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Gate Appointment Request |
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Frequently Asked QuestionsContentsThe following questions are covered in this Help page:
The random arrival pattern of carters at CN Intermodal terminals had resulted in long lines and lengthy processing times. In response to concerns expressed by the carter community, the appointment system was implemented to ensure the volume of traffic arriving at the terminal can be processed in a timely and efficient manner, thereby providing reliable service to the shipper and reducing the average wait time for all carters. For what transactions do drivers require appointments? Appointments are required for delivering and picking up all steamship traffic with the following exceptions: Empty steamship equipment delivered to a terminal for use in domestic service (so indicated by the booking number) Loaded steamship equipment delivered to a terminal and destined to a domestic terminal as part of CN’s domestic repositioning program.
What is the difference in the terms “Gate Appointment” and “Train Reservation? A Gate Appointment indicates the specific time window where a trucker may enter the terminal and includes a summary of the transactions the driver will complete. A Train Reservation relates to the specific train on which a container being delivered at the terminal will be shipped. With the introduction of the new on-line appointment system will I still require a separate train reservation for a container to be delivered at the terminal? The new on-line appointment system will create a train reservation and a gate appointment under one consolidated RV number. Each container included in the driver’s appointment will have a unique RV number. Who should book the appointment with CN? Any party – the trucker, the forwarder or the steamship line, may book appointments. However the requestor must provide the planned date and time of terminal arrival in order to book the appointment. If the trucker is detained prior to arriving at the terminal rescheduling of the appointment may be done only by the party that booked the appointment.
Can my driver use an appointment to deliver a container that was created by one company and an appointment to pick up a container that was created by another company? No. The driver’s entire transaction must be included as part of one appointment. What information is required to make a gate appointment? The preferred date and time of the trucker’s arrival at the terminal must be input. To book an appointment to deliver a container at the terminal you must also include one of the following references:
To book an appointment to pick up a container from the terminal you must also input one of the following references:
How will I know that my appointment request was successful? The appointment system will summarize the service the driver will perform at the terminal. Each container will have unique RV number assigned and referenced to the appointment.
Do I have to input my reference information at the time I book my gate appointment? Yes.
If my driver is delivering a container to the terminal and picking up a container from the terminal, how many gate appointment numbers are required? Only one gate appointment is required, however that appointment must reference both transactions (through two different RV numbers) the driver will complete at the terminal.
What do I do if I cannot get a gate appointment for my driver’s desired time? If your preferred appointment window is unavailable you may request a different appointment window or try checking the appointment system throughout the day to see if there have been cancellations.
How will my appointment number be validated? Drivers will provide their appointment number for each container at the gate (or input into Speed Gate where applicable). Drivers arriving without an appointment, arriving outside of their appointment window, or requesting service not included in the appointment will be directed out of the terminal.
If I have two gate appointments for two drivers, can I switch the order in which the drivers arrive at the terminal? No. Each driver must complete the service under which the appointment was made.
Top One appointment must be booked referencing each of the containers. A unique RV number will be assigned to each container, and the two RV numbers will be linked indicating they are to be performed by the same driver at the same time.
What do I do if my shipper loaded a different container than the one for which the appointment was made? The party that made the appointment must modify the appointment such that it contains the information for the container that was loaded.
What happens if my driver arrives at the gate outside of the appointment window (early or late)? Drivers who arrive early for a valid appointment may wait in a special staging area until the start of appointment window. Alternatively the driver may leave and return to the terminal at the start of the appointment window. Cancellation of the original appointment is subject to the terms and conditions in effect at the time of the cancellation. The appointment system is intended to provide fair and equal access to the terminal for all customers. Customers that do not use their appointments may have their access suspended. How do I cancel a gate appointment? Appointments are cancelled using the Appointment List option on the on-line appointment system.
Appointments may be cancelled without penalty up to two hours before the appointment’s effective time. Companies that frequently cancel appointments less than two hours prior to the appointment’s effective time will be warned. The appointment system is intended to provide fair and equal access to the terminal for all companies. Repeat offenders may have their access suspended.
What happens if my driver does not show up for the gate appointment? Companies that do not show up for their appointments will be warned. The appointment system is intended to provide fair and equal access to the terminal for all companies. Repeat offenders may have their access suspended.
If my driver is running late for the gate appointment, can I request a new appointment time? Drivers in jeopardy of missing their appointment window should call their dispatcher to request a new appointment. Drivers showing up late for their appointment will be refused entry.
What happens if my driver does not have a gate appointment when arriving at the terminal? The driver will be refused access to the terminal. There is no stand-by area. Emergency situations can be directed to the telephone number of the Make Gate Appointment screen.
Top No. However shipments containing Dangerous Goods must have a complete bill of lading in CN’s system prior to the driver arriving at the gate. The status of the bill of lading may be verified using CN’s Intermodal Shipment Status tool.
Is the process different for delivering off reefers to be shipped in genset service? Yes. Customers delivering off reefers requiring genset service to the terminal do not require a gate appointment. A train reservation is required. A train reservation may be requested by email to imx-osm@cn.ca. The request may be made as of the Thursday of the week prior to the requested terminal arrival date.
Can I use a different company to deliver my shipment to the terminal using my appointment number? Yes provided that the driver arriving at the terminal requests the service exactly as per the appointment. Is there a way to see all of my appointments and the reference information included? Yes. Select Gate Appointment Inquiry from the eBusiness main menu.
My steamship line has provided me with a booking number and yet the Gate Appointment system shows the booking number as invalid. What do I do? There may be a short lag between the time the steamship lines sends CN the booking information and the time it is received. Ensure the steamship line has processed the booking and resubmit the request.
When is the best time to request a gate appointment? Since the system operates on a “first come, first served” basis, it is recommended that you book early to get your preferred appointment times. The system is open for appointments at 09:00, two business days in advance.
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