Much of the same. Happens every time there's a major swing in the market. It takes them about two months before they can't keep it up. My gut feeling is fuel approaching $6+ in addition to Carter-era inflation, may shorten that timeline some.
I can see only one positive thing here, the equipment and part availability is going to improve. It will end speculative practices on new gear and the used equipment prices will go down. It will be the proper time to replace a truck and trailer, however very counterintuitive, when they offer you 2 dol a mile and there are no good signs on the horizon for improvement. I missed the opportunity 2 years ago, this time I hope to overcome the mental barrier.
For what it's worth, I've had two of these today, on a lane with a 15 day average of $4,600 where $4,200-4,400 is an ok rate. One, that also had an extra day on the truck, I said "how close to $5,000 can you get?" I'd have probably done it if they'd offered $4,500. Turns out not even close. "$2,500 is all I got in it." LOL. It's still posted. Another one was posted 3 different ways, one of their posts included a $3,000 rate. I disregarded that and just offered the truck in email. They replied asking for a quote and where's the truck. I offered $4,400 and never heard back. That one is gone. Either a sucker took it, or they just rolled it into next week in hopes they can move it for less another day. I'll burn $600 fuel and be home Saturday for zero before I let them keep half the market rate for nothing. Running for fuel money is a loser, devalues your service, and not sustainable.
It doesn't have anything to do with luck. Nothing. This isn't some kind of game and right now a lot of very knowledgeable and experienced people are hanging on because they know what they're doing. They know what they're doing because they've been through this before. They survived. And learned. And remembered. It doesn't have a thing to do with luck.
I don't agree. A lot of people survived because of luck. And a lot of people went down because of no luck. It's your take on it. Keep it that way.