Getting a bit better?

JimF51 · Feb 20, 2010

I'm a member of 2 general trucking forums. In the past month or so, many drivers have indicated they have been busier (more miles) than the previous several months, and more so than they expected, since this is generally the slow time of year for freight.

I get the feeling that there is a guarded optimism that things are beginning to get a tad better.

How about the expedited side of things? I asked my future co-driver, but as he has been running solo while owner looked for another co-driver, instead of his usual team driving, he really didn't have a basis for comparison.

DannyD · Feb 20, 2010

Guarded optimism is the perfect term IMO. I'm not gonna buy a new house, but think I'll be able to pay a few things off here in the next couple of months.

Then after that I'd like to replenish the reserves & then after that hopefully a newer truck. Where as last year I would have thought no chance in hades of that happening w/ this job now I'm starting to think it just might be able to happen.

skyraider · Feb 20, 2010

we got 40 courier drivers where I work,,,Im busy,,,dont know about the rest,,,,,,,,,,a buddy of mine got 2000 miles last week in his van,,,he is a happy camper ,,,estimated earnings were 1600 bucks gross or so,,,,I can live on that real goooood,,,,,I can take 2 weeks off to boot

layoutshooter · Feb 20, 2010

We are way up over last year. Miles are not important to use, money is. Miles do not equal money for us. Last year was a very good year. This year is better, so far. Let's hope it stays that way. As said before, we won't be buying a new house but at least we won't lose this one if things stay this way.

jjoerger · Feb 20, 2010

I had a really good December and January.

So far February has been the worst month I have had in the last year and a half.

I think the blizzards really hurt business.
Oh well, theres always next month.

JimF51 · Feb 21, 2010

layoutshooter said:
Miles are not important to use, money is. Miles do not equal money for us.

Layout, I realize miles isn't a indicator for expediting, but it is for company drivers who are paid so many cents per mile, no matter what the load pays. Drivers who might have only been averaging 1200 miles a week last year have been seeing almost double that recently.

That's what prompted my question here, because there is a difference.

Steady Eddie · Feb 21, 2010

When So Far So Good is Used

An ironworker on the 90th floor slipped and fell.
His buddy on the 30th floor yelled out as he passed,
“How’s it going?”
The falling worker yelled “So far so gooooddd”

nightcreacher · Feb 21, 2010

I dont want to brag,but I could take a month off work right now,and still have made more money this year already than last winter.This has been the best Jan Feb I've had in 25 years of expediting.If I posted the numbers,I would be accused of paying off dispatch,and believe me It wasn't done
Not since 1993 and 94 have I seen winter time numbers like this.

Wingnut · Feb 21, 2010

So far, my trucks have been running almost double than they did last year. Sure hope this is the sign of things to come but I'm a realist.

Shadowpanda · Feb 21, 2010

Although I am totally new to this side of trucking I have to say that if this the 'slow' season I would never have known it if I hadn't been told so. Looking forward to the 'busy' part for sure.

layoutshooter · Feb 21, 2010

Shadowpanda said:
Although I am totally new to this side of trucking I have to say that if this the 'slow' season I would never have known it if I hadn't been told so. Looking forward to the 'busy' part for sure.

If this start to the year is any indication of how the rest of the year is going to be just wait until Oct and Nov. I see many 34 hour resets then!! We only had two 34 hour resets last year and most likely would have had one soon if this unexpected weekend off had not come up. Ya gotta love it!!

x06col · Feb 21, 2010

It is really a good thing that freight is picking up. I hope tho, that those of you that are tempted to make the same mistakes some of your predecesors did when times were good, and actually start taking those extended weeks off. Most are no longer with.

layoutshooter · Feb 21, 2010

We are running our business like times were still bad. Only taking time when required. We did luck out this weekend. I am home to take my dad to the DR. I think his is a bit worried. He really seemed relieved that I could take him, LOL, he only tried to talk me out of it for about a minute!!

piper1 · Feb 21, 2010

January was a bit soft for me but I met my revenue targets for February before the 15th. We got a great new customer close to home that has really kept me busy, needless to say I am doing everything I can to keep them happy. April will be the telltale month for me. If I meet target in April I will for sure believe that the recovery is for sure.