Hours dropping off. I had 38 hours last week. Not sure of total on this week, but I think I barely made 40 again. One of our new drivers had 18 as of yesterday. Can't survive the winter on $500 paychecks. Doesn't look too promising right now.
It should start picking up again right quick like, with the holidays. That is if the economy doesn't go completely down hill. After Christmas is when you will likely see it drop way off this year. (NOTE: that is purely my opinion.)
cyclical LTL freight...It started tapering off a few weeks ago and I was at a major hub..Will pick up usually around March/April. But with how more and more of of freight is getting railed and purchased pulled who knows.. This is the same guy who had such a rosy opinion of con-way after only six months..But the facade takes a while to wear off..But I understand, I was the same way too.
Had my best week since I started working. Ran 2,500 miles in five days. I cleared well over $1,300 in one week. I should not get used to it though. It is hunting season or something down in neighboring Utah and most of everyone is on vacation. Usually I run about 1800-2000 miles a week if I am lucky.
Actually, my opinion of Con-Way hasn't changed; they are still a good company to work for in my book. My beef is with the cyclical nature of freight in general coming into the winter months, and seasonally here moreso due to the fact that we have a summer resort freight area ( OC,MD) and the rest of the area is heavily dependent on agriculture too ( harvest is winding up, so that freight is winding down). In reality, Con-Way loses money when I don't work, since they are paying the guys who have been there the longest a higher hourly rate to do the same job. I knew it was going to taper off some when I signed up, but I didn't really think it would be until after the holidays, since we feed an Amazon and Walmart DC also. I also know it could all change next week and be gangbusters again. We have two new businesses coming in the area ( one with 200 employees and another that may push 700), but we are also losing a business to closing. Just have to wait it out a bit, though the old timers there say it always drops off hard after Christmas. I can always go back OTR, doesn't bother me, though it's not my first choice. My wife has her CDL too and we can go team drive again and make some nice coin, but we all know the sacrifices involved.
@Wharf Rat - been trying to find a way to reach you. Good Boss NC cannot PM yet as I don't have enough posts so please contact me at k.mecumtrucking@gmail.com so I can answer your questions. We would love to have you drive for us. FedEx requires one year OTR experience so your wife would need another six months and they she can join us to. All runs generate out of Charlotte or Greensboro so you would need to make the trip down. If interested still or want to talk further please send me contact info.