Ridiculous rates

http://www.wsj.com/articles/freight-index-slips-in-october-1447273114

 

I still don't know why a single operator that takes cheap rate can't do the math.

With all this technology, calculators, computers, excel.

They say I loose $300 for taken the load.
1. Why did take a load there in the 1st place.
2. Had to paid you 2.50 a mile on 1000+ miles to get there.
If it didn't. Don't take the load to go there.

Option A.
You take the cheap freight out.
Loose $300 and more.
Time.
Option B. You loose $50 to relocate 300 miles to different freight.

In option A. While you took that load. You have to unload. Find another load. Start making up for your losses. It's not till 1800 or later for you to make up your losses.
It might not be till the next day.

Option B on the other hand.
I get 12 mpg empty and relocating 3-400 miles only cost about ~$50-75.
Now. 1st thing in the mourning. I'm getting loaded while you are still getting smacked around and laughed at by that broker.
On top of that. You have to call them to tell them your empty.

Why I'm getting loaded and by noon I already made up my losses and having a good day.

There is the 3rd option.
Turn the truck off and take a 2 hr nap.
After all you sucker drivers have taken freight. A lot of shippers are sending out another list after lunch.

Since there are about ~80% of the drivers already loaded. I don't have the competition. I get to look at afternoon/tomorrow freight lists.

It cost me nothing to shut the truck off.

 

Yeah. This is my last loads since I left home.

I picked up a #### load, from Wisconsin, on Wed 11/13. Only reason I picked it up was because I had a good load coming out. I'm going to round numbers.

11/11-11/13 - $2300 on 900 miles (3 stops, along the way, ending in Philly)26k (weight)
11/13- 11/16 - 3,100 1200 miles (Maryland- Stop Ohio, Delivery ATL)1,600 (weight) *Military RUN*
11/17-11/18 - $1700 600 miles.. (Atlanta - Shreveport, LA). 38k (weight)
11/18-11/18 - $850 on 200 miles ( Shreveport straight through delivery to Benton, AR) 15k weight
11/18 - 11/19 - $1900 on 600 miles ( Russelville, AR - La Porte, TX)

Empty now, sitting waiting for tomorrow.

Pick 8 AM
10 miles away in Pasadena.
$3850 ..- 16k Pounds ..1250 miles Del Ottawa Hills, OH on monday AM. 60 degrees.

That has been my week, into the next monday. After that if I can't find 3-4 bucks a mile to the east coast, I'm mostly likely dead heading 250 miles home, and staying there until december begins.

 

time to get a reefer!

 

It's morphin' time now. I already have a reefer, just need to be hazmat certified for those 3-4 bucks a mile runs.

 

When the Elog mandate happens those rates are going to rise.

 

I hope so. I like to run 400-600 miles for 3-4 bucks a mile. I just hope other carriers are smart enough to demand more money due to time. One thing that I am going to ignore is C&S/Kroger/Walmart unless they'll pay an extra grand day on the rate for the day of delivery, that way if I "lose" a day of "driving", I didn't lose a day of money.

 

Now you got it. In bad market I average with reefer hazmat 2.40-.2.60 on all miles. In good market I am at 6 a mile all miles reefer/hazmat.(All over 3k miles a week). I still haven't hauled a load for less than 1.90 a mile this year.

 

People haul cheap now, and will haul cheap when they have elogs too.

There's always some fool looking to work for free.

 

What's crazy is my cousin had a direct shipper 30 miles from his house that he uses when he leaves home who was paying him 2.25 per mile and then another company (summerfield) came in with 30 trailers and drove the rate down to 1.15 per mile. Full tarp load. Smh