Advice for brokers from a carrier

Discussion in 'Freight Broker Forum' started by Jimmbuds, Apr 16, 2015.

  1. Jimmbuds

    Jimmbuds Medium Load Member

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    Apr 20, 2009
    Daytona Beach, FL
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    As I am sure most of you drivers as well as brokers know that there has been a shortage of freight here lately. Last year a load would find its way too you even if you weren’t looking. Well this year has been the complete opposite, and as a result I have been spending a lot of time on the load boards here lately trying to find some back hauls back to where I get most of my freight and there are some issues that have been bugging me. So, I decided to vent on paper and do what I thought was something good for the trucking industry. I decided to provide some tips for brokers to simplify my searching process. Also I don’t want any whining and griping about what I listed on here. You are welcome to spill your two cents but I don’t want any BS.

    1. Post the weights on the load posting
    I don’t call on loads that say 48,000. I want to know how much it weighs and if it is that heavy I probably don’t want the load anyways.


    1. Post the load if you have it days in advance
    It is much easier on me when I can find freight days in advance as opposed to when I am unloading a load, or after I have unloaded and have to find a place to park, which is more miles on my truck, which in turn raises my cost. In addition it will give me more options to choose from when I am looking for a load coming back.
    I love my home time; let’s face it no one wants to be in the truck all weekend doing a SHORT load. As a result I would rather be at my farm doing something productive. I have tons of stuff to do and can’t stand sitting in the truck twiddling my thumbs. I love to predict when I will be home so I know what I can get done while I am there.


    1. If I have a truck posted to a specific area, DON’T call me and ask me if I want to go somewhere else. TQL does this all the time when I post my truck. All it does is aggravate me.


    1. THIS IS MY BIGGEST ISSUE WITH CURRENT FREIGHT SITUATION (AT LEAST FOR FLATBEDS) I don’t like short freight (under 450 miles). Sadly this is what trucking is turning into. You might as well have a daycab anymore. Most brokers seem to think $2/mile at any amount of miles is a good rate. It is hard to get them to comprehend that I can’t afford to pay bills and keep the truck safe at those rates.
    Don’t call me unless you are willing to PAY me for the TIME and EFFORT I have to put into the load. And that doesn’t mean $2.50 per mile.
    Chances are if the load is over 250 miles it is the only load you are going to do that day. I ask to be compensated for my time involved. I can’t make a living going 250 miles at $2/mile.


    1. I don’t like cheap heavy freight.
    Some people will gripe about the definition of cheap freight. They will say what is cheap freight? Define cheap freight for me. Cheap freight is freight that you can’t make any money on or freight that barely pays the bills. I am not out here to barely pay the bills, I am out here to pay the bills, save money as well as provide a safe and pleasant looking truck to haul freight. One of my biggest things I love about being an owner operator is the ability to do with my truck what I want. I don’t have a Pete or a KW (which I love), I have a Freightliner Century (that’s what I got and that’s what it is). It looks a little older but not rough. I would love to clean it up and make it look nice but it is difficult to do in this cut throat economy. My truck and trailer have a pristine safety record. I get inspected about once every year and always do well. However, that pristine safety record comes at a high cost. In fact I will take off working parts to replace them with new parts just to keep my truck operating without minimal downtime. I keep my truck and trailer in tip top shape and it has treated me well. I was reading another post the other day about the CH Robison lawsuit years back where brokers shop for the cheapest rate. I don’t wish bad on anybody but I really hope it happens a few times. It will teach some brokers a good lesson.


    1. The one is specifically for TQL
    Post the load where it is actually coming from, I am getting tired of calling them wasting my time only to find out that the load is 200 miles away. They say they will pay your deadhead but won’t ever pay you what you need to make it mathematically work. Why waste my time as well as yours?
     
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  3. astanbrough

    astanbrough Light Load Member

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    Sep 19, 2014
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    Good advice, thank you sir.

    One question for you: Suppose a shipper builds their loads very heavy (48k-49k) but they cut weight to scale drivers legally, so the driver could be loaded at 45k, 46k, etc depending on what they can scale. How would you want to see that posting look? Should I post it at 49k but add a note saying they will cut weight? How can I make sure the right drivers don't overlook my posting?
     
    kimbosa and dannythetrucker Thank this.
  4. Jimmbuds

    Jimmbuds Medium Load Member

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    Apr 20, 2009
    Daytona Beach, FL
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    As I mentioned if the load probably weighs that much then I probably dont want it. I can't put a number on it but I would say 50% of the time (at least for Flatbed and my experience) those loads that are that heavy don't pay anything. It would help to list your weight as you would like but also if possible, list a payment amount or the pay structure (in the event it is paid per hundred weight). You could also put a note on their to state that the shipper is willing to cut weight if need be. In my opinion, I would actually like to see the load at a lower weight and a note stating the shipper would like to load to gross. As I mentioned previously what entices me is seeing the payment amount.

    Thanks for replying!!!
     
    true blue and astanbrough Thank this.
  5. chilly_willy

    chilly_willy Bobtail Member

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    Apr 16, 2015
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    I need some help understanding what drivers like to haul. I totally understand not wanting to take heavy freight but a lot of drivers do not want a couple of my loads because they are palletize paper products. I am not trying to complain or anything but I would like to know what carriers are looking for.
     
  6. rollin coal

    rollin coal Road Train Member

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    It always comes down to the rate. I never cut my rate down because of a load being lightweight. That is rediculous. A load is a load be it one 100 lb pallet or 46,000 lbs on 22 pallets. If a load is heavy and pays a good rate I'm fine with it. It just seems anecdotally that the heavier loads are the cheapest. It's about the money. Nothing more or less. The only other issues are is it a clean load or something dirty, smelly, or the potential to damage my equipment. At that point no amount of money you think is good will convince me to load it.
     
  7. Jimmbuds

    Jimmbuds Medium Load Member

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    Apr 20, 2009
    Daytona Beach, FL
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    Yup I totally agree with Rollin Coal. Alot of why I dont haul that heavy is because generally it is lumber and in my experience it doesn't pay. Some lumber does but for the most part it doesnt pay. Even as a back haul it isnt worth it IMO.
     
    pete1 and true blue Thank this.
  8. Jimmbuds

    Jimmbuds Medium Load Member

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    Apr 20, 2009
    Daytona Beach, FL
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    I cant speak for other drivers but I love light freight for fuel mileage and less work on the rig. But as Rollin Coal mentioned if the rate is right I will hook to anything. I dont mind hooking to a load of onions when I am in the area every now and then. They pay okay and get you out of a otherwise rough area. However the downfall is they will load you up to 80,000.
     
  9. true blue

    true blue Medium Load Member

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    I agree 100%, Jimmbuds. I will go home or somewhere else empty rather than haul that cheap, heavy lumber, brick, sheet rock/particle board or shingles anytime. I MIGHT haul no-tarp shingles on my step if I'm sitting right near where they load, they're not too heavy and they're going right to the house.
     
  10. true blue

    true blue Medium Load Member

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    Jul 13, 2011
    Harrisburg, NC
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    And, man, do I agree with all those misleading TQL postings! I just don't bother calling them anymore. Just a waste of my time and phone battery.
     
    mnmover Thanks this.
  11. chilly_willy

    chilly_willy Bobtail Member

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    Apr 16, 2015
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    How much DH would you consider misleading? I will sometimes post a load coming out of Mesquite, TX as Dallas but its only 15 miles outside of Dallas..
     
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