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Other drivers killing us!

davekc

davekc

Senior Moderator
Staff member
Fleet Owner
All of that may be true, but that isn't what you see. Remember, "watch what they do, not what they say". Don't see driver rates going up anywhere. I think they will scrap the bottom as they are currently doing until they can't scrap anymore.
As if it was yesterday, carriers used to have a 5 year limit on equipment, now they will take anything that can get out of a parking spot.
 
layoutshooter

layoutshooter

Veteran Expediter
Retired Expediter
davekc said:
All of that may be true, but that isn't what you see. Remember, "watch what they do, not what they say". Don't see driver rates going up anywhere. I think they will scrap the bottom as they are currently doing until they can't scrap anymore.
Click to expand...

Short term thinking equals long term failure. The government is complicit in this, in more than one way. The legalization of the criminals who came into this country with total disregard for our ways and laws is one. NOT enforcing the "english only" law for drivers is another. This is not by accident.
 
Murraycroexp

Murraycroexp

Veteran Expediter
IMHO.
The carriers that went deep on yellow cubes were able to do so with not a lot of money up front.
How many loads does it take to pay for a $7-$10,000 cube, assuming that's the range they were in. And when the trucks dies, "throw it away".
Lower driver pay just means the ability to run for less and win more bids.
95% of dispatchers and brokers go straight for the lowest bid. Regardless. They're human. And they're probably instructed to do so.

Point? MAYBE these carriers are using yellow cubes just to keep revenue coming in. Maybe it's about making payroll, paying the rent and keeping the lights on and survival.
Maybe their "regular" fleet provides enough margin to get close but the "yellows" mean fewer people in dispatch lose their jobs. Maybe properties don't have to be sold. Maybe banks don't call their loans.
Etc.

This is just a theory and I'm not trying to defend it. We too are, of course, affected by the current push-down in rates. But I think for some it may be the proverbial bandaid slowing the bleeding.

As I said, just one angle.

Opinions?
 
davekc

davekc

Senior Moderator
Staff member
Fleet Owner
I don't think there is any doubt that some are "just hanging on". I believe you will see a few more carriers drop here shortly.
 
layoutshooter

layoutshooter

Veteran Expediter
Retired Expediter
Murraycroexp said:
IMHO.
The carriers that went deep on yellow cubes were able to do so with not a lot of money up front.
How many loads does it take to pay for a $7-$10,000 cube, assuming that's the range they were in. And when the trucks dies, "throw it away".
Lower driver pay just means the ability to run for less and win more bids.
95% of dispatchers and brokers go straight for the lowest bid. Regardless. They're human. And they're probably instructed to do so.

Point? MAYBE these carriers are using yellow cubes just to keep revenue coming in. Maybe it's about making payroll, paying the rent and keeping the lights on and survival.
Maybe their "regular" fleet provides enough margin to get close but the "yellows" mean fewer people in dispatch lose their jobs. Maybe properties don't have to be sold. Maybe banks don't call their loans.
Etc.

This is just a theory and I'm not trying to defend it. We too are, of course, affected by the current push-down in rates. But I think for some it may be the proverbial bandaid slowing the bleeding.

As I said, just one angle.

Opinions?
Click to expand...

The "Yellows" don't have reefers. The "Yellow Drivers" likely don't, or can't, have security clearances.
 
Murraycroexp

Murraycroexp

Veteran Expediter
layoutshooter said:
The "Yellows" don't have reefers. The "Yellow Drivers" likely don't, or can't, have security clearances.
Click to expand...

Good point!!! You are being starved by the same people you used to give that knowing "nod" that refer drivers give each other at truck stops? Like the, "yeah, it's a pain but at least it pays well" nod?
Or have all the westbound trucks finally found the eastbound back hauls (and vice versa) after all those years if wishing they could?
 
layoutshooter

layoutshooter

Veteran Expediter
Retired Expediter
Murraycroexp said:
Good point!!! You are being starved by the same people you used to give that knowing "nod" that refer drivers give each other at truck stops? Like the, "yeah, it's a pain but at least it pays well" nod?
Or have all the westbound trucks finally found the eastbound back hauls (and vice versa) after all those years if wishing they could?
Click to expand...

I don't know what is going on. I guess it is because I never knew the "nod". LOL!:p
 
davekc

davekc

Senior Moderator
Staff member
Fleet Owner
They got you beat bad. They can hand out a ice cream bar to the customer.:)
 
Murraycroexp

Murraycroexp

Veteran Expediter
It's probably just in my head. Kind of like The Lone Ranger and John Wayne passing on the plains in the heat if the day!! LOL!!
 
Ragman

Ragman

Veteran Expediter
Retired Expediter
layoutshooter said:
I find that keeping my head empty helps a lot.
Click to expand...

stock-photo-x-ray-of-a-male-skeleton-with-an-empty-head-for-your-own-ideas-isolated-on-a-black-background-15649828.jpg
 
ATeam

ATeam

Senior Member
Retired Expediter
layoutshooter said:
I don't see how ANYONE can make a profit on a REEFER load, with very little DH, that paid LESS than $1 per mile. turned that one down TODAY!
Click to expand...

An anomaly? FedEx Custom Critical is deeply committed to the reefer market. They have hundreds of trucks in its reefer fleet and a number of company-owned reefer trailers; all to serve its reefer customers. One low offer does not a trend make.
 
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