Trouble Getting Loads ?

moparnewt · Sep 1, 2010

Any of you solo straight truck drivers having trouble getting loads in the last two weeks? Does not seem to matter what part of the country I'm in, getting any kind of load out has been a real pain in the a**. Mostly I'm interested in the drivers of the four major carriers here. I'm considering signing on with one of the much smaller carriers,that know who I am and where I am.

nightcreacher · Sep 1, 2010

If your with one of the larger carriers, with their resources,and you can't get loaded,how do you expect to be loaded with a smaller carrier?Being smaller their freight base will also be smaller

davekc · Sep 1, 2010

Might want to keep in mind that many of the smaller carriers are reliant on the large carriers for their loads.

x06col · Sep 1, 2010

Hooboy! you two still don't get it do you? I'm amazed that you still think that small carriers don't have a customer base that amounts to much. But, it depends on how much exposure the "small" carrier has had, I guess. Regardless, you maybe don't understand how much freight we see out there from....everywhere. I'm still getting calls several times a week from folks looking for trucks, an I been outa the carrier biz for a couple years.

And Dave, I understand your typing of "many". The fella jes has to choose wisely.

bluejaybee · Sep 1, 2010

davekc said:
Might want to keep in mind that many of the smaller carriers are reliant on the large carriers for their loads.

Ugh, it works both ways. Us small fry (some call us bottom suckers) get the big boys loads for more than their regular guys. Course, when we are unloaded, we are back on our own, unless, they just happen to have something close. This business has to have variety to get all the loads covered. If big boys didn't need us little guys, we wouldn't be here. When they can't cover in the time frame with their truck, ugh, guess where they turn? So there is work for all kinds here.

davekc · Sep 2, 2010

x06col said:
Hooboy! you two still don't get it do you? I'm amazed that you still think that small carriers don't have a customer base that amounts to much. But, it depends on how much exposure the "small" carrier has had, I guess. Regardless, you maybe don't understand how much freight we see out there from....everywhere. I'm still getting calls several times a week from folks looking for trucks, an I been outa the carrier biz for a couple years.

And Dave, I understand your typing of "many". The fella jes has to choose wisely.

That is the optimal word. Many could have been replaced with "the majority". But you are correct in that there are small carriers that service their own accounts. I guess the definition of small could be subjective here as well.
One does have to choose wisely. Also might add, it is different being leased to some small carriers verses just obtaining loads from them. Just my experience anyway.

x06col · Sep 2, 2010

nightcreacher said:
If your with one of the larger carriers, with their resources,and you can't get loaded,how do you expect to be loaded with a smaller carrier?Being smaller their freight base will also be smaller

I guess i don't understand how YOU could type something like this. In my reading you seemed aprehensive about downsizing Carriers a while back. It seems, also in my reading, that you have been extremely happy with your move to a smaller Carrier. Or, am i not comprehending what I read?

nightcreacher · Sep 2, 2010

Col,Im very happy,mainly because the competition here is much less, being that I have less than 25 other tractors to worry about,Yes we are smaller,but their system utilizes the equipment they have.I can't say how the ST are but tractor guys stay busy,even the solos

NightDriver · Sep 3, 2010

nightcreacher said:
Col,Im very happy,mainly because the competition here is much less, being that I have less than 25 other tractors to worry about,Yes we are smaller,but their system utilizes the equipment they have.I can't say how the ST are but tractor guys stay busy,even the solos

ST team here with the same carrier as 'Creach. We're running our tails off and loving every stinkin' minute. Looking forward to the busy season. LOL!

x06col · Sep 3, 2010

nightcreacher said:
Col,Im very happy,mainly because the competition here is much less, being that I have less than 25 other tractors to worry about,Yes we are smaller,but their system utilizes the equipment they have.I can't say how the ST are but tractor guys stay busy,even the solos

So then, Why in the world would you discourage someone disatisfied with their current situation not to pursue a smaller Carrier?? Don't you think my system utilized the equipment I had (as an example)? Don't you think I utilized all my resources (better'n a 10 buk an hour dispatcher) to keep everyone running? I dunno, jes don't understand why bigger is bettah? Must be "cause it's always been that way".

Doggie Daddy · Sep 3, 2010

x06col said:
So then, Why in the world would you discourage someone disatisfied with their current situation not to pursue a smaller Carrier?? Don't you think my system utilized the equipment I had (as an example)? Don't you think I utilized all my resources (better'n a 10 buk an hour dispatcher) to keep everyone running? I dunno, jes don't understand why bigger is bettah? Must be "cause it's always been that way".

Col,you should know how things are in expedite as long as you have been in the biz.

Bigger is way better,we here at the Fed have so many more resources for finding and securing loads that the smaller companies just can't compete or compare.

At any given moment there are 17 satellites covering all of the US and Canada searching for loads for us,and we have 350 humvees out on the highways and byways doing the same job.

I just don't see how Billy Bob's expedite company is gonna beat something like that.

nightcreacher · Sep 4, 2010

Doggie,up til 5 months ago I would have agreed with you.Since most of the companies know about the load boards,AS fdcc does also,an actual customer base isn't really needed.My co driver and I are as busy as we would ever want to beThe only time Ive sat,was last week end,when my co driver went home,truck broke down,and on my way home I probably took a load I shouldn't have,so because of the holiday,I'll be sitting for a couple days.Dispatch wants me to go to Montgomery,I'm in Talladega,I have friends in Shelbyville Tn and the walking horse championshiop is Saturday night,so as soon as I come off my 10 hour break,thats where I'm gpoing.Tuesday I'll get loaded towards home so i can pick up Art.

nightcreacher · Sep 4, 2010

x06col said:
So then, Why in the world would you discourage someone disatisfied with their current situation not to pursue a smaller Carrier?? Don't you think my system utilized the equipment I had (as an example)? Don't you think I utilized all my resources (better'n a 10 buk an hour dispatcher) to keep everyone running? I dunno, jes don't understand why bigger is bettah? Must be "cause it's always been that way".

Bigger is better if your in the right place, and you don't have any other trucks around you, from the same company.
With FDCC, 25 trucks in Chicago,is the same as 1 truck in Albany NY.All 25 in Chicago and the 1 in Albany will be loaded that day,but you dont want to be 3rd up in Laredo

x06col · Sep 4, 2010

Doggie Daddy said:
Col,you should know how things are in expedite as long as you have been in the biz.

Bigger is way better,we here at the Fed have so many more resources for finding and securing loads that the smaller companies just can't compete or compare.

At any given moment there are 17 satellites covering all of the US and Canada searching for loads for us,and we have 350 humvees out on the highways and byways doing the same job.

I just don't see how Billy Bob's expedite company is gonna beat something like that.

Many folks can't see the forest for the trees it seems. But, that's ok. You truly don't understand, and if you are convinced....i'm all for ya.

greg334 · Sep 4, 2010

Amazing thing is, the smaller carriers seem to work for a lot of people.

While FedEx may be the blanket that covers America (c), it does a rather poor job in keeping CC trucks moving. If you sit for more than 4 hours in any major city, that's a problem. If you sit out west for more than 10 hours, that's a problem. Their amount of traffic (freight) is so great, they can keep every truck in their fleet moving every day of the week.

bluejaybee · Sep 4, 2010

greg334 said:
Amazing thing is, the smaller carriers seem to work for a lot of people.

While FedEx may be the blanket that covers America (c), it does a rather poor job in keeping CC trucks moving. If you sit for more than 4 hours in any major city, that's a problem. If you sit out west for more than 10 hours, that's a problem. Their amount of traffic (freight) is so great, they can keep every truck in their fleet moving every day of the week.

And a bunch of the smaller ones moving. And that is the freight I am after.

bubblehead · Sep 4, 2010

Doggie Daddy said:
Bigger is way better,we here at the Fed have so many more resources for finding and securing loads that the smaller companies just can't compete or compare.

I agree! "DD" is right! Take the Titanic for example the biggest / fastest luxury liner of its day...ah wait, never mind it sank...how about the "Tiger Tanks " during WWII from Germany... oh wait they were too large to manouver in the forest and used too much fuel...Germany lost major battles because the Tanks were too large...Ok how about the worlds largest oil rig located in Rio De Janerio....oh that blew up and sank. Ok how about every company has advantages and dis-advantages (warts) pick the one that works best for you.

EASYTRADER · Sep 4, 2010

come on over to fecc I turn down 3 or four loads a day!!!!

Were so busy I'm going KRAZY!!!

Of course you will have to run those loads for less than a buck a mile!!!!!

(No its not busy here)

shadow7663 · Sep 4, 2010

Im not with a Large carrier such as Fed or Panther. I run Solo and in the last three weeks I have ran my tail off. The loads have been great, with good pay to boot!

Just this week I left out Sunday night picked up 30 miles from the house and my home load for the weekend drops Tuesday morning 1.5 miles from the house.(I was home Saturday morning) 3523 miles total with only about 220 miles dead head. The dead head this week was little higher than normal for me but the loads paid well I didnt mind.

No shortage of work at my carrier thank god! You guys keep turning down loads to the well known areas that nobody likes. (ya know chicago jersey ect ect ect)Thats when I come in and clean up$$$$$$ Thanks!

Also had a level 1 inspection this week. My S/T now has a nice shiny CVSA sticker on the windshield.