points to a surge of vitality in this neighborhood.  It’s easy to see why, who wouldn’t want easy access to the Red Sox and Fenway?

Allston, 14% growth

A popular neighborhood with students and young professionals, growth in Allston is an indicator of the strength of Boston’s young population, thanks to the city’s many universities.

Roxbury/Mission Hill, 14% growth

The advancement of Longwood Medical Center may be a factor in this area’s growth.

South End/Bay Village, 12% growth

Home to some of the hippest new shops, restaurants, and bars, the South End will definitely continue to be attractive to new residents.

Of course, after you find the perfect neighborhood, it’s time to find the perfect Boston mover!  Olympia Moving & Storage has a lot of experience moving our clients in all these areas!  If you’re looking to move to one of these neighborhoods, or anywhere else in the greater Boston area, click here to request a free estimate!

Moving in Boston & DC Resources

Surviving September 1st in Boston

Things to Consider When Moving To and From Boston