tough decisions

[bryan]

HI
I only have one problem with a shut down. Its not fair to the customers that have been paying +10cent fsc for the last 3 years. I feel these customers should be applauded not kicked in the teeth. But I guess its not going to matter once fuel goes above $3.00 a gallon because most of us will have to shut down anyway.Does anyone has any ideas on a more fair solution?
At the moment I netting $270.00 per week not counting food, misc, and maintanence. Thats avg. 900 miles loaded and 300 miles MT.What am I doing wrong here? On the bright side I shouldn't owe any taxes this year.
I'll be celebrating my 10 year anniversary in expediting in Jan 06 and I'm more confused now that I was when I started.But my therapest seems to think thats a personal problem.lol

 

[davekc]

What are you driving? 900 loaded miles per week sounds pretty low.

Davekc

 

[LDB]

I agree a shutdown is not the solution. As you point out, the ones already paying a decent surcharge don't deserve to be shut down. It will turn them against us as well as the general public. We do not need anyone else against us. We need more people for us.

We need a solidarity we will never achieve, saying we will haul freight based on $1.50 fuel. Anything above that has to be surcharged at the appropriate level or the shipment is refused. Unfortunately our companies aren't going to do that for us. That leaves us to choose what to refuse on our own.

My personal number is now 12cpm based on $2.50 fuel. Below that is usually going to be a refusal unless it's very short deadhead combined with a desirable staging location after delivery. As fuel continues to rise so will my minimum fsc requirement.

We also ALL need to be OOIDA members. They are not a magic solution. They ARE the only organization out there whose primary interest is the driver, whether company driver or owner/operator. Along with that we ALL need to be continually reminding our congress critters they have a large constituency of driver families as well as the remaining constituents who depend on our services.

This strike people are so hot for will cost far more than the $25 annual dues for OOIDA if you use my member number or someone else's member number. It will also get you far less for your money than the membership dues will.j

Finally, if you are only getting 900 miles a week something is wrong. Talk to your carrier or search out a new carrier. You definitely should average better than that. Good luck to you.

Leo Bricker
OOIDA 677319
truck 4958
73's K5LDB
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

 

[bryan]

HI
Its a cargo van.Part of my problem is where I live, I usually load Monday for Canada and get stuck up there until Wed. If I bounce out of CND its to MI for abunch of short loads. Just can't seem to get out of the rut.

 

[LDB]

Who are you leased with and have you considered looking at any other companies?

Leo Bricker
OOIDA 677319
truck 4958
73's K5LDB
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

 

[miko]

I am in the same boat than Bryan.
This year I was not able to average more than 1000 loaded miles a week.
My company is big in local and gets me out almost every day of the week except mondays, they claim not to have any loads on the screen. If there is a load once in a great while, I take it, then I stuck on wednesday, doesn't really matter what day I start, same ##### every week.
Also, no backhauls, very seldom there is one, in another direction, away from home, more deadhead, you get the draft. Doesn't pay for me.
Yes, we have looked into other carriers. Same story every place: They are great local, have you run around like hell in same state, but don't get you out too far, and of course nothing back. It is not just me, it is other people too. My partner lives in Ohio now, switched the company, same story, so I don't feel bad. I had a talk with a company who claimed to have tons of loads and there should not be a reason for me to deadhead anywhere. Bottom line: Tons of loads out of that state, no load to the state, too much dead head getting there in the first place, and no loads to my state. So, where is the difference guys???
Plus, my company does not pay fuel surcharge, they had to raise my pay 2 weeks ago due to fuel price, and today I was informed that there is some more under way, because my cargo van operating cost has doubled since last year. No way in hell to save a dime, and the grass is not greener somewhere else these days. And I really doubt that some carrier can make a decent offer these days the way it is.
Shut down operations sure does not help and I don't have the solution either. I am praying for a miracle job falling out of the clear blue sky by the end of the month. I don't want to give up expediting, I am forced to, and maybe some others too. And those of you who have the perfect budget plan these days, please speak up. I know that alot of you guys had trouble lately, one way or another. I'd like to hear your plan! I don't think I am doing anything wrong, I have not found the best carrier, thats all! From talking to alot of cargo van drivers lately, their situation is the same. Alot of sitting, alot of empty miles. I can twist and turn the subject, but I always get the same result, something has to happen, but not sure what. I am praying.

 

[BULLRUSH]

IF YOUR ONLY NETTING $270.00 A WEEK IT'S TIME TO LOOK FOR A DIFFERN'T COMPANY OR A DIFFERN'T CAREER.;-) ;-)

 

[trhoades]

I agree that it isn't fair to the companies who already pay a fuel surcharge. Unfortunately, the companies that already pay the surcharge are the same ones who have been the main contributers to driving down freight rates. (Ford, GM, and chrysler)

I also agree that everyone needs to join OOIDA. I feel this is very important, but I don't have 2 more years to wait while another bill is brought up before congress. And then another year for congreess tomake changes, and finally pass it.

I just got home last night, and I am now watching the news channels. The price of gas and diesel is expected to be up past $4.00 a gal. within the next 2 weeks. With that, I will be taking an involuntary work stoppage. I will not have a choice in the matter. I can not afford to run my vans at that price.

I am sorry to say that the time is now folks. The 12.5% fuel surcharge that I get on most loads does not cover the price of fuel going up almost 80% in the last year.

 

[dukesadog]

I am not sure about who you would call but a friend of mine made 25 k in one month during the hurricane Ivan fiasco last year he owns a tractor and was doing some type of clean-up with FEMA....I'm sure anyone who has a truck to spare that is almost going broke should find out about that.

I have called several numbers today...when I find out I will pass it along.

Duke

 

[kwexpress]

KW Express
o/o till i die


I dont think anyone should be praised for a .10 fuel surcharge

look at the facts in the last 7 years fuel has went up 300%

.10 is a drop in the bucket

how many have been forced into bankruptcy? this next month you will all see alot of changes.

I think alot of the small carriers that are mom and pop operations close down.

ive already informed my drivers when disel hits 3.25 per gallon Im parking them all I just hope i have enough fuel money to get them all home.between fuel,insurance and truck payments its just not worth the stress I face each morning.

 

[kwexpress]

KW Express
o/o till i die

Also you can get $5.00 per mile and a boat load of detention time working with FEMA

 

[miko]

kw express:
now it is too late to work with FEMA or any other organisation to provide help in the disaster area. You have to have some sort of training, and it will not be enough time to prepare an individual to be dispatched to LA, according to the chapter in my town. Anybody can sign up, but only for the future.

miko

 

[hondaking38]

Go with Panther, GO WITH PANTHER, AVERAGING 1800-2000 MILES A WEEK RIGHT NOW,with a sprinter, get your hazmat and make some money..ride the tide while you can......

 

[TheGoodGuy]

I advised our marketing people to investigate the possibilites of doing some business with FEMA. That was 3 days ago, I guess they thought it was a bad idea.

I parked my D unit today. Won't be moving it again until fuel prices stablizes, or freight rates become realistic.

I have the opportunity to be able to do that because our truck is paid for.

I empathize with those that have heavy truck payments. I hope that you will be able to run profitably enough to keep your trucks out of the hands of the Repo man..

After the fuel bills are paid, I for one (my better half included), will not wear out our equipment, and ourselves working for peanuts.

As far OOIDA, their lobbying power due to their small following, compared to most lobbyist is not even on the radar screen as far is congress is concerned. Money is what moves politicians, OOIDA couldn't afford Ted Kennedy's bar tab, much less make a dent in the Washington Agenda.

 

[LDB]

OOIDA is too small but they are the only game in town that is being played for the benefit of the owners and drivers. Everyone needs to join and then work to recruit others. If we can grow them enough they will gain the extra clout we need. It's our only hope. It certainly isn't with ATA or anyone else.

Leo Bricker
OOIDA 677319
truck 4958
73's K5LDB
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

 

[kwexpress]

KW Express
o/o till i die

OOIDA I dont know if they are worth your time.

When I first started I turned to them for insurance and found everyone was offering a better deal.I know they will go after the bigger carriers if they think they can get some money.

But is there anyone here they have helped?

not trying to trash them I just want to know.

 

[highway star]

Just a few months ago 10 cents was reasonable. That was then... My problem is that the vast majority of my surcharges don't even approach that. I've been busy enough lately to get some doubles and that has helped. It was much better when doubles meant making money! Turning down any freight being paid for by the Big 3 may be an excellant start to making some kind of statement. They have no problem charging 20k or more for a car, $80 an hour for service labor, but whine about paying FSC.

Personal to Bryan: You can come home. And, was that just 1 therapist or are you considering putting a team together?

 

[snipervictim]

I hear you i have sat for the last 5 days and might not go out ever again could care less about the repo man more about my house .I staterd driving not to long ago and i love it when i am driving ,but thats been few and far between latly it seems you guys are fogetting it is also the companies who set the standards as far as price the sit on thier butts and accept loads and then give them to you knowing full well you cant live off that money you make .They lie when they reqruit and trick newbs into spanding money on vans and such all they while knowing they dont have the loads to give .
It make take a few days of no-one driving to make a difference because the facts are no-one will care if you just post and vent .

I for 1 would like to see something come out of this mess i dont think we need another hoffa but maybe we do i dont know but as things stand now to many people are losing everything .