Double Yellow's Company Driver to Independent Thread

Trucks with engines from 1993 and older are good through December 2014, but fall out of compliance in January 2015 & would need to retrofit a 2010+ engine to be complaint. Trucks with engines manufactured from 1994-1995 are compliant until Janurary 2016, at which point they need a 2010+ engine retrofit. 1996 & newer trucks are not compliant unless they retrofit a PM filter. With a PM retrofit, they are compliant until at least 2020 (at which point they would need a 2010+ engine):

I agree with you, but the courts haven't been on our side. If you think it's bad that California tells a Tennessee trucking company what equipment to run, imagine being an Australian ocean liner...

 

Don't know about fines, but after mixed results in the lower courts, the US supreme court ultimately determined that CARB has a right to regulate maritime emissions not only in California's territorial waters, but for 24 miles into international waters too:
http://www.gensteam.com/resources/files/PMSA_court_rejects_vessel_fuel.pdf

 

The California BIT inspection:

In order to get your California Motor Carrier Permit, which is required for California-based carriers, you must apply for the Biennial Inspection of Terminals (BIT) program with the California Highway Patrol. There is an initial application fee of $350 plus the following fees based on your fleet size:

A tractor-trailer is considered 2 units, so a 1-truck independent owner operator with his own trailer will pay $725 to sign up.

While this is clearly a revenue generator for the state, it also serves as a way for CHP to inspect commercial trucking terminals & equipment. Since a single owner-operator, like me, probably doesn't have a terminal, the CHP will come out to a truck stop to inspect your paperwork & equipment.

One quick aside: because so many carriers are not compliant, the BIT program is changing in the next year or two so that fees are paid as part of your DMV registration renewal -- it will be a line item saying something like "safety fee." This will be assessed to all commercial vehicles (a broad category in California that includes personal pickup trucks without permanent camper shells), which should actually lower the costs for those carriers which have been paying the fees all along.

Additionally, the "Biennial" portion is being scrapped and inspection frequency will be based on your Inspection Selection System (ISS) score from the FMCSA. This is the same score that prepass uses to determine how frequently to give you the green light:

A brand-new authority starts out with a 75 out of 100 (lower score is better). Points fall off as time passes without any tickets. Points are added as you get tickets (with tire, brake & log book violations being the most severe). After ~7 months and 1 clean roadside inspection, my score currently stands at 59.

The CHP is still working out the details, but carriers with the highest ISS scores will have BIT inspections every year, while those with the lowest scores could go as long as 6 years between terminal inspections. Everyone else will fall somewhere in between.

Anyway, we're still under the "old rules" and my number finally came up for an inspection. The officer set the date & the time, allowing me to pick the place, and asked that I bring:

truck & trailer
90-day inspections
maintenance records
logs & supporting documentation (BOLs, fuel receipts, toll receipts, etc)
drug test consortium paperwork including drug test results

In preparation of my inspection, I performed an extra-thorough inspection of both my truck & trailer, got a truck & trailer wash (including under hood), and paid for fresh DOT inspections from a 3rd party shop. I also went through all my logs & receipts and then had family members audit my records to make sure I wasn't reading something the way I intended it & not how it actually was. My sister went so far as to sort receipts/logs by month, with paper clips keeping each month's paperwork together & in order (an extra step the officer appreciated).

I arrived early the day of the inspection to do another quick walk around to make sure nothing went flat or stopped working and, thankfully, everything was good. The officer arrived right on time and had me move my truck to a back corner of the lot away from anyone who might be sleeping. He asked if I had received any roadside inspections, at which point I handed him a copy of the one roadside I've had under my own authority, but because it wasn't a level 1 he decided to perform one himself.


The Vehicle Inspection:

Let me preface this by saying that up to this point I had personally had 5 inspections, 2 of which were level 1s. Additionally, my truck driving school took a field trip to the Cottonwood, CA "super coop" where we spent the entire day touring the facility and even getting down in the pits & observing inspections from the officer's perspective. In all of those inspections, I have never encountered anyone as dedicated (read: thorough) as the officer assigned to my BIT inspection.

To kick things off, the officer chocked my wheels, climbed up behind the wheel, turned on the truck, pushed in the red & yellow valves, and fanned the brakes until the warning light & siren turned on. He then timed how long it took to build up pressure to the cut-off, turned off the truck, and then monitored the air gauges for leaks over the next 30 seconds. Then he made a full brake application and again watched the gauges for ~30 seconds.

Next, he verified that my turn signal & high beam indicators were working before checking the air & city horns, and the steering wheel & clutch freeplay. Then he turned on the truck again and turned on the defroster, windshield wipers, and windshield washer. He waited for cut-out, then set the trailer brake, turned off the engine, and relinquished the driver's seat.

He then did a walk around checking external lights before lifting the hood forward and checking belts & hoses, radiator & CAC securement, then having me rock the steering wheel while he watched the suspension from each side. Then he donned his coveralls, grabbed his creeper, and rolled underneath the tractor grabbing and wiggling items in between having me make brake applications so he could measure pushrod stroke.

After 15 minutes of hearing him rocking on things below, he rolled out and had me build pressure back up. Once the engine was off, he instructed me to watch my air gauges and to note the pressures as he checked valves. He started with the driver's side tank (primary) and opened some valve which caused a few seconds of air to escape. He then asked for the pressure -- it was unchanged according to the gauges. Good he said. Then he opened another valve which caused a long audible loss of air & my primary air gauge to drop completely. He asked for the pressure -- I told him 0 in the primary and 120 in the secondary. Good he said, before having me turn on the engine and build pressure back up. He then repeated the procedure on the passenger side with identical results (only on the secondary system). He then had me build pressure up again, release the trailer brakes, at which point he disconnected the secondary glad hand hose which popped my tractor protection valve. He then asked me to rock the tractor forward & back against the locked-up trailer to measure 5th wheel/kingpin play. Finally, he inspected my wheels & lugnuts before pronouncing that while he thinks I have a slight exhaust leak, he couldn't find it, so my truck passed with no violations.

Next, he had me set the tractor brakes & release the trailer brakes. He then checked the underside of my trailer, pausing to inspect each crossmember (every 8"!), the air hoses, then the brakes (having me make brake applications so he could measure stroke). He donned gloves and rubbed his hands over the tires, checked the hub seals & lug nuts, made sure the mud flaps were securely mounted, and then spent at least 5 minutes inspecting the DOT under ride bumper and reflective tape. He then beat the duals with a hammer before coming back to let me know that the trailer had 1 violation -- chaffing hoses.

He then brought me back to my trailer tandems to show me what he'd found: two plastic hose connectors rubbing (not the hoses themselves) to the point that one of the hoses was beginning to show through the connector. This was a valid violation -- something I had checked for (and missed) and something I presume the 3rd party inspector also checked for (and missed). Left unrepaired, it probably would have failed in another month or two. Still I was dejected -- this would be my first dirty inspection...


The "terminal" inspection:

By now over an hour had passed and I knew the officer had inspections scheduled every 2 hours. Still, he wasn't done and called me to his white panel van where he took a seat at a desk in the back. He then asked for my drug consortium paperwork, which checked out, and then my 90-day inspection forms and maintenance records, which reflected an obviously anal retentive regimen, and finally my logs & supporting documents. He asked in which month I had been busiest and when I replied late November to early December, he immediately picked out that 30-day period and began auditing against my fuel & tolls. All went well for 15 minutes or so until he came across an OK turnpike receipt which he couldn't match up. The logs were actually good, it was just that I had shown a duty status change in Joplin, MO and then later one near Dallas, TX with nothing in Oklahoma. I pointed out Oklahoma was between the two & the officer was satisfied.

Throughout this paperwork process the officer was quizzing me on logging rules like how many hours/day you can drive. Against my better judgement I answered 14, prompting a minor disagreement where the officer asserted 11 and I corrected that one could drive 8, rest 2, drive 3, sleep 8, and then drive another 3 in the same 24 hour period. About that time he came across a day in which I used the 8/2 split in exactly that manner and he graciously conceded. He then asked about the 30 minute rule, and after I explained it, and he cautioned that people are getting in trouble for taking it too soon and needing a 2nd one. He then cautioned about the 1-5 am provision of the 34-hour restart rule and I informed him that provision, along with the 168-hour one, were repealed the very day before. He said that he'd not seen that memo, but would check for it when he got back to the office.

I was able to ask for clarification on a number of questions I've run into:

Q: Are drivers required to fill out the recap portion of their logs?
A: No, but he has seen where other officers have erroneously written a ticket for that so he'd recommend filling it out just to make things easier on everyone.

Q: I've heard some officers say they want logs signed at the beginning of the day and some want it signed at the end, which is it?
A: He's heard both as well, but his interpretation is that the end is the only correct time to affirm the logs are correct.

Q: Could you clarify flagging -- if I am off duty from 9:45 to 9:55 and then go on duty until 10:00 -- do I put the flag at 9:45 or 10:00?
A: Put it at whichever end of the 15-hour block is closest to the action (in this case, at 10:00)

Q: If I have been operating under interstate HOS and arrive in California, pick up a load made in California that is destined for California, and that does not travel outside of California at any time, may I then switch to California's intrastate HOS rules (12/16/80 instead of 11/14/70)?
A: As long as the load never originated out of state and will never go out of state, then you can immediately switch to California intrastate HOS rules. He would strongly advise against it, because he has seen multiple cases where out of state officers erroneously wrote "egregious" log violations for what were actually legal intrastate movement under intrastate rules. At a minimum, he would recommend taking a 34 before switching back to interstate, but it is not technically required.

Other tips/stories: During the interview the officer complemented me for getting fresh annual inspections. He lamented that most carriers do not even bother, which he feels is stupid given that they know he will be inspecting their vehicles. He also told stories of log books where solo drivers went to bed in one state and woke up in another. And team drivers that were both driving at the same time -- in different states.

At this point the officer attempted to print out my inspection report for me to sign, but the flying spaghetti monster intervened & the printer malfunctioned. The officer would have to go to the main office to print out the report, but he would need to go to another inspection first. He would then go to the office, print out the inspection and then come back to wherever I was.

So I took that opportunity to go to a shop and have the hose fittings replaced & spaced out as well as the potential exhaust leak investigated. The air lines were fixed quickly, but the exhaust leak, which turned out to be real (albeit very small), required the removal of the 1/4 fender and flashing to access. 2 hours later, the officer called asking where to meet me and when I told him I was at a shop he seemed surprised. I gave him the address and he let me know that if the trailer was fixed he'd give me a sticker for it too.

He arrived 30 minutes later just as the mechanics were buttoning up the tractor's bodywork. He inspected the trailer air lines, nodded approvingly at the work on the tractor, and handed me the inspection paperwork for me to sign. The trailer violation had not been written up, and the officer commented that it was very nice to work with someone who actually fixed the problems he found. He said I'd be surprised how often he finds the exact same violations on the same equipment 2 years later. He also confirmed that the restart rules had been repealed, although he cautioned that his office was directed to continue enforcing the old rules in audits up until the date the rules actually changed. In other words, if you did 2 resets in 168 hours 3 weeks ago, you could still get a ticket because that was against the rules at that time.

Atta Boy Sticker:

(I got a sticker for both tractor & trailer.) For those that don't know, the number represents the last digit of the year: 4=2014. The color represents the quarter:
Green = Jan, Feb, Mar
Yellow = Apr, May, Jun
Orange = Jul, Aug, Sep
White = Oct, Nov, Dec.
If you have difficulty remembering the order, a handy mnemonic is "Grow Your Own Weed." As far as distinguishing between the months of the quarter, 2 missing corners is the 1st month of the quarter (Jan, Apr, Jul, or Oct), 1 missing corner is the 2nd month of the quarter (Feb, May, Aug, or Nov), and a full sticker is the 3rd month of the quarter (Mar, Jun, Sep, or Dec).

Anyway, I was very impressed with the officer -- I enjoy being around competent people and this guy clearly took pride in his work. If I ever buy another used truck, he'll probably be my first call to see if I can hire him as a contract inspector...


So how am I doing now?

[TABLE]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]odometer[/TD]
[TD]loaded mile[/TD]
[TD]rate[/TD]
[TD]$/LM[/TD]
[TD]$/AM[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Weight[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Lodi to Phoenix[/TD]
[TD]1476240[/TD]
[TD]810[/TD]
[TD]$2,100.00[/TD]
[TD]$2.59[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]45000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]LV to Hanford[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]375[/TD]
[TD]$750.00[/TD]
[TD]$2.00[/TD]
[TD]$1.30[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]45000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Corning to San Antonio[/TD]
[TD]1478424[/TD]
[TD]1850[/TD]
[TD]$3,248.25[/TD]
[TD]$1.76[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]45000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Ennis to Gering[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]997[/TD]
[TD]$2,450.00[/TD]
[TD]$2.46[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]10000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Platte to Jackson[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]786[/TD]
[TD]$1,500.00[/TD]
[TD]$1.91[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]45000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Jackson to Plainview[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]875[/TD]
[TD]$2,300.00[/TD]
[TD]$2.63[/TD]
[TD]$1.88[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]30000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Las Cruces to Sparks[/TD]
[TD]1483471[/TD]
[TD]1129[/TD]
[TD]$2,200.00[/TD]
[TD]$1.95[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]35000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Stockton to Red Bluff[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]179[/TD]
[TD]$650.00[/TD]
[TD]$3.63[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]45000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Redding to Bellevue[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]597[/TD]
[TD]$1,600.00[/TD]
[TD]$2.68[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]5000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Kent to Davenport[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]2096[/TD]
[TD]$3,650.00[/TD]
[TD]$1.74[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]15000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Fort Madison to Houston[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]968[/TD]
[TD]$2,150.00[/TD]
[TD]$2.22[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]40000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Houston to Liberty[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]756[/TD]
[TD]$1,300.00[/TD]
[TD]$1.72[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]40000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]KC to Terrell[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]518[/TD]
[TD]$1,100.00[/TD]
[TD]$2.12[/TD]
[TD]$1.77[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]45000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Irving to Roswell[/TD]
[TD]1490622[/TD]
[TD]486[/TD]
[TD]$1,325.00[/TD]
[TD]$2.73[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]40000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]El Paso to Yuma[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]557[/TD]
[TD]$1,325.00[/TD]
[TD]$2.38[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]45000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Tolleson to Ladson[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]2168[/TD]
[TD]$3,500.00[/TD]
[TD]$1.61[/TD]
[TD]$1.56[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]35000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Clarkton to Flagstaff[/TD]
[TD]1494558[/TD]
[TD]2512[/TD]
[TD]$4,350.00[/TD]
[TD]$1.73[/TD]
[TD]$1.77[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]40000*[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Flagstaff to Carson[/TD]
[TD]1497013[/TD]
[TD]497[/TD]
[TD]$650.00[/TD]
[TD]$1.31[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]25000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Commerce to Vacaville[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]408[/TD]
[TD]$950.00[/TD]
[TD]$2.33[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]15000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Selma to Walton[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]2274[/TD]
[TD]$4,750.00[/TD]
[TD]$2.09[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]40000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Nicholasville to Marlow[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]906[/TD]
[TD]$2,300.00[/TD]
[TD]$2.54[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]10000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]OKC to Rock Springs[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]965[/TD]
[TD]$3,000.00[/TD]
[TD]$3.11[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]45000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Rock Springs to OKC[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]965[/TD]
[TD]$1,200.00[/TD]
[TD]$1.24[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]10000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]OKC to Rock Springs[/TD]
[TD]1504242[/TD]
[TD]965[/TD]
[TD]$3,000.00[/TD]
[TD]$3.11[/TD]
[TD]$2.19[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]45000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Little America to Portland[/TD]
[TD]1505263[/TD]
[TD]890[/TD]
[TD]$1,592.00[/TD]
[TD]$1.79[/TD]
[TD]$1.56[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]45000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Albany to San Antonio[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]2229[/TD]
[TD]$5,700.00[/TD]
[TD]$2.56[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]35000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Springfield to Dallas[/TD]
[TD]1509361[/TD]
[TD]430[/TD]
[TD]$2,000.00[/TD]
[TD]$4.65[/TD]
[TD]$1.88[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]26000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Dallas to South Bend[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]986[/TD]
[TD]$1,800.00[/TD]
[TD]$1.83[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]39000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]South Bend to Columbus[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]271[/TD]
[TD]$950.00[/TD]
[TD]$3.51[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]30000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Columbus to Buffalo[/TD]
[TD]1511114[/TD]
[TD]327[/TD]
[TD]$1,500.00[/TD]
[TD]$4.59[/TD]
[TD]$2.42[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]6000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Buffalo to Pittsburgh[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]204[/TD]
[TD]$875.00[/TD]
[TD]$4.29[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]40000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Columbus to Buffalo[/TD]
[TD]1511929[/TD]
[TD]327[/TD]
[TD]$1,500.00[/TD]
[TD]$4.59[/TD]
[TD]$2.91[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]8000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Columbus to Buffalo[/TD]
[TD]1512630[/TD]
[TD]327[/TD]
[TD]$1,500.00[/TD]
[TD]$4.59[/TD]
[TD]$2.14[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]15000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Buffalo to Greenville[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]702[/TD]
[TD]$2,200.00[/TD]
[TD]$3.13[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]43000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Greenville to Springfield[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]845[/TD]
[TD]$1,800.00[/TD]
[TD]$2.13[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]30000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Springfield to Albuquerque[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]826[/TD]
[TD]$1,950.00[/TD]
[TD]$2.36[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]30000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Los Angeles to San Francisco[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]381[/TD]
[TD]$1,250.00[/TD]
[TD]$3.28[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]40000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]1516520[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Total Miles[/TD]
[TD]Loaded Miles[/TD]
[TD]Revenue[/TD]
[TD]$/loaded miles[/TD]
[TD]$/all miles[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]avg weight:[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]40280[/TD]
[TD]33384[/TD]
[TD]$75,965.25[/TD]
[TD]$2.28[/TD]
[TD]$1.89[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]59360[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Deadhead %[/TD]
[TD]20.66%[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Since last update:[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]$2.81[/TD]
[TD]$2.00[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]56290[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

As you can see, the revenue per loaded miles is up substantially. However, the deadhead percentage has jumped as well. Two large "1-time" deadheads stand out: San Antonio to Kansas City back to Springfield, MO (981 miles). And Albuquerque to Los Angeles (790 miles). The former was a trip to get wide singles and an alignment with Chad at Alignment Solutions in Kansas City. I sat 3 days trying to get a load before deciding to drive straight up to get there for my Friday appointment. The Albuquerque to Los Angeles deadhead was because the few available loads paid less than $1/mile total. I actually earned the same revenue deadheading to Los Angeles and getting a short load to SF...

Thinking about the last deadhead, I'm beginning to think that some game theory is appropriate in this industry. The analysis is beyond my abilities, but a poker analogy is the strategy of raising preflop a small percentage of the time with garbage. Raising preflop with junk in and of itself has a negative expected outcome, but the idea is that it increases the payoff when you have good hands. Sometimes it is better to take a small loss to ensure your wins are larger. Of course, the trick is in knowing what percentage of the time to raise with a garbage hand -- and that's the part I doubt I could model...

Anyway, the quotes I was offering to Albuquerque brokers were universally met with "that's more than I have into it." But by being willing to deadhead out of there, I don't participate in the race to the bottom. I don't have to provide my service for their price. And if/when enough trucks stop moving loads at a loss, shippers will have to raise their rates.

That's a nice rationalization, but the reality is I just didn't have a lot of options. I was given 1 week to get from the east coast to Sacramento for my BIT inspection & I wanted time to have my truck/trailer inspected & repaired if necessary. The BIT inspection came out of the blue and rates going to California are notoriously low.

Anyway, even with all that deadheading, I've averaged $2/mile for all miles since my last detailed update. Since the beginning, I've brought my all-mile average up from $1.83-$1.89. My loaded mile average is $2.81/mile since the last update which has brought the my loaded mile average up from $2.08 to $2.28 since the beginning.

I expect to continue working to raise rates, but I'll face stiff seasonal headwinds in the next quarter. So I'll be happy if I can just tread water the next 2-3 months.


How about costs?

Aside from paying the driver (myself), my 2 biggest projected costs were fuel (estimated 50cpm) & maintenance (estimated 20cpm). So how am I doing?

Fuel:
[TABLE]
[TR]
[TD]Date[/TD]
[TD]Odometer[/TD]
[TD]Gallons[/TD]
[TD]Price/gal[/TD]
[TD]IFTA[/TD]
[TD]MPG[/TD]
[TD]CPM[/TD]
[TD]CPM (-IFTA)[/TD]
[TD]Cruise Speed[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]06/27/14[/TD]
[TD]1474377[/TD]
[TD]139.629[/TD]
[TD]$3.879[/TD]
[TD]$0.200[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]08/03/14[/TD]
[TD]1476186[/TD]
[TD]74.843[/TD]
[TD]$4.299[/TD]
[TD]$0.447[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]52[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]08/08/14[/TD]
[TD]1476240[/TD]
[TD]110.002[/TD]
[TD]$3.939[/TD]
[TD]$0.447[/TD]
[TD]10.08[/TD]
[TD]$0.406[/TD]
[TD]$0.361[/TD]
[TD]52[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]08/15/14[/TD]
[TD]1477159[/TD]
[TD]126.483[/TD]
[TD]$3.679[/TD]
[TD]$0.260[/TD]
[TD]7.27[/TD]
[TD]$0.506[/TD]
[TD]$0.471[/TD]
[TD]55[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]08/30/14[/TD]
[TD]1478424[/TD]
[TD]163.077[/TD]
[TD]$3.963[/TD]
[TD]$0.447[/TD]
[TD]7.76[/TD]
[TD]$0.511[/TD]
[TD]$0.453[/TD]
[TD]55[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]08/31/14[/TD]
[TD]1479600[/TD]
[TD]145.874[/TD]
[TD]$3.599[/TD]
[TD]$0.260[/TD]
[TD]8.06[/TD]
[TD]$0.446[/TD]
[TD]$0.414[/TD]
[TD]52[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]09/03/14[/TD]
[TD]1480342[/TD]
[TD]135.000[/TD]
[TD]$3.559[/TD]
[TD]$0.200[/TD]
[TD]5.50[/TD]
[TD]$0.648[/TD]
[TD]$0.611[/TD]
[TD]55[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]09/05/14[/TD]
[TD]1481692[/TD]
[TD]26.674[/TD]
[TD]$3.749[/TD]
[TD]$0.220[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]55[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]09/06/14[/TD]
[TD]1481914[/TD]
[TD]85.005[/TD]
[TD]$3.649[/TD]
[TD]$0.264[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]55[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]09/07/14[/TD]
[TD]1482512[/TD]
[TD]155.000[/TD]
[TD]$3.409[/TD]
[TD]$0.170[/TD]
[TD]8.14[/TD]
[TD]$0.433[/TD]
[TD]$0.407[/TD]
[TD]55[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]09/10/14[/TD]
[TD]1483471[/TD]
[TD]50.000[/TD]
[TD]$3.799[/TD]
[TD]$0.200[/TD]
[TD]
[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]55[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]09/11/14[/TD]
[TD]1483878[/TD]
[TD]143.001[/TD]
[TD]$3.579[/TD]
[TD]$0.210[/TD]
[TD]7.08[/TD]
[TD]$0.514[/TD]
[TD]$0.484[/TD]
[TD]55[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]09/13/14[/TD]
[TD]1485048[/TD]
[TD]50.001[/TD]
[TD]$3.959[/TD]
[TD]$0.270[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]67[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]09/18/14[/TD]
[TD]1485241[/TD]
[TD]100.007[/TD]
[TD]$3.966[/TD]
[TD]$0.447[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]55[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]09/20/14[/TD]
[TD]1485834[/TD]
[TD]102.001[/TD]
[TD]$3.519[/TD]
[TD]$0.000[/TD]
[TD]7.76[/TD]
[TD]$0.487[/TD]
[TD]$0.458[/TD]
[TD]55[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]09/24/14[/TD]
[TD]1487277[/TD]
[TD]12.503[/TD]
[TD]$3.999[/TD]
[TD]$0.220[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]55[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]09/24/14[/TD]
[TD]1487371[/TD]
[TD]39.093[/TD]
[TD]$3.639[/TD]
[TD]$0.220[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]55[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]09/25/14[/TD]
[TD]1487600[/TD]
[TD]35.000[/TD]
[TD]$3.659[/TD]
[TD]$0.264[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]55[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]09/25/14[/TD]
[TD]1487874[/TD]
[TD]156.001[/TD]
[TD]$3.399[/TD]
[TD]$0.225[/TD]
[TD]8.41[/TD]
[TD]$0.417[/TD]
[TD]$0.390[/TD]
[TD]55[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]09/27/14[/TD]
[TD]1488461[/TD]
[TD]65.018[/TD]
[TD]$3.399[/TD]
[TD]$0.170[/TD]
[TD]9.03[/TD]
[TD]$0.376[/TD]
[TD]$0.358[/TD]
[TD]55[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]09/28/14[/TD]
[TD]1489049[/TD]
[TD]70.000[/TD]
[TD]$3.449[/TD]
[TD]$0.200[/TD]
[TD]8.40[/TD]
[TD]$0.411[/TD]
[TD]$0.387[/TD]
[TD]55[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]09/29/14[/TD]
[TD]1489510[/TD]
[TD]56.000[/TD]
[TD]$3.399[/TD]
[TD]$0.200[/TD]
[TD]8.23[/TD]
[TD]$0.413[/TD]
[TD]$0.389[/TD]
[TD]55[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Q3 averages:[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]7.60[/TD]
[TD]$0.483[/TD]
[TD]$0.448[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]10/01/14[/TD]
[TD]1490622[/TD]
[TD]154.000[/TD]
[TD]$3.399[/TD]
[TD]$0.200[/TD]
[TD]7.22[/TD]
[TD]$0.471[/TD]
[TD]$0.443[/TD]
[TD]60[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]10/03/14[/TD]
[TD]1491712[/TD]
[TD]135.001[/TD]
[TD]$3.479[/TD]
[TD]$0.260[/TD]
[TD]8.07[/TD]
[TD]$0.431[/TD]
[TD]$0.399[/TD]
[TD]55[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]10/06/14[/TD]
[TD]1493062[/TD]
[TD]162.999[/TD]
[TD]$3.279[/TD]
[TD]$0.130[/TD]
[TD]8.28[/TD]
[TD]$0.396[/TD]
[TD]$0.380[/TD]
[TD]55[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]10/07/14[/TD]
[TD]1494081[/TD]
[TD]133.001[/TD]
[TD]$3.279[/TD]
[TD]$0.160[/TD]
[TD]7.66[/TD]
[TD]$0.428[/TD]
[TD]$0.407[/TD]
[TD]55[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]10/09/14[/TD]
[TD]1494558[/TD]
[TD]60.000[/TD]
[TD]$3.239[/TD]
[TD]$0.160[/TD]
[TD]7.95[/TD]
[TD]$0.407[/TD]
[TD]$0.387[/TD]
[TD]55[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]10/11/14[/TD]
[TD]1495406[/TD]
[TD]104.075[/TD]
[TD]$3.419[/TD]
[TD]$0.170[/TD]
[TD]8.15[/TD]
[TD]$0.420[/TD]
[TD]$0.399[/TD]
[TD]55[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]10/12/14[/TD]
[TD]1495844[/TD]
[TD]55.004[/TD]
[TD]$3.499[/TD]
[TD]$0.260[/TD]
[TD]7.96[/TD]
[TD]$0.439[/TD]
[TD]$0.407[/TD]
[TD]55[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]10/15/14[/TD]
[TD]1497013[/TD]
[TD]50.000[/TD]
[TD]$3.719[/TD]
[TD]$0.260[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]55[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]10/17/14[/TD]
[TD]1497587[/TD]
[TD]153.000[/TD]
[TD]$3.512[/TD]
[TD]$0.447[/TD]
[TD]8.59[/TD]
[TD]$0.415[/TD]
[TD]$0.368[/TD]
[TD]55[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]10/20/14[/TD]
[TD]1497957[/TD]
[TD]43.000[/TD]
[TD]$3.546[/TD]
[TD]$0.447[/TD]
[TD]8.60[/TD]
[TD]$0.412[/TD]
[TD]$0.360[/TD]
[TD]55[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]10/21/14[/TD]
[TD]1498725[/TD]
[TD]60.017[/TD]
[TD]$3.559[/TD]
[TD]$0.260[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]55[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]10/22/14[/TD]
[TD]1499710[/TD]
[TD]50.001[/TD]
[TD]$3.389[/TD]
[TD]$0.170[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]55[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]10/22/14[/TD]
[TD]1499968[/TD]
[TD]163.026[/TD]
[TD]$3.549[/TD]
[TD]$0.043[/TD]
[TD]7.37[/TD]
[TD]$0.478[/TD]
[TD]$0.463[/TD]
[TD]55[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]10/25/14[/TD]
[TD]1500765[/TD]
[TD]92.004[/TD]
[TD]$3.239[/TD]
[TD]$0.170[/TD]
[TD]8.66[/TD]
[TD]$0.374[/TD]
[TD]$0.354[/TD]
[TD]55[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]10/29/14[/TD]
[TD]1501767[/TD]
[TD]66.234[/TD]
[TD]$3.699[/TD]
[TD]$0.260[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]55[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]10/30/14[/TD]
[TD]1502147[/TD]
[TD]100.041[/TD]
[TD]$3.529[/TD]
[TD]$0.240[/TD]
[TD]8.31[/TD]
[TD]$0.433[/TD]
[TD]$0.403[/TD]
[TD]55[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]10/31/14[/TD]
[TD]1503168[/TD]
[TD]132.392[/TD]
[TD]$3.399[/TD]
[TD]$0.130[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]55[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]11/02/14[/TD]
[TD]1504033[/TD]
[TD]148.499[/TD]
[TD]$3.479[/TD]
[TD]$0.240[/TD]
[TD]6.71[/TD]
[TD]$0.513[/TD]
[TD]$0.485[/TD]
[TD]55[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]11/11/14[/TD]
[TD]1504984[/TD]
[TD]50.000[/TD]
[TD]$3.459[/TD]
[TD]$0.000[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]58[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]11/12/14[/TD]
[TD]1505263[/TD]
[TD]50.000[/TD]
[TD]$3.399[/TD]
[TD]$0.000[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]58[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]11/13/14[/TD]
[TD]1505603[/TD]
[TD]127.762[/TD]
[TD]$3.726[/TD]
[TD]$0.447[/TD]
[TD]6.89[/TD]
[TD]$0.522[/TD]
[TD]$0.485[/TD]
[TD]58[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]11/15/14[/TD]
[TD]1506701[/TD]
[TD]50.014[/TD]
[TD]$3.599[/TD]
[TD]$0.260[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]58[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]11/16/14[/TD]
[TD]1507188[/TD]
[TD]75.006[/TD]
[TD]$3.499[/TD]
[TD]$0.200[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]58[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]11/17/14[/TD]
[TD]1507577[/TD]
[TD]126.496[/TD]
[TD]$3.299[/TD]
[TD]$0.200[/TD]
[TD]7.85[/TD]
[TD]$0.436[/TD]
[TD]$0.409[/TD]
[TD]58[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]11/26/14[/TD]
[TD]1508850[/TD]
[TD]49.233[/TD]
[TD]$3.499[/TD]
[TD]$0.170[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]55[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]11/30/14[/TD]
[TD]1509361[/TD]
[TD]161.498[/TD]
[TD]$3.119[/TD]
[TD]$0.200[/TD]
[TD]8.47[/TD]
[TD]$0.379[/TD]
[TD]$0.356[/TD]
[TD]55[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]12/01/14[/TD]
[TD]1510196[/TD]
[TD]112.640[/TD]
[TD]$3.749[/TD]
[TD]$0.043[/TD]
[TD]7.41[/TD]
[TD]$0.506[/TD]
[TD]$0.500[/TD]
[TD]55[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]12/04/14[/TD]
[TD]1511114[/TD]
[TD]113.490[/TD]
[TD]$2.979[/TD]
[TD]$0.407[/TD]
[TD]8.09[/TD]
[TD]$0.368[/TD]
[TD]$0.318[/TD]
[TD]55[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]12/06/14[/TD]
[TD]1511929[/TD]
[TD]94.172[/TD]
[TD]$2.839[/TD]
[TD]$0.407[/TD]
[TD]8.65[/TD]
[TD]$0.328[/TD]
[TD]$0.281[/TD]
[TD]55[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]12/08/14[/TD]
[TD]1512630[/TD]
[TD]86.430[/TD]
[TD]$2.799[/TD]
[TD]$0.407[/TD]
[TD]8.11[/TD]
[TD]$0.345[/TD]
[TD]$0.295[/TD]
[TD]62[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]12/10/14[/TD]
[TD]1513784[/TD]
[TD]154.498[/TD]
[TD]$2.959[/TD]
[TD]$0.170[/TD]
[TD]7.47[/TD]
[TD]$0.396[/TD]
[TD]$0.373[/TD]
[TD]62[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]12/12/14[/TD]
[TD]1514320[/TD]
[TD]30.315[/TD]
[TD]$3.299[/TD]
[TD]$0.170[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]55[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]12/12/14[/TD]
[TD]1514601[/TD]
[TD]64.498[/TD]
[TD]$2.899[/TD]
[TD]$0.130[/TD]
[TD]8.62[/TD]
[TD]$0.351[/TD]
[TD]$0.335[/TD]
[TD]55[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]12/13/14[/TD]
[TD]1514950[/TD]
[TD]50.112[/TD]
[TD]$3.349[/TD]
[TD]$0.210[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]55[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]12/17/14[/TD]
[TD]1516450[/TD]
[TD]12.957[/TD]
[TD]$3.859[/TD]
[TD]$0.447[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]55[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Overall:[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]8.135[/TD]
[TD]$0.427[/TD]
[TD]$0.398[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

8.14mpg, fuel costs: 43cpm (40cpm w/o ifta)


Tractor Maintenance:
[TABLE]
[TR]
[TD]date[/TD]
[TD]work[/TD]
[TD]cost[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]06/25/14[/TD]
[TD]DOT Inspection[/TD]
[TD]$58.26[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]06/30/14[/TD]
[TD]light[/TD]
[TD]$13.52[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]07/15/14[/TD]
[TD]adjust 5th wheel, exhaust leak, air leak[/TD]
[TD]$500.00[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]07/15/14[/TD]
[TD]apu water pump[/TD]
[TD]$314.55[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]07/17/14[/TD]
[TD]license plate install kit[/TD]
[TD]$2.69[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]07/21/14[/TD]
[TD]batteries[/TD]
[TD]$578.84[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]07/29/14[/TD]
[TD]batteries core exchange[/TD]
[TD]-$88.00[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]07/29/14[/TD]
[TD]New 5th wheel, install water pump,[/TD]
[TD]$1,756.97[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]08/05/14[/TD]
[TD]New seatbelt buckle[/TD]
[TD]$12.95[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]08/09/14[/TD]
[TD]PM A[/TD]
[TD]$255.65[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]08/11/14[/TD]
[TD]AC compressor[/TD]
[TD]$877.22[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]09/09/14[/TD]
[TD]oil analysis[/TD]
[TD]$25.00[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]09/24/14[/TD]
[TD]Repair headlight wire[/TD]
[TD]$56.10[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]10/05/14[/TD]
[TD]PM A[/TD]
[TD]$285.06[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]11/22/14[/TD]
[TD]PM A, diff & trans fluid, rivet cab extender[/TD]
[TD]$665.03[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]11/24/14[/TD]
[TD]Wheel bearing/suspension inspection & 3 axle alignment[/TD]
[TD]$350.00[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]11/24/14[/TD]
[TD]steer tire, replace bumper brace, tighten mirror[/TD]
[TD]$777.26[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]11/25/14[/TD]
[TD]wide singles[/TD]
[TD]$3,425.00[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]11/25/14[/TD]
[TD]All new belts, hoses, city horn, flipping wheels[/TD]
[TD]$682.57[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]12/12/14[/TD]
[TD]coolant leak[/TD]
[TD]$163.18[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]12/17/14[/TD]
[TD]truck wash[/TD]
[TD]$61.00[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]12/17/14[/TD]
[TD]DOT Inspection[/TD]
[TD]$79.13[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]12/19/14[/TD]
[TD]exhaust leak[/TD]
[TD]$116.56[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]CPM:[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Since beginning (including initial repairs):[/TD]
[TD]$10,968.54[/TD]
[TD]$0.261[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Since rolling:[/TD]
[TD]$6,660.89[/TD]
[TD]$0.166[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]



Trailer Maintenance:
[TABLE]
[TR]
[TD]date[/TD]
[TD]work[/TD]
[TD]cost[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]07/24/14[/TD]
[TD]Clean trailer ABS sensors[/TD]
[TD]$340.00[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]07/29/14[/TD]
[TD]Trailer light/wiring, reflective tape[/TD]
[TD]$190.40[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]08/09/14[/TD]
[TD]PM A[/TD]
[TD]$40.00[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]08/11/14[/TD]
[TD]trailer door/hinges[/TD]
[TD]$351.65[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]08/29/14[/TD]
[TD]replace tire[/TD]
[TD]$431.08[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]09/11/14[/TD]
[TD]check RR wheel bearing[/TD]
[TD]$74.27[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]09/16/14[/TD]
[TD]Overhauled RR wheel bearing, check trailer for leaks[/TD]
[TD]$144.77[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]10/05/14[/TD]
[TD]PM A[/TD]
[TD]$40.00[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]11/22/14[/TD]
[TD]PM A[/TD]
[TD]$40.00[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]11/25/14[/TD]
[TD]swap tires, seal light, check door hinge[/TD]
[TD]$409.99[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]12/06/14[/TD]
[TD]seal roof leak[/TD]
[TD]$120.38[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]12/17/14[/TD]
[TD]DOT inspection, replace tire[/TD]
[TD]$352.09[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]12/17/14[/TD]
[TD]trailer wash[/TD]
[TD]$20.00[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]12/19/14[/TD]
[TD]replace chaffed air lines[/TD]
[TD]$105.50[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]CPM:[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Since beginning (including initial repairs):[/TD]
[TD]$2,660.13[/TD]
[TD]$0.063[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Since I started rolling:[/TD]
[TD]$1,307.00[/TD]
[TD]$0.032[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]


Fuel: 43cpm actual vs 50cpm projected = 7cpm difference
Maintenance: 19.8cpm actual vs 20cpm projected = .02cpm difference

So I'm feeling pretty good about my business so far, although I was feeling even better until I ran the numbers (like last time, I was thinking I was doing even better than I actually was). Still lots of work to be done, but I'm ahead of where I thought I'd be (in large part thanks to higher than normal freight rates and lower than normal fuel prices).


Not All Roses

Since my last update I've also discovered that I may have some bad debt. The broker on that $4750 load from Selma, CA to Walton, KY went out of business before paying me. 2 weeks after I hauled the load (but 2 weeks before I could file), their bond was exhausted and their bonding insurance company issued a cancellation notice. That insurance company, Pacific Financial, will continue to accept claims until early February. They will either pay out based on the date of the load, with the earliest loads getting paid in full until the bond is exhausted, or they will spread the total bond out amongst everyone who claims. This was a reasonably large broker doing enough business to exhaust their bond in a matter of hours at just 1 of their facilities, so I'm not likely to receive much, if anything, from the $75,000 bond.

So I have submitted a claim to the shipper, pursuant to the court case Excel Transportation Services, Inc. v. CSX Lines, LLC, which held shippers liable for ensuring carriers get paid, even when the shippers already paid 3rd party agents. We'll see where that goes. There are a number of legal websites offering to take over collections, but their contingencies (50% of what they collect from out of business brokers) seem a bit over the top.

When I booked the load, the broker had a DAT credit score of 95 with something like 32 days to pay -- scores that aren't uncommon amongst my customers. But I've since discovered that, aside from being simplistic, DAT's scores are an average of 2 weeks old & this broker went under quickly... So I've added "credit-stop" to my ITS load board subscription and, like their rate-mate, it seems to be much more thorough than member's edge (if only ITS had the same load volume as DAT)...

I'm not sure whether I could have reasonably predicted this broker would go under given the time frame in which I have to make decisions on the road. I'll look into it more, but in the big picture if I have $5,000 in bad debt each year on $240,000 gross receivables, that's probably not too bad. It would actually cost less than factoring. So hopefully I won't have any more bad brokers for the next 8 months...

Anyway, that's all I know at the moment; I believe I'll get something, but I don't know how much or when. For now I'm chalking it up as a cost of doing business...