[jdtj63]

Originally Posted by GMAN

You don't have to take cheap freight. We recently pulled out a load from an area which is known for cheap freight. I was offered rates as low as $1/mile. I came out with a rate of over $2/mile. They are there if you are patient. You may have to work harder to find them, but it is better to wait than take something that offers no profit. I see no need to perform a needed service for free. When you haul freight without making a profit, you are hauling for free.

I am going broke because I refuse to haul the cheap freight anymore. Maybe someone can enlighten me on how to play the game.

Fuel is at 3 dollars a gallon and unless you get a rate of 1.60 or more per mile you will go broke. :sad:

[rank]

Originally Posted by jdtj63

I am going broke because I refuse to haul the cheap freight anymore. Maybe someone can enlighten me on how to play the game.

Fuel is at 3 dollars a gallon and unless you get a rate of 1.60 or more per mile you will go broke. :sad:

park the truck until rates come up. hopefully it's paid for. at least you're not going broke AND wearing the truck out. that's a double insult.

[RostyC]

What kind of trailer do you have jdtj63? what areas are you running in?

[GMAN]

There seems to be a lot more freight right now. Some are still trying to broker loads at cheap rates. The sad thing is that some people are still hauling them. Why haul freight if you are going broke? You may as well stay home if you aren't making a profit. This is a business. A business must make a profit or it will fail to exist.

[no_worries]

There seems to be a lot more freight right now.

Depends on where you are and what you're hauling. I did notice the flatbed freight in the SE was strong, but since that's not what I run I don't know how those volumes compare historically for this time of year. Other areas and modes, it's all over the map. All indexes still say freight is significantly slower than normal as a whole.

[GMAN]

Freight is down, but seems to be better than last year at this time, at least for me. You are correct about the region of the country. Some areas have more and better paying freight than other places. You still don't have to haul cheap freight. Of course, that is a personal decision we all must make.

[jdtj63]

Originally Posted by GMAN

Freight is down, but seems to be better than last year at this time, at least for me. You are correct about the region of the country. Some areas have more and better paying freight than other places. You still don't have to haul cheap freight. Of course, that is a personal decision we all must make.

GMan I agree with you that is why I sit at home and have come to the conclusion that I will go broke either way so why become the working poor when I can not work and get the same result. My truck is not paid for but my trailer is.

People in this country have become used to getting something for nothing. I will not participate in this race to the bottom economy any more. I for one am fed up with it.

Do Lawyers work for free? NO

Do Doctors work for free? No

Bankers? No

Why then are truck drivers expected to give their services for almost nothing in return?

[GMAN]

I have been wandering that for years. It has never made sense to work for free, unless you are doing volunteer work.

[no_worries]

I just talked to a few of my contacts up in the NW regarding apple rates this year. Apparently the rails have made huge inroads into the apple market cutting about $700 off the rates. Guess we won't be doing many apples this year :lol: