"The almighty $2.00 a mile theory"

That's ok....more money for you and I and, everyone else who knows how this works......

 

Go to Houston and wait on $3 outbound? Who trys that one and how well do you think it works for them often. I know the markets I run in and know how to keep the truck moving. Houston ain't one of my markets. No-one will pay a dry van $4 a mile to go there, like I would need, to get back to MS. Too many dummies will go there all the time for less than 2 and haul "fuel money" out, so they can minimize deadhead I suppose... ...if only they could figure how to maximize rates and how to drive on past the worthless loads...

 

Running O/D means you have to use your head more....Think days and miles ahead of the average driver...And not be afraid to ask for Mo' Money!!!!!

 

Understood. My point was competition. It's a fact of life no matter who you are or what you do. The ones that really get my attention are those who are so much better at trucking than everyone else that they have people beating the door down to pay them double the market rate. Probabaly because they are also better negotiators than everyone else too. Almost forgot that one. The funny part is that after reading here for some time you come to know what they do and where they do it. You don't have to be real smart to know the going rates in those areas and then they come here and tell about how they never haul anything under three dollars a mile yet they are operating in a dollar fifty market most of the time. I can only assume that they are the super truckers I've always heard about. Competition is a non issue when you're that much better than the rest. LOL,yeah right.

 

Remember that my first stement in the post you quoted was that everyones situation is different.
Thousands of trucks deliver in the Houston area every day and most are major players so obviously some people make it work. Granted,it's a place I avoid like a mad skunk but it's just an example about waiting for that great payin load. Every market is different and one has to be prepared to adjust.

I almost forgot to answer the question of 'who does that'? Must be quite a few since there are always people here crowing about how they don't move for less than three dollars a mile. I bet thats why you can never find a parking spot around there.

 

Wellllll, I don't have competition for my main hauls because its service oriented. If I did not provide the level of service required, then I would have to worry about competition. On rate based trucking you are 100% spot on. My ideal gig is a home every night, 4 day work week, clearing 3k a week after fuel. Not very likely where I live, but achievable to smart business owners in other areas of the country. I'm not willing to move, so I'll continue looking for that opportunity. I do not expect that deal to be posted on Craigslist, but via word of mouth from a fellow business owner, or luck

 

2013 average for all miles as of May 6th, $1.98 per mile. Refer loads. Sould get better with produce.

 

Good post and stated within lies the difference. Service, proven service and a customer knowing what can be expected of you enables one to get above market average rates. Averages are made of extremes.

 

I very seldom do, my loaded mile rate is closer to $3.50 a mile to the truck, with Bill's cut roughly another 35 cents above that. I am am counting on guys who think like you running to my market who think they can do it too and yet leave disappointed at $1.50 a mile. I even go to MS and back from time to time on rates like that. If you ever see my truck holler on the CB and I will gladly show you my ledger. Bill knows exactly what my truck is turning as do a half dozen other people at the company. I am glad I can always count on the solar powered truckers and guys running 100 miles for a 500 miles load who think a market is $1.50 - to leave the money loads out there for me... ..yeah, you have a depressive affect on rates overall, but it will catch up with you sooner or later.

 

And of course, that's assuming that there is no possibility that someone else cannot provide the same or better service for a cheaper price. Are you guys by chance in the market for some real estate?
In fact that someone just might be putting together a bid right now. You know,one of those smart business peeps.