Is it just me?

[layoutshooter]

BUT Layout, I am not talking about the rates you get, it is the rates that are quoted to the customer.

How many loads that should go to W/G trucks end up to surface trucks or even go outside the system?

Can't tell because no one really knows.

Your revenue may be up, which is a good thing but shouldn't it progress upwards because of the specialized nature of your tools?

Shouldn't the company work harder to find more opportunities to keep the trucks moving?

Doesn't revenue get produced when that truck is moving?

My revenues should be going up and are. I have little doubt that FDCC is doing all they can to find more opportunities, at least in our "specialized" areas. We have gone on "sales calls" with agents when customers requested to see a truck. (paid the truck to do this) Trucks have to move to make money. We are moving. We are moving better than last year and MOST of the runs we have accepted this year require our "special" touch. I really hope that trend continues.

I just wish they could fix the dispatch system. Getting all those "A" and "B" rate offers is a real pain.

 

[greg334]

OK, so your up 8 cents a mile. Is that an improvement over your 2008/2007 numbers?

What percentage increase is that ending up to be?

Are you in sync with the carrier's improved numbers?

I have two points, the 2009 numbers mean little, all of the industry hurt, it took a hit and has yet to recover but comparing to better times, what increases did you see from 2007 or 2008? AND just because you see some sales activity, does not mean that they are actually selling the services you are offer.

 

[pjjjjj]

Pjjj,
When you imply wages, it is a fix costs which is alright to think that way but unrealistic in the long run because of the flexibility needed in this business. The employee factor seems to come in as a carry over from working for someone else and that gets people into trouble, it is better to strive for a profit and make it a living profit.

Call it wages, profit, labor-expense, all-beef-bologna, doesn't matter, as long as it exists.. otherwise one is simply buying themselves a job.

If labor is required to earn the revenue, and couldn't be earned without it, IMHO the expense of said labor should be considered in determining profitability and viability.

I think I speak a different language (Canuck) tho.. and I'm obviously not able to make my point(s) understood.

 

[layoutshooter]

OK, so your up 8 cents a mile. Is that an improvement over your 2008/2007 numbers?

What percentage increase is that ending up to be?

Are you in sync with the carrier's improved numbers?

I have two points, the 2009 numbers mean little, all of the industry hurt, it took a hit and has yet to recover but comparing to better times, what increases did you see from 2007 or 2008? AND just because you see some sales activity, does not mean that they are actually selling the services you are offer.

I can't compare to 2008. We took that huge hit when we lost our box. I don't have 2007 books on the truck.

Most of the sales activity that I have seen was 100% our "special" touch stuff.

 

[greg334]

I think I speak a different language (Canuck) tho.. and I'm obviously not able to make my point(s) understood.

Actually I understand what you are getting at, I have just been dealing with people who say "you got to this way and only this way" and then when I present my version, they get all bent out of shape - not you.

It may make sense to explain it in another way, the pre-tax net is the number I return home with after fuel, insurance, etc... are all paid for which is the same as what you are saying. I leave out the word employee and a few other words not to mask things. It is out of that money I have to pay my SS, SBT and so on and what I consider profit. It is that number every week I use to determine whether or not I will make money or accept a load based on the on going rolling adjustment of costs.

I seem to be doing well when I am on the road, but maybe it is the way I restructured everything last year to hedge more economy downturns in the future.

What I find amazing is not too many people will talk about details of their money management. Sometimes I think they don't have any or think it is such a secret.

 

[dabluzman1]

OK, so your up 8 cents a mile. Is that an improvement over your 2008/2007 numbers?

What percentage increase is that ending up to be?

Are you in sync with the carrier's improved numbers?

I have two points, the 2009 numbers mean little, all of the industry hurt, it took a hit and has yet to recover but comparing to better times, what increases did you see from 2007 or 2008? AND just because you see some sales activity, does not mean that they are actually selling the services you are offer.

Our gross for 2010 will surpass 2008 by aprox 8 to 12%.
Net will reflect similar gains.

 

[OntarioVanMan]

Our gross for 2010 will surpass 2008 by aprox 8 to 12%.
Net will reflect similar gains.

But bluez..that was 2 years ago....how much of this gain could be attributed to more experience, as in load selection vs the rates and luck of the draw for good loads..as being in the right location more time this year then 2 years ago....a higher profit doesn't necessarily mean you received higher rates...your just better at it...

now if someone comes up with a yearly average paid mile rate, we could really see if there was an increase....

 

[greg334]

It could be a combination of all these things but OVM, it seems that 2008 is the year before the storm, we did well... most of us that is ... and with what some at FedEx has seen in changes, the 8 to 12% is a great number.

Didn't FedEx's number also gain that much too?

Thanks for sharing.

 

[OntarioVanMan]

It could be a combination of all these things but OVM, it seems that 2008 is the year before the storm, we did well... most of us that is ... and with what some at FedEx has seen in changes, the 8 to 12% is a great number.

Didn't FedEx's number also gain that much too?

Thanks for sharing.

A lot of cuts in our rates came in the late spring,early summer of 2009...2008 was a good year...
and now rates to fleet straight owners have risen a bit for recruiting purposes, but the single owner is getting the shaft..only the ones on % deal are seeing any real money...

 

[greg334]

But don't you tink' that we are seeing not a recovery but a calm before the storm?

How many actually expected a real recovery in 2010 or even 2011?

 

[OntarioVanMan]

But don't you tink' that we are seeing not a recovery but a calm before the storm?

How many actually expected a real recovery in 2010 or even 2011?

me tinks...a lot is in a holding pattern waiting to see what the WH and Congress does in the fall....and the elections..

 

[dabluzman1]

But bluez..that was 2 years ago....how much of this gain could be attributed to more experience, as in load selection vs the rates and luck of the draw for good loads..as being in the right location more time this year then 2 years ago....a higher profit doesn't necessarily mean you received higher rates...your just better at it...

now if someone comes up with a yearly average paid mile rate, we could really see if there was an increase....

I dont understand your train of thought.
As business people we are suppose to adapt and make better decisions. Good expediting conditions for business are not just a function of rates, be it they are a very big factor.
If I am running more profitable this year than last I accept it and continue to try to improve what I am now experiencing.
Even if it is dumb luck, I will take it, for if I am "dumb lucky" for a year, it is a trend.

 

[OntarioVanMan]

DaBluez said....As business people we are suppose to adapt and make better decisions

key words there are "suppose to" not everyone does over time, they stay in the same old rut...ya know habits, they never absorb the experience because they know everything..

example, issue of the month...showers...it has some all worked up and in a lather..things change and we must as well...

 

[dabluzman1]

DaBluez said....As business people we are suppose to adapt and make better decisions

key words there are "suppose to" not everyone does over time, they stay in the same old rut...ya know habits, they never absorb the experience because they know everything..

example, issue of the month...showers...it has some all worked up and in a lather..things change and we must as well...

HEY, of you are going to quote me, after DaBluez, the proper word is "saith".

I agree some of the key words are "suppose to" the others are
"business people" a lot here are just truck drivers.

 

[comet_4298]

How can you make the right business decision,when you refuse a load (because it won't cover my cost),but now you get no offer's for 2,3,4,5 days?????????????????

 

[layoutshooter]

How can you make the right business decision,when you refuse a load (because it won't cover my cost),but now you get no offer's for 2,3,4,5 days?????????????????

That is a real problem in this business to say the least. In our case we had to get a complete overhaul on our "magic crystal ball". We learned it was not functioning correctly.

How long have you been in the business?

 

[comet_4298]

That is a real problem in this business to say the least. In our case we had to get a complete overhaul on our "magic crystal ball". We learned it was not functioning correctly.

How long have you been in the business?

Layoutshooter,12 years O/O in a Tractor/Trailer and 3 year at Expedite in a Sprinter Van.

 

[OntarioVanMan]

How can you make the right business decision,when you refuse a load (because it won't cover my cost),but now you get no offer's for 2,3,4,5 days?????????????????

obviously you don't run the load...where is the logic to lose money? you may as well sit...why run to just lose money?

did I repeat myself there? I think so...

 

[layoutshooter]

Layoutshooter,12 years O/O in a Tractor/Trailer and 3 year at Expedite in a Sprinter Van.

Sorry, I know nothing about the van side of life. We have learned over the past 5 years that there are areas that tend to produce freight better than others. When we are in one of those areas we are less likely to take a minimal load than if we were in an area that produces less freight. It does not always work but over the year it averages out. It is NOT working today. Might be time for another crystal ball tune up.

 

[comet_4298]

obviously you don't run the load...where is the logic to lose money? you may as well sit...why run to just lose money?

did I repeat myself there? I think so...

OVM,that's my point........you don't run it and then your setting and don't run either.
No, I don't run to help pay for part of the fuel,like some do.