Cost cutting measures

[davekc]

Since we are seeing once again another carrier cutting its drivers rates, what cost cutting measures would folks recommend? The big one of course is anything that enhances fuel savings. What are people doing? They new and the old might be able to pick up a trick or two.

 

[scottm4211]

DPF on '07 and newer diesels kills fuel economy. Do your homework, check out message boards, and take control. And slow down.
This is from my 07 Sprinter, with 2200# on board.

 

[zorry]

DPF on '07 and newer diesels kills fuel economy.

Run this theory past the Caffee's.

 

[scottm4211]

Run this theory past the Cafee's.

Don't need to. It's my truck, and I'm the one enjoying the savings.

 

[Polish_Drive]

Don't need to. It's my truck, and I'm the one enjoying the savings.

Dont tell me you are doing 60mph on 70 mph limit ?

 

[scottm4211]

Dont tell me you are doing 60mph on 70 mph limit ?

Where are you getting that? That's an average speed including stops. And I drive 62 mph.

 

[Steady Eddie]

There is just so much you can cut to try to off set the reduced rate. There was no way I could do it. They will run you more miles at that crappy rate driving up cost. Even paid deadhead miles, more miles may look good on paper, it really drives the rate even further to the bottom.

Real load

Deadhead 200 miles x .35 $70.00
paid miles 600 x $1.00, .80 + .20 fsc
800 miles @ .8375 includes FSC

Sometimes it was around .72 miles all in.

My deadhead miles increased, FSC was only about 50% paid, rate decreased, cost increased. The sad part is, those that smile for miles will love it, and those are the ones that will fail. The ones that will fall for the B/S.

As it is now, with every 2 loads I do, I get 1 400 paid mile run @ $1.00 free over my last carrier rate.

Also, even reducing the rates to the O/O, they would still charge their old rates to the customer and charging 100 % FSC, while all the time Feeding off your bottom line.

BOTTOM FEEDERS

 

[davekc]

That is exactly why I call them "Bottom Feeders". They are a total embarrassment to the industry.
The idea that they have to screw the driver to survive is completely laughable.
Yep...depressed-one is certainly one of them. Screw all their contractors with a rate cut only to follow a month later to state "that we are expanding". Absolutely pathetic. I wouldn't put a bicycle on at that place.

 

[scottm4211]

That is exactly why I call them "Bottom Feeders". They are a total embarrassment to the industry.
The idea that they have to screw the driver to survive is completely laughable.
Yep...depressed-one is certainly one of them. Screw all their contractors only to follow a month later to state "that we are expanding". Absolutely pathetic. I wouldn't put a bicycle on at that place.

If you did would you ride 25 in a 35?

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

 

[Ragman]

That is exactly why I call them "Bottom Feeders". They are a total embarrassment to the industry.
The idea that they have to screw the driver to survive is completely laughable.
Yep...depressed-one is certainly one of them. Screw all their contractors only to follow a month later to state "that we are expanding". Absolutely pathetic. I wouldn't put a bicycle on at that place.

Wow Dave, I have to say, that is one of the strongest comments from you in a long long time.
What's up with that?

 

[Polish_Drive]

Where are you getting that? That's an average speed including stops. And I drive 62 mph.

I'm just asking dude

I was close with my 60mph guess. Oh, btw your average is 54mph.

 

[scottm4211]

I'm just asking dude

I was close with my 60mph guess. Oh, btw your average is 54mph.

I know. And the avg includes stops and idling.

 

[davekc]

I get sick and tired of nameless carriers taking advantage of their operators only to follow a short time later with "we are expanding". And of course that means "more miles".
You are right, I usually don't say much when this kind of stuff happens but my concern is whether we are seeing a trend? We are all affected one way or the other when this kind of stuff goes on.

 

[Ragman]

I get sick and tired of nameless carriers taking advantage of their operators only to follow a short time later with "we are expanding". And of course that means "more miles".
You are right, I usually don't say much when this kind of stuff happens but my concern is whether we are seeing a trend? We are all affected one way or the other when this kind of stuff goes on.

This is one of the reasons I resist becoming an o/o and going otr.

I think I will stay a company driver doing out and backs.

 

[zorry]

This is one of the reasons I resist becoming an o/o and going otr.

I think I will stay a company driver doing out and backs.

Resist ? After what you read on here you have a desire to switch on occasion
?

Pee in this cup and sign here.

 

[rymilburn]

Try filling up at mom & pop gas stations, rather than actual big name truck stops.... You can sometimes save .10 cents a gallon.

A gas station back home has a grocery store rewards, anyways, i'v gotten a .30 cent discount from that before.

This change might force people to re-think how far away from home they are willing to go. Being out on the road costs money for long extended periods of time.

 

[Ragman]

Resist ? After what you read on here you have a desire to switch on occasion
?

Pee in this cup and sign here.

Yeah, I do every now and then think about it. Then I wake up from my nightmare.

 

[davekc]

This is one of the reasons I resist becoming an o/o and going otr.

I think I will stay a company driver doing out and backs.

There are some good opportunities out there but one has to make sure they don't just become just the opportunity for the carrier. After doing this for a long time, one becomes keen on spotting when the manure is higher than the boots.

 

[Steady Eddie]

Try filling up at mom & pop gas stations, rather than actual big name truck stops.... You can sometimes save .10 cents a gallon.

A gas station back home has a grocery store rewards, anyways, i'v gotten a .30 cent discount from that before.

This change might force people to re-think how far away from home they are willing to go. Being out on the road costs money for long extended periods of time.

Not always. If you shower look at this:
Flying/Pilot
14 gallon x $4.00 = $56.00 (not gas)
Shower 1/2 is $6.00, $50.00 for 14 gallons or $3.57 per gallon.

Mom/Pop
14 gallons x #3.89 avg= $54.46 + 1/2 shower $6.00 = $60.46, or $4.32 per gallon

I pick Flying/Pilot

 

[zorry]

I notice many fuel Mom & Pop and wash up in the sink.

Shower when you get home.