Amen, G-man. It is no longer 1972, and these shippers need to figure that out. Problem is, SOMEONE IS HAULING IT FOR THEM at these 30-year old prices, and it isn't me....... :evil:

 

Mountain Flyer, the irony is that in many cases the rates are about what they were back then, but operating costs are 10 fold higher. Fuel is 10 times what it was back then. A truck costs 5 times more than then. Driver wages are 4-5 times the rates in the early 70's. These shippers are certainly passing along their increase costs of doing business. I guarantee you that they aren't selling their products for 1970 prices. I really feel sorry that these people feel that they MUST haul for such cheap rates. These are not business people. They have no idea of what it costs to run a business or operate at a profit. They only look at the short term. They think that if they can JUST get enough for fuel money to get to a good area, things will be all right. Business people look at the long term. The long term effect of NOT hauling cheap freight is BETTER rates. The inexperienced or those who are not business people only look at the short term. If they can cover their fuel, they can survive. By looking at the short term, they are shooting themselves in the foot. Rates will remain low as long as they continue to haul for cheap rates. It is unfortunate there are so many who have no idea how they are short changing themselves and this industry.

 

You said it Gman. I can't come out at those rates, and I am too stubborn to go haul it just to keep moving. I'd rather sit at home as long as I can keep my mortgage and bills paid, as I would to go run my truck for free. Sadly, it seems most load rates are low and they are just staying that way. I for one am thinking it's time to move on to other ventures. Which sucks, because I like trucking. Or worse yet, go lease on with someone and be ran to death. :cry:

 

GMAN,

You are right. It's a shame that there are so many of these truck drivers who only look at short-term. Business minded people look at both short & long term. There are a lot of deaf ears on this board and I hope one day they will listen before it's too late for their sake not mind.

 

I believe your year of restriction has now passed. Perhaps you could deadhead out to a better area and run 48 for a while. If you need a couple of names, I will be glad to send them to you. Just let me know where you want to run and I will see if I can find someone whom I have dealt that might have something. Freight and rates are a bit off right now. There is freight out here, but you sometimes have to work to find the better rates.

 

Joymax_Trans2, only looking at the short term is one reason so many owner operators fail in this business.

 

Mountain Flyer, I applaud your resolve.

Funny thing about these loads I mentioned in the OP. They have been posted on various boards by various brokers for at least 6 - 8 months. I have always called and the rates were always low (under $2/mile IIRC) so I always passed them up. Now all of a sudden they started offering in the low two's and look here we eventually settled at 2.85

They called me back today wanting to move 3 more loads for the same rate that we established. Patience. Rome was't built in a day. If you can afford to sit, by all means SIT.

 

This is an exception,not the norm. The norm is that someone is always willng to take that 1.10 a mile load just so they won't have to deadhead. Unless ALL O/Os refuse to haul these loads the 1.10 a mile loads will never go completely away.

 

Thanks Gman. I did get a load out; 100 mile DH to pick up a load of steel pipe running into Kansas just N. of Kansas City. There seem to be several good loads out of that area. I need to get back home for Labor Day or I'd just stay out and run.

As you mentioned, I am "off restriction" and licensed and insured for all 48 now. Which is a big relief. I haven't been running too much out of the home area, though... was busy for a couple weeks hauling barley and after labor day I'll be back hauling honey bees to California, I expect.

Anyhow, it will pass... just a slowdown. There is still decent freight but some days you really have to dig to find it... :roll:

 

And thanks Rank for the kind comments, too. I just will not haul freight for a buck a mile. I follow the Gman's lead and I will deadhead out instead of haul their cheap crap. Once or twice over the last 1.5 years I have wound up with a cheap haul; one was a military load and I didn't relaize when I booked it the per mile rate was so cheap or I would not have done it. A smooth talking female broker chick seduced me over the phone and I ended up with the load. Oh well, doing my bit for the war effort, I guess. :P