Why are we so concerned with fuel prices?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by blairandgretchen, Mar 6, 2022.

Will increased fuel costs put you out of business?

Poll closed Apr 3, 2022.
  1. Yes

    8 vote(s)
    5.2%
  2. No

    111 vote(s)
    72.5%
  3. Possibly

    34 vote(s)
    22.2%
  1. GYPSY65

    GYPSY65 Road Train Member

    1,957
    5,263
    Nov 16, 2012
    SW FLA
    0
    You forgot to carry the 1 didn’t you?

    Always carry the 1
     
    blairandgretchen Thanks this.
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  3. Pup97

    Pup97 Light Load Member

    191
    263
    May 30, 2016
    0
    I couldn’t do it juggling a lot of different brokers. This is just 2 brokers and 1 direct shipper. This is not something that will happen every month. I was just at the right place at the right time I guess. They asked if I wanted this lane the rest of the month, then I just called the other broker and lucked out with loads back.
     
    Jed2009, dwells40, xsetra and 2 others Thank this.
  4. Lucastookis

    Lucastookis Bobtail Member

    49
    108
    Jul 23, 2021
    0
    I start looking for the next load (load B) before I book (load A). If I'm going into California, I am dang sure going to be aware of what is coming out of California BEFORE I head to California. When I back in to the deck and put on the breaks, I make the call before they have the truck unloaded. But, I am already aware/I know where that call is going to be made. My search for load b is done long before I pull into the receiving deck. My uncle trained me as an O/O, and he taught me the rule of 3. I still do this. I have 3 loads in mind long before I pull into the deck for unloading, and I prioritize those 3 loads in order, the one I want most, and when I pull in to unload, I have 3 choices. Sometimes I get my first choice for the next load, sometimes is the second choice, and sometimes its the 3rd choice. Occasionally, not often, but rarely those 3 loads are gone, or they aren't what I thought they were, etc, so I then have to start searching again. That's the exception to the rule though.

    When doing my search, I always make sure that the next load taken is 90% or greater in miles than the deadhead required to pick up that load, so essentially, my dead head miles every year are no greater than 10% of loaded miles. So, if I see a load that I like, pays well, and is 2200 miles, then I'm not driving over 220 miles to pick up that load. 220 is as far as I go, which goes back to......knowing what is coming out of where you are going before you go there.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 15, 2022
    Jed2009, loudtom, RefMata and 4 others Thank this.
  5. 86scotty

    86scotty Road Train Member

    4,500
    12,172
    Aug 27, 2017
    Appalachia
    0
    Interesting theory. That's twice today you've proven to me how different people do things out here.

    And the general public thinks we're all the same.
     
    JoeyJunk, TallJoe, Siinman and 2 others Thank this.
  6. JonJon78

    JonJon78 Road Train Member

    7,160
    39,651
    Jul 1, 2018
    0
    So if you're in Los Angeles area and see a load going from LA to Chicago for $8,000 or there's a load from Albuquerque to Chicago paying $8000, you wouldn't make that long deadhead to Albuquerque for the same exact pay? Why?

    Deadhead miles can be good... In this scenario you'd be a fool to load in LA and not Albuquerque...
     
  7. bumper Jack

    bumper Jack Heavy Load Member

    887
    4,411
    Dec 5, 2021
    0
    Lot of times the Albuquerque may pay 9 or 10 and the LA still only pays 8. But hey! No DH
     
  8. Jammer'

    Jammer' Light Load Member

    64
    205
    Aug 24, 2021
    0
    bumper Jack Thanks this.
  9. Beaver9

    Beaver9 Heavy Load Member

    966
    1,183
    Jun 15, 2020
    0
    People look for an easier way out. Someone can pass your truck for another one instead.
     
    blairandgretchen Thanks this.
  10. bumper Jack

    bumper Jack Heavy Load Member

    887
    4,411
    Dec 5, 2021
    0
    Could be Chicago.
    upload_2022-3-15_19-13-21.jpeg
     
  11. Cat sdp

    Cat sdp . .

    20,998
    73,349
    Apr 8, 2012
    Orion's Belt
    0
    Well oils been down in the world markets for a week now…… so you can blame your pump prices on the major oil companies…….
     
    Shadow57, dwells40 and Beaver9 Thank this.
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