Does anybody know where I can find the FEMA loads?

You can't. At least not for a long time, it takes forever to go through the qualifying process.

As to answer your earlier question, go for whatever rate it suits you, there are no set rates etc... Every load is different and every rate is in the end determined by how many trucks are willing to do it at that said rate.

 

Quite high, very very high. Just remember, anyone who takes a load down there is heading into a complete disaster. If I take any calls on those it will be a $6000 linehaul minimum and $1500 a day detention/staging. If you don't get a daily rate on top of the linehaul rate, there's a real good chance the line haul rate will dwindle to nothing.

Old friend of mine took a load of ice down after Katrina. He staged in Memphis awaiting for things to clear off and roads to be reopened. He sat for two weeks there waiting for them to tell him where to go. Ended up FEMA ordered to much, and he ended up dropping that load at a cold storage in Memphis. He had a daily rate on top of the linehaul.

 

Just flipped on Fox News and they are showing footage with water up to semi trucks windshields. Looks like a trucking company completely under water. :\

I researched about Fema and looks like it can take 1 to 3 years to signup unless your politically connected.

Looks like they are now letting water out of the dam, and its flooding the city even more. Like others have said unless you negotiate a daily rate, better steer clear.

 

I was forwarded this by a broker. It's going to be lengthy.

"For those of you who don't know me, I was a driver and owner operator long before I ever sat at this desk and I can't stand when people take advantage of drivers and try to lower rates just so that they can get freight! Please read this and be sure to fwd to other friends of yours who have trucks.

Okay so the purpose of this email is for me to go all Jerry Maguire and ask you to HELP ME HELP YOU. There are several "brokerages" who have somehow got in the mix on FEMA bidding who don't have a clue what they are supposed to pay or simply don't care that they are hurting YOUR pocket book. We have been bidding these things since Thursday and can't hardly get an award because the load that I want to pay you $4,000 on they are bidding to pay you only $2,500 and as long as people keep accepting the loads from them they will keep doing it. Always remember just because they have the loads posted doesn't mean they have them and even if they do have them don't take them if they are too cheap just because these guys won the bid. That doesn't mean squat because guess what...if they aren't able to cover them then FEMA will take them back and put them up for bidding again. But as long as people keep hauling it they will keep bringing down the market. TRUCKS control the market NOT brokers! If they can't cover it the rates go up, it's that simple.

PRICING TIPS-
BROKER TRUCKS:
Day Rate: Last time broker trucks were getting around 800/day for being shuttles. Now these guys have it down to 650 or less to you.

Regular Trips: You should always get FEMA loads on a round trip rate even if it is just a one way trip. Meaning if it is 1,000 miles you should target $2/mile round trip miles so $4/mile one way miles which would be $4,000 for your target or better. Right now those other guys are getting you to do it for like $2400 and the worst part is you are letting them get away with it! You need to get the load for AT LEAST $3.50-$4/mile during disasters like this but some of you are taking loads for less than $2.50/mile from these guys just because you think they are the only option. DON'T DO IT, tell them they can keep it and when they have to tell FEMA they can't cover the 50 loads they won then FEMA takes them back, kicks them out from bidding and puts it back up for us to bid again then we can bid it at a good rate for what it should be done for and what is actually fair to all of us instead of the dime store bargain basement guys trying to lowball to win bids and thinking they can make you deal with it or that you won't know any better.

These guys think you are fools because they are getting away with this. Don't let them drive down the market like they have every other type of freight."

 

I turned down 7k(my cut $6100) from NJ-Houston......

No way Im going down there....

 

Not for that cheap

 

Thoughts and Questions:

1. How much capacity truck wise is under water in TX?

2. How much capacity is stuck outside of Houston waiting to unload?

3. How much capacity is getting loaded now, headed for Houston that won't be able to unload for a week or more?

4. How will this ripple across the entire country? Will rates in the Midwest shoot up with all these trucks taken off the market?

I am thinking rates are going to go even higher. Already starting to see it IMO.

 

Aren't FEMA trucks HOS and Weight exempt Also? Scales Cannot intrude?