What a difference a couple years can make!

That is a good point, Dave, BUT, the people who have been around a long time, took advantage of the overpriced iron and liquidated the excess. Those that bought when prices were overinflated are the ones in trouble. In the game of life, slow and steady wins the race! Watch what you do and when you do it and things should work out for you. If you are someone who jumps from sector to sector chasing the big money without a plan, you will find yourself in trouble sooner or later.

As I get older, and I am old as dirt, I find it harder and harder to hang on in this business! I need to put in another strong 10 years to make sure most of my drivers make it to retirement but the stress makes me wonder if I can do it?!

Hope all is well and you all stay safe!

What induces change in the market? supply and demand! This is definately the biggest flip of the switch I've have ever seen. 3+ per mile to 1.85-2.5 if your lucky. My question is how long do we run below the the cost of break even.? Atleast Bulkloads could and should require all shippers to take loads off the board as booked and require any new loads for the price to be posted save us the bullshit anyway. Also, I think a shipper should be the persons or companies with the loads not the reposting big brokers bidding against the trucks for the loads. A computer doesn't cost shit compared to a set up rig to do the job! If they do decide to allow the brokers to post loads have the requirement that they also say there take, it is the law if a carrier asks for them to tell us there take. If bulkloads made a stance to require that atleast people would know whom they are working for and what they get out of it! I know the raised the inurance bond a few years ago to induce some of them out of the market.

Also, I would Like to See Bulkloads do a real study on what hopper carriers real costs are to run. compile the information and give shippers an estimated cost for movement on real nuts and bolts numbers not this race to the bottom idea of supply and demand that we have now. I have flipped my business model from running the most amount of miles I could in a week for the most amount of money possible to the least amount of miles with the least amount of fuel burned etc. We have gone from $1500 a day on 500 miles to $450 per day on 100 miles. Face it fixed cost stay the same and variable costs can be shaved down to minimums. Another question I have for Bulkloads is this how does factoring or fast pay really help my cash flow if I am losing money on the run I am doing? I hear words like survive the storm etc. I get it but..... I hear words like well then your running for the wrong carrier? Maybe I am our my guys are? but then why am I cut on a 15 year dedicated run? Please, Bulkloads use your platform, to help educate the shippers where the carrier needs to be money wise per mile. As a carrier I believe in Capitalism but its the crap we are dealing with right now that creates unions. I thought about doing an email blast to my competetion to try a union style attack at the rates in our area, but really its the brokers beating us out of the bids, posting the loads, racing to the bottom, and preying on the guy whom has a family to feed and truck payment to make. To the guy who said some people bought to high of priced Iron and those are the ones getting hurt the most. Your statement is true, but will the replacement trucks or trailers really go down? what is your goal for replacing your ride? Yes a guy can maintain them fix fix fix. Those costs are typically or atleast traditional higher then newer equipment. I have have them both in my business, new and old paid for and borrowed. What number should be used as cost of operation? Come on bulkloads help be our voice. I Have a new improved calculator to give to those whom don't know how to calculate. Even as I sit and write this, I have educated customers on the cost and I am run out by the cheaper guy. In the 70's they created the fuel surcharge for trucking companies, in covid Trump put a cap on toilet paper costs for people whom wanted to gouge others in the market of supply and demand. Maybe Biden can put a cap on the rate from going further down on transporation cost? Jared can you reach the President with an immediate concern for our industry? Do the podcast on that. I know you are a postive person and you want to keep the spin on what is going good in the industry I commend you for that, I commend on bulkloads on their ability to connect the shippers and recievers, I think it starts with booting the big broker take it and leave it guys. talking to the President or whomever can help us from the stop of the Bleed. Please and thank you! Godspeed!

Scott - I love that we share the same passion caring for our industry. You have been gracious in helping us share your calculator with others to help them better understand their costs. Many shippers and brokers read this forum so your voice is being heard.

I would love for you to come on the Bulkloads podcast. I know many would resignate with the issues facing our industry.

Also, I'm in the process of reaching out to some of these organizations to bring them on our podcast.

Again, thank you for wanting to help others in our industry!

God bless you!

Jared

I've had my authority for 27 years. I've kept my expenses in check and try to stay away from the "boom and bust". Steady as she goes. I'll be here when the dust settles.