How Slow is Slow
- Thread starter Curtdintc
- Start date
Yesteryear
Expert Expediter
Jan and Feb are always slow months. We're with Tri-State and yes it has been slow. Here's our tally: today finishes this week, so for this week we have 3183 miles, last week 1860 miles, week before 1644, week before 2239, week before 1669, week before 2968. As you can see our numbers are down too. Hope this helps you. Hopefully freight is going to pick up soon.
nightcreacher
Veteran Expediter
How slow is slow,depending how many trucks your company has,will detrmine how slow it really is.Yes 1st three months of year are usually slow,but there will be loads turned down cause of pay,and if your able to run your business cheap enough,those lower paying loads could keep you busy.I'm not saying take cheap freight,lower pay doesnt always mean cheap.To me cheap is when you haul a load that puts your business in the red
Yesteryear
Expert Expediter
Nightcreacher is exactly right! You should not turn a load down just because it "is not your rate". That is bad business. Look at each load individually and as a whole. Ask yourself:
1. How long have I been sitting here? (Have you been sitting there for days or weeks as some have posted?)
2. What are my chances to get a load at my rate? (Are you in a black hole or the abyss?)
3. How much longer do I want to sit here? (Are you willing to sit for hours, days, weeks longer before getting a load at your rate?)
4. How many miles is the reduced rate load for? (For instance we were offered a 2800 reduced rate load at $1.00 a mile with a 1300. FSC. from California to Florida.)
5. Where is the reduced rate load going to? (If your in a black hole and the reduced rate load is going to a hot spot then why would you turn it down? Isn't it better then dead-heading back into the freight line at .20 a mile?)
Remember just because the freight is at a reduced rate or is a mini load does not mean you should automatically turn it down. Always weigh the pros and cons of the load then look at your loads as a whole before making a decision.
Jack_Berry
Moderator Emeritus
one on each monday and maybe one on friday since the begining of this month. looking for the end-of-the-week move.
It is slow enough to be able to read War and Peace without ever putting it down. I hear on Bloomberg finance that some economists expect this downturn to possibly last into 2011 or at least another two years. I also work for Tri-State and thus far my one run in the current pay period was for 127 miles. However, a friend of a friend (both Tri-State drivers) got a 900 mile run this last week. We all drive cargo vans. Watching what is going on in this country you would think it is the end of the world as we know it. Hidden in all the gloom is the fact that over 90% of the working population still have some kind of job. As far as expediting goes, I don't think we have been here before since this industry is relatively new compared to many others. We have a new government that is anti-business and pro income redistribution. Yes, things will improve. It is the when that is the unknown.
so much for economists...I seen some reports that things will bottom out by end of 2nd quarter and things will be on an uptrend by the 4th quarter of 2009 to 1st quarter of 2010.
nightcreacher
Veteran Expediter
Every winter since i started in this expedite busness, the same questions are asked,how slow is slow?When you sign on to what ever company,you here that 1st quarter will be slow.Years ago, I had 1 guy tell me this isn't slow,this is stopped.For what ever reason,economy or otherwise,the winter in trucking is slow,and that is for all types of carriers.Bucke up,this time I think it's going to be a long ride.
Yeah Steve..I really wouldn't want to be a newbee right now...unless they have very deep pockets and then they'll be playing catch up just to get their money back even before they realize a profit! It's going to be tough, even for us vets that know how to work the system.
nightcreacher
Veteran Expediter
My new co driver wont be in the system 'til probably Wed or Thursday.I finally was offered a load that paid me to run it, rather than me to pay to run it,if you can understand that,When running solo I dont usually do loads with this distance,500 miles,as the shorter runs pay more,but I cant sit home forever.With the advance on this load, if needed, I can do the run, then dead head home,but I'm hopeing this won't happen.Loading Pittsburgh airport on Monday to deliver Knoxville airport on Tuesday.
Yep...I completely understand...Good Luck with new co-driver.
You might be an E and me a B...But the principles are the same...Its all relative.
nightcreacher
Veteran Expediter
the biggest advantage an E over a B,far less of us
hondaking38
Veteran Expediter
its so slow, that i have moss growing on the outside of my van..
Jack_Berry
Moderator Emeritus
......and for how many years have we heard financial "experts" keep telling the american(and maybe the canadien) people that we do not save enough. well this might be what happens when people start saving.
can't have it both ways.