do you think this mexican thing is going to hurt the industry? i feel like i'm the biggest chicken in the world for not being able to just take the plunge into trucking. i talk to some folks and they are barely getting by and then some folks are doing well. As an outsider looking it looks like customers and companies need people with incentives to maximize every minute of the logs! and that would be at least the leased owner. the larger companies have us beat out on purchasing power for parts and fuel. thanks road ranger,,,i'm such a rookie i can't even post a private message yet!

 

Mexican carriers are likely to negatively impact the industry in the short term. However, I would not be surprised if there was a backlash in this country. Those who are likely to benefit the most from the Mexican carriers are U.S. companies who have manufacturing facilities or suppliers across the border.

There have always been those who have done well during difficult times. Business has been off for more than a year. I expect things to be off at least until spring. That doesn't mean that you can't do well. You will need to operate efficiently. You cannot haul cheap freight, pay high fuel prices and do well.

 

My great grandfather made his fortune during the Great Depression.

 

You should start up a busness that returns the abandoned trucks back to Mexico.

 

So did mine. Interesting huh?

None of it made it's way down to me though, sons a ........

 

There were a lot of people who built their fortune during the depression. The main reason so many people lost everything during that time is due to over extending and having too much credit. Many people were involved in the stock market. At that time you could trade on margin for 10%. That is fine when times are good, but if there is a downturn, the investor had to come up with more money. If he didn't have the cash, then he lost his assets. Those who were smart had a good cash reserve. When time got tough, those with money could buy businesses or real estate for pennies on the dollar. The market has since required an investor to put up 50% of a margin. He may still have to come up with more money, but it isn't as likely to bankrupt him.