To be honest, I have retired from HHG and moved into special products like medical equipment, tradeshows, and electronics. I still run for United Van Lines, just with a different trailer that has a tuck-under liftgate and milwaukee gear I did however, just pull a load of HHG from the midwest to denver since the o/o's at my new agent are whiney babies and won't touch it if speccom gets slow. 8)

As far as car haulers, my Dad did pretty well over at FedEx Custom Critical/Pasport Transport hauling Bentleys, stock cars, Lambos, etc.

I agree, specialization is where its at.

 

Thanks for the advice, Bandit. As I said, I just made the move myself.

Even so, medical equipment and tradeshows for a major moving company...Bentleys and Lambos...it doesn't get any better, does it!? 8)

 

who did you end up going with Cam?

 

Quality Carriers. I didn't know how to say anything to you and Carlo over at Superior.

Someone said they thought QC operates more like Landstar where you have more control over where you run, when you run, and if you run- I don't know if it's true or not.

I did fill out an app with Dana in Detroit last summer but the terminal manager never called back, and neither did I. I just decided to stick with what was working and not incur all of the change over costs, and that's even if I would have been offered a job.

Things have gotten so tight, I'm very much aware that the work you do has to be profitable, even if you don't work much and your revenue is low. I was just talking to a former O/O a couple of weeks ago who lost his truck trying to 'outrun' his bills. Doesn't work that way, does it?

Mike, if this works out, I owe you! That might not make you feel all that good, but it's the truth. It looks like O/O's really need to specialize. Now, let's see if this industry and this company were good choices.

 

Bandit

Are you friends with Bobby Chastain from Iowa??

 

Good! The more of you will "specialize", the more freight for me... :lol: :wink:

 

Yeah, the more freight for you, the sooner you can get back to driving your truck and stop pushing it... :lol:


I know better, Solo! How have you been!?

 

Well, not too bad, but I've seen a better times! Still with the same outfit, it's survival time, and i don't care what anybody else said! :wink:

 

It's definitely time to be paying attention. The economy is going to have a certain amount of momentum, but if fuel prices stay high, eventually shippers are going to have to figure out how to consolidate loads, and cut out some loads altogether. I was working for a company transporting machine parts all the way from Iowa to Detroit and back just for powder coating. These companies are going to figure out how to get that powder coating done closer if transportation costs get out of hand.

I've learned a little about peak oil, there isn't an endless supply of easily accessible light, sweet crude. On the other hand, I read that oil inventories are high which might indicate a slight drop in prices is at hand. I don't know, I don't follow the economy that closely.

Then there is the situation of O/O's and companies going out of business. If only the strong survive, does that means rates will go back up after they are gone? Again, I don't know, I've only had a truck for two years now. It's just a good time to be paying attention to what's going on and not try to make up for no profit margin by running your butt off. You know that, though. :wink: Have you ever seen a business cycle anything like this?

 

Yes! But never that bad! Actually, i only heard, that it was a bad time, but hardly ever notice it.
Like I've said, I'm not doing too bad now, but my truck is fairly new, and it's paid off, also, I've got some reserves...
What's worry me, that it's might be only the beginning, and s$it is gonna get dipper, before, and if it gets any better... :roll: