Is the freight really slow

Judging by what I read here, I'd say we're heading into serious economic trouble. One can always look to the trucks to see what the real health of the economy is, and for now it doesn't look good. If I were a driver right now, I'd be putting together an alternative plan in case my job disappeared later this year or sometime in 09.

My take: recession hits in 2008 that lasts 2-4 years. The press hasn't been talking about it much, but both you and I know we're already in a serious downturn. As usual, the powers are keeping it all quiet so that the chosen few can make their moves to help them stem future bleeding. It's obvious the economy is seriously ill, and nobody is gonna tell you that fact. You'll have to figure it out on your own, and you'd better be quick about it.

After the economy slowly starts to recover (around 2011), teams will rule the OTR segment, at least until the rails kick in and take over long-haul freight transport. This will happen no later than about 2016. What about the here and now? Get out of trucking if you can. If you can't get out, hold on tight. It's gonna be 1981 and 1991 added together in one fine recession. And we all know what trucking is like in serious slowdowns. Look on the bright side--you can take up knitting, fly-tying, foreign language learning, or some other new thing while you sit around in truckstops for days waiting on your one-run-per-week. If you have a high school diploma, maybe you can get your associate's degree from the truck cab. Ditto for getting any other degree, be it bachelor's, master's, or PhD. You'll have plenty of time for study in the next few years, assuming you can afford the on-line tuition at discount U.

Got the message?

 

Many of the larger companies are making the shift to teams (preferably married couples) to cover long haul. This way, they are together. And don't need to go home as often. Especially since most have children that are adults.

Solo's are being used primarily for short haul, local and regional. This too, has been something the companies have had to adjust to. Many of the drivers that are coming into trucking now, are reluctant to stay away from home for any real length of time. Therefore the companies have had to make the adjustments.

Many companies are staging drivers in relays of 4-600 miles, to cover "Just In Time" loads, that so many companies demand now days. As they try to reduce warehouse cost, along with inventory cost.

Legal's with Visas are filling some of the gaps. Swift is making use of many "legal" Mexican drivers, as are other companies. This is mearly a tactic to keep rates down, and keep profits within acceptable levels. You haven't seen how deep this actually cuts, until you take a look at Schneider, Menlo, and UPS. And the inroads they are making into the Chinese markets, and the supporting network (Central & North American) that is being put in place.

Long haul trucking is about to come to an end. But, it won't be the rail that brings it about. It will be the drivers. Namely the ones who refuse to stay away from home for more than 48 hours at a time. We have them here, within our company. Drivers that think that once they are 5 miles from the terminal, they should already have their load coming to the house....Sad but true.

 

So true. Both rails and the drivers themselves are gonna break the camel's back.

I know you're right about those momma's-boy drivers. Get 'em 100 miles down the road and they're looking in their rear-vew more than straight ahead. Ditto for those losers at orientations who will claim they can be gone 'forever' before getting home. These jokers are the first to start ######## and moaning about getting home, usually on about day 5.

 

It's not a bad idea to have an alternate plan in any given year. It olny takes a couple of brain farts to lose your CDL.

My take is, the economy is fine. The biggest issue with "the economy" is people living WELL beyond their means, and lenders fueling the fires. Obviously I live within my means, to think this way.

Teams may rule. But they won't be the rule. The majority of teams on the road now, are couples. They are either close to retirement, or simply enjoying the travel. One wreck or grandchild will bring the brakes to this set up. Age will eventually stop them all.

I see no big move to increase the amount of rail connections, anywhere. Except the "super highway".

RULE #1 with any job. Your job/profession is only as secure, as your willingness to make yourself an instrumental part of the total equation. The latest "stats" on the incoming and up and coming generation of drivers, is bleak. This has nothing to do with age. It has everything to do with work ethics, and what is and what has been expected of a professional driver for over 50 years. Hard work, long hours, and a willingness to get it done.

The ones that are willing to get it done, will have a job. Even those of us who get a reduction of 50% in total pay, will survive. At least the ones of us who have lived within our means.

Case in point: If your total household income is LESS than $50K (after taxes) and your house payment is over $1000 a month (less taxes and insurance). You ARE living above your means. Add a new car, bike, or child to the mix...you are going out backwards.

 

That makes no since to me, if you want to be a driver then you should know well before you join that you won't see much of the house. While I hope to hit the road in the next few months (Hopefully with Watkins & Shepard) I know that I won't be home much & I'm kinda looking forward to it. My girlfriend doesn't like it much, but she knows that I will be back & we are working toward the future.


I want to be on the road & I want to go coast to coast, if some crybaby doesn't want the load because he wants to go home get his ##### out of the way so I can get it & get going!

 

Dance, that's a good post. Sounds like you'll be fine if the economy takes a dump.

People 'living above their means' is a problem, no doubt, but there is a bigger problem--some people are just too well off in the USA. They stick their money in portfolios and live on the interest. Working for a living is something they have no concept of, and building up their own businesses is something they have no stomach for. Well, someone (actually MANY folks) somewhere must create the wealth to pay that interest. That is the root, boys and girls.

 

It's no surprise this makes no sense to us. We're sensible people. However, some are whiners, as you know. They whine a little and they get breast fed. Usually this is tied up in patronage, the ol' "who you know" BS, that is present at all jobs to some extent.

 

The problem with my current job is that I don't speak Spanish, so I have no idea who or when they are whining.

 

Comrade Castro agrees

Sorry that this is my first post, but that's just too incredible not to comment on.