Cheap freight rates, what are you doing?

It is only a matter of time when the law of connected vessels will manifest itself in the realm of trucking business too. About 2 years ago, a friend of mine, despite my honest discouragements, got rid of his well established authority and leased onto another carrier, allured by outstanding percentage based pay on partal - multiple stop- referrigerated freight, now starts complaining about losing his drops as his carrier loses accounts with their customers.
The carriers that have their own customer base are not exposed to the sudden death of the spot market but they are just as mortal.

 

In the long run, living off the savings accumulated in the Hossa times can be just as demoralizing as hauling cheap.
We're at the end of the 3rd QTR and I am at 40k YTD miles only, even though, the 1st QTR was very strong. I’ve never been that lazy in my 20 years of trucking.
The trips I choose to do these days are only for the purpose of not letting the cash reserves melt down but I still have to do them. Also, not to get out of "workable" shape. For whatever reason, I find working 2-3 days a week vs 5-7 days last year, just as much fatiguing.
Anyway, waiting for another gravy train, with the keys completely hung
, is not a good option for me.

 

Too each is own, my friend. I still turn the key for my regulars or when I get a call for something that actually has to move and they pretty much keep the lights on. If they weren't around I'd still sit. I just don't see the point in running my equipment into the ground.

It's better to suspend everything and get a company job than deplete my assets. Knock on wood; it's never come to that but I refuse to run for nothing. It has to pay my wages AND all the business expenses including a percentage to put aside for lulls, maintenance and repairs. Otherwise, it's a fools game.

 

If the running results in making less or much less than a company driver, then yes. But for me, reverting back to a company driver role would also be demoralizing in the sense that my being spoiled by the freedom of my own authority would probably end up in quite a few instances of what they would consider as insubordination.
I'd rather try to find the balance between hauling cherry-picked freight and cheaper freight and pursuing my own hobbies.

 

I certainly agree with that. Being an employee again would feel like a punishment. Then again, it would also be nice to not have to deal with anything at all after I punch out. No phone calls, no administrative work, no maintenance, no repairs, no equipment shuttling. Nothing.

To actually be truly off duty and fully released from all responsibility would be an interesting change of pace. I doubt I could ever do it again but it's still better than running the business into bankruptcy.

Don't get me wrong, my rates change with the market. However, if I can't get what I need than I'm not running it. Period. Just wanted to clarify in case there has been a misunderstanding.

 

Yeah for sure, it catches up to them too. Some carriers are better insulated than others though.

 

That stack burns a little slower but it still burns when you sit.

 

That's it's sole purpose. It's built into my rates. Let it burn!

 

I've probably worked 2 out of the last 4 years. It was great and I'm a tad lazy but let's not fool ourselves here sitting is still losing money.

 

Speak for yourself, my friend. It's money I made to lose. I could care less about it.