Is there enough freight to go around
- Thread starter pantherii
- Start date
The old-timers can tell you detailed stories of such periods. Newbies will do well to listen and learn to such stories because it can happen again. Be prepared for extended periods of little or no income if you become an expediter.
I do not believe it is happening now. To their credit, the largest carrier FedEx Custom Critical is not overexpanding its fleet size (my opinion). They've stopped adding B units for some time now. Recruiting efforts for certain kinds of reefer trucks have also been curtailed because they consider the present fleet "right sized."
I have less knowledge of the other carriers' fleet numbers and plans for expansion or contraction. Perhaps others can share what they know.
I do not believe it is happening now. To their credit, the largest carrier FedEx Custom Critical is not overexpanding its fleet size (my opinion). They've stopped adding B units for some time now. Recruiting efforts for certain kinds of reefer trucks have also been curtailed because they consider the present fleet "right sized."
I have less knowledge of the other carriers' fleet numbers and plans for expansion or contraction. Perhaps others can share what they know.
dhalltoyo
Veteran Expediter
FedEx is considering adding a limited number of B units in (*****)(Sorry, it is not yet public information) based upon anticipated new business now in the works.
That said, the transportation industry is experiencing a significant shortage of over-the-road drivers. An ATA study reported:
ALEXANDRIA, Va.--May 2, 2005--The long-haul, heavy-duty truck transportation industry in the United States is experiencing a national shortage of 20,000 truck drivers, the American Trucking Associations reported today in its newly released U.S. Truck Driver Shortage: Analysis and Forecasts.
The Forecast, a report on the present and future of the long-haul truck driver pool, predicts the shortage of long-haul truck drivers will increase to 111,000 by 2014 if current demographic trends stay their course and if the overall labor force continues to grow at a slower pace.
Now, I am new to the driver side of the industry, but as a former VP of an ecommerce company who contracted our company's shipping services I have to believe that a trickle down effect will occur. If the availibilty of E class trucks is limited, then the D and C classes will have the opportunity to fill the gap and what they can't handle will then trickle down to the B class. When you need something delivered you take what is available.
I have also spoken with my brother-in-law in Germany and he confirmed my thoughts about a trend toward greater central utilization. For instance, E class trucks run the Autobahn to a large distribution center. The freight is handed off to C and D class trucks thus reducing traffic congestion in the more populated areas. The B class trucks pick up the more urgent deliveries, or those going to smaller remote towns, from the distribution center.
Who knows, maybe this trend will catch on here as well. One thing seems fairly sure; if this country is going to need 111,000 drivers by 2014 it should indicate that there is enough freight to go around.
That said, the transportation industry is experiencing a significant shortage of over-the-road drivers. An ATA study reported:
ALEXANDRIA, Va.--May 2, 2005--The long-haul, heavy-duty truck transportation industry in the United States is experiencing a national shortage of 20,000 truck drivers, the American Trucking Associations reported today in its newly released U.S. Truck Driver Shortage: Analysis and Forecasts.
The Forecast, a report on the present and future of the long-haul truck driver pool, predicts the shortage of long-haul truck drivers will increase to 111,000 by 2014 if current demographic trends stay their course and if the overall labor force continues to grow at a slower pace.
Now, I am new to the driver side of the industry, but as a former VP of an ecommerce company who contracted our company's shipping services I have to believe that a trickle down effect will occur. If the availibilty of E class trucks is limited, then the D and C classes will have the opportunity to fill the gap and what they can't handle will then trickle down to the B class. When you need something delivered you take what is available.
I have also spoken with my brother-in-law in Germany and he confirmed my thoughts about a trend toward greater central utilization. For instance, E class trucks run the Autobahn to a large distribution center. The freight is handed off to C and D class trucks thus reducing traffic congestion in the more populated areas. The B class trucks pick up the more urgent deliveries, or those going to smaller remote towns, from the distribution center.
Who knows, maybe this trend will catch on here as well. One thing seems fairly sure; if this country is going to need 111,000 drivers by 2014 it should indicate that there is enough freight to go around.
Broompilot
Veteran Expediter
If you BOUGHT IT it was brought to by a truck. One MFG good may of had hundreds if not thousands of trucks bring the pieces together for assembly.
Every container ship has all those boxes shipped, opened broke down and reshipped. This industry is truley the back bone of this country and economy, the sign on the back of the trucks says it all
(WITH OUT TRUCKS AMERICA STOPS) and it should also say (THE WORLD). Than there is produce, raw material, and our specialed nitch of OPPs or oh ^%&*( it had better be there ASAP or else...) Just to mention a very few.
There will always be slow times, the thoughest will survive the weaker will fall or fail. Reasons or Results its your decision.
Every container ship has all those boxes shipped, opened broke down and reshipped. This industry is truley the back bone of this country and economy, the sign on the back of the trucks says it all
(WITH OUT TRUCKS AMERICA STOPS) and it should also say (THE WORLD). Than there is produce, raw material, and our specialed nitch of OPPs or oh ^%&*( it had better be there ASAP or else...) Just to mention a very few.
There will always be slow times, the thoughest will survive the weaker will fall or fail. Reasons or Results its your decision.
whitewolf53
Expert Expediter
PANTHERii:YOU WERE WARNED ABOUT THIS WHEN YOU FIRST GOT INTO THE BUSINESS.I REMEMBER YOU BRAGGING ABOUT ALL YOUR MILES AND MONEY YOU WERE MAKING,WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED.
DON'T WORRY IT WILL PICK UP AGAIN.JUST HANG TOUGH.
MIKE
WHITEWOLF 53
HERE LIZARD LIZARD LIZARD
:9 :9 :9 :9 :9
DON'T WORRY IT WILL PICK UP AGAIN.JUST HANG TOUGH.
MIKE
WHITEWOLF 53
HERE LIZARD LIZARD LIZARD
:9 :9 :9 :9 :9
JEEZ WHITEWOLF BACK OFF DUDE, I WAS JUST POSING A QUESTION, I WASNT BRAGGING YOU FOOL, IM IN THIS FOR THE LONG HAUL I DONT NEED YOU TO TELL ME TO HANG TOUGH.
THIS IS THE SECOND POST YOU'VE TOLD ME I BRAGGED AND THAT I WAS WARNED, GET A LIFE.
When I worked for swift transportation driving an 18 wheeler they told us at orientation that they have an 80% turnover rate.
so i was just wondering, are people getting into this and then quiting, not giving it a chance?
Whitewolf dont worry about the king team were doing just fine, worry about yourself!!!!}> }> }> }> }> }> }> }> }> }>
THIS IS THE SECOND POST YOU'VE TOLD ME I BRAGGED AND THAT I WAS WARNED, GET A LIFE.
When I worked for swift transportation driving an 18 wheeler they told us at orientation that they have an 80% turnover rate.
so i was just wondering, are people getting into this and then quiting, not giving it a chance?
Whitewolf dont worry about the king team were doing just fine, worry about yourself!!!!}> }> }> }> }> }> }> }> }> }>
When I worked for swift transportation driving an 18 wheeler they told us at orientation that they have an 80% turnover rate.
so i was just wondering, are people getting into this and then quiting, not giving it a chance?
As with any business, you will always have a percentage of people leave for a variety of reasons. Everything from lack of revenue, poor management, health, and family issues.
Davekc
owner
21 years
PantherII
EO moderator
so i was just wondering, are people getting into this and then quiting, not giving it a chance?
As with any business, you will always have a percentage of people leave for a variety of reasons. Everything from lack of revenue, poor management, health, and family issues.
Davekc
owner
21 years
PantherII
EO moderator
When I started in this business 12/98 with TST, I was told in orientation that turnover that year was in excess of 100%. Made me wonder just what the heck I was getting in to.
Yeah, that's pretty much what I said at the time.