Mike's Book Club: JB Hunt The Long Haul to Success

Werner drivers used to drive like professionals ...along with Crete ...now they are idiots .

 

That's exactly right. I respect that line of thought. If I were to become an owner-operator, I would operate well within my budget. I could care less if I'm driving a Peterbilt or a Freightliner, whatever pulls the freight in a cost-effective manner.

 

I think jb and Clarence Werner pioneered the pump and dump trade cycle that almost all fleets adhere to today .
My ex father in law was the truck engine manager for cat in Omaha and used to tell me how Werner would beat up cat on warranty issues even tho Werner clearly exceeded oil drain intervals by far .

 

I think that approach still applies to large Fleet ownership. Your mechanics can become very adept at fixing one type of truck.

 

1.From a corporate accounting perspective your point makes perfect business sense in most cases today, if one's only concern is the bottom line of the balance sheet. It's obvious that most fleet owners have adopted this perspective so you're in good company.

2.Those of us who are truck aficionados bemoan the standardization trend that has occurred in the last 15 years. Guys like CL Werner Were one of the last big corporations to hold out on the standardization trend. Historically speaking I think CL Werner was one of the few big fleet owners who actually liked trucks, instead of just viewing them as a tool to produce revenue. In the past his above average trucks served him well when it came to resale value.


In my view neither point of view is fundamentally flawed, different people put "value" on different things.

 

Sure. I get that. It's like the difference between a premium motorcycle and a moped.

I'm of the mindset that if the moped gets far superior fuel mileage, I guess I'm starting my trip pedaling.

 

I can somewhat relate to your situation I was a little boy aspiring to be a driver during the golden era of trucking and trucking culture, I'm 41 years old now so my timing was obviously a little late to experience that time period. The video link below gives a glimpse into that bygone era of trucking, it's worth watching!

 

Well I I can personally report trying to be recruited by JB Hunt drivers back in the 90's at GP while unloading my tricked out 379 Pete, they were bragging about JB paying $0.26 a mile for experienced drivers. I was making $0.30 a mile (hub miles) at the time with decent benefits and a awesome truck. LOL no thanks JB.