Truck Owners ANGRY and Scared Over Fuel Costs

I think mainly venting. A shutdown might work but I don't think so considering fuel prices are going up while there is no shortage. A lot of people are ######## about the brokers for good reason.

I just hope that if it does come to fruition, that it is done with respect for the general public. shutting down freeways I do not think is the answer.

 

Wow that was something else

 

My boyfriend was a grain hauler who owns a older model Pete and with the price of fuel, the fear of break downs and cut throats in our area he had no choice but to go to being a company driver. It was either feed the family, save the farm, his sanity or lose everything. He was so stressed every morning when he got up that he was losing himself, the fun and been taken out of being a owner/operator. There wasn't enough blood pressure medicine around to make him easy to live with. We don't have nice fancy things so it wasn't like we were out blowing the profits. What profits there were was going to the truck, fuel and expenses. I admire you guys that can hang in there and keep going as a owner/operator and that didn't come out right because I admire all truck drivers. You guys/gals deal with alot stress and headaches from federal regulations all the way down to idiot drivers.

 

What are the flyers supposed to be saying? Saw something about them last night but can't find it again....

 

Hi everyone, I am new to this site so bear with me. I agree that the fuel prices are driving people out of business. And yes we have a surcharge with our customers. Brokers are another issue. The rates out if Texas, Florida and the East are not enough to pay the expenses on a truck. We always hold out for a better rate but you can't keep your trucks sitting forever waiting on a good paying load. We have been meeting with our Congressman and everyone else should be doing the same. At least email your concerns. Last night OOIDA's Reed Black broadcast an interview that we taped about the fuel prices, rates, etc. We are also planning a convoy to Indy next month to get the word out about high fuel and low rates.Let's quit talking and start doing something!

 

The answer is simple. We have to make the brokers do the right thing. List the names of any broker that does not pay a full rate FSC and boycott them until they get the shippers to understand that lack of full rate FSC will not be tolerated. If we get rid of the bad brokers robbing who are robbing us of the full rate FSC and get shippers to understand that it is mandatory, there will still be a small profit in this industry. The answer is the Brokers must be forced to help standardize rates and everyone must pay a standardized full rate FSC or face the consequences.

 

you know guys, ive been around a long time--started in 72 and recently returned after 15 years of retirement---thanks to george w.

ive been trough fuel crunches before--in early years --dont even remember the years anymore---

i am an oo and have always been one----

--i have posted messages to congressmen and such and heres a few things that occur to me that can be done to relieve the situation--

stop making three grades of gas, and concentrate on diesel more---get all the ######## off the road with diesel rv's--you know the ones, 4 foot pulling cars and getting 4 miles per gallon---lower the speedlimits in states to maximum of 65 or maybe even less---stop idleing rigs at night because cant stand the heat---#### i started trucking when they didnt have air conditioners--------conserve when loading---

start talking about on cb and getting others opinions---company drivers dont give a ####---they get paid if fuel went to 6 dollars---its the owner operators who are going to go out of business since they cant compete---

start to get along---ive been here and done that--and elect people who can talk for the industry---you know, reliable members who can speak and write well---maybe the wife or girl friend can write congress while your driving-------------those are my suggestions for now---muleskinnner99

i could probably think of a couple of more

 

ive discuss this high fuel cost with 7 of my O/O and we decided to park trucks as of next week once they get back home to their families...we pull 7 reefers long hauls from coast to coast.. we simply cannot afford fuel these last 2 weeks...outbound freight we added some FSC to keep same customers but unfortunetly inbound ( so called backhauls) have drastically decreased in a big way where we barely keeping our heads outta the water...we in a business to make money..if we loose money or break even whats the point??