Just how bad is the freight these days?

Been out here 19 years next month, never seen it this bad. I was flat bedding under my own authority for the past 5 years. Last year it slowed a little, this YEAR it has TANKED!

It is so bad, to keep the roof over my head, that I dropped my authority a few months ago and have wound up leased to Schneider. If you would have told me that a year ago I would have laughed in your face. Yes, it is that bad out here.

Right now trucking companies are laying off drivers, hiring freezes and many of the mega carriers have closed down their newbie schools.

As far as freight, my phone used to ring non stop for my truck. Not anymore. I have never seen so little freight out here. Chicago the other day had around 200 loads combined for flats, vans and reefers within a 100 mile radius. That combined number used to be around 5000+ this past year at this time.

And trucking companies? I have lost count of all of the ones that have closed their doors.

Mike

 

Well as much as I hate to I myself am looking for another job. Ive been pulling chemical tankers for about the past year and was doing great till about 2 months ago now ive been home waiting for a load since 12/17. The only load I had that week was a big 300 miles to OH and came back empty so 600 miles for all of last week did ok the week prior but another 600 miles the week before that. I was planning on trying to stay and stick it out but I dont want to put myself in a hole that I cant dig out of but at the same time I cant be sure the company Ive been looking at is in much better shape the drivers I talked to there say they are running about 2700 a week but you just never know till you get there. I wish everyone good luck in these trying times.

 

I can't PM you but who do ya work for?

 

They hit it right on depending on what you haul it is real bad I hauled cars up until a few months ago it got so bad you about got to pay someone to haul a car.
I think most of the small guys are out soon the only ones that will still be there long will be the ones in the niches and good contracts from being in the game ALONG time.Drinking buddies etc
The big companies are not really a safe bet either but atm some money is better then none .

 

I've been busy the past couple of weeks pulling tanker out of Calvert City KY . I either deadhead a dedicated trailer to VA to load and bring back to Calvert City or bring a load to Texas City to drop and hook and bring another load back to Calvert City . Our loads to MI and ON have dropped off but this time of year I don't miss them .

 

It's unreal how far reaching this bad economy is! I couldn't even keep my crummy job detailing motorcycles earlier this year (oh yeah, I'm pretty bummed about that! lol) I went to school, got my CDL and signed up as a noob with Swift in Nov. I caught the last Fontana orientation in nov until next year, so who knows? I have about 3.5 weeks left of training and then I'm out on my own.

I'm really hoping things will turn around, I'm so broke I can't afford to pay attention!

Joke:

What's the difference between a picnic table and a truck driver?

A picnic table can support a family of four. lol

 

I guess that this answers MY question as to whether I should hit the road again

With failing dept. stores, etc. I assumed that it would hit this industry as well. If they aren't selling it, you aren't moving it.

I'm thinking about putting my CDL class on hold for a while. Any responses pro or con would be appreciated.

 

I honestly believe by the time you are done with CDL training freight will be moving again. I think this bad economy will be short lived. This country has been through 13 of these and survived them all


Gator

 

Yeah it's pretty bad out there right now...in fact the newspaper here in vegas had a article today about how bad it is and how Schneider has stopped hiring newbys...they also said over 2000 co's went out last year...But some co's I talked to said they picked up those acct's that were serviced by co's that went under...