Perfect Time

[TeamCaffee]

I keep hearing the phrase we need to go back to the way it was...

I keep thinking back through my life and wondering when was everything perfect? When was there not a time that I wanted to improve something.

I would like to know if anyone knows when was the perfect time in Expediting?

 

[layoutshooter]

I am not aware of any "perfect time" in expediting or any other thing in my life. There were good times, bad times, and so-so times. Right now we are so-so leaning towards bad. Who knows what will happen tomorrow. The only thing that never changes is the fact that everything is always changing.

 

[Dakota]

The 80's were pretty darned sweet...When I was growing up

 

[chefdennis]

I am darn near 60...in my life time there have been sometimes that were better then others...but people aren't complaining about aren't perfect times....its the CHANGES that are happening around them...

Change is gong to happen in all things in life and business, its just the way it is...we either adjust or move on to another situation that suits us better at the time....

 

[TeamCaffee]

Exactly we cannot stop change and so we have to change with the changes

 

[Ragman]

Exactly we cannot stop change and so we have to change with the changes

 

[layoutshooter]

That is exactly what we will do. IF things get to a point where we no longer can live with it, we will move on.

 

[greg334]

From December of 2005 to February of 2006 - best time I had and the most money I made doing this.

 

[Dakota]

Exactly we cannot stop change and so we have to change with the changes

Exactly, also looking into the past we see the past with rose colored glasses. We remember the goodtimes and forget the bad times(or at least try to) I remember more goodtimes then bad, but have had both in the past.

 

[Dakota]

are those the new Obama signs

 

[Lawrence]

1994

Roberts Express had 900 trucks and 1200 load offers a day.

 

[Ragman]

1994

Roberts Express had 900 trucks and 1200 load offers a day.

But was it perfect. I'm sure Roberts had their warts.

 

[TeamCaffee]

1994

Roberts Express had 900 trucks and 1200 load offers a day.

Lawrence I believe that was before QC? I have heard HORROR stories of being caught standing in rain storms calling in to FCC to update your position. I have heard stories of sitting inside guarding a pay phone waiting on a call for a dispatch. I have heard of waitresses being paid to get the phone while a driver went to the restroom or stepped outside.

I have heard other stories about that time and while there were many good things as there are now I would not want to go back to that time period. I like waiting in the comfort of our truck or out enjoying the sites while waiting for my cell phone to ring.

 

[mcavoy33]

I would like to know if anyone knows when was the perfect time in Expediting?

Until you build one of these

It doesn't matter when the perfect time was.

 

[ATeam]

I would like to know if anyone knows when was the perfect time in Expediting?

For Diane and me, the perfect time in expediting was from August, 2003, when we entered the business through the end of 2008.

After 2008, the negative effects of the Great Recession began to be felt in our truck, and as time progressed. the negative effects of FedEx Freight's takeover of FedEx Custom Critical also began to be felt in our truck.

From 2003 to 2008, things were as perfect as we could ever expect them to be. Yes, there were day-to-day challenges as there always are, but business was excellent, we felt that our interests and our carrier's interests were aligned, our carrier treated us well, we paid off a $251,000 truck in 22 months, and the money flowed into our bank account at levels beyond which we dared not hope when we were expediter wannabees researching the industry.

Using our 2003-2008 exprience as the standard for "perfect," we are optimistic that perfection will again be achieved. The trucking industry is getting healthy as the economy mends and there are opportunities beyond FedEx.

 

[leezaback]

There is nor has there been a perfect time, however a better time there was, but as we all know the past is but a memory. In the past we all new who our boss was, we had to prove ourselfs before we could be accepted into wg. and we were proud ! We gathered on the weekends, talked,yes-some hid behind their curtains-their loss. Now rarely do we see anyone even when there is a group of trucks. It was a better time except for the OOS ( THE OLD TIMERS WILL REMEMBER THAT) times have changed, sometimes you have to take the little times and make them into big times-perfect time-only in your dreams

 

[greg334]

1994

Roberts Express had 900 trucks and 1200 load offers a day.

But Lawrence, I wonder how many loads they get now which has to be more than 1200 and how many trucks they have which can't be more than say 1500?

 

[davekc]

One thing for sure in the nineties it was a much different business. Not sure on "perfect" as mention the lack of communication and some of today's comforts.
However, money was flowing, cost were a fraction of what we see today with essentially the same rates.
The other item is community and camaraderie that was present. I'm not sure there is any of that really left today. Seems more cutthroat with regards to drivers and even carriers.

 

[greg334]

One thing for sure in the nineties it was a much different business. Not sure on "perfect" as mention the lack of communication and some of today's comforts.
However, money was flowing, cost were a fraction of what we see today with essentially the same rates.

Maybe I missed something along the way but it appears odd that back then not a lot of people were around and money was good while today money barely runs the reefer unit and there are so many involved with this stuff.

The other item is community and camaraderie that was present. I'm not sure there is any of that really left today. Seems more cutthroat with regards to drivers and even carriers.

Camaraderie is what I thought it would be like but my first night out I was told with no uncertain terms that I would fail and I should go find a real job. The only community I see on the road seem to be either company driven or EO driven but the age of the trucking brotherhood may be lost to the dust of history.

 

[TeamCaffee]

I do not think camaraderie is dead and Henry has written a blog about about this subject. Camaraderie has changed with the advent of cell phones. No longer do we walk into a truck stop starved for conversation. When it is need it is alive and well.

We have had many instances where another driver has helped us or we have taken the time to help another driver who needs an extra hand.

On the Road with Henry Albert » Blog Archive » Camaraderie is Alive And Well