[Crunchyknees]

HI

There is always a slowdown in just about every business after January. But, can you guys tell if there is a dramatic slowdown in business/cargo compared to previous years?

Crunch

[Evinrude]

Sure can, less miles, more waiting, no raise over a year.

[Jackrabbit379]

The tax season plays a role in the "grocery" business. I work for SYSCO, and normally the first couple months of the year is a slow time for us. Most of our customers are doing taxes, etc, and usually buy just enough products to get by. Usually, around March, and April, it picks back up.

[Roadhog]

It's not a question mark here in Michigan, as we HAVE been in a recession here for some time. The December unemployment rate reached 7.6 percent, which is the highest in the nation. This rate also is the highest level for Michigan in 14 years. We've lost over 90,000 jobs last year alone.
People have been bailing out of the State like rats running from flood waters. Our economy here has been so bad, for so long...people are just getting the hell out.

The company I was working for went out of business. Another company bought them out, but for me to drive for them, would mean making less. This company will not offer any benefits like the previous company did. No health insurance is the worst cut as far as I'm concerned. This has been a steady decline up here, but I hope we have bottomed, and pray it doesn't get any worse.

[Karnajj]

Been doing all right so far. But in this business it can change in a heartbeat.

Roadhog, I remember Michigan back in the early 80's when people were leaving the state and heading for Texas, Houston mostly. Have not lived there in a while.

[markthetrucker]

Don't forget inventory time too. a lot of businesses have to do the yearly inventory this time of year.

[GMAN]

This has always been a slow time of year. There is freight to haul, but rates are lower than a few months ago. We seem to be doing fairly well, even with the lower rates. There are record numbers of owner operators turning in their trucks. That should help the situation by reducing capacity. There are still some who are trying to run their trucks for less than $1/mile. This time of year one needs to operate smarter to be successful. I expect some difficult economic times for our country. Trucking is one of the first to see a slow down. Much of what we haul revolves around construction and hard goods. When people have less money to spend, then the economy will slow down.

[Fredog]

Originally Posted by Crunchyknees

HI

There is always a slowdown in just about every business after January. But, can you guys tell if there is a dramatic slowdown in business/cargo compared to previous years?

Crunch

actually,our business is up right now, to the point where I wish it would slow down a little

[Crunchyknees]

Originally Posted by Fredog

actually,our business is up right now, to the point where I wish it would slow down a little

Fredog

What company do work for?

crunch

[geomon]

There are record numbers of owner operators turning in their trucks.

Gman...are there any articles that you pulled this from or is it just your own thoughts pulled from talking to those you meet in the industry and on the road?