saying NO to cheap freight

Has there ever been any different ? Let s say last 10 years, to make a living running off of Loadboards. Many, if not most start there, trying to make more permanent contacts 2-3 brokers. Just curious.

 

I know there are several on here that used to do very good running of the boards or spot market. @RollinCoal Is one of them. There are many more I'm sure. A couple or three years ago almost any idiot that remotely had a clue could make a good living but times like these will weed a lot of them out.

 

If I knew a few years ago what I know now I would have made a lot more off the load boards then. It's been survival mode for a couple of years now. I'm chomping at the bit and looking forward to better days, ready for it, biding my time.

 

Ok... I'll say NO to cheap freight. "NO". Now I will get back to work and make a living.

 

I run pretty much 99% off the boards. And I am leased running under another carriers authority.

I'm not living the country club life style by any means. But my bills are covered and I have money in the bank. It can be done. It helps that my equipment is paid for.

I could still make it with a new truck payment easily.Just couldnt take off as much time as I do now.

Hurst

 

In principle, I agree to "say no to cheap freight" The problem is that it does not have any formula of how to assess when to adhere to it. . I took an exceptionally good paying load from Chicago to Salt lake City right after Thanksgiving. It paid 3500 but from there I took one to Ontario, ca for 750 a little over 1 $ pet mile, yes cheap but there in Ontario I had one already lined up for 3600 the next day going back to Chicago area which seems to be pretty average. I took the cheap from SLC so that I could go back and be home on Friday night and be home over the weekend. Should I have gone empty?

 

I run 99.9999% brokered loads with paid for equipment under someone else's authority and agree 100% with you. That's why I said if I knew then (3-5 years ago) what I do now I would have made a LOT more money back then when times were good.

I've only been in business for going on 8 years now and only the past going on 6 negotiating rates. The first 2 years I was locked in on flat rates running miles. I never had the open market experience of a big downturn until the past couple of years. What an eye opener that has been. I've learned a lot in difficult times that I'm confident I can apply to good effect in better times. There is no substitute for experience.

As it is I get by and pay the bills, the bank maintains a balance and that's about it. No country clubs, no new jet skis, no hunting trips to Alaska lol none of any of that. We do and always have ate well, the lights never go out and I am grateful we never want for those things.

 

No, not if it fits into your schedule and efficiently bridges the gap from one good load to the next good load. On the other hand if it cost you your planned weekend at home or even worse the better reload, then with hindsight there yes, you should have dead headed. Of course always take the obvious precaution of going by past experience and asking lots of questions on a potential load in order to avoid time wasting garbage that will screw up everything else. Have to be careful though because more often than not these loads are cheap and unwanted by carriers for a reason. If it is quick/painless load most times the broker pushing it will gladly volunteer that info. If not they will be vague. Sometimes if asked they will be frank, yeah you might be 6 hours loading (or whatever).

 

Question to those experienced with their own MCs and dry vans. Is it cheap to take a load from Chicago to San Jose, CA for 3200 and from the very same place have a back haul for 3000. We have 4300 miles that pay 6200 and it averages 1.44 per mile. Leave Friday morning and come back on Saturday Christmas Eve. Last trip of the year. Or is it rather normal deal considering assured millage and easy unload/pick up scenario. I want to be back for Christmas too.

sorry originally it was San Diego, but it is San Jose, Ca

 

Like hurst and rollin coal I run off the boards too. Most of the time it's the same loads and the brokers call me so I don't actually look st the boards much but it all came from there. I get decent rates, better than the bulk of the stuff on the board. Probably cause I show up and deliver on time(early actually). That's worth something.

I have 5 little ones at home, 5 to 13 yrs old. I don't wanna be gone all the time. I run 2 rounds a week mn to wis. Work about 4 days a week. I could easily do more and make more but I like hanging with family .

I am independent all the way. My numbers, trailer and truck. No factoring, I run on my own money. No extra riches here either but we live fine and do what I do on my terms.

Yup, I will be glad to get a bump on the rates too.