Trans Am Still

On the topic of layover/detention pay. One thing that strikes me about TransAm, it competes in two very different markets for fright. The high(ish) end for refrigerated meat loads Eastbound and cheap fright Westbound. Cheap fright to the point I think they will run at a loss per mile just to keep from having to deadhead all the way back west. I think this give TransAm a kind of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde attitude about their operation and expenses.

An incomplete thought above ... I just got a call my loading is finished, driving from SC to Central Texas.

Be safe all.

 

The trucking industry added 2,300 jobs last month, according to the U.S. Labor Department. Overall, the economy added 209,000 jobs in July, down from the forecasted 230,000.
The transportation and warehousing sector as a whole added 7,900 positions, a sharp drop from the 14,800 jobs gained in June. The related fields of manufacturing and construction added 28,000 and 22,000 jobs respectively for the month of July.
Even as industries added more positions, unemployment rose last month due to more people entering the work force. The country’s unemployment rate now stands at 6.2 percent.

 

I think you are right also, passport. I had the same thought about your return freight.....and yet still the deadhead miles were extremely high in some cases. The deadhead moves that TransAm made were tremendous compared to what the small companies will do. From delivery to pick up the King's deadhead moves are usually under 35 miles.....the company couldn't afford to do the kind of moves that the larger carriers will do. I think that many of the return freight loads are probably at a break even point. I would think it allows them to go after and win some of the contracts that they have and also allows them to expand their hiring area.

 

.......yep!

 

When I drove for other big companies they hardly ever deadheaded me or any other driver the deadhead I do here. With Schneider it was usually withing 50 miles, Celedon no more than 100 and Central was about 100 the only exception was deliveries in the Denver area you might go to Dodge or Liberal. This load is only 12 deadhead but even this time back I have already deadheaded 350+ miles on one load. Meat loads pay very very well. Cranky when you go to Ca. do you haul produce back? If you do, do you have to do several pick ups sometimes?

Have you ever noticed that we do not usually haul to grocery wharehouses? I know we do but it is usually to smaller operations. With any other company I was with we went to Walmart about every 3rd load but not as much here. Maybe that will change cause of our safety rating has gotten better. Maybe it is just my personal experience too. Just food for thought.

Got to roll

Be safe out there

 

Near Hudson, Wisconsin

ST. Croix Co. (WQOW) - Authorities are investigating after a semi truck was shot at numerous times along I-94.
No one was hurt in the shooting early Saturday morning near hammond. The St. Croix County Sheriff says a trucker told them he had passed a car, then heard a noise that sounded like rapid knocking on the cab of his truck.
He pulled over and noticed one of his windows was broken. The driver then continued down the highway, until another trucker flagged him down because his semi was leaking fuel.
That's when the driver discovered bullet holes in a fuel tank, the sleeper cab, a tire and other places. The sheriff says the semi was hit a total of nine times.
Shell casings were found along the highway where the truck driver said he first heard the shots.
The sheriff is hoping the unique caliber, 10mm, might help in locating a suspect. The truck driver described the car as an older red or maroon vehicle.

 

You also have to remember, that the big companies, in cooperation with other big shippers, agree to have a certain amount of drivers in an area, JIC.

 

You are preaching to the choir brother!

Unfortunately it's the way it is and probalby won't change anytime soon. Not all places are bad, but some...well it's why I have a ps3 in my truck lol