Stop calling it a back haul

That's what the last carrier called our loads out the Northeast back south. I mean I didnt have no problem with it, it was either that or have an $300-$500 less paycheck because we deadheaded back to VA (paid on percentage).

IMO you should only have the use of the word backhaul if you run an out & back operation. Still regardless you should be making a profit on anyload you haul.

 

I didn't say anything about rates. Our business model is out and back.

 

That's great, but if you lose the customer and can't get loads anymore then what? And the more you do this the more customers don't use you. A sitting truck doesn't make any money.

 

Which in other words, you feel satisfied to get reduction rates.

Look at the post you made when you said it gets you back to higher freight rates.

 

Yeah I see what I did there.

 

The only situation that a load should be considered a "back haul" is a dedicated outbound customer where you charge them loaded and returning empty because the trailer needs returned. A back haul for them would be at a discounted rate.

The truck costs the same to operate no matter which direction you are trying to go and your prices need to reflect this. There is no "back haul" on spot market freight.

 

not its not a backhaul, its simply your next load. I have never hauled a backhaul, I have always hauled my next load. I never told anyone where I wanted or needed to go.

 

Right, it's your next load. I always try to keep my home 20 anonymous when negotiating with brokers. The way I handle the next load is to plan the next load before I haul the first load and rate it accordingly based on rates and availability in the destination area. Being out of Florida this usually requires us to make 3 or 4 legged trips to be most profitable unless we have customer freight that needs to be moved. But maximum profit is not always the highest consideration. I have friends that want to be home weekly more than they want to make max money and others that have customers that they service that will actually deadhead home to be available and maintain their relationships. I won't do that. To me 50% of something always beats 100% of nothing as long as it doesn't add miles or a lot of time to the round.