NoBody plans on getting cheated, or the slow times.
 

From another thread:
I didn't want to hijack Joymax's thread, and this bears repeating.

The slow times should be planned for, when you try to figure what it cost per mile, per day, per week, per month, ect.
I've said that the cost to run a truck is $1.70 a mile, and really, that is too low. It will be different for everybody, depending on dead head, idle time, collections, ect.

Another thing nobody plans for, is getting cheated.
It happens to company drivers, flease operators, O/O's and carriers.
It has always been a ruthless business.

What is your trucking objective?
Take a look at talented Freight Broker: The Freight Trainer, conversing with potential customers:

This is his profile page. You can click the link on the left, to see the entire conversation.
http://www.indeed.com/forum/profile/thefreighttrainer

Phil Scott's web site: He sells broker training.
http://www.freighttraining.com

Looks like you sell your soul, to survive as a broker...
An excerpt:

I've said that the cost to run a truck is $1.70 a mile, and really, that is too low.



Please break that down and explain in further detail. If that is the case than Bigdiesel and Stevebooth only paid themselves 10k for the year. :lol:

:lol: :lol:

Bring back Triple Digit Bob its been awhile. He is the best Mult you have !!

What is a Mult?

im assuming its basically a troll, or fake "multiple" username for the purpose of talking e-shit.

Sound good, I'm going to go with that and just hope I'm right. :D

You still gay? :lol: What you want from me? I am in Hungary trying to fixz my fart problem. I no have license to drive truck rightz now. I try to find woman for team drive or somezing like that. I have to fix problem first,Ok. :D

are you asking if he is still gay, in hopes he will say yes and help resolve your lonely issues? you don't have to fix your farting problems, just don't let a future team driver know about them then surprise them with late night treats from the dutch oven :)

No,you don't understandz. This Bigdiesel guy keep sending me private message saying he like me and want to team drive. :shock: I tell him no I only like woman. If he iz gay he will have fun with this vassago guy that iz alwayz here. :lol: I lost lot of beautiful woman because of fart problem. :sad: I have to fix it before I come back to America,Ok. :D

:lol: :lol: :lol:

Seems to me a gay guy could hook you up with a little "butt cleaning :shock: " that should take care of your fart problem right quick.

2,

Everyone's base cost is going to be different. Based on cost of your truck, is it paid for, years of experience which affects your insurance rates, the area or lanes that your hauling freight. So I don't know how you can throw out a number like $1.70 as a base.

I am glad you brought this topic up because it does appear that regardless if your a company driver, lease operator, OO, or own a transport company we all hear the same stories year after year at this time. There are very obvious economic cycles in trucking that are natural due to the nature of the national economy. Yet it seems that many people never see it coming, or choose to ignore the warnings when they are newbie drivers and start during busier times of the year. And then they almost starve to death, and are run out of trucking.

People need to think about trucking like someone who lives on a sales commission. When the sales are good you need to be saving, and usually a lot more than you think you need to be saving just to weather the slow or bad times.

Like many who follow these forums I am into finance, like to listen to CNBC, and invest. There is real fear out there right now in our economy. Serious financial problems exist and the current symptoms of a slow economy may be only the beginning of something much worse.

If you haven't prepared for hard economic times then it may be too late to help, but there is no time like the present to tighten your belt, drive out un-necessary costs and expenses. Save all that you can afford to and just wait. If this all blows over and there isn't this big banking crisis that we are expecting then great. You have yourself a nice little nest egg for a rainy day and maybe enough to go out and get yourself a truck, trailer, or something to help you with your business. If however the economy slips into a depression then we all have some serious challenges ahead.

Regardless trucking is cyclical and you have to prepare for the slow times. Living with an inconsistent income is hard and requires discipline. That is why we leave the tough job of balancing budgets up to truckers(and hard working Americans) and not politicians... :-D

Longsnowsm

:lol: :lol: :lol:

Longsnowsm,

You are one of the few here, that seems to understand .
If freight hauler rates were close to the cost for a gallon of fuel, there would be fewer "sick" trucks.

As it is, there are more detractors than supporters, for higher rates.

Many newbies looking to own a truck, will be looking for insight, where ever they can.
Some take what they learn, and apply it, whether they survive or not.
And, some will take what they learn, and ignore it completely.

Cash flow can keep a driver going, without getting ahead, for years.

In the end, it is the drivers in the seats, that set the rates.
When enough company drivers demand a higher wage, it increases.
When enough O/Os demand a higher rate, it increases.
When enough carriers demand a higher rate, it increases.

There will be more and more newbies that find their way here, with the proliferation of the www.

There is a lot of good advice in these forums.
But, few actually discuss the slow times, or the dirty tactics.

Newbies need to know about this stuff.
Many think they will have greater freedom and independence, from buying a truck.

Reality is usually the other way around.
The company driver has relatively little on the line.
Everybody else is at real risk, every day.

You can count me in the camp that promotes higher rates.
I will not support nor defend low rates.

It is late, I'm tired and I'm rambling.
Good evening.

The bottom line is, nothing will change. You will ALWAYS have a never ending line of people willing to make 35k then work at Burger King for $14k so there is no incentive to change anything. Harsh fact, but it's the truth.

Steve is right again, as usual

It's called capitalism

AKA a freemarket economy

It originates with the economic policies selected by our leaders, that were all elected by the very people bitching about them.

Our leaders decided, very early on in the history of our nation, that our economy would be built on the twin towers of cheap food and cheap transportation.

The near total ascendancy of capital over labor is a much more recent development.

Since you and SteveBooth are dating, I would hope you do something nice for him on Valentines Day......

I'm accepting donations to buy him a package of 16 ga crimp connectors and an inflatable Paris Hilton doll.

Wanna contribute?

lol....The perfect gifts!!! ha ha ha

Both are excellent items that he is in desperate need of.

Here are two items you are in desperate need of. :lol:



www.headandshoulders.com
www.pertplus.com

Nope. I don't have dandruff. Thanks anyway.

Interesting article on Steve's sweetie in the SF Chronicle today.

Steve sez "I'm smarter than you are"

Paris sez "I do everything well"

Sounds like a perfect match to me.

I can even host the wedding, there's plenty of parking in my trailer park.

Jim Jones is dead, so we can't get him to perform the ceremony.

But I can still serve Kool-Aid at the reception.

I was copying Paris and saying "thats hott" before we made it public Steve's affection for her, but I'll settle for Nicole Richie if I have to :o

Ya, I dunno any more. I saw the Paris video and she needs a little more meat in a few places!!! I would still like to give Ellen a try and convert her!

I think Paris "performs" quite well in that video actually.

THAT'S FREAKIN' WRONG!!!!!!!!! ELLEN??????? (I just puked in my own mouth)

I'll take Parisnoassskanyprobablygotherpes over Ellen any day. If you Ellen and I were the only people left on this planet,....my genetic line dies with me :!:

I'd take one for the team, DH :lol:

lol