Cheap Freight

It is hard to say what is normal since 2008. Historically, freight drops off around Labor Day or when school starts back. We used to see an increase towards the end of September or first of October until about a week before Christmas. Cycles have been more unpredictable since 2008 or 2009. Rates do drop during winter months, especially for open deck freight. Currently, we have between 40-80 million people who are out of work, depending on who's numbers one chooses to believe. That doesn't count those who are not being counted due to not collecting unemployment or not looking for work. I believe the current unemployment rate is actually around 15-20%. When unemployment is down, so is the economy. That directly effects freight due to lower demand for consumer products. As we get closer to Christmas, we should have a much better idea of what is going on with the economy. I have one company that I do a lot of business and a few months ago my contact told me they were down about $30,000/month.

 

well first ,as we all know fl is still somewhat seasonal (produce) so there r always fewer out bound loads in summer causing rates to b cheaper but the major problem with fl freight both out &in is the greater number of fl based trucks especially south fl (Miami) who r seemingly always willing to haul cheap and these brokers know it and for everyone of these idiots who goes out 2 come in its not that customers aren't still paying decent rates with a seemingly endless supply of cheap haulers brokers r pocketing large sums of money off these loads personally I don't know why anyone in their right mind would ever go to fl (if u don't live there) except 4 about 6 weeks in the spring when rates r good

 

You can sell loads to Florida really cheap all the time around these parts. Same thing with Texas. Guys will jump at the chance to go to either for $2 a mile all day every day and think they hit a gold mine if it pays $2.50. Some of them will even bounce a long ways and brag how they don't haul cheap. They never have any money and their trucks are always run down jalopies. I don't get it.

 

That really doesnt matter,what matters is if my competition is cheap i cant keep charging a dollar more than what other trucks are willing to move freight for,this year im doing more ltl and running less miles to keep my rate per mile above $2

 

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iheard a broker bragging last week about how cheap trucks r now saying he was takin 1000.00off some loads

 

Don't forget that next year is an election year, that always seems to have an effect on what people are willing to spend.