Are Freight Brokers Necessary?

I can say that LS has treated me well....
An example.....

Mil loads from Fort Irwin to the Port of Tacoma...About a 1200 mile run....Bennett was paying $1600 for those loads...LS was paying $2700 and had LS agents out at the "Bowl" to ensure things went smoothly......

I just got back from a load that paid $2.79/m from Mojave to Denver...another LS load....

Yes there are some dogs from LS...I have seen loads for $1.10/m come across my emails...But all in all...LS has been pretty good....

 

Now a shocker.....I also take CHR loads.....And I get better than $2/M from them.....

It's Two-way street here....

You as an O/O have to build a good rep with brokers before they'll hand over the high $$$$ loads....

 

Ron, you a good rep with brokers, say it ain't so...

How are things going? Good I hope.

 

Not bad....I had another "fine day" at the port dropping two "MT" 20's.....
How are you doing?

 

Like others say, youve got to get the right broker.
The best ones are brokers that have previous experiance in the industry, be it truckers or dispatchers. People who know what it takes to get a truck up and down the road, and people who know that a satisfied trucker will give you great service, and hell be around for a long time.
Sustainability is key in this industry. I wan tthe truckers I work for to be around in the years to come.

 

Rule #1...Know what a load/run is going to cost you before hand....
Rule #2...Don't be afraid to ask for more money.....

 

I just love it when you haul the SDDC loads and you see what they are getting paid. Had one today, Landmark that was trying to move a load from Hood to Charleston for around $2300. Looked on the SDDC and they were getting $4600 for it. In all actuality it was supposed to be an RGN load but they shagged it to their yard and wanted to put it on a step and take 50%. Of course not all are like that. Got two A/C carts on my back now out of SLC going to Mayport, the broker only took $300. So some are fair, but most aren't. Just remember who those are.

 

It is difficult for the broker to say "that is all I have in it" when you have the rate in front of you. I hauled a military load after Menlo got involved and the rate was not on the sheet. I thought all loads were supposed to have the rate. My guess is that Menlo is taking a huge chunk of the rate and don't want carriers to know what they are making. We used to haul a lot of military freight, but the rates are not been there lately, unless it is something that they really need. We can usually do better hauling civilian freight and not have the hassle of the security searches and extra time involved with escorts, etc., I don't mind if the rate is worth it. Full disclosure with all brokered loads would help keep everyone honest. Many years ago it was not a big issue. Most brokers would tell you what they took off the rate. Now they don't even want the carrier or shipper to know how much they make. Full disclosure would help restore some of the trust that so many are lacking.

 

Real simple answer here....If you are the one who hustles your loads...You have the power to say "No thanks...That rate doesn't work for me..."

A wise member of TTR Native Dancer once said (And I'm paraphrasing here...) "If the price isn't right...Don't turn the key to the right"....

 

Also...Know your lanes......

A load from LA to Denver is vastly different than say a load from LA to Portland...
Road conditions....Weather....Speed limits etc...Play a huge part in your ability to profit from a load....

Say you have the option to to take either and both are paying $2K.......

You do realize you can actually make more (TTT) by going to Portland than going to Denver....
Why?
I-70 once you start climbing out from the 15..
I-70 from UT-10.....
I-70 between Vail and 470......That's a whole series of grades....Latter part is reduced to 35 mph for trucks....
Grades eat more fuel than flat terrain.......

I-5 has just three major grades from LA to Portland.....

The "Castaic Crawl"...
Siskyou Grade....
The pass before Roseburg........

Also...Running 70 especially from Sept to as late as June...You can run into emergency closures and sit for a day or two before CDOT reopens the highway....

In the time I have been running freight....ODOT has closed 5 only once......