Truck Owners ANGRY and Scared Over Fuel Costs

dieselhound · Mar 29, 2008

footz said: ↑

I've been following the discussion too, and want to raise a
question/clarification even if this post will probably get lost
in the noise. What is the MESSAGE for the public and for
government/industry figures? Most of what I'm seeing is "we want
fuel prices to come down", without really taking the bigger
picture into account. The bigger picture being that fuel prices,
long-term, are probably NOT going to come down, end of story,
and anything that happens in the short-term meanwhile (releasing
reserves, back-room gimmes, whatever) is just a temporary bandaid
that pushes the real problem back a month or two.

So it seems to me that what the MESSAGE really needs to be is
this: traditional fuel is getting more expensive and we want
YOU, the public, to understand that it drives the costs of just
about everything else and you are hereby warned (by the strike/
slowdown in case they didn't notice already!) that this is going
to hit YOU in the wallet so be ready for it. I think that's
what people really need to understand. And that they, no, we
all, need to work like hell to get OFF this insidious addiction
and everything it trickles down to.

So think about that when you're painting up any signs you're
going to hang on the trucks. "We need cheap fuel" is unattainable
and unsustainable. "We need everyone to understand the real issue
and accept the REAL cost of oil-fired infrastructure", or something
to that effect, is more appropriate to what's going on, even if it's
much harder to understand (because most people are about as subtle
and discerning as a baseball bat).

That said, is anyone planning any public action around the
boston area? I'll come out and root for ya, if it helps.

-f
Click to expand...

I didn't want you to feel like your concerns were lost. Sorry for the conflict with the other poster.

Matthews · Mar 29, 2008

Cybergal said: ↑

BD1 has been banned!

Let's cut out the insults or this thread will be closed down and more infractions will follow.
Click to expand...

hmmmmmm, Bad thing about my slap on the hand was I didnt try to insult TX.
In fact I hope he didnt take my comment as an insult...

Dam, does that mean ive got 2 out of 3 insults left?
J/K If TX, took it wrong..Im sure he would have said something... But just in case he did, I didnt mean anything by the past post to him. I guess one should not drink and type.... lol...

All the best,
Matt

crazy · Mar 30, 2008

Set the strike date during the 72 hour DOT inspections in June. Alot of trucks shutdown during that time anyway. Think about it, with the high fuel prices and with the chance of getting put out of service,what is a couple more days going to hurt.

Hilltop · Mar 30, 2008

crazy said: ↑

Set the strike date during the 72 hour DOT inspections in June. Alot of trucks shutdown during that time anyway. Think about it, with the high fuel prices and with the chance of getting put out of service,what is a couple more days going to hurt.
Click to expand...

We could have that one as round two...Great post...LOL

lionman · Mar 30, 2008

Hilltop said: ↑

We could have that one as round two...Great post...LOL
Click to expand...

Yes I totally agree with the round 2 being dureing that time !!! It would be a win win situation for all of us n loose loose for them !!!

Hilltop · Mar 30, 2008

lionman said: ↑

Yes I totally agree with the round 2 being dureing that time !!! It would be a win win situation for all of us n loose loose for them !!!
Click to expand...

I am hoping that something good will come out of all of this fine mess..

old-six-pack · Mar 30, 2008

to find how fuel is refined go to 'HOW THINGS WORK' ON GOOGLE
it's interesting.. at 4.00 dollars per gallon for fuel, and you average 5 miles per gallon , fuel alone cost you .80 cents per mile. and that's if you don't idle your truck any.....

Hilltop · Mar 30, 2008

old-six-pack said: ↑

to find how fuel is refined go to 'HOW THINGS WORK' ON GOOGLE
it's interesting.. at 4.00 dollars per gallon for fuel, and you average 5 miles per gallon , fuel alone cost you .80 cents per mile. and that's if you don't idle your truck any.....
Click to expand...

And that is very depressing in it's self...

Brickman · Mar 30, 2008

Roadmedic said: ↑

I have dealt with many of his type over the years.

From what I can get from his posts, he is a car hauler. He deals directly with the shippers and receivers. He believes himself to be in a good isolated business that he can control.

The problem that truckers face is fuel has become a detrimental expenditure. When the cost gets too prohibitive, it will have a major effect on many parts of the economy. Cars being purchased will slack off. This could affect his part of the industry. Will it be funny to him then?
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I went from working 6 days a week to only working 3 to 4....... hauling cars.

I think you answered your own questions.

Brickman · Mar 30, 2008

TX_Proud said: ↑

If your rate of pay has not changed AT ALL, then it is true you are not making the same profit as you were at $3.00/gallon.

For the sake of argument, I'll share my numbers and you tell me if I should shut the doors now or maybe hang on a little longer.

What is your MPG? 5.85

What is your cost of fuel per mile at $4.00/gal? $.68

What was your cost of fuel per mile at $3.00/gal? $.51

What was your average gross rate per mile in October 2007? $1.61 (includes DH)

What is your average gross rate per mile today? $1.99 (includes DH)

So in this example, fuel has increased $.17/per mile and rates have increased $.38/per mile.
Click to expand...

1. 5 mpg
2. $0.80
3. $0.60
4 and 5, very little change, shippers refuse to pay up

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