Tom Robertson
Veteran Expediter
Throughout the first six years of this century, the experienced expedited driver was in high demand. As the wheels loosened and begin to come off the expedited industry in 2007, few of us recognized the growing disparity of trucks to loads available ratio that began just that long ago. By the end of 2008 everyone recognized that a dramatic change had taken place. Half way through 2009 many of your fellow drivers are without trucks, and without a job.
In 2005 through 2006 experienced teams demanded and received the best equipment on the road. Many owner operators riding the wave of demand, bought trucks that had more amenities than the houses or apartments in which they lived. Sadly many of those trucks have been repossessed and those teams are now seeking employment.
Those who continue to survive are those who have either been very lucky by driving for intelligent owners, or those owner operators who had the foresight to see this industry as an opportunity for intelligent business people; those who understood that demand would fluctuate and that fools and their money are soon parted.
Those who remain, both the lucky and the business savvy probably understand that attitude, cheerfulness and the ability to make intelligent decisions will keep them in demand. Those who complain constantly, and exhibit attitudes that say to their owners, “I am doing you a favor” should be aware that many of those who were unfortunate enough to lose their rides are still looking for a job and an opportunity to earn a living. If you have a poor attitude, gripe about your loads, constantly contact your owner with complaints of one nature or another, it very well could be your job that those unfortunates land. You should always attempt to be early for your pickups and destination. Stay in the seat, hold up your end of the bargain and your efforts will be noticed.
Our niche in the transportation industry continues to provide thousands more trucks than needed at the present time. Many smaller expedited companies are feeling the squeeze and exhibiting a knee jerk reaction by bidding freight at rates that fail to cover costs. Some of the larger expedited carriers are feeling the squeeze as well, some refusing to pay other carriers to which they have brokered freight, with others actually owing individuals drivers tens of thousands of dollars. The paring process continues and many more will fall. Carriers bid for the largest portion of their business through various 3PL’s, many of which the typical driver is totally unaware. Carriers that continue to bid freight at losses will themselves lose, and find that the industry simply does not care if they succeed or fail. Shippers are merely taking what many of these low bidding companies bid and those expediters who operate at a loss to continue business eventually fall by the wayside.
If you are an owner operator and your carrier owes you money…get out now. It is only going to get worse for you. If you are a driver and your owner owes you back wages, find a new owner. If you are one of the lucky or intelligent ones, understand that if you are not being paid, you must adjust your opinion of your owner or carrier. Don’t let their bad decisions take you down.
Here’s another tip. If you are applying for a driving position in our industry, you are competing with a minimum of 20 others for that position. Just because you get the job doesn’t make you irreplaceable. You should always attempt to be early for your pickups and destination. Stay in the seat, hold up your end of the bargain and your efforts will be noticed. There are at least 19 others behind you looking for an honest living.
Eventually supply and demand find a way to balance. If you are still around at that time, the expedited industry will be a fine place to reside.
Tom Robertson
A. Blair Enterprises
In 2005 through 2006 experienced teams demanded and received the best equipment on the road. Many owner operators riding the wave of demand, bought trucks that had more amenities than the houses or apartments in which they lived. Sadly many of those trucks have been repossessed and those teams are now seeking employment.
Those who continue to survive are those who have either been very lucky by driving for intelligent owners, or those owner operators who had the foresight to see this industry as an opportunity for intelligent business people; those who understood that demand would fluctuate and that fools and their money are soon parted.
Those who remain, both the lucky and the business savvy probably understand that attitude, cheerfulness and the ability to make intelligent decisions will keep them in demand. Those who complain constantly, and exhibit attitudes that say to their owners, “I am doing you a favor” should be aware that many of those who were unfortunate enough to lose their rides are still looking for a job and an opportunity to earn a living. If you have a poor attitude, gripe about your loads, constantly contact your owner with complaints of one nature or another, it very well could be your job that those unfortunates land. You should always attempt to be early for your pickups and destination. Stay in the seat, hold up your end of the bargain and your efforts will be noticed.
Our niche in the transportation industry continues to provide thousands more trucks than needed at the present time. Many smaller expedited companies are feeling the squeeze and exhibiting a knee jerk reaction by bidding freight at rates that fail to cover costs. Some of the larger expedited carriers are feeling the squeeze as well, some refusing to pay other carriers to which they have brokered freight, with others actually owing individuals drivers tens of thousands of dollars. The paring process continues and many more will fall. Carriers bid for the largest portion of their business through various 3PL’s, many of which the typical driver is totally unaware. Carriers that continue to bid freight at losses will themselves lose, and find that the industry simply does not care if they succeed or fail. Shippers are merely taking what many of these low bidding companies bid and those expediters who operate at a loss to continue business eventually fall by the wayside.
If you are an owner operator and your carrier owes you money…get out now. It is only going to get worse for you. If you are a driver and your owner owes you back wages, find a new owner. If you are one of the lucky or intelligent ones, understand that if you are not being paid, you must adjust your opinion of your owner or carrier. Don’t let their bad decisions take you down.
Here’s another tip. If you are applying for a driving position in our industry, you are competing with a minimum of 20 others for that position. Just because you get the job doesn’t make you irreplaceable. You should always attempt to be early for your pickups and destination. Stay in the seat, hold up your end of the bargain and your efforts will be noticed. There are at least 19 others behind you looking for an honest living.
Eventually supply and demand find a way to balance. If you are still around at that time, the expedited industry will be a fine place to reside.
Tom Robertson
A. Blair Enterprises
