Has anyone seen anything that makes them think we are nearing a bottom in demand levels? Rates seem to still be down a lot, so I would assume volumes are still suffering. Just curious as to what others are seeing in terms of load volumes and rates.

 

In my opinion the closing of the auto plants has caused the biggest over supply of vans. Something has to give, but who and when is a good question.

Use google news and read some trucking companies quarterly reports, they all mention oversupply.

LTL/transportation news: Con-way rolls out steps to reduce expenses during a down market - 3/10/2009 - Logistics Management

Sector Snap: Analyst sees rough road for truckers - Forbes.com

 

I wanted to leave the yard on Tuesday, March 3rd but they had nothing. Ended up taking a 400 mile run with the pickup on the 5th. Drove 120 miles empty (same pay) east of Toronto, picked up a load of cereal, and took it to Montreal. Delivered at 6 am on Friday, March 6th and got sent to a suburb near Montreal to pick up a load that was going to ...Louisiana! 1700 miles one way. So I'm driving to LA listening to the doom and gloom talk on the Fox and CNN and Bloomberg on my XM.... I drop the load near Baton Rouge, LA on March 10th and get set to wait for a load offer. Nothing comes in on the 10th. Around noon on the 11th, Dispatch sends an email - "Want to go to Alberta?" I fire off a YES message 5 seconds after getting the question The pickup is in AR, 420 miles away. From there it's 1936 miles to my destination in St.Albert, Alberta (north of Edmonton).

So, in my experience the dry van business is picking up - if you're willing to wait a couple of days...

 

Volume is up slightly from what I have observed as long as you don't care what rate that you run. Rates still seem to be dropping or stagnant.

 

I hope the trend continues....But here's an example. I am currently on a load from Edison, NJ to Memphis, TN. a little over 1,000 miles. 3 pallets, 5,100#. Runs like a champ down 81 and across 40!
8+ mpg.

 

rates do seem to be up a lil bit.....my usual areas i run ive been getting a few cpm more than a month ago..........