Truck Load Rates Halt 8 Week Slide 2.0

Opposite. Spot market is good right now

 

It will affect it in the most severe case, when enough people are sick and incapable to work and as a result, it is decided that places of work will be closed until further notice. Also, if there is some sort of nationwide quarantine imposed, where people movement will be restricted...but I don't think it will go that far.

However.
Looking at the mortality rate in Italy...yesterday it was 6% (?), it is becoming clear that previous reports from China were not trustworthy about the actual severity. So if the only solution is to wait it out then it is hard to say how it will pan out.

 

From what I read the ports are dead but intracountry freight has picked up I’d say. I’d love to see rates go sky high but at the same time I’d rather things just stay normal. Can’t even imagine how many companies would go broke if they had to shut down for 30 to 60 days. I guess after that rates would go sky high as well but maybe I’m too nice, I’d rather not see mass people losing their ###.

 

And even aside from going broke the effect on the economy is a very sobering thought.

On one hand probably no matter how bad it gets there always will be a need for supplies to be delivered and water and food and all of that.

But if people are not working and businesses shut down, people are going to end up staying in their homes and only buying bare necessities.

March Madness will have no spectators this year. At least some cities are not having a Saint Patrick's Day Parade. To some extent political rallies and concerts and anywhere that people gather will most likely be canceled.

Let's hope that this blows over by Summer and we can get back to normal lives.

Hopefully, the freight will keep moving.

 

There's that one place I like in Kansas that will turn that pump on without me having to pay first or leave ID at the desk, that's about as close as it gets to personalized service at a truckstop.

 

My Dad tells me stories about parking, going in for a home cooked meal, and when your done the truck is fueled, wind shield washed, and ready to go. Pretty sure I’d seek that place out and drive out of route for that!

 

They all did it at one time.

 

That's Andy Griffith world and it ain't coming back. No way I would leave my truck (read house) unlocked and at the whim of the kind of guy they would hire to fuel it.

 

Until just a few years ago there were still a few that did that. You'd pull up to the fuel island, the kid would ask you how much fuel you wanted and what what kind of oil you wanted topped off with.