Truck Driving Jobs

thebaldeagle655 · #1 03-11-2009, 02:39 AM

The first 6 weeks or so of this year I was glad to pull into pipe yards in Houston and be either the only truck loading or one of a very few loading. Today I pulled into one of our regular yards and it looked like the old days ( you know, 4 months ago), 35+ trucks sitting in line waiting to get loaded.

Hated the wait but glad to see that at least for one day it looks like things may be picking up in the flatbed area!

GMAN · #2 03-11-2009, 03:58 AM

I see a very slight increase in freight. Rates are still making their way to the bottom. Actually, I thought they had already hit the bottom several months ago.

Jackrabbit379 · #3 03-11-2009, 03:27 PM

I see a lot of flatbeds, but for the most part, they are empty.

Heavy Duty · #4 03-11-2009, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GMAN

I see a very slight increase in freight. Rates are still making their way to the bottom. Actually, I thought they had already hit the bottom several months ago.

Gman, Got any idea where the bottom is?

marcel27208 · #5 03-11-2009, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heavy Duty

Gman, Got any idea where the bottom is?

Im hoping that its below me already!!!!!!!!

Windwalker · #6 03-11-2009, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marcel27208

Im hoping that its below me already!!!!!!!!

It is below you... You have not hit bottom yet. I just don't know how much farther down it is.

matcat · #7 03-11-2009, 08:26 PM

I dont see how rates could get any lower. Any lower and these mega carriers are going to be making nothing more then operating costs back.

Luckily I haul specialty freight

Average anywhere from $2 to $6 a mile.

GMAN · #8 03-12-2009, 03:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heavy Duty

Gman, Got any idea where the bottom is?

I wish I did. I would not have thought rates would drop as dramatically as they have in such a short time. Some of these rates are below operating costs so these carriers and owner operators can't keep running much longer. I don't understand why so many owners and carriers would run their trucks for less than it costs to operate profitably. Most people are in survival mode. They think that if they can hang on long enough that they can survive. Perhaps they are correct. I don't see how any of them can hang on for long. I can't see wearing my equipment out for nothing. Many of these loads are only paying the truck $1/mile and some less. That is below operating costs. You may just as well park your truck and take a nap.

Phantom433a · #9 03-12-2009, 04:09 AM

our flatbed loads are dead, course we rely mostly on construction and thats been dead as well. Almost like the housing market crashed

GMAN · #10 03-12-2009, 12:02 PM

I expect construction to pick up with the warmer weather. These banks that have gotten bailout money are hanging on to our money with a very tight fist. If they would loosen up their tightly clinched fist it would help to free up some of these construction project which in turn would help our industry to get rolling again. When produce season kick in it should also help rates to rise.