Brokers Think They're Doing US A Favor

America hasnt had a strike yet. Per say. It was a story on one of the shows no longer aired on the trucker channel station. Couple years back.

Google shows a Canadian trucker blockade at the border. in 1990. It was because american trucks could operate in canada cheaper then the canada trucks could operate in canada. I"m not reading the whole article for all the specifics though. But there's a few searches on google.

 

Way before my time there was a big national strike led and enforced by the teamsters. most owner operators weren't teamsters, but most chose to stay off the highways out of fear of retaliation.

 

You guys, who are sitting at truckstops, in what states are you in?

 

Off topic, but they just expanded Amazon Prime Now to my zip code and I discovered I could get a 12-can case of pepsi delivered to my door in 2 hours or less for $3.33 (shipping included)...

I can't figure how Amazon makes any money doing that, but I'm betting there is an independent contractor getting shafted somewhere...

 

Yeah crazy huh? But you also have to wonder what the retail markup. Then again it might be a loss leader? Who knows. I know Prime is getting pervasive though. We actually signed up for it before Christmas because we knew Christmas alone the free shipping savings would probably pay for itself. Kind of strange having things shipped to your door that normally you would buy at a store but if the savings are there why not? We're doing it more and more.

 

That's why i said PER SAY. not counting HOFFA and the beginning of the teamsters crap. But later.

There was news of amazon picking up 2,000 trailers. I think it was. Not sure if it was for the christmas holiday or permanently. They're also planning on using drones for deliveries.

I do all my shopping online these days. Clothes suck to shop for. No one makes the same size for the same size. I order 2 xl and sometimes it's big enough to be a 3 xl. I've only found one store locally that sells large and they're expensive. Can't go in to best buy for help. No one has a clue what your asking. Last time i was shopping. Every person in the store. Including the manager. Argued that internet was needed for gps. And that NONE of their tablets had gps. Had to go home and order the tablet from a different store location. Ask for a micro sd card and they take you to computer memory.

Customer service and knowledge is GONE. The only thing i actually go shopping for anymore. Is groceries.

I don't know how amazon is doing so well. I was at their facility in reno. No one had a clue what was going on. The load i took to them. Went back to salt lake.

 

New driver here and just want to get yours thoughts on the fact that fuel is cheaper at the pump and wouldn't that mean after a weeks worth of workin what you saved in cpm would be about the same as the drop in rates?

 

Supply and demand does occur at atleast a decent ratio.

 

The drop in rates don't equal the cheaper fuel.

Drivers still want to get paid. Preferably the same wage because the cost of living isn't going down. Truck payments still have to be made. Maint has to be done. Insurance and plates still have to be bought. And all the other gooberment mandated expenses. The list goes on. And THOSE prices keep going up. Throw in the tolls that are now on yearly hikes.

Get the picture?

 

When fuel drops, rates typically drop rather quickly. This is a slower time of year for most freight. In addition, the economy is not doing well. I am concerned that we may be seeing the beginning of a major downturn in the economy. I hope that I am wrong. I won't be taking on any new debt.