IS CORONAVIRUS AFFECTING INDEPENDENT O/O ?

Well, the rates and loads available has fallen pretty quick. I’m thinking it’s just the beginning of an almost total stoppage.

 

Last two weeks:

800mi load, $4000*
2000mi load, $4300

That was it. Both loads were reefer, total miles driven not just loaded. That * is because the first load required babysitting it for five days. But the pay for sitting made it nice. Had a lot of deadhead to get the next load. Two days later. Got some work done on my trailer on Monday. Got the load and delivered it out west here .

Absolutely nothing until Monday. So that's my two weeks since leaving home.

Without giving much about the loads away the total average loaded per mile pay was $3.56/mi.

I did find a load for Monday though. $2.25/mi but just takes me from one bad area to an even worse area. But it was the only load for 3 days paying over 2/mi within 450mi. And the dh was only 30 miles. I'll deal with the next crapfest when I get there.

 

With all but 9 states on stay at home orders.

I would imagine food and medical supplies are all that's needed.

 

That's just it, ppl aren't staying home. I see it out here on the OR/CA/WA lane. People are still out and about.

 

If they run out of beer here in Arkansas, thats when the shtf!

 

I would have taken the 800 over night for 4 grand park the thing and minded the reefer fuel for 5 days using tractor as tanker.

 

The tele-com ind is deemed essential, too. So cell phone stores are still open/selling. But think of the pieces in the food supply chain. Canned goods still need cans. Cereal still needs a box...etc. So lots of things will be essential. The want industry is gonna tank for a while. But the need is going to keep moving. There will be a serious drop in goods traveling. O/o that are not prepared will fail. Those set up to survive will be in demand when commerce opens back up.

 

Unfortunately, round trip to my house would've tacked on almost 400 miles. Since the load continued away from my house. Not a huge burden but didn't feel like it..

 

Maybe 180 one way in fuel give or take 360 round trip plus a day. And the parking and so on.

Thats understandable.

In my time long ago they really paid very low rates for overnights. It was way better to have a ... 5 day 4000 dollar haul than to try and scratch it out one night at a time.