You need to go to work for a different carrier, or since you have your own insurance, you need to get some of your own customers. The way you are set up working for expedite and your own touring jobs, you can't commit to expedite fully, so your carrier/carriers aren't trying very hard for you, or they are just bottom feeder carriers. You need to get some of your own contacts so that you can keep yourself busier. That is just my opinion.
You have some pretty good options/ideas. But what I would question is with him or any other owner/op is what difference does it make to the carrier if he was available 24-7 or just on Thursday afternoons. If a available truck isn't loaded its the dispatchers that have failed the carrier. Once a truck is available you would think it would be to that carriers advantage to load that truck and load it at the best rate possible. By giving the best rate possible it gives the truck more options to take the not so good loads and works to the carriers advantage. When rates (to the truck) are in the sheeter like they are now and coming in below what ya normally would run for I can understand why a truck is not available. I don't buy into the notion that freight rates have dropped so much I need to cut mine to get the load. The freight is there,and yes maybe its a slow day or slow few days. I'll buy into the notion that some carriers are securing the freight but using no names more then they let on.
I see it happening, driver from let's say butterball express, comes up to me and ask,,where I go? Dumbfounded I ask what?... Driver responds, Where I go, I pick up for you, see here me email says you, you that there your truck. Here look here on me email...your truck, Where I pick up at.
@ that point is where I respond..
No No.. You in Wixom Ford plant...You need to pick up in Sharronville Ford plant..you go now Yes you be late hurry.