Fuel Prices are NOT the Problem

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by 7mouths2feed, Mar 12, 2008.

  1. raindancer

    raindancer Light Load Member

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    memphis,mo
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    How would a strike impact selfcontained companies such as Wal Mart. Even if every other store had empty shelves wouldn't Wally world still be stocked to the hilt? or am I missing something?
     
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  3. Dannyboi

    Dannyboi Light Load Member

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    Dec 6, 2007
    clovis,ca
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    The Boston Guy has some interesting facts about illegal immigrants and Mexican truck drivers!
     
  4. Eskimo6804

    Eskimo6804 Heavy Load Member

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    Let's face reality for a second. I know that many small companies and most owner ops are very nervous and stressed right now due to the current financial climate in the industry. Many of you guys are talking about strikes, protests, petitions,etc. I don't know if any of those things will even make a ripple in the ocean so to speak.

    What I do know as factual is this; A free-market economy is always self-correcting. Eventually we will hit the breaking point. When enough of the "weak" companies and owner operators are put out of business, the demand for trucks will outweigh the supply thus driving the rates up. Those of us who survive the war of attrition will rebound and reap the rewards for doing everything possible to survive the lean times. I know that this seems like a very cruel reality to many people, but it IS reality.

    The only advice that I can give as to how to survive is that you need to step back and examine your operation. Find any little thing you can do to operate more efficiently. Every little bit helps.

    As for the comment in regards to big companies getting fuel discounts, You can get the same discount as they do if you know how to go about doing it. I operate a fleet of about 20 trucks(counting owner/ops leased to me) and I get fuel discounts ranging from $.05-$.40 per gallon off of the cash price. If you would like to know how to do it,AND you operate under your own authority,PM me and I will share the details of how you can do it too(even if you only have one truck). I am sorry, but I can't help anyone who is an o/o leased to a company to get those discounts. You must have operating authority to do it the way I do.
     
  5. Working Class Patriot

    Working Class Patriot Road Train Member

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    Wherever and Whenever...
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    Exactly:yes2557:
     
  6. jasonb1

    jasonb1 Bobtail Member

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    Jun 5, 2007
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    The answer is not a strike it is to list the names of the brokers that do not pay a full rate FSC and boycott them. They will eventually only be able to rob the dummies that want to haul cheap freight. After the dummies that haul cheap freight go out of business the only choice for the bad brokers will be to reform and help standardize the FSC or have nobody left to haul their underpriced freight. Truckers cannot do it alone and must force the brokers and shippers to help with this problem. It does not matter how much the fuel goes up if cost of fuel is passed on the the consumer and not borne solely by the trucking companies.
     
  7. twinturbotrans

    twinturbotrans Light Load Member

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    Feb 20, 2008
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    Very good point...this will eliminate all bottom feeders out there that do rip off that hardworking independent man! You will be surprised how many brokers out there taking advantage of these high fuel prices and not passing on to the companies because the supply on demand is slump right now....OFCOURSE THERES GOOD BAD AND THE UGLY.....THE BAD AND THE UGLY HAS TO GO!!!
     
  8. 7mouths2feed

    7mouths2feed "Family Man"

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    Jacksonville, AR
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    News Flash everyone.
    Airlines are raising their fares due to high fuel cost.
    This is what I do not understand about the trucking industry. Why is the pay within the trucking industry determined by what "they" are "willing" to pay? Rather than "This is what we have to have to do the job you are asking us to do."
    If you want to fly you have to pay XXX . This should be even more true because no-one has to fly, but frieght has to be moved. The cut throat mentality has taken the controll of the trucking industry out of the hands of the trucker (co. or o/o) and placed it in the hands of the purchaser of the product. Yes that is supply/demand economy but not to the point of supplying at a loss. Consumers will always consume, And those products MUST be moved by trucks.


    Imagine what would happen if people did the same with air-fares?

    I am only going to pay you $.98 cpm to fly me where I want to go and I insist that you get me there by 12:30 pm on Saturday March 15th.


    Airline reply?????


    :biggrin_25524::biggrin_2559::biggrin_2559::biggrin_2559::biggrin_2559::biggrin_2559: :biggrin_25512:NOT GONNA HAPPEN!!!!!!
     
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