The Near Future of Over the Road Trucking

I have a similar post in the New Truckers forum here titled,
"what is the future forecast of trucking as industry?"

it's gotten a few really good responses.

 

well, you hit the head on the nail. it doesn't look good. we went through something like this in the early 80's. but then they wanted the experiance driver now they want the rookies so they can screw them.. and they don't want to pay someone like me.
I think well get through this, but right know I would sure becareful about buying anything and spending money till it gets better.

 

Well,
I think trucking will remain half way strong but the key is to not go with these huge corporations who see nothing more than the bottom line. Anyone with 10 or more years experience has had his/her share of screw-overs. They have paid their dues now it's time to get paid for their experience. Most medium sized companies are more concerned about their customers freight and therefore, don't want to deal with the filing of OS&D charges. They would rather pay for an experienced driver so they don't loose a customer over a claim. Large companies are more concerned with percentages such as; 97% on time, 2% damage free, etc. Compared to most industries, trucking has remained strong with minimal fluctuations in freight. As you can see, I'm a fan of medium sized companies for experienced drivers. Large companies will expand their fleet to secure big contracts but aren't able to give their drivers any miles so they will go from driver to driver giving them just enough so they won't quit. If they do quit, oh well...there's a fresh faced kid around the corner more worried about the shine on the truck.. that is until he gets screwed over a few times. Trucking has been good to us, my husband has over 2.5 million miles accident free and was able to put me through college. Don't give up, if you have a good record, you are the commodity.

Rosebud

 

well yalls president is in mexico today and they are talking about the raise in tariffs because we wont let them roll in here. i have had many good runs from the border to the midwest and vice-verse. those will be gone. a lot of goods go to mexico and a lot of goods are made there. i dont care about crossing the border, but some companies will soon probably require it. i dont even care about going to canada. i have seen 9mm spent casings in the truckstop parking lot down there.

 

You do know that most major U.S. carriers have subsidiaries in Mexico, don't you?

 

More freight will go rail. I have been seeing a lot of new JB Hunt trucks being delivered that are daycabs, and short, flat top sleeper models.

I saw a couple of new Schneider daycabs pulling new Schneider containers today. Except for food and time critical freight, most big companies will be going this direction, I believe.

Just look at the big companies trailers and see how many there are made with dual useage of rail and road.

There will always be some smaller companies to fill the time sensitive freight, but even that will mostly go to a time crtical division of a large company.

The other freight will probably be hauled by our friends south of the
border. The new proposed medical rules will put a lot of drivers off the road at one time, therefore, we will need foreign drivers and trucks, or so the ATA will say.

 

You all worry too much, what if crap. This country and the rest of the world will always need truck drivers. Rail can't get the freight everywhere. No unfotunately im not getting paid what I should be for my time but I have a job with benefits and thats the important thing.
Trucking is a lifestyle and if you don't over extend your spending or have extremely high amount in monthly bills you should do just find. Yes miles are down and freight tonage has dropped but you just need too adjust your spending too make it work.
I always adjust my spending too what the economy is doing being a trucker my money is always up and down. But im not out here too get rich im here for the lifestyle of it.

 

At this time I dont think there is a "right answer"
I pull Air-Freight and business is always steady,but here lately coming off the new year 09 things are much slower then usual,miles are still pretty decent but several hundred lower per week then they should be.

Manufacturing/Production has slowed way down and is likely the blame.Several hundred office personnel have been cut and hubs closed altogether.
We are a Global Operation and many times larger then the average freight company,closing a major US(mid-west) hub next month has some of us really watching the fine print.

But the trucks must roll and they will do what it takes
to keep them rolling.

 

I bet one of the best economic indicators is the movement of freight. It does't lag like so many indicators do. When the economy picks up the freight begins to move immediatley. Many are predicting a slow turn-around beginning Q4 of this year. Not all industries will begin to pick up but a few will. As soon as the banks begin to loan more, more freight will move.