http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080301/...ckers__trouble

 

Ya beat me to it !! Logged on to post that thread!! :shock:

 

The last line in that article says it all. I have watched the dump truck rates fall alot these past six months, some brokers are lowering rates as much as $11 per hour, and all we do is argue with each other about it. Unfortunatly it is true if the independents go away the J.B's and the Schneiders will only get stronger. Like I always said, "I should have been a drug dealer, I would make more money and get hasseled by the cops less."

 

Probably get more respect from the general population as well. They gotta have their dope.

 

Such is the business cycle for a cyclical segments like flatbeds and dirt.

Rates will stay low for a while; smaller and weaker players will exit. Once the economy picks up in 12-18 months rates will shoot up attracting new players to the game.

The O/O profiled would be better of parking the truck or giving it to the bank and asking "Venti or Grande?". He would get bennies, and have about the same take home with 200%+ better quality of life. But a lot of O/O are a stubborn lot who refuse to fold when dealt a weak hand.

 

I fully agree that things have become harder by a considerable level and i agree that the problems causing these difficulties are big and need to be dealt with to a certain extent.....but why do you only hear about the stories like this of people who are doing bad....how come you never see them print stories on those that have over come and adapted to these problems and are still doing good buisness to help teach others what can be done to suceed and not show people what can be done to fail. Is this story to help drive the point across that the economy is in bad shape and there is no hope? I just for once would like to see them print a story on the truckers that have adapted and figured it out with good business sense. I am sure that there are at least a few owners on here that agree its still possible to turn good profit right now...perhaps more difficult, but still possible. Am I off point here and completely wrong? I know things are harder than ever for the independent but stories like this make it out to be a 100% hopeless effort.

 

this is busness
there are people doing well
but why on earth would they share their secrets of success
it is important to the stronger independants
that the weaker ones give up
there are way too many trucks at this time


I understand this and am holding on as long as I can

 

As was posted on another board, his numbers don't jive. Maybe he don't know his numbers, maybe he is a poor business man, who knows. Things are bad all over get used to it, try to adapt and survive till it picks up. If he runs his business like he spends his personal money that could be a problem, 150.00 a week at the sushi bar???? No wonder he don't have any money, he's a glutton. :lol:

 

the sushi may be extravagant but
if you don't make as much as the highest paid teamster
bennies included
then you are just spinning your wheels as an independant
I am out here to live a suburban life
Cars, dogs,college, lawn etc
You should be able to own a truck and a trailer and make a "living"
not just feed the truck
The fuel price and the arrogance of the shippers has really screwed things
up.
In many cases its like starting over again.

 

X2

I just hope it happens sooner rather than later. And I refuse to give up my Sushi