United States Cold Storage - Arlington

Facility info

APPOINTMENT & CHECK-IN Early arrival discretionary — some reviews say come 1-2 hrs early max, others report being turned away for arriving too early. Official policy unclear and inconsistently enforced. 5-digit appointment number required at check-in. Two separate businesses at this location (U.S. Cold Storage and CH Guenther/Pioneer) — confirm which one and check in at correct location. Overnight parking status inconsistent across recent reviews — facility states no overnight parking, but some drivers report it's available in staging/overflow lot depending on time of day and staff member. OPERATIONS Drop and hook — unload times range wildly: under 1 hour to 8+ hours. Reefer loads require pre-cooled trailer (34° or -10° depending on load type) before they'll assign a door. Wait times highly variable: some drivers in and out in 1-2 hours, others waiting 3-18+ hours for a door assignment. Appointment times not consistently honored — multiple reports of 3-6+ hour delays past appointment. Load count verification adds 1-2 hours post-unload before paperwork release. Backup plan: overflow lot available next door (though recent update suggests this is no longer guaranteed for early arrivals). FACILITY EXPERIENCE Yard extremely tight — limited maneuvering room, easy backing per some reviews but congested. Overnight parking: small lot capacity (10-20 trucks max if packed). Staging area parking behind fence available but not guaranteed. Bathrooms: described as clean but old. Staff attitude mixed — some very friendly and helpful, others described as lazy, rude, or incompetent. Inconsistency is a recurring theme. Multiple reports of negligent trailer handling during load/unload. Security guard at entrance reported as polite and helpful. RED FLAGS Extreme inconsistency in wait times, parking availability, and staff professionalism — call ahead if possible. Don't rely on overnight parking unless confirmed in advance. Don't show up significantly early — risk of being sent away. Load may not be ready even if you have appointment (see cancellation reports).