Load availability

Oh ok. Maybe that's the thing, being a big company vs. a single o/o with authority...

 

We are not big Dan, I only am running two out of the four trucks right now. Just offer good service, have a smile when you arrive and depart, say no to cheap freight. You will do fine.

 

I can say no to cheap freight, but then the way market's been past 8 months is outrageous. Even if I say no, someone will still come in and eat a load for way under 1.50. I haven't been able to pull the rates or the distance, or both. The freight just isn't there... and bills don't go away.

 

I understand.

When I say no the cheap freight, and bounce to the good freight I have just taken a truck out of that market and the possibility for your truck to get a better rate just increased. We make sure to charge enough going in to take care of the bounce out, otherwise we go back to fishing. Each and everyday there are people that need to move freight, when the market is tight, you have to become even more picky on your loads.

There will always be those that will haul the $1 per mile load just to cover fuel, nothing worse than hauling a $1 per mile load and then a tire blows out. Tires typically don't blow out or wear out much when you are hauling air, you ever notice the cheaper loads are usually the heavier loads?

 

I switched from flat to van about 2 years ago. Since then I had a period when I parked my truck and I worked as a driver.... Back to OO now with a different attitude!

I told my dispach not to ask me if I want a load or not. Told her that I do not go on Long Island or I do not cross GW bridge! and I do not load over 44000 lbs, in bad economy and with low fuel I can go to 45!

She kept me moving! with a dry I averaged 1.87 in 2 months!

On a flat I was way over 2$ but I was looking for the loads and dispatch was only there to do the papers!

Not sure what is better!

 

How much did your bounce go down with the dry van?

How much time do you save running dry van vs. throwing tarps with the flat?

Each thing has it own nuances, my dry vans can run for less than my hoppers.

 

We were super busy until June. 4 loads a week and just enough time to stop by the house to stock up for another week. Then BAM! 1 load and it went from VA to boston to buffalo. Our "back hauls" we so bad I did 5 trips dead heading back to Mobile and comparing #s, I had a greater profit and less stress from cheap freight. Stuff that wasn't even 1$ a mile was leaving the boards.... in the last 2 months I probably worked 3 weeks because our dedicated got so slow and our guy that had payments was forced to run. I had no issue with sitting, definitely was NOT worth loading non profitable freight. Honestly the good that comes from this slow down is the elimination of competition. Those people that need to run to make a truck pmt will take all the cheap freight until they go belly up. Then those that know how to run smart can come in and set our rates because the freight will need to be moved.
I had a broker call me last week asking if I wanted to make OVER 2$ a mile... I stopped him before he continued and countered with 7$/mile and he got quiet. He proceeds with "I can offer you 2.14/mile from Yonkers ny to reading pa, loads 9A Thursday and delivers 9p Friday, 44k#" (mind you I'm home with the truck in Binghamton ny). I countered with 1k a day since I'm down 2 days and his response was "think it over and call me back". Then calls back twice asking if I changed my mind, then it disappeared a few hours later. Sorry Mr Broker, I'm not hurting for money.

 

We've been here before. The good businessmen knew this was coming, only a matter of time, and are prepared to weather the storm. Rates will come up when enough of the fly by nights don't have a clue guys have lost their trucks. Simple as that. Spring of 2017 things will start to pick up, until then, well what you see today is where it will stay. Hope you saved for a rainy day cause the clouds are dark and its starting to sprinkle.

 

Spring '17? Why do you think so?

 

Election is over, investors settle down, things start moving, happens every time.