Commodity?? sheesh..what do I look like a bushel of corn or pork bellies?....*LOL*
Come to think about it....DON'T answer that...
OK, I won't answer that!!
loads and where did they go
- Thread starter danthewolf00
- Start date
OK, I won't answer that!!
So Greg...depending on the shippers need....Sprinters would fit between you and a CV? Instead of 2 skids every 4 hrs they could do 3 skids every 6 and eliminate 1 cv in a 24 hour period....and so true they could do the same the next class up...and so forth...again depending on customers needs...
But are not CV runners like rabbits? You can kill off a bunch but it only takes a cycle or two to restore the pestilence.
With entry barriers so low, what else would expect but to see a continuious flow of unqualified and unprepared people and vehicles from whatever field they left into the field where they see greener grass?
Greg, I am talking about JUNK, not older but well maintained equipment. When trucks break down and freight is not delivered on time shippers will return to some of the higher quality carriers.
I know that there are MANY good, solid older trucks out there. They do a fine job. I also know that uniforms are NOT the most important things. I have been around the block more than once in my life.
The fact is that right now there are a LOT of those junk carriers out there. I seem them all the time. A 1985 chevy van, no wheel wells left, rusted out, blowing blue smoke out the tail pipe, wheels wobbling like a Weeble during a earthquake and "ABC Expediting" on the side done with black electrical tape. You have seen them too. THAT is what I was speaking of.
I know that there are MANY good, solid older trucks out there. They do a fine job. I also know that uniforms are NOT the most important things. I have been around the block more than once in my life.
The fact is that right now there are a LOT of those junk carriers out there. I seem them all the time. A 1985 chevy van, no wheel wells left, rusted out, blowing blue smoke out the tail pipe, wheels wobbling like a Weeble during a earthquake and "ABC Expediting" on the side done with black electrical tape. You have seen them too. THAT is what I was speaking of.
greg334
Veteran Expediter
What industry?
This is what many of you want, an unregulated world where there are no p*ssing in cups to see what drugs you are on, no EOBRs or anything like that. If you don't want the mom/pop shops involved, then fight to get ride of the big companies that allow gaps in servicing the customer.
Don't crap on those who are in it to make money with limited resources, crap on those who think that the carrier needs to charge for every little thing.
Well Duh!!
Carriers of all sizes should be concerned with themselves first. The biggest violators are the two of the three largest carriers in this business, the third is too diverse to keep a captive fleet.
BUT think of it this way for those who think I'm off the wall with this stuff, how many of you have a plumber come to your business or house and ask him as the first question "can I see your books so I can tell you what I'm going to pay"?
You don't and it is the plumber who tells you what he wants, and your choice is to either go with him or see what else is out there.
This work is the same way, it is competitive first within the fleet and then in the industry. The guy who will haul the freight for $1.25 a mile may be p*ssing on another contractor's leg within the fleet when those others are trying to hold out for $1.40 a mile. If the carrier can't find someone to take it for $1.25 a mile, they may put it out in the open or send it to a partner carrier to take and do so at a loss but the customer gets served.
That is exactly what happened in 08 when things picked up the recruiters had a field day...the doors flung open to any thing that had a pulse....and here we are to-day back to square one..
Making it harder to qualify would be counter productive to the carriers needs.....just goes in cycles...us experienced ones know this are are prepared for this....
Mom and Pop's do NOT have to run junk. IF I were so inclined to run on my own I would NOT lower my standards. I may end up doing that some day. Who knows? Right now it does not suit my needs. Next week it might.
Much depends on the types of freight you haul as well. Is it REALLY time sensitive? Will that truck hold together long enough to get it there on time? Will that truck that shows up hold together long enough to get my 50 million dollar load to it's destination?
I was NOT speaking about drug testing or EOBR's. Totally separate issues. I don't NEED to be regulated by ANYONE to insure that MY equipment is in good, solid working order. That includes FDCC or DOT.
Much depends on the types of freight you haul as well. Is it REALLY time sensitive? Will that truck hold together long enough to get it there on time? Will that truck that shows up hold together long enough to get my 50 million dollar load to it's destination?
I was NOT speaking about drug testing or EOBR's. Totally separate issues. I don't NEED to be regulated by ANYONE to insure that MY equipment is in good, solid working order. That includes FDCC or DOT.
I've met a few mom and pops in my time..I almost feel off the dock when they told me what they were getting...most are NOT running on the cheap...
greg334
Veteran Expediter
I understand what you are saying but I don't see it as a problem because I don't see a lot of expedite straight trucks falling apart while going down the road. Beside, you could look at mine and say it is junk because it looks like an older used truck.
What is a higher quality carrier?
Surely you are not considering a multi-national package carrier as one?
It isn't the truck Joe, it is the mental attitude of the driver/owner what matters. Uniforms are part of the pride/reward system and sets people apart - sometimes makes them feel special.
The most important thing in this work seems to be having the ability to solve a customer's problem without getting everyone under the company logo involved and having the flexibility to fix the problem.
Good for you about walking around the block. You would think I'm too fat looking at me to walk but I did the three mile heart walk yesterday and have another one to fly to in a few weeks that is 15 miles long which is not a problem. Keep up the exercise!
Well ... I would agree with you but see I don't see carriers as being Junk, I see come vans (actually many of them) as being junk and it isn't about the condition of the van. I have yet to even see a 1985 van in any fleet that is running freight but I get what you are saying. I think you need to look at it from my point of view, the driver may be the junk, not the vehicle.
OVM, This also happened in 2006 when things were doing well that fleets wanted to expand. Some did and killed their business off but today we have a lot of desperate people and van fleet owners who are jumping in to make a quick buck. I said that these carriers should eliminate van fleet owners and still think that way.
Greg..I can't relate U.S. matters prior to 07...I was Ontario plated before that...
Greg, I HAVE seen your truck. It is NOT what I am speaking of.
I know how to run a business. I WOULD have some sort of uniform even IF I was running my own operation. I think it looks more professional and presents a better image to the customer. My truck might be older but it would be well maintained.
I don't know about were you drive but I have seen MANY just pure junk expediters out there.
I could provide better service on my own in some cases than I can with FDCC. Insurance issues etc require me to deal with corporate more than I feel is needed. Just the nature of the beast.
I know how to run a business. I WOULD have some sort of uniform even IF I was running my own operation. I think it looks more professional and presents a better image to the customer. My truck might be older but it would be well maintained.
I don't know about were you drive but I have seen MANY just pure junk expediters out there.
I could provide better service on my own in some cases than I can with FDCC. Insurance issues etc require me to deal with corporate more than I feel is needed. Just the nature of the beast.
Pestilence? WTF?
Pestilence: : something that is destructive or pernicious
As in the excessive number of low quality van drivers and equipment that OVM first referenced. As in the type that would be culled from the herd, to use OVM's metaphor.
greg334
Veteran Expediter
Really?
Oh that's right you and the others ran away when you saw me pull into the Monroe T/A lot a while back.
Diane and I are with you on that. We have been talking with other carriers and none on our short list requires uniforms. If we moved to either one, we would quickly brand ourselves with that carrier by creating a uniform of some sort. We would find out where the office people get their company appearl and use those shirts with black kakhai slacks and our black steel-toe shoes to round out the look.
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Greg, we were inside when you pulled in. We then walked outside and stood around and talked for a good bit. I was looking as somebodies APU for at least 10 minutes before I left to go home. I did NOT see you in your truck AND at that time I did NOT know it was you or your truck. That was the ONE and ONLY time I have seen it. I recall chatting back and forth in here the day after how I wish I had known it was you. I am NOT a snob. I don't drive down that road. I
OK, I just do NOT want you to think that I was snubbing you. I am just NOT that type as anyone in here who knows me will tell you. I was really disappointed the next day when I found out it was you.
I wish that I could just buy the "name tag" part of our uniform shirts. The sewed on part that says FedEx Custom Critical. They I could buy better looking, more comfortable shirts, sew those tags on myself, still carry the brand name but look and feel better. I really dislike the low quality plastic sack shirts we were. I prefer a button down. I think that they look neater.