Fuel Costs

[miko]

I am watching the fuel price fiasko for some time now, and since my company is not really big on fuel surcharge, I went in and had a talk with them, because it costs me an arm and a leg lately, and the loads are sparse too. Needless to say, my company did not like what I had to say, even tho they want to rethink their fuel surcharge policy.
I however think that they simply cannot afford to ajust these days.
I have put alot of thought and effort into this, and I am sick and tired of waiting and nothing changes. I am thinking of looking into other options. Since someone said fuel prices are expected to be on the high rise for the next years to come, I don't see how I can stay on top of things. My deadhead miles have doubled the last few weeks, just when I thought I had put a handle on this crap. I am not a happy camper these days. Talked to alot of drivers the last couple days, everybody is complaining, and drivers single or team are considering switching companies, but if they will pay better, or keep them more busy, thats in the stars...:-(

 

[merkurfan]

First off. I am just as unhappy with fuel prices as the next guy. I too was in your shoes about a month ago. Signed with a company that was hauling freight for 1.10 a mile on a run that required you to burn the log book (800 miles and 4-5 hours of on duty time) with no chance of a fuel surcharge. Once in a while they would get a run at their "book" rate of 1.75 a mile but it would take you 1200 miles one way and you'd deadhead back or haul a 200 dollar load home. I threw in the towel. I had just spent close to 6500 dollars on a straight truck that now sits in my driveway (to old to sign with anyone else) a month before I switched. At first I thought "oh my god.. what have I done?" I started with my current company the day before easter weekend. I sat where they told me until Saturday morning and deadheaded to a friends about 200 miles away. The monday after Easter I got a call from dispatch, and have ran ever since. I had a court apperance last week (speeding ticket, I even beat it!) and spent 2 days at home. Basically worked 2 days last week. Still got in 1200 miles. I am completely happy with the new carrier as far as miles, low deadhead and pay. On friday they offered me a run before I dropped. I did not look closely at it, just accepted it when I delivered. I realized the pickup was 200 miles away and before I could even think about what I was going to do to cover the deadhead and a message came over the QC, 25.00 pay for deadhead. This was to pickup a run going 727 miles at full contracted rate with a .13 FSC. I would have gladly ran it down for the pay it offered.

I guess what I am getting at is there is companies out there that will treat you right. With the exception of a safety supervisor doing his job and telling me to get some sleep and a amount of time that would have put me close to deadline for delivery (IE no time to fuel, blow a tire, break down) that I disagreed with him. I slept less than half the time he asked me to and no one said anything about it. If you run a C unit or bigger the log book will tell you when you need to sleep I run a B so I could in theory run 24/7. It is nice to know they won't do they to me, however as a independant contractor I prefer not to be told when or how long I need to sleep.

By the way. The company I am with is Panther II.

 

[miko]

@Merkurfan:
Unfortunately I am driving a 1-ton ext. cargo van, not a straight truck. It sure sounds like a plan with Panther II, but while going trough the ads on this site, I am wondering why every 2nd ad there is for a van driver, preferrable from MI, and the vehicle is leased to Panther II!
My question is, have many drivers quit because there are no loads out of MI because of too many drivers, or did the pay rate drop immense?
All things considered, pay and benefits are nice, but if one doesn't catch a certain amount of loads a week, there is no point in working his /her behind off, staying out 2-8 weeks in a row and be available 24/7! What kinda crap is that? Do I have to sell my house in order to live in the van all my life??? My understanding of expediting was a little different, I might be mistaken...

 

[merkurfan]

can't say I know much about Detroit. Never been there. Other drivers tell me it's not that hard to get out of, there is work not far away too. Hopefully someone will come along with experiance up there.

I also drive a extended Ford van. 300,000 miles and that old stroker is still going strong.

 

[davekc]

Panther has always done well out of the Detroit area.
Our truck picked up in Detroit for a run to Greenville S.C.
There wait time after dropping Friday morning was 3 hours.
Davekc

 

[miko]

I rarely got loads out of the Detroit area, and I've seen other vans sit there in line...
I am just wondering why so many o/o advertise and want drivers in their vans for that state and area. Something is the matter, otherwise there would not be a need and people would do the runs themselfes.

@merkurfan:
You invested in a straeight truck that sits now in the drive, and you run a van instead? All vehicles paid for or on payments?
Just wondering about your expenses these days...

 

[merkurfan]

Luckly I own both trucks out right. I bought them both off e-bay. Got the 94 Mack CS200 for 3700 and the 96 E350 Ext Diesel for 3000. The mack is just waiting on the state to process the title then it will find it's way back to ebay. I put a lot of work in to it but I'll bet it brings more than I invested in it. If I where making payments on them I would be so upside down it would not even be funny. My plan is to earn enough money in this van to pay the bills (not to hard, I own the house outright and use NO utilities when I am not home ) and put enough money away to replace the van with either a newer diesel ford or straight truck. I have lived by the rule, if you don't need it, don't finace it. And right now a newer truck is not needed.

FYI Crude is down again today Under 53 bucks a barrel.

 

[merkurfan]

Not sure if this is a national trend but when I pulled in to KC on friday fuel was 2.39+ a gallon. When I pulled out I saw 2.15 to 2.09 a gallon. (of course I filled at 2.29 :/ ) I've also seen several signs where diesel was lower than gas. Perhaps things are starting to swing a bit like they normally do in the summer (where diesel gets cheaper than gas). Oil is still at roughly 53 a barrel.

 

[BULLRUSH]

i won't be shock if it's ends up around $3.00 per gallons before summer endsx( x( x( x( x( :'( :'( :'( x( x( x(

 

[BULLRUSH]

well if people stop buying large SUV'S AND LARGE TRUCK I GUESS YOU WOULD BE OUT OF A JOB.PS YOUR BRILLIANT:* :*

 

[davekc]

Price on the barrel has dropped alittle this week but it will be interesting to see if it lasts.
No one can make up their minds. One news show says it will stay the same and the next says it will rise.
Davekc

 

[Broompilot]

My $ says it aint going up in the near future. Goldman Sax or Sachs was to blame for the last quick increase.. They announced that it would go to $100.00 a barrell and the frenzie started but dropped back as quick as rose.

It is probably stable for the near future, but we are now competing with the rest of the world, now that we have helped raise there standard of living from 0 to just a few cents so now they are wanting what we have always taken for granted. This is the new Economy, now if we can just find a way to keep our jobs here, BUY AMERICAN as much as possible if you have a choice and the quality is equal.

 

[merkurfan]

Oil went down more yesterday as well. 3% I think they said. down to roughly 53 bucks.. Hope it keeps going down Faster than Monica Lewinski would be nice

 

[miko]

@merkurfan:
Now that is of course something nice that you have your house and vehicles paid off and don't stuck with payments.
I am leasing my vehicle, a 2003 from another owner operator, but I have wondered what to do in future since the repairs are more frequent now and the owner wants to get rid of it. I thought with that much miles on it, one can never pay a vehicle off and still use it, since companies all want newer equipment. after 3 yrs. its about time to trade it in, otherwise you stuck with the costly repairs or you can't sell it again because of the milage. Not sure what to do next, lease or own. I am not really comfortable with the thought of a bank commitment and not many loads coming in or paying myself dumm and silly with gas prices beeing mile high...

 

[BigBusBob]

Diesel has hit the 3 dollar mark... I saw it 4 days ago... I believe it was in VA somewhere... it's hard to remember what state... I woke up in Newark, NJ, and drove into SC, and went to bed 45 min. south of Greenville, SC. Yes, I was tired.
The price for Diesel though I do remember, it was 3.05...

I was gettin' Diesel on Sat. though in Jersey City, NJ for 2.23.

There was 1/2 a dozen fuel stops there in the Jersey City area that had their diesel prices less than 2.25, one had it for 2.21, I would have gotten it there, but his electricity had gone out...
At that price, I should have hooked up some batteries to pump.

Smile!

 

[merkurfan]

Down again today. 50 bucks a barrel.

Keep going down baby!

 

[muleteam1]

Saw this the other day..Thought I'd share it.
Now don't go off about any bashing..It's just simple humor


OIL SHORTAGE

A lot of folks can't understand
how we came to have
an oil shortage here in America.
~~~
Well, there's a very simple answer.
~~~
Nobody bothered to check the oil.
~~~
We just didn't know we were getting low.
~~~
The reason for that is purely geographical.
~~~
Our OIL is located in
~~~
Alaska
~~~
California
~~~
Oklahoma
and
TEXAS
~~~
'
'
~~~
Our
DIPSTICKS
are located in
Washington DC










muleteam1

 

[davekc]

muleteam1

Now there is a great observation.

As oil prices come down this week, it will take it a while to reach at the pump. However, a slight increase, it is seen at the pump within hours.

Over time it is that same strategy of conditioning. Raise the price considerably for a while, followed by a small reduction.
Over a period of time we will be thrilled to death to get it for $2.50 a gallon.
I hope that the reported $3.00 a gallon somewhere was short lived.
Davekc

 

[Loose_Cannon47]

Muleteam, I wouldn't want to throw any gass(or diesel) on the fire, but I think your post pretty well sums it up...

Loose