Hopper, Dump O/O's & Drivers

wheathauler; I have been able to stay loaded, but it's taking a few more calls searching loads and the rates are scareing me to death, trending down.

 

Gas has been rising with diesel following slowly, then it dropped 8 cents overnight here. I dunno if the station got a deal on a tanker or if the upward trend is about to break.

Ah, here we are. They finally noticed the economy isn't that great.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_world_business/view/1219458/1/.html

 

You folks that haul into elevators all the time can have a good laugh at my expense:

Picked up at one of those elevators that's all sprawled out. A hand-written note on my directions said, "park under the thing that looks like a big giraffe and wait there."

I never noticed it before, but LOTS of things at an elevator look like a big giraffe, especially at night. Finally,I just parked out in the open and waited until I saw somebody and could ask for directions.

 

Yeah, most of the time that's the best thing to do. lol

 

After talking with my neighbor who's been trucking 50 years, last 20 with Cresco flatbeds, he has convinced me in there still some money in flatbed work. Helped me contact the owner. Bought a really decent old Mac 600 with sleeper and good tires 4 7000 dollars. Now if my body can take it maybe I can make a living.

he said there's too many grain haulers

 

The nice thing about flatbetting is you can find a specialty-- something you like to do that the other guys don't want to mess with. And that specialty can lead to more money.

For example, we had truck mounted forklifts and could unload in remote locations. Or some guys gravitate from flatbedding into lowboy or RGN work. There seem to be more ways to branch out in flatbedding and settle into what you like to do (and what pays you the most).

UPDATE:
Found the giraffe!

 

Any knowledge about Transmaxx, LLC Overland Park,Ks. ? A 3PL company I think, dispatching hopper commodities.