NAFTA? Where'd it go?

Lawrence · Apr 11, 2015

It seems that NAFTA never really recovered after 911.

When's the last time you took a load to Canada? Or better yet, loaded out of Canada back to the US. "Back in the day" - US/Canada border expediter cross freight was a weekly thing for most drivers. That seems to be much less common these days.

Treadmill · Apr 11, 2015

I cross into Canada about 1-2 times a week with return freight out about 50% of the time. Loads usually pay well enough to dh out if needed.

OntarioVanMan · Apr 12, 2015

That went out when the Auto Pact was ended and NAFTA was enacted......Now auto makers don't have to balance the books anymore with imports/export....if a model is built in Canada they can use all Canadian suppliers and the same with here...just think why make a piece of plastic trim here and ship it all the way there?...The auto part maker have adjusted well to OUR loss....just look at KC for example Plants being built in the KC area just to service the Ford and GM plants....example JCI....has a new plant and some of the former parts made in other states are now made there close to the source...and they have their own shuttle van!!! gee whiz....people wonder where the business went.....and piggy back that unto the multi platform vehicle production model....IE: same chassis parts across 10 different models...we've lost quite a few loads to the new logistic model and transportation plans.

The writing was on the wall years ago....and those of you who were to stubborn or ignorant just marched on to the old beat....now quite a few of you are whinniing...Where's the loads?.....wake up and see the future...or lack of it...

Ragman · Apr 12, 2015

OntarioVanMan said:
....wake up and see the future...or lack of it...

Wow, such pessimism.

OntarioVanMan · Apr 12, 2015

Ragman said:
Wow, such pessimism.

reality...read the news talk to shippers and receivers...don't walk around with eyes closed.....thats all it takes....its not pessimism.....or maybe just ask all those would made bias ply tires and 8 tracks how their job worked out...

xiggi · Apr 12, 2015

Morning humor.

Ragman · Apr 12, 2015

OntarioVanMan said:
reality...read the news talk to shippers and receivers...don't walk around with eyes closed.....thats all it takes....its not pessimism.....or maybe just ask all those would made bias ply tires and 8 tracks how their job worked out...

I guess being an out and back guy, I don't see some of the things others see.

OntarioVanMan · Apr 12, 2015

the auto pact and NAFTA ....that is a fact!....new plants...fact....

OntarioVanMan · Apr 12, 2015

xiggi said:
Morning humor.

You of all people think that is funny?....really....you are smarter then that I thought....
maybe because your carrier is so deep in auto loads you have to be optimistic?...
there is so much more out there buddy...
and you of all people know that....
then your best effort is to take a shot at me?.....
which you seem to quite often for some reason??

OntarioVanMan · Apr 12, 2015

Ragman said:
I guess being an out and back guy, I don't see some of the things others see.

of course it is just opinion Ragman....but just talking with those that actually do the shipping...the old auto pact made sure those border crossings happened....because they had to balance the books...not any more

xiggi · Apr 12, 2015

OntarioVanMan said:
You of all people think that is funny?....really....you are smarter then that I thought....
maybe because your carrier is so deep in auto loads you have to be optimistic?...
there is so much more out there buddy...
and you of all people know that....
then your best effort is to take a shot at me?.....
which you seem to quite often for some reason??

The amount of auto freight we carry has dropped rather drastically. It's not what you were saying Ken it's how you find a need to insult people while doing so. Your taking shots at entire group of people and bring up me taking shots at you, kind of ironic. I'll always consider you a friend just an irritating one, lol.

davekc · Apr 12, 2015

The auto freight is still there. Only difference is that much of the parts that came out of Canada, now comes from Mexico. Border towns like Laredo are still pretty busy. From a labor standpoint, you can get two employees instead of one.