FEMA loads - reasonable daily rates?

How compassionate is the rest of the world when you are in a place where there is 100 trucks for every 1 load?

 

Well, its a good thing NOBODY is gouging the government and yes, I know its our tax dollars. Ever wonder why the government spends tens of millions a year on studying the red ####aided woodpecker? Or an Airforce toilet seat costs $6,000? Me either. If you want to let your conscious be your guide, haul disaster loads for the Red Cross or Goodwill. I agree with all the risks and downsides there are with hauling those loads so I think they should be at a premium.

Me, I hauled a load L.A. to Phoenix with an immediate return load Phoenix to L.A. this weekend for $2.50 all miles plus load fee then sat back and watched Sandy on the Weather channel.

BigBadBill, your guy in Chicago back on the road yet?!?! We've got 13 aging loads leaving the disaster areas that he can haul out if he runs FEMA loads in. A week and a half ago, we were going to fly a driver to the region, rent a Ryder tractor trailer, give the guy hotels and per diem and pay him hourly just to get the loads picked up. I'm glad he bailed and went of vacation instead or he would have been sitting in a hotel for Sandy.

 

I feel sorry for the people as well, but that doesn't mean that I am going to take it in the shorts. A very wise person told me once, "never let emotion effect your business decisions." There is nothing wrong with capitalizing on a situation like this. Like someone else said, you could also donate your time and equipment to the Red Cross or other organization.

 

As business people we understand that regardless of the situation the going rate is going to be RT plus the ability to compensate for potential downtime if you have to sit. It is cheaper for FEMA (less of my tax dollars) to come in and "buy" the trucks with a high rate than keep trucks and drivers sitting and waiting on the next event.

Have you seen the FEMA contract? I have and they are very specific in that they expect to pay premium rates so that they have the trucks they need when they need them.

You will get your step ladder to your high horse when have grabbed that load of water for the Red Cross last Thursday and are still sitting on it in OH waiting to hear where they want you to take it FOR FREE. Until then, get back in your company truck/home and stop trying to tell business people that they should not be compensated for taking a HUGE risk hauling disaster supplies into unknown situations.

So don't lecture the small # of drivers that are willing to take a load into these situations even at high rates. They are the compassionate ones. They are willing to do something that most, including you, are unwilling to do AT ANY PRICE.

Don't you love a lecture from someone that is likely leasing a truck from CRE, Prime or Stevens?

 

Having been a driver in a FEMA truck a few times I have to say the rate may be high but so are the risk.

Logistics for any repairs, fuel, equipment damage, never know what it may cost. The risk of going into a disaster area also for the driver is high as well, no one can put a price on doing what others turn on and say no.

 

Priceless!

Thanks BigBadBill

 

Gordon Gekko "Wall Street"

 

A very successful owner operator of a good size fleet was on the phone with someone during Katrina, was standing near and he told the state emergency director.

When I receive federal aid or free grants then I will do it for free. Until then I am not the Salvation Army and have drivers to pay and billing to cover.

 

So how many loads have you hauled this week for free? Compassion is one thing but losing my hard earned money is another. Fuel isn't free nor easy to come by if your in a disaster area. You want people to make $1.50 a mile to run out there and then sit for 2-3 days and then deadhead out to find load. People would be broke just because they went over board with compassion.