SO .. Where is the money - most OO going UNDER

Hi Guys - trying different strategies and nothing is working with these rates

I'm in the 80% bracket and still not doing well - I could do as well driving for
one of the large transport companies.

other than driving crazy miles .. to make up the difference - the Tolls are outrageous
in certain areas in the North East as well as 80 in Ohio and even Chicago.

I about ready to throw the towel in before I have some major truck issues.

Im thinking this will get worse before it gets better - what are your ideas?

Do not tell us your making 4.00 a mile driving step deck etc - this question is for serious O/O

* Im running 53 Dry van pick my own loads off DAT and Internet Truck Stop *

 

You are a little late to the party

 

What the #### is everything going on rail??

 

Hang in there, this happens every so often and those that can stick it out comes out ahead.
The first time I paid big bucks for a truck and got my own authority was 00, six months later fuel doubled and better and rates tanked, no way could I sell out as a comparable truck sitting on a repo lot could be bought for 25 cents on the dollar or les. I had no choice but stick it out and keep learning how this authority stuff works. lol Even the big finance company that financed my truck went belly up.

 

Next year is election year too. Hopefully it won’t last to much longer. I’m finding myself getting empty in the morning, not with a reload yet, and spending all day thumbing through the garbage, and booking a profitable load for the next day just can’t work for free you know.

Last time I was out, it was for 3 weeks, probably only worked a total of 2 weeks though between scheduling hold outs. Taking 400 mile loads on the weekend and etc. I was in Buffalo, only 60 loads in a 200 mile radius, flatbed, brokerages wanted $1000 for 750 miles to Nashville with 8ft tarps. I mean, it’s in their benefit, brokers game at that point. Decided on a $3 a mile to Newark, less than 400 miles but still profitable at least. Stuff like this.

Hold out when booking if possible and wait for your butter and bread if the operation allows and be patient for the next upswing, or median. In these times cutting cost seems to be the only alternative. Or if you really work your customers, brokers, to be in their pocket, but that’s to much like a job to me. Ahh! I digress. If this continues long into next year I’ll probably be delivering carrier resumes to local direct customers, but then again that’s to much like a job. Hopefully it doesn’t get to that point. I think we’re all feeling this slowdown, but in retrospect last year was phenomenal. Luck in battle sir

 

After July the 4th you have to quit booking freight the day of and start pre-booking loads several days in advance. The best money right now is pre-booking until those day of volumes rise significantly again.

 

Get off the toll roads. Run us30 thru Ohio & Indiana. In Jersey thru to Connecticut use i295, i287, i684, i84. Stay off i90 in NY. Shut the truck off.

Buy window screens. T/A & petro still sell them, or order them online.

Watch where & how you are buying fuel. Make sure you’re getting it as cheap as possible.

Shop insurance carriers for cheaper rates.

Find at least one direct shipper where you can pull a solid rate out of, & pander to him.

If all else fails, voluntarily suspend your #’s & lease up.

 

Im not having any problems here on the west coast with a dry van.

To be honest, I don't understand why so many are going under. Rates are bad, work more. Do what you need to do to weather the storm...Just my opinion.

 

It's a fools game these idiots was bragging on rates last year. NOW ITS TIME TO SWITCH IT UP. These brokers needed more capacity just in case the Eld mandate either ran people off or slow others down. Now it's back to Normal. Good lucky

 

Better to presume that what it is now is normal. I don't know how much worse it can get but if it gets better, it will be like bonus.
I am not that much worse at the revenue level of the last year but I run more days, take more loads. More effort. Goals need to be met. I also prebooked 3 loads for the next 8 days...sort of like building house of cards but at least there is a plan. I even like it better instead of that everyday load board watching.