Before the internet.

[rigidsporty]

Dispatch gave me a broker load so of course I had to call the broker to get directions, ect. So as I'm sitting here in Tama, IA I got to thinking about the internet load boards. They havent been around that long and I was wondering how that worked before the internet. Was there a publication or something with broker contacts in them or something?

[moe]

Great question. Back before the mid-80's we had to call brokers, we didn't have cell phones so we would have to stop at a truck stop or a pay phone and get out our little list of brokers. Most of us would have a list of brokers for each area that we were going to, and we would call before we ever got there to let them know when we would be there and empty. If we were lucky, they would have something lined up, if not, we would start calling all the brokers in the area letting them know that we were looking for a load. Basically, the idea of the search for a load on the internet is the same process; you call your favorites first then work your way down the list. There were a lot less brokers and people searching for broker loads. In fact, we were protected by law because private companies (manufacturers, etc.) were not allowed to take back-hauls, that cut down on the competition. If we took a load through a broker it had to be either what was called an exempt load, or we would have to trip-lease. Both of these are interesting subjects in themselves. Before loads were available on the internet, the truck stops had load-boards.The first that I ever knew of being available on the internet was DAT, which is the same company that had the load-boards in the truck stops. When I first got this in the 90's it was about $200 a month, and there wasn't a lot of competition for the loads that were available. Hope this all helped answer your question!

[rigidsporty]

Thanks for the reply... where did you get the broker list from?

[heavyhaulerss]

back years ago.. when you pulled into a truck truck there would be brokers out side all over approaching every driver with loads. you never had to get out of your truck. this is what I was told by a retired driver. and overweight loads? you did not even care if you got stopped, why ? cause the extra money made was a lot more than the fine. drivers used to carry type writers in their trucks for blind loads..

[Creek Jackson]

Great question. Back before the mid-80's we had to call brokers, we didn't have cell phones so we would have to stop at a truck stop or a pay phone and get out our little list of brokers. Most of us would have a list of brokers for each area that we were going to, and we would call before we ever got there to let them know when we would be there and empty. If we were lucky, they would have something lined up, if not, we would start calling all the brokers in the area letting them know that we were looking for a load. Basically, the idea of the search for a load on the internet is the same process; you call your favorites first then work your way down the list. There were a lot less brokers and people searching for broker loads. In fact, we were protected by law because private companies (manufacturers, etc.) were not allowed to take back-hauls, that cut down on the competition. If we took a load through a broker it had to be either what was called an exempt load, or we would have to trip-lease. Both of these are interesting subjects in themselves. Before loads were available on the internet, the truck stops had load-boards.The first that I ever knew of being available on the internet was DAT, which is the same company that had the load-boards in the truck stops. When I first got this in the 90's it was about $200 a month, and there wasn't a lot of competition for the loads that were available. Hope this all helped answer your question!

If a broker did not have a load for you when you called, was there any way for them to call you back or did you have to keep calling till you found something?

(I know it sounds like a dumb question, I'm just curious)

[Red Clay Rambler]

"call me back in half an hour..."

"call me back in half an hour..."

"call me back in half an hour..."



This was common when talking to dispatch or brokers.

[GMAN]

They would call you back on a pay phone or you would need to keep calling them. Some of the old truck stops had broker offices on the premises or close by. Some brokers had parking for trucks to wait for a load. There are still a few of the older truck stops around that have broker offices. Even the Petro in Atlanta still has a couple of broker offices next door.

[Heavy Duty]

"call me back in half an hour..."

"call me back in half an hour..."

"call me back in half an hour..."



This was common when talking to dispatch or brokers.

Then we progressed to nationwide pagers then expensive cell phones.
Ah, the good old days. If your old enough you remember enter lining(s) and co ops

[GMAN]

I had a nationwide pager some years back. The problem was by the time I found a pay phone the load was often gone. Man, all the reminiscing make me feel old. Cell phones have really made a difference in this business. Only 10 or 15 years ago we had pagers. Now we have cell phones, faxes and computers in our trucks.

[Walking Eagle]

GMAN, what makes me feel old is going across N.M. and seeing signs to "Historic Route 66" !!!! He11 I remember when we used to run it !! I-80 used to stop and start to where you had to run 30
First "Radio phone" I had was 5 lbs in a suitcase, battery lasted about 5 minutes, other than that stock up on dimes and head to a pay phone.

[Rev.Vassago]

First "Radio phone" I had was 5 lbs in a suitcase, battery lasted about 5 minutes, other than that stock up on dimes and head to a pay phone.

LOL.

First cellular phone I had didn't even have a battery. That was a $100 option. I bought it, then drove 20 miles home. By the time I got home, I was roaming (this was with US Cellular). I had it for one month, and made about 5 calls with it. Those 5 calls cost me about $300. Needless to say, I returned it. That was back in 1997. It's amazing how far the technology has come since then.

[Walking Eagle]

Rev. first "mobile Phone" I had was lituarly a radio phone. You picked it up and call an operator who dialed your number then patched you thru, anyone could listen in if they were on the same service
Yep it is amazing how far we have come. On a 12 inch screen sitting on the dash, I can get calls and see my Gkids when they call. Costs a bit but what the he11

[GMAN]

GMAN, what makes me feel old is going across N.M. and seeing signs to "Historic Route 66" !!!! He11 I remember when we used to run it !! I-80 used to stop and start to where you had to run 30
First "Radio phone" I had was 5 lbs in a suitcase, battery lasted about 5 minutes, other than that stock up on dimes and head to a pay phone.

I have fond memories every time I see those signs about Route 66. The old road had some really interesting sights along the way. When they built the freeway they destroyed a lot of neat things one could see along the way. There are still some of the old sights around. You just need to get away from the interstate and travel the old road.

I forgot those old phones were called radio phones. Communication has certainly gotten much easier the last couple of decades.

[GMAN]

LOL.

First cellular phone I had didn't even have a battery. That was a $100 option. I bought it, then drove 20 miles home. By the time I got home, I was roaming (this was with US Cellular). I had it for one month, and made about 5 calls with it. Those 5 calls cost me about $300. Needless to say, I returned it. That was back in 1997. It's amazing how far the technology has come since then.

I never will forget the first portable phone I had. I had roaming charges while driving across Chicago. My first bill was about $55. At the time I didn't realize that I was charged for incoming calls. My second bill was over $800. I spent over $2500 in about 6 months. It took a while to get the bill under $200. At the time we had to pay for each minute of talk time used. I did get a T-shirt out of the deal. I receive it after my third bill which was about $680. It is the most expensive T-shirt I have ever bought.

[wildkat]

Gee...Up here we used the old, what we called XJ Mobiles...same thing you picked up this huge handset, which got you the XJ operator...believe it or not she had a CALL BOARD & CABLES to connect us together! Heaven help you if she "forgot" to unplug you from the other guy, you gave her the XJ number you wanted & she called the other one & literally plugged you together, & if you needed to call a land line it was the same! Way up in the Arctic where I run there is no cell service...we still use them damned old XJ phones...mine must be damned near 50 years old, but it's indestructible!

For that matter we don't use CB radio's either...only VHF, way more powerful, way more distance.