Is this time of the year always this slow?

[jamom123]

I'm pretty new to expediting I am a solo in a straight truck D unit. I was just wondering if this time of the year was normally this slow. I know the winter months are usually the slow times but I have been doing a lot of sitting here lately. Thanks, Everyone

 

[Slo-Ride]

I dont think this year has taken off as good as it has in the past. Been slow then good then slow again then good. Maybe just depends on what kinda work ya doing..If your hanging around the auto plants I would say yes its slow but maybe picking up?? Other work seems good when dispatch can get it. Untill this weekend I was about to write the month off (in my mind) and then just these past two days are going to make me look at it again. For sure it salvaged my pay period. I dont allways look at the money sometimes not having consent work can make me not look at the big picture. Seems like when your not working the world is coming apart then a few jobs can make it look like the planets are starting to align all over again.
What was a good place to go before isnt so good anymore and vise versa. Just dont know what comes next anymore.

 

[Monty]

My advise is to always look at your revenue no more than monthly. And I personally always used a quarterly income marker.

When you divide it out for the past 12 weeks, it seems much better than doing it weekly.

 

[jamom123]

I always try to go pretty much wherever dispatch says they need me. But I have been doing a lot of sitting especially over the weekends that's when I would like to get the long hauls. Maybe things will pickup soon. Thanks for all the feedback.

 

[Slo-Ride]

Taking those long runs for a single driver sometimes can mean waiting a lil extra for a load that has sleep built into for a return unless your carrier is xdocking freight. It tought call on going deep for a single driver. Sit and wait it out or start moving and kill your log book for the day. And then which way do ya go if not towards the house?

 

[jamom123]

I try to sit it out and wait for a load, but I still haven't learned which areas to go to and which ones to stay away from. As for moving on my own I usually always go towards home or a busy express center.

 

[Slo-Ride]

When you said express center it made me see your with Fedx..I never ran for them. Hauled a few loads for em. In time you will make mental notes of whats good for you and the truck..get to know some of these folks that run with em. Most will help ya I'm sure. I'm willing to bet if ya give it time Fedx could work for ya.

But remember if they hang out in here ya need to take everything they say and cut it in half and go from there. (J/king)

 

[Jenny]

I try to sit it out and wait for a load, but I still haven't learned which areas to go to and which ones to stay away from. As for moving on my own I usually always go towards home or a busy express center.

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What we have done for the last few years, at various companies, that seemed to have helped with what areas are good vs bad, is I made a spreadsheet with all of my load information. Where I picked up, delivered, miles, pay, etc. That way I can sort it by state and see what areas were better for us in certain states, and can also use it as a tool when accepting a load as well, to see if it is a good area to go to. I did it in google docs, that way I can open it right from my phone when looking on the fly.

 

[T270_Dreamin]

Just when you think a fed ex straight would be moving all the time, here is proof nothing is a guarantee in this business. Maybe it's a good thing I'm in a CV... also I don't have $140k to throw into a straight. I've been moving strong for the last 2 weeks, 3 loads the first week and 5 the last week... I think the longest one was 388 but they all seem to ad up.

Do you guys think May will pick up or be about the same? I truly believe it's about being in the right place at the right time, exceptions are Chicago and Detroit, if you are out of work. Drive there I guarantee you will be gone same say or a hour or two later!

 

[EASYTRADER]

Yes its slow this time of year.

 

[Mike99]

I'm pretty new to expediting I am a solo in a straight truck D unit. I was just wondering if this time of the year was normally this slow. I know the winter months are usually the slow times but I have been doing a lot of sitting here lately. Thanks, Everyone

Same as now or slower. More trucks than 10 years ago and less freight....

 

[EASYTRADER]

Also the economy is smaller, Its been a while since I checked but I believe GDP is still below where it was in 07

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[ATeam]

I always try to go pretty much wherever dispatch says they need me. But I have been doing a lot of sitting especially over the weekends that's when I would like to get the long hauls. Maybe things will pickup soon. Thanks for all the feedback.

Things may have changed since Diane and I left that carrier in 2011, but when we were there, we quickly learned to disregard statements from dispatch and notficiations via Qualcomm that we were "needed" in a particular area.

Needed to them meant that an area was not covered by trucks in case a load may pop up. If you were needed to cover a load, you would be dispatched on it. When deadhead became necessary, we stopped going where we were "needed" and started going to where freight was more likely to be found.

 

[jamom123]

Thanks everyone for all the insight it really helps a newbie like me.

 

[ATeam]

That's one of the things Diane and I have come to enjoy about Landstar Express America. After you deliver a load, it is entirely up to you what you do next and you have full freedom to do it.

There are no express centers, dwell time, time since last dispatch, distance to next pick up, less-than-75 status, and other such things. If you are empty and available, you show up on the board as such, and that's pretty much it.

It's peaceful.

 

[paullud]

It seems like a solo ST driver and FedEx wouldn't work well, it doesn't seem to fit their model.

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[1roaddog]

Use the VRU to see how many trucks are where the offer is going. If it is crowded , maybe not go. The Northeast is where I would stay as a solo. Know the number of trucks near you and when you are The only option, negotiate a better rate.

 

[jamom123]

I stayed fairly busy in february, really busy in march, and april has been really slow I thought it was suppose to be picking up now.

 

[zorry]

Here's what I like about Fedex.
After I deliver a load, it is entirely up to me what I do next and I have full freedom to do it.

I HAVE NEVER BEEN FORCED TO GO ANYWHERE.
I have been paid to go places.

There are Express Centers, dwell time, distance to next pickup ( which means you have a load) , less than 75 status, and other things.

When I'm empty and available I show up as available. As a fully credentialed team we more often than not get a load promptly.

I don't have to suck up to agents,market myself, or anything else.

Be somewhere, be willing and able, and the loads come.
Amazing, isn't it.

The OP is a solo and is still learning. Look, listen, learn. He'll be OK.

 

[jamom123]

Thanks for the advice zorry , troaddog.