Brokers offer transparency. Imagine that!

Time to Triangulate. How’s that for using big words to sound smarter than I am. Lol. I did actually spell it without using spell check. Everyone I know running the spot market right now is complaining about barely netting $500 per day after fuel. Everyone’s looking for an angle. One is doing short turnarounds, putting less miles on his Truck. averaging $550 after fuel, and getting home often. Others, like myself are trying new triangles to new areas. I’ve done this before when things were bad. The end results are usually the same. No matter what I try, the average is the same. They have target rates with real data to prove what each lane will move for. The trick and challenge is to find an irregular route that beats the average. It’s almost impossible. Never know, between the location of home base, and a few different connections, maybe squeeze in a short high paying load in along the way. With a little luck, it can be done. Running back and forth right now ain’t gonna get it for me. The exceptions are good paying Reefer loads. They run back very cheap. Still making a good living.

 

It’s not about being frugal. By all means a man should be frugal. And yes sometimes are harder than others. That’s the cyclical nature of business. Especially the freight business. Profit margins do expand and contract. The issue I have and I think many others have is the disconnect that you don’t seem to understand. As long as someone anyone is willing to haul at a loss or at cost the longer this is going to drag out. You are right when you say if you don’t haul it another guy will. That is what is so frustrating about it. Freight rates will indeed find their own level, but that level is always set by the lowest common denominator on the spot market. I would much rather make 3.50 a mile and work half as much than make 1.75 a mile. That is why I choose to move away from van freight. It’s a breeding ground for hobbyists and the ignorant. By the time they go belly up they have already kept the market depressed. You can’t compete with that and expect to ever make any real money.

 

Not all fishermen are after the same fish.

 

I’m doing very well on the spot market. Just not the van spot market.

 

My #’s are nowhere near those. It’s real simple. After my fuel cost, it’s $800 per week for the Truck, includes everything involved with being self employed, even my health Ins costs. $1600 per week paycheck to the house. That’s a total of $2400 per week fixed costs, 52 weeks per year. Both get paid, if I work or not. No need to complicate things. That’s how O/Os get lost in the numbers. Most have no idea what they’re actually making. They rely on depreciation and tax schemes, fuel and maintenance cost savings that can only be realized if the Trucks constantly running, all sorts of iffy scenarios. I don’t claim to be an expert. Don’t need to be running one Truck. If I were I’d have thousands of Trucks. O/Os tend to think they’re smarter than the next guy. Always trying to prove it too. I’m probably just as bad. My way is the best way!!! Lol. Look around. There’s lots of sharp cookies in this Business that are very successful, owning Large fleets. We even criticize them. Lol. A dose of humility may be the best thing for everyone. Before you say I’m doing everything wrong. Don’t bother, I’ve already been told. My wrong ways mine. Yours is yours.

 

I’d rather be fishing.

 

I'm gonna step off.
No harm, no foul.
A couple of things to consider on my way out the door:
1. Yes, I was a Schneider contractor.
2. I was successful.

Carry on!