should i stay or should i go?

That's a tough spot, rb, thanks for sharing. Good fortune in your choice, in your future. J

 

Dry bulk tanks are slow everywhere. We have had a lot of trucks sitting a day here and there lately.

 

I feel you. I gave up my small tank for a bigger tank to start hauling hydrate. Cement doesn't pay like lime does around here. I'm lucky to make 130 a day hauling strictly cement. Lime is usually 180-220. Sometimes quite a bit more. Our problem is they went on a hiring spree this summer and all of our work dropped out. Now they froze hiring and are letting natural selection take its course while we somewhat downsize.

 

There has been a trend in trucking over the last 5-10 years towards more regional loads. This is because more shippers are moving their products on the rails at a much better rate than they can with a long haul truck.
As an owner operator, I prefer the long hauls over regional because I like to only deliver every two to three days, but those loads simply aren't as plentiful as they used to be.
I think if you ask your employers, they will tell you pretty much the same thing. Any company worth working for has their drivers interests in mind, as good drivers are hard to find. Keeping you happy while making money is the best way to go.
But, you need to understand that they probably cannot give you the long runs at this time. I suggest that you talk to them, and ask them if this is the case. If, as you say, it is a good job, and except for the shorter runs you are satisfied with them, you will need to adjust for the times.
I am doing load searches every day, and the long runs that are available simply don't usually pay enough to bother with.
If you simply just can't handle short runs every day, you may want to look into more specialized transportation that generally doesn't ship on rails, such as time sensitive produce or rush refrigerated loads, or tankers, etc.
I have been driving since 1978, and I have seen the industry change many times over the years. You have no choice but to adapt.
If you talk to drivers that run out west through Arizona and New Mexico, they will tell you about the massive trains they pass, one after another loaded with semi trailers. It's just a sign of the times in a tough economy. Good luck, and stay safe out there.
After posting this, I read that you are a dry bulk driver, but I chose to leave the comment up in case it may help anyways. Hopefully it will be of help to you.

 

Still applies as a lot of places get their cement by rail. We've had a lot of emergency hauls when the rail cars got lost or just couldn't get there.

 

You're right. I never thought about the bulk rail cars.