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Home > Forum > No Loyalty Left In The Trucking Business

No loyalty left in the trucking business

Aug 29, 2017 at 03:52 PM CST
+ 16 - 2
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
I have been in this business for going on 30 years and have always prided myself and the companies I have worked for on delivering the best service possible. Today I have seen a new low in the business. A company that we have given excellent service to for 8 years has now gone by the way of using brokers instead of the true and tested carriers that have provided service for them over the years. I have respectfully said no more! We will not sit by and drop our rates to match brokers while losing money! I am here to say that if excellent service is not enough to earn the business of long time customers then we will not be here to pick up the pieces when everything falls apart because trucks can not survive because they are not making money. This is the WORST I have ever seen it! Where does this end? When do the brokers start to care about the trucks that are hauling their freight and say enough is enough?

I am officially disgusted and want to throw my lunch up when hauling a load of wheat to a mill pays more than hauling a load of feed! WAKE UP AMERICA! Trucks deliver EVERYTHING and now you dumb bastards want to deliver it for free? What's next? Paying shippers to haul their freight? We are not far off of it right now!!!!

Let me end by saying there are some really good brokers out there that try their damnest to help the truckers out, but there are plenty who just want to get their little bit off the top and don't care who it hurts! 1.10-1.35/running mile does not cut it!

Keith
ET Trucking
Replied on Tue, Aug 29, 2017 at 04:29 PM CST
+ 3 - 1
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
Also this goes out to the truck owners that take the cheap freight, when you go broke, and you will, you will have no one to blame but yourself! Your business needs to make a profit to stay afloat as well as keep up with the maintainance on your equipment! Time to pick up your calculators and actually figure out what it costs you to run your truck, what your time is worth and what you would like to put away for repairs, newer equipment and basic living needs. This is the only career where you are expected to consistanly take a pay cut and like it! Guaranteed that the shipper that booked the load with you or your broker is not going to see a 10% decline in their pay check so why should we?!!!
Replied on Wed, Aug 30, 2017 at 08:12 AM CST
+ 1
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
There never has been in all the years I have been doin it its sad. Have a good day prayers to Texas. Help if you can.
Replied on Wed, Aug 30, 2017 at 09:18 AM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
Quote: "Also this goes out to the truck owners that take the cheap freight, when you go broke, and you will, you will have no one to blame but yourself! Your business needs to make a profit to stay afloat as well as keep up with the maintainance on your equipment! Time to pick up your calculators and actually figure out what it costs you to run your truck, what your time is worth and what you would like to put away for repairs, newer equipment and basic living needs. This is the only career where you are expected to consistanly take a pay cut and like it! Guaranteed that the shipper that booked the load with you or your broker is not going to see a 10% decline in their pay check so why should we?!!!"

I've been at this a long time and do very little business with brokers. I often wondered where the brokers come up with their numbers. If carriers wouldn't accept it...
Replied on Wed, Aug 30, 2017 at 11:40 AM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
You wanted deregulation.. so here ya go..you think truckers will get together? You could have a million truckers.. and all agree that you were going to strike or shut down on a certain day..two people would be shut down on that day..you and some guy whos truck broke down.. everybody else would have some excuse why they couldnt do it..and everybody knows this.. the government.. the shippers.. and they take advantage of that fact every single day..
Replied on Wed, Aug 30, 2017 at 12:48 PM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
yes you are exactily correct the last so- called strike they had I delivered right down the street from a TA got unloaded the night before the BIG strike went to the TA when the sun came up I was the only truck there. So much for a nationwide shut down
Replied on Wed, Aug 30, 2017 at 01:58 PM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
Quote: "I've been at this a long time and do very little business with brokers. I often wondered where the brokers come up with their numbers. If carriers wouldn't accept it..."

I do not use brokers to get my loads out of my own area UNLESS they pay extremely good! The problem I am seeing is that the brokers are getting loads from customers we deal with direct and driving the price down. Right now the freight rate is 64% of what it was about 2 years ago. That is a 36% decrease in wages for the truck driver as well as the company. I have not seen fuel, taxes, license, insurance, eqipment costs or repair bills decrease in the last 2 years much less get to be 36% less! I understand that everyone needs to make a living, but when you do it at the expense of the carrier and his drivers I get a little ticked off!
Replied on Wed, Aug 30, 2017 at 02:36 PM CST
+ 3
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
Quote: "I do not use brokers to get my loads out of my own area UNLESS they pay extremely good! The problem I am seeing is that the brokers are getting loads from customers we deal with direct and driving the price down. Right now the freight rate is 64% of what it was about 2 years ago. That is a 36% decrease in wages for the truck driver as well as the company. I have not seen fuel, taxes, license, insurance, eqipment costs or repair bills decrease in the last 2 years much less get to be 36% less! I understand that everyone needs to make a living, but when you do it at the expense of the carrier and his drivers I get a little ticked off!"

ED THIS IS IN NO WAY INTENDED AS A SLAM OR AN INSULT TO YOU, JUST AN OPINION FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FENCE. I HAVE BEEN A BROKER FOR MORE YEARS THAN I CARE TO REMEMBER AND IN THAT TIME I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MANY TRUCKERS I HAVE HAD BACK DOOR ME TO GET TO A CUSTOMER AND BID THE RATE LESS THAN I WAS PAYING THEM. THEIR LOGIC WAS THAT IF THEY COULD GET ME OUT OF THE WAY THEN THEY COULD PUT THE RATE WHERE THEY WANTED IT. WE ALL KNOW THAT WHEN A RATE GETS CUT IT TAKES FOREVER TO GET IT BACK AGAIN. I WILL AGREE THAT THERE ARE SOME BROKERS AND A LOT OF THESE NEW 3PLS OUT THERE CHOPPING RATES. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY SEVERAL 3PLS THAT THEY HAVE TO CUT A RATE TO GET THEIR FOOT IN THE DOOR SO THEY CAN RAISE THEM TO WHERE THEY SHOULD BE. LOTTA BULLSHIT THERE AIN'T IT. LIKE I SAID IN THE BEGINNING, THIS IS NOT A SLAM OR INSULT DIRECTED TOWARD YOU, JUST A GENERAL COMMENT FROM THE "DARK SIDE", THOSE OF US IN BROKERVILLE.
Replied on Wed, Aug 30, 2017 at 04:58 PM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
Quote: "ED THIS IS IN NO WAY INTENDED AS A SLAM OR AN INSULT TO YOU, JUST AN OPINION FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FENCE. I HAVE BEEN A BROKER FOR MORE YEARS THAN I CARE TO REMEMBER AND IN THAT TIME I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MANY TRUCKERS I HAVE HAD BACK DOOR ME TO GET TO A CUSTOMER AND BID THE RATE LESS THAN I WAS PAYING THEM. THEIR LOGIC WAS THAT IF THEY COULD GET ME OUT OF THE WAY THEN THEY COULD PUT THE RATE WHERE THEY WANTED IT. WE ALL KNOW THAT WHEN A RATE GETS CUT IT TAKES FOREVER TO GET IT BACK AGAIN. I WILL AGREE THAT THERE ARE SOME BROKERS AND A LOT OF THESE NEW 3PLS OUT THERE CHOPPING RATES. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY SEVERAL 3PLS THAT THEY HAVE TO CUT A RATE TO GET THEIR FOOT IN THE DOOR SO THEY CAN RAISE THEM TO WHERE THEY SHOULD BE. LOTTA BULLSHIT THERE AIN'T IT. LIKE I SAID IN THE BEGINNING, THIS IS NOT A SLAM OR INSULT DIRECTED TOWARD YOU, JUST A GENERAL COMMENT FROM THE "DARK SIDE", THOSE OF US IN BROKERVILLE."

I agree with you! I work with a lot of GREAT brokers that care enough to keep their rates where it should be. Those people are in my contact lists, roladex and in my memory! I know that reputable brokers have a place in this business but when the government, in their infinite wisdom made everyone have a brokers license to move a load on someone elses truck, it opened the flood gates to all the blood suckers that were in the cespool! We have brokers call daily wanting loads done but move on when they are given rates. If customers would just pay fair rates year round, instead of wasting their time trying to find the cheapest bid, there would be no problem getting their loads moved and would not get gouged when they come at the last minute when they can't find a truck! This very thing happened today. Wednesday afternoon wanting a load from Nd to Mo for friday or saturday delivery on a holiday weekend. I am sorry but if I am going to ask any of my drivers to give up their 3 day weekend it better pay damn good!

I am 50 years old and have been in this game since I was 19. I have seen a lot of changes in my time and can honestly say that the new batch of workers is not an improvement! Their lack of social skills coupled with their lack of common sense is going to break the industry and our country! That's just my opinion!

BTW this is Keith not ED.
Replied on Thu, Aug 31, 2017 at 08:47 AM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
I've been a driver, a broker, a shipping manager, a fleet manager, and now I'm brokerage and sales for a small trucking company. When dealing with moving our asset based trucks, I always try to use small brokerages if possible, they tend to give better service and better rates. As a broker, I try to make 10 percent off my loads. The biggest issues I'm seeing right now are kind of three fold. One, driver quality is horrible, when I drove if a light bulb blew or fan belt broke, you got out there and changed it, now these kids call a service truck and spend the night in the shop, they dont care if the freight is delivered on time or not. Two and maybe three, these large brokerage and trucking companies have so much volume that if they only make a few bucks on a load, that's all it takes to keep them in buisness. And since these companies have bought off Congress, there is no way they will be broken up under anti-trust laws, they literally control the DOT and are writing the laws in their favor. Until that changes, it's just going to get worse.
Replied on Thu, Aug 31, 2017 at 09:55 AM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
Quote: "ED THIS IS IN NO WAY INTENDED AS A SLAM OR AN INSULT TO YOU, JUST AN OPINION FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FENCE. I HAVE BEEN A BROKER FOR MORE YEARS THAN I CARE TO REMEMBER AND IN THAT TIME I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MANY TRUCKERS I HAVE HAD BACK DOOR ME TO GET TO A CUSTOMER AND BID THE RATE LESS THAN I WAS PAYING THEM. THEIR LOGIC WAS THAT IF THEY COULD GET ME OUT OF THE WAY THEN THEY COULD PUT THE RATE WHERE THEY WANTED IT. WE ALL KNOW THAT WHEN A RATE GETS CUT IT TAKES FOREVER TO GET IT BACK AGAIN. I WILL AGREE THAT THERE ARE SOME BROKERS AND A LOT OF THESE NEW 3PLS OUT THERE CHOPPING RATES. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY SEVERAL 3PLS THAT THEY HAVE TO CUT A RATE TO GET THEIR FOOT IN THE DOOR SO THEY CAN RAISE THEM TO WHERE THEY SHOULD BE. LOTTA BULLSHIT THERE AIN'T IT. LIKE I SAID IN THE BEGINNING, THIS IS NOT A SLAM OR INSULT DIRECTED TOWARD YOU, JUST A GENERAL COMMENT FROM THE "DARK SIDE", THOSE OF US IN BROKERVILLE."

this issue is DEFINATELY a 2 way street, i have never had to have any of my carriers sign any kind of agreement except for their load sheet but in the past year i have noticed i may have to do just that.
Replied on Fri, Sep 01, 2017 at 04:31 PM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
Quote: "I've been a driver, a broker, a shipping manager, a fleet manager, and now I'm brokerage and sales for a small trucking company. When dealing with moving our asset based trucks, I always try to use small brokerages if possible, they tend to give better service and better rates. As a broker, I try to make 10 percent off my loads. The biggest issues I'm seeing right now are kind of three fold. One, driver quality is horrible, when I drove if a light bulb blew or fan belt broke, you got out there and changed it, now these kids call a service truck and spend the night in the shop, they dont care if the freight is delivered on time or not. Two and maybe three, these large brokerage and trucking companies have so much volume that if they only make a few bucks on a load, that's all it takes to keep them in buisness. And since these companies have bought off Congress, there is no way they will be broken up under anti-trust laws, they literally control the DOT and are writing the laws in their favor. Until that changes, it's just going to get worse."

You bring up some very good points! Our company gives great service! We pride ourselves on our service! Our drivers have an average of 20+ years of driving experience and when I tell the customer that their product will be picked up this day and delivered that day, it is done. With that said, I expect that my drivers will make a decent living and not just eek out a small profit and basically own a job! I take my job personally and if my drivers are not making money, I feel is it my fault and try to make it up to them! I for one have told companies "in no way will we haul your product for your rates"! I hold my ground not only for me but for the drivers, families, Owner and other office staff that work in our company. I am not looking to get rich off of this business, I am looking to be able for everyone in this company to be able to make a living and feel like they are part of something here!

We are old school at this company and plan on staying that way!

I have said before and will say it again, not all brokers are bad but some of the bad are making a bad name for themselve and bringing a dark cloud over the whole industry!

Everyone have a safe and happy Labor day weekend! See you next week!
Replied on Fri, Sep 01, 2017 at 08:24 PM CST
+ 1
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.
All we need is to be a big trucking company! Buy all the trucks we can get our name on! Hire all the stupid drivers we can find Import them if we have to. Plug them into the
computer, and the Elogs and Walala Big Goverment will Kiss our Ass and and life is good! ??? Service... What Loyalty? Oh and dont pay the drivers too much! they might start thinking for them selves. If any thing goes wrong CALL the Computer! It knows everything! Cant believe all these people are jumping through hoops to grt Elogs! Think about this.... IF NOBODY CARRIED LOG BOOKS NOBODY WOULD HAVE TOO!!