How's Everyone Doing in LTL Right Now?

My wild team run got cut short this week. Typically we do 2 round trips from SoCal to Dallas or Kansas, but this time we went San Antonio - Dallas - Jackson MS - Memphis - SoCal.

Woulda lost $600 gross, but dispatch came in clutch and handed us 2 Phoenix turns. Doesn't completely cover the deficit but gets close enough.

Also, rumor is OD is planning to buy primarily Internationals from here on out as our Freightliners age out. We already have more Internationals at my barn than Kenworths.

I'm not too mad about it, I like the crappy charm of them. Everyone else is PISSED though, if the rumor turns out to be true.

 

I'll take an International over a new Freightliner any day, personally.

 

I would too. I like the outward visibility, the driver seat, and it's a comfortable place to be for how I orient myself.

But the mechanics hate them. We're having issues with delivery. Fluids half full, loose bolts, some electrical issues, etc. The shop guys basically inspect everything on the Internationals to make sure they're ready to go, and they seem to always find something loose, unfilled or missing.

I mean they SHOULD be inspecting every truck when it's delivered to a barn anyway, but everyone around me loves to harp on them. I wonder if OD is considering buying LT sleepers too, UPS seems to like using them so far.

 

Can't argue there. I bet half our International came out of alignment brand new from the factory.

 

Can't be any worse than the freightshakers that come brand new leaking, covered in mold, and leaving you stranded because of electrical issues.

That said, I would hate to drive a thirteen letter #### spreader for a line run. They make my knees hurt for some reason.

 

As someone that has been laid off multiple times before watching his company collapse entirely, my condolences to anyone that is affected negatively in this current economic climate. I know exactly what it is like to lose a favorable shift, get all my OT cut, or not have a paycheck at all when it is tough enough to already make ends meet. Whatever you are dealing with is just a bad snapshot in your life and sooner or later you will land on your feet again. You'll either experience better economic times or you will be rehomed to a better company. I am a living example of how things can look bleak before life rebounds on you. I am very optimistic that things will turn around for everyone, regardless how bad things may look right now.

To everyone else, my best advice is to ensure you have at least one month of living expenses lined up and saved. Put it in a high yield savings and don't #### with it or use it to supplement your boating/hunting/golf/lady friend/whatever habits. I know it is hard right now cause the price of everything EXCEPT for our wages have gone up, but I recommend that everyone have a few weeks of breathing room before they show up to disconnect your lights and water.

With all that said, I hope everyone had a good weekend.

 

It's been dead slow at my barn this week. Only reason I'm running normally is because I'm team linehaul. Yesterday, dispatch told us they cancelled numerous bid guys this week, and they didn't call in any wild board drivers for over 48hrs.

I don't know how those guys are paying their bills working 3 days a week. California isn't cheap by any stretch.

 

I worked 52.50 hours this week, I was hopping. It’s a good start to the pay period. A little 1,500 odometer miles put on. Busiest day this week was Wednesday. 16 drops, 5 pickups 24 total bills. Which is a good sign for us up here in the North Land.

How’s everyone else’s freight looking?

I know a couple of my friends at different companies doing the same runs I do aren’t as busy, but they are averaging 10-11 drops a day. Midwest Motor (AAA) and ODFL.

 

Pro

Pro Stars? I much preferred the 9200.

 

Not the ProStar but the LT, it's basically a refreshed version.