How Are Your Rates Holding Up?

Yep, you are correct. The rates have tanked. I have been able to get some good rates off ld. boards and like you have said.
Some say take it or leave it..

 

In the 2 months that I pulled a step deck this year, I saw a lot of loads that should have been RGN loads being posted as SD / low profile SD loads for $2.50-$3.00/mile. Maybe brokers are getting creative, getting the SD operators to load what normally would have been RGN loads at SD rates and pocketing the difference? That would have the effect of reducing available 'true' RGN loads.

Also, I saw a couple of RGN/DD trailers being pulled behind one of the bottom feeders' power units over the past 6 weeks. Can't remember if it was JB Hunt or Swift, but it sure left me scratching my head. That could put some downward pressure on rates as well, no?

Right now I pull dry van, and last week was the pits for rates. I took a load from PA to NYC on Monday, then ran empty back to PA and am still sitting empty. Nothing worth loading on the truck all week. < $1.50/mile all-in. Pretty good timing, since I came down with the flu on Wednesday - but still a bit disconcerting that people are hauling at those rates.

 

The economy is still soft and there is a lot of political uncertainty. Coupled with the usual slow time for freight this time of year and you have an over capacity situation. Hopefully, the economy won't get as bad as it did the 4th quarter of 2008 and subsequent years since, but you need to decide whether you are willing to haul for less or sit and wait for something with a decent rate. I was offered an oversize load last week for less than $2/mile. Ironically, I was also offered one load that they told me to name my own rate. Unfortunately, I could not take that particular load. That is unfortunate. There are some decent paying loads, but not as many as a short time ago. Fortunately, I am in a position where I can afford to sit to wait on something with a rate that I can accept. Not everyone is in the same position, so they take whatever is offered.

 

I've noticed several flat and steps hauling wheeled vehicles with only 2 chains and 2 binders. One guy happened to be delivering at the same place. So, while we waited in line, I approached the driver to start a conversation and was gonna ask him about it. The driver couldn't understand or speak English well enough to engage in the simplest conversation.

What most of these hacks have in common is they are Latino, barely speak English, and wear sandals.

This could affect rates with these hack o/o on the loose.

 

what trailers are all these latinos pulling ? You serious about 3 or 4 guys in one truck? Never heard of such a thing.
other than that , this sandal wearing latino doesnt have much else to add :0)

 

the 3-4 guys in the truck are probably what the Canadians call the "New Canadians". Saw 4 of them get out of a truck in Laredo, the last one turned around, picked up a goat and put it on a leash like a dog. The others went in and shared a shower. "Don't ask, don't tell, don't want to know" rules apply.

 

Ive only been driving for a few years so maybe thats why I havent seen such a thing, reading this though, made me crack up. I thought it was an exxageration out of frustration but maybe not. I couldnt even drive team let alone 3-4 guys to one truck.
Im Hispanic and also get frustrated when I see and hear what some people are hauling cheap freight for.

 

Most I've seen so far was man, woman, two elementary-school aged kids and two dogs in a Freightliner. They weren't Hispanic.

And three Russians in a straight truck with a sleeper. I see many more Russians and Middle-Eastern drivers than Hispanic drivers. Except when I'm in Texas.