remember I said I was under a couple of $6,000 loads?

[rank]

Well I got the checks in the mail for those two $6,000 loads that got all screwed up back in September or whenever it was. They neglected to pay detention and the extra charges. Zip zero nada. Am I surprised? Nope.

So I made two phone calls today.

First was to accounts payable. They regret the oversight and will send checks for additional charges tomorrow. That WAS a surprise. I was expecting them to deny that they owed anything.

The second call was to the bond company.

stay tuned.

[Rev.Vassago]

You're making me very happy that I can't, as Booth put it, "cut it" being an independent. I like being able to count on getting paid on all my loads every Monday.

Speaking of which, remind me to scan my paperwork in tomorrow morning so I can get paid on my load on Monday. Thanks in advance.

[Jackrabbit379]

Be sure to scan your paperwork tomorrow.

[Rev.Vassago]

Would that be "tomorrow" as in Saturday? Because my computer says you posted that today.

You're confusing me! This owner operator thing is hard! I don't even know what my own name is! I keep looking at the door and calling myself "Landstar Ranger"!

[Jumbo]

Would that be "tomorrow" as in Saturday? Because my computer says you posted that today.

You're confusing me! This owner operator thing is hard! I don't even know what my own name is! I keep looking at the door and calling myself "Landstar Ranger"!

Well, At least you arent calling yourself Steve Booth.

[Rev.Vassago]

Touche!

[GMAN]

You could call yourself Landstar Rev.

[Rev.Vassago]

You could call yourself Landstar Rev.

But it doesn't say that on my door!

This is too hard. I quit.

[GMAN]

You're making me very happy that I can't, as Booth put it, "cut it" being an independent. I like being able to count on getting paid on all my loads every Monday.

I am not sure that being leased to a carrier can provide any more security than being independent, at least as far as getting paid is concerned. Carriers are going bankrupt at a rapid pace. I don't think Landstar is in any current danger. They don't really have any long term obligations as some do who have their own trucks. If things get slow enough they can lay off some personnel. Most of those who generate revenue for them work on percentage. Unless they produce they don't get paid. That is from the agents to the BCO's. The only payroll they really have is in their corporate offices. Everyone else is compensated based upon their production.

[Rev.Vassago]

You're absolutely right about that. Everyone is paid based upon their production except for the corporate bigwigs. They produce absolutely nothing.

[DaveP]

I am not sure that being leased to a carrier can provide any more security than being independent, at least as far as getting paid is concerned. Carriers are going bankrupt at a rapid pace. I don't think Landstar is in any current danger. They don't really have any long term obligations as some do who have their own trucks. If things get slow enough they can lay off some personnel. Most of those who generate revenue for them work on percentage. Unless they produce they don't get paid. That is from the agents to the BCO's. The only payroll they really have is in their corporate offices. Everyone else is compensated based upon their production.

I was told by a McKelroy (sp?) driver last week they just fired 15 drivers (deadwood?) and layed off 50.

Don't know how true it is as he heard it thru the company "grapevine".

Just like I was told PGT is parking 150 trucks (our grapvine, of course). At the rate drivers are quitting because of the recent decisions as to how we're "tightening our belts" it shouldn't take too long.

I was in B'ham yesterday and was barely able to turn the truck around there was so much equipment parked in there...

There's a LOT of frustration and anger going on out here Mr. G.

A little "splainin" would go a long way right now.

[Jackrabbit379]

Would that be "tomorrow" as in Saturday? Because my computer says you posted that today.

You're confusing me! This owner operator thing is hard! I don't even know what my own name is! I keep looking at the door and calling myself "Landstar Ranger"!

Yes it was today (Fri). Sorry for the confusion. I meant today, but being at night, I was thinking, "tomorrow". Weird things happen when youre nocturnal.

[GMAN]

I was told by a McKelroy (sp?) driver last week they just fired 15 drivers (deadwood?) and layed off 50.

Don't know how true it is as he heard it thru the company "grapevine".

Just like I was told PGT is parking 150 trucks (our grapvine, of course). At the rate drivers are quitting because of the recent decisions as to how we're "tightening our belts" it shouldn't take too long.

I was in B'ham yesterday and was barely able to turn the truck around there was so much equipment parked in there...

There's a LOT of frustration and anger going on out here Mr. G.

A little "splainin" would go a long way right now.

You are correct about the frustration. People are angry and frustrated. The thing is that the economy is in much worse shape than our elected officials want to admit. People are holding off on any purchases that are not absolutely necessary which further slows the economy. Some shippers are beginning to ship partials rather than truckload. When people stop buying there is no need to replenish supplies which reduces the need for trucks to haul the new stuff. On top of that we see carriers and brokers bidding on freight for lower and lower prices. There is only so much money to go around. Those who continue to lower prices don't seem to understand that they putting themselves out of business. It makes it increasingly difficult for those of us you want to get a fair rate for what we haul.

[rank]

received the check today for the extra pilot cars, police escorts and permits. now they "only" owe for layover. $200/day x 4 days x 2 trucks.

[rank]

UPDATE: The final chapter.

As I mentioned earlier, I called the bond company. A couple of weeks after I called I rec'd a letter saying they denied my claim based on the fact that "it says on the rate agreement that the carrier will not be paid until they collect form their customer".

However it looks like I will get my $1600 detention regardless. I called accounts payable today and she said "Look at that...we've been paid! I will cut a check tomorrow".

[GMAN]

There is a lot frustration and resentment building in the trucking industry. We see everyone raising prices but freight rates. Fuel is beginning to creep up again, insurance rates are taking a dramatic rise as are most anything else related to trucking. Freight that is available seems to be going down on quantity and rates. Banks who have gotten a bailout for mismanaging their businesses are cutting off credit lines and restricting credit which further complicates the ability of doing business. Banks such as Bank of America are getting billions in FREE money to make acquisitions apparently unfettered by any government oversight. The government continues to expand taxes on this industry using "Homeland Security" as an excuse with such taxes as TWIC and hazmat, yet ignore less profitable ways in which to make the country more secure by checking containers coming into the U.S. It is understandable that there is so much frustration in this industry.