Am I the only one? Cheap loads...

One man's trash is another man's treasure. The sooner you can come to terms with this simple and honest fact of trucking, the sooner you can stop griping and take it in stride.

 

My rate is my rate. If their load was paying more than my rate, they just got a good deal, but don't ask me to run cheaper as it wastes everyones time. Until then I'll sit and exercise, or take the dog to the river, or polish the wheels, etc. Yawn.

A lot of drivers will maximize their profits by bumping the rate up for very legit reasons, but my brokers know what I will haul for and even though my rate is high compared to the load board averages, it's low in many cases and will generate calls for the truck on loads that aren't destined for the boards. The brokers like to know that my rate stays consistent and that they don't have to negotiate when they order a truck from me.

 

I have been sitting here in Dayton OH for 1.5 week, and have not been able book a load out of here going North East for close to $3.0/mile

There are tons of loads coming out of this area and tons of trucks going in/out of here every day. I am sitting at Pilot on Rt 70. Coming west from Northeast is always cheap as close to $1.0/mile if you don't make it up going back the other way, you can't survive. So it is not possible that these guys are actually haulling out of Dayton/Cincinnati market for less than $3/mile. Nick at ext 3929 w TQL told me a rate close to $2.0/mile.
I have some kind of Hoochee man gang trying to harrass me and intercepts my phone calls may be these terror groups have told them to say it that america has gone down, no freight. They usually will do that, that they will ask the people I know, to call me, and tell me, that the rate has gone down to half of what it used to be no matter which market I am sitting in.I can understand these foreigners are all scared and thats why they are forced to lie, but why white guys would lie??

 

I didn't know there were so many independent O/O's around.

Back in Europe the only way to be Owner Operator is being independent. You're not alowed to lease your truck to a company and drive on their licenses. You need your own license, and it's not so easy to get. There are several things you need before you even can apply for one...

I got my own truck over here and am leased to a company. It's so much easier this way. No hastle for me. They take care of all the things I used to take care of myself. Only thing I need is a truck. The company even has it's own shop with great mechanics that work for half the price compared to the KW dealership.

Is it worth being independent..??

 

mb guru, how have these people been out to get you? so its everywhere you go? people are blocking your calls, intercepting calls, and trying to hoochee man you?

what are you taking??

 

He's just another loose nut behind a steering wheel. I doubt he even knows what he is talking about.

 

I know exactly what you mean.
There has to be some collusion because all the brokers seemed to have agreed on a rate. Everyone you call is offering the same rate.

 

What??????

 

It is for some who are willing to work to make themselves a success. They don't have to be running all the time for mediocre rates to areas they wish to avoid and then get stuck with the bummer load to get out. They can work less and make more when they are working, improving quality of life. They aren't pooled with a bunch of other drivers who taint the scores for you to then deal with daily. Some just know they can do better on their own than the accepted mediocracy, limitations and costs involved in a lease. I think a good balance of work/life and the control to maintain that balance is key, but it isn't for everyone, nothing is.

 

Part of that is the shipper, if anyone doesn't think the shipper doesn't know the going rate, I don't know what to tell you.

The shipper is going to pay as little as possible, so they are going to find out what the going rate is, why offer $4 a mile when they can see the going rate is $2 a mile.