I like watching tv and also the late night talk shows Letterman, Craig Ferguson.... When the writers went on strike I missed watching my shows. I also miss the lower fuel and gasoline prices of a short few years ago. What is it going to take to lower them back to that level. Impossible you say? Probably. What if we took a page (pardon the pun) from the writers strike. Go on strike for one week. One week and no freight moves. Well sure we'd lose money. But we all take at least one week off in a years time. Some would probably lose there driving jobs. Hey there's tons of other driving jobs to be had. The country would surely be aware of what was going on and Washington would take notice. And after one week I'm sure nothing would change. Well the writers went on strike once before this, the players in major league baseball went on strike on more than one occasion. A couple weeks of missed deliveries around the country and you will see lower fuel prices. What your worried about supply and demand and the effect on prices. What do you think these high fuel prices are doing now? I bet we would get higher fuel surcharges paid to us at least. If we could all get on our CB's we could organize it. We also have forum's. If we had to do it more than once I'm sure we would. I can only imagine how the long time veterans feel about prices that are 3 times higher now than just about 6 years ago. For those of you that don't agree with a strike then what?
Fuel prices and the writers strike
- Thread starter rdtrpn
- Start date
nightcreacher
Veteran Expediter
My fuel mileage is around 7 mpg,sometimes less,most the time more.My fsc is based on 6 mpg,and $1.20/gallon.With the fsc I get for my dispatched miles,my actual fuel cost is under a dollar per gallon,so shutting down wont solve the problem,now gasoline is another issue,I'm just glad I dont have to drive my car to work.In fact, ive done away with all unecessary miles in my car.If people will stop waisting gas in their cars,slow there trucks down,the prices will fall as they wont be selling as much fuel and gasoline.When we vote in the new president,watch the 55 mph come back in as what Carter did,this will bring the oil prices down
A trucker's strike? Yeah, that sounds great. But hey, wait, you know, before we try and tackle something that difficult, let's do something easy, sort of to get warmed up. Let's get all the Wal Mart employees unionized.
If you can do that, they you've got at least a gossamer's filament of hope in organizing a trucker's strike.
If you can do that, they you've got at least a gossamer's filament of hope in organizing a trucker's strike.
greg334
Veteran Expediter
Yes, you all go on strike for say a week or even two and stay home. Don't even check the company's web site or talk to anyone, just go on strike.
You actually noticed a difference?
The shows seem all the same to me, and with the way the networks are going, they should just chuck all the shows and run infomercials all the time. Did you notice that NBC will have Law and Order's new episode on one night and ABC will run it the next? or CBS show appearing on NBC in mid-morning (3AM) that aired 6 hours before on CBS.
I think the writers are just plain greedy and they should stay out on strike until they come up with more creative material then the stuff they are raiding from Bob Hope and Milton Berle's joke vault.
You actually noticed a difference?
The shows seem all the same to me, and with the way the networks are going, they should just chuck all the shows and run infomercials all the time. Did you notice that NBC will have Law and Order's new episode on one night and ABC will run it the next? or CBS show appearing on NBC in mid-morning (3AM) that aired 6 hours before on CBS.
I think the writers are just plain greedy and they should stay out on strike until they come up with more creative material then the stuff they are raiding from Bob Hope and Milton Berle's joke vault.
Whats wrong with the fuel prices? You really think they should be as low as a few years ago?
Why? Overall we still have some of the lowest prices in the world.
Why? Overall we still have some of the lowest prices in the world.
buckeyewildman
Seasoned Expediter
there is plenty wrong with fuel prices i,m not saying they should be as low as they were a few years ago but there is no reason but greed for them to be as high as they are now so what if we have the lowest or some of the lowest prices in the world just because our neighbors to the north or our british friend over sea are paying outrageous prices does,nt mean we have to yes maybe as americans maybe we are spoiled so what we fought for that right and yes i served in our armed forces
Tennesseahawk
Veteran Expediter
Canada and Europe have higher fuel prices because of all the taxes. What the US has done is tacked on extra taxes, masked in the higher prices, so the consumer just thinks oil companies are at fault. What ticks me off more, is that if the government would actually lower fuel taxes, the oil companies would likely raise their price to take up the slack. So we're in a lose/lose situation. It's hard to break a government from a tax, and just as hard to break a company from a profit.
A strike is out of the question. It's been talked about so many times before, truckers just shrug their shoulders. We is too stoopid to coopriate.
A strike is out of the question. It's been talked about so many times before, truckers just shrug their shoulders. We is too stoopid to coopriate.
greg334
Veteran Expediter
OVM,
I don't care what others in other countries pay for fuel, we have a different economy, we have a different culture.
Why should we compare ourselves to Europe and the EU when we can't possibly have our countries run like that. It is all about having the amount of taxes they have to pay. The base prices are close to our, it is the taxes that are imposed on the fuel that makes the difference.
I don't care what others in other countries pay for fuel, we have a different economy, we have a different culture.
Why should we compare ourselves to Europe and the EU when we can't possibly have our countries run like that. It is all about having the amount of taxes they have to pay. The base prices are close to our, it is the taxes that are imposed on the fuel that makes the difference.
Buckeye..what the heck does fighting in a war have to do with oil prices? I am asking WHY you think that so PLEASE don't portray me as the bad guy.
Greg.....I heard on a San Antonio radio station last week a Texas study recommending an .80 per gallon increase in state tax. And tolling the beltways!
Why compare the U.S to the rest of the world? Why not? Why should we be exempt from high prices?
Greg.....I heard on a San Antonio radio station last week a Texas study recommending an .80 per gallon increase in state tax. And tolling the beltways!
Why compare the U.S to the rest of the world? Why not? Why should we be exempt from high prices?
nightcreacher
Veteran Expediter
fuel prices arent going to drop,as long as we all use the fuel like its free.supply and demand,thats just part of the issue,oil speculation is the other.As long as Wall street is in the mix,prices wont be any different.My way of thinking,you want the oil price to drop,put a windfall tax on the oil companies.i dont have a probem paying the higher cost,if the oil companies were putting their profits back into their companies,but thats not whats going on,as we all know
Exactly night..If the oil companys were to build more refineries that would increase supply and bring down the price...I think they speak the talk but secretly they love the tree huggers...gives them an excuse not to build. To build would be akin to shooting ones self in the foot.
greg334
Veteran Expediter
OVM,
We can compare but we have to take some considerations what the rest of the world is like first.
Our economy is not the same as France or Germany, they have high personal taxes, VAT taxes and their government and unions work with businesses where we have lower personal taxes, we have very high corporate taxes, no VAT tax and our government and unions work against the company.
If we impose VAT taxes and higher fuel taxes overall, our economy will dump.
As for Texas, that state is slipping into the abyss with several issues and we used to look at Texas to lead but they have been slipping closer to SF and that area in their thinking (Sorry Leo).
And as far as studies go, in Michigan they did a study that said if we raise taxes, increase the money to the schools, reduce the class size to 18 students per class and expand Cobo hall, our economy will strengthen enough where we can attract more businesses, but the study was sponsored by the Teacher's union and far from what is needed. Michigan needs to be a right to work state, eliminate the only VAT tax in the country and lower property taxes.
We can compare but we have to take some considerations what the rest of the world is like first.
Our economy is not the same as France or Germany, they have high personal taxes, VAT taxes and their government and unions work with businesses where we have lower personal taxes, we have very high corporate taxes, no VAT tax and our government and unions work against the company.
If we impose VAT taxes and higher fuel taxes overall, our economy will dump.
As for Texas, that state is slipping into the abyss with several issues and we used to look at Texas to lead but they have been slipping closer to SF and that area in their thinking (Sorry Leo).
And as far as studies go, in Michigan they did a study that said if we raise taxes, increase the money to the schools, reduce the class size to 18 students per class and expand Cobo hall, our economy will strengthen enough where we can attract more businesses, but the study was sponsored by the Teacher's union and far from what is needed. Michigan needs to be a right to work state, eliminate the only VAT tax in the country and lower property taxes.
Greg said..."Our economy is not the same as France or Germany, they have high personal taxes, VAT taxes and their government and unions work with businesses where we have lower personal taxes, we have very high corporate taxes, no VAT tax and our government and unions work against the company."
So you are saying it's more of an aggressive enviroment here? I guess considering the U.S is only abit over 200 years old compared to the rest of the world. We have alot of growing pains yet....We are still in our infancy. We are still evolving. Wonder what we'll be like in a 1,000 years?
So you are saying it's more of an aggressive enviroment here? I guess considering the U.S is only abit over 200 years old compared to the rest of the world. We have alot of growing pains yet....We are still in our infancy. We are still evolving. Wonder what we'll be like in a 1,000 years?
We don't need a strike and the BAD opinion of truckers that would produce with the public. We need EVERY truck to slow down below 65mph and STOP IDLING all the MILLIONS of hours annually that don't need idling. THOSE are the things that prove how stoopid truckers are, not the fact they don't band together and strike.
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I'm not aware of any expedite carriers that do not provide a fuel surcharge to its leased owner/operators. If some of y'all DO NOT recieve any surcharge, then your comments about the high cost of fuel is germane to your bottom line. If you DO receive a surcharge, that is in conformance with Federal Government standards, then your comments about the high cost of fuel are misplaced. Unless, of course, you are refering mainly to the cost of idling and APU operation.
The Government's FSC guidelines suggest an addition to tariffs that offset the price of diesel fuel costing above $1.25. In a perfect expediting world, you would recieve your share of the run money plus the FSC. For example, a 9 mile per gallon straight truck would burn 100 gallons on a 900 mile trip. Today's average cost of diesel fuel is $3.27 so the trip in a typical D truck would use $327 worth of fuel. A fair FSC would be $3.27 - $1.25 = $2.02 x 100 = $202. This $202 FSC would be equal to 22.4 cents per mile. The driver would effectively be paying only $1.25 per gallon. If the cost of diesel goes to $5.00, the driver would get 41.7 cents per mile and the driver would still effectively be paying only $1.25 per gallon.
A typical non-specialty D truck expediter should average about $1.50 per loaded mile. Add the 22.4 cents to that and you have your $1.70+ per loaded mile.
Therefore I submit that the issue with a FSC paying industry is not so much the ever increasing cost of fuel but the ever declining run revenue. From what I see in EO comments and run offers from our own carrier, FSC'c are blended into the total run revenue so we don't mentally separate the two line items. We watch the prices on the fuel pumps rise so we equate our profit loss with fuel costs when the real devil is in the discounted freight.
The Government's FSC guidelines suggest an addition to tariffs that offset the price of diesel fuel costing above $1.25. In a perfect expediting world, you would recieve your share of the run money plus the FSC. For example, a 9 mile per gallon straight truck would burn 100 gallons on a 900 mile trip. Today's average cost of diesel fuel is $3.27 so the trip in a typical D truck would use $327 worth of fuel. A fair FSC would be $3.27 - $1.25 = $2.02 x 100 = $202. This $202 FSC would be equal to 22.4 cents per mile. The driver would effectively be paying only $1.25 per gallon. If the cost of diesel goes to $5.00, the driver would get 41.7 cents per mile and the driver would still effectively be paying only $1.25 per gallon.
A typical non-specialty D truck expediter should average about $1.50 per loaded mile. Add the 22.4 cents to that and you have your $1.70+ per loaded mile.
Therefore I submit that the issue with a FSC paying industry is not so much the ever increasing cost of fuel but the ever declining run revenue. From what I see in EO comments and run offers from our own carrier, FSC'c are blended into the total run revenue so we don't mentally separate the two line items. We watch the prices on the fuel pumps rise so we equate our profit loss with fuel costs when the real devil is in the discounted freight.
Terry...so meaning carriers are reducing freight rates to offset the FSC to satisfy their customers? Net gain for the operator=0
Leo has a good point, it's hard to feel bad for the guy who wants to drive his big square Pete at 75 mph so he can get to the truck stop and leave it idling (cause no matter what CAT says, it's better to idle it, some guy told me so) while he grocery shops at the J store (ooooh look, chrome air horn cords!).
The guy who followed me in to the pumps at 60 mph in his aerodynamic truck, checking the pressures in his low pro tires and has his trailer snugged up close, he has a legitimate bit to complain about.
I hate high fuel prices too, but times change and if you don't try to adapt.....
And with all the bottom feeders and illegal drivers out there, a national strike is a pipe dream. What a great excuse the gov't would have to let Mexican trucks in.
If you look at the fuel prices here as viewed within a fishbowl, then yeah, we are exempt from the high price of price per gallon. But it's not that simple. As has been stated, look at the base price. We pay the same for fuel here as they do everywhere else (it's a world market) with the difference being taxes. But it's not just taxes, it's what gets taxes, and from where.
One small illustrative example, albeit oversimplified, is the state and federal taxes we pay on tires. Here, we pay that when we buy tires. In Europe, they pay that at the pump, not when they buy the tires. There are lots of taxes we pay outside the pump that are otherwise added to the cost of fuel in Europe.
Pay very close attention to a legislator who wants to raise taxes on fuel because they see the high price per gallon in Europe, thinking we can do the same thing here.