How are rates?
 

So how have rates been over the last few months? Not the one killer job making $5 a mile. Just your average rate over the last few months and what are you pulling?

Pretty much in the toilet.

Lowball rate wins the contest these days.

Since i practically do no brokers, rates didn't change, and even increased on some accounts. The problem is that it's not to many loads, and you have to sit longer. Of Course, you could haul dirt cheap for brokers, but I'd rather not....

Can i ask why you are asking. You just got that sweet job with UPS. Please dont tell me your thinking about leaving that place and buying your own truck or something.:eek1:

They are horrible. On a good note, I just landed a load I bid on over a month ago. Didn't think the guy would call but he did. $1.89 mile plus fuel surcharge of .23 AR to NY. It's only one a month right now, could be 2 or 3 when it picks up.(when will that be?)

I think right now is a good time to solicit new shippers. Many shippers may feel like they can save money by dealing direct with carriers in these uncertain times. I am talking about shippers who have been with brokers already. Alot of business's with trucks are cutting back on areas they run to reduce costs and that leaves opportunity for new carriers to come in.

I am trying to look on the bright side.

I'm out.

Sitting in Kingsland, GA

I have been offered rates as low as $0.70/mile this week. There are some shippers who are beating down the rates but I think it is mostly the brokers and carriers who are to blame. One agrees to take the load for a certain amount and then another comes in and cuts the rate. I just lost a fairly decent paying over sized load that one carrier took for several hundred dollars less than I bid and he paid the permits out of his money. I added them to my figure. The sad part is that it went all the way to Washington. Permits can get a bit pricey when you cross that many states.

I'm not going anywhere. Just curious.

they're low.

$1.25 out of Central GA. 44,000 lbs FB incl tarp.
$1.40 out of Baltimore. 25,000 lbs SD no tarp.

Both going to Ontario.

It has been years since I have seen rates this low and fuel was less than $0.80/gallon.

Mackmans avatar lol

Just to make you guys jealous, the guys who like Nascar. I am in Daytona now and will stay for the 500.

I might be stuck till next year as you all know the great rates coming out of FL.

Rates are at .70 to .90.

Not even worth considering.

low rates are bad enough. there are not anything to choose from. if you get out with a decent load, just try & get back home at a decent rate. I have been offered loads out of moultan al area to toledo oh. 800 to the truck. I wont take it. I've taken 3 loads the last 6 weeks. all local. 400.00 a load. $ 1200 the last 6 weeks. truck has been parked. been doing some fix'er up things on house & truck. I'll sit till things get better. I will in no way take a low rate load. I just paid for my tag too today. it may get better next month. or it may get worse.

Ive been giving 1.20-1.45/mi for ltl flat loads no tarp 1-3 peices 3-5000 lbs. 6.20/mi for o/d loads on the shorthaul (100-150 mi). 1.45-1.80/mi for full loads flat no tarp. All loads coming out of IL, IN and OH.

Reefer loads are getting better 1.90-2.20 depending on destination some with pallet exchange. Most of these come out of AZ and MN and ND.

Cabbage is running now but its like garbage, it dont pay snot. So I dont even bother with it.

Just look at the bright side. With the cheap rates you cannot afford to buy food. Think about all the weight you can lose. ;)

Rates suck big time.I hope it will get better otherwise a lot of people will be in a world of hurt.My broker cut me 300 on this run compared to the last one.Oh,well keep on truckin and hope for the best

I appreciate the talk on the rates.

Just to give another angle on things, my 'rates' haven't changed since I started on mileage pay last summer. If I leave the house I make money, period. It's in the contract and the company honors it, if I sit I get paid. Many, including myself, thought I had a rotten contract last summer. I don't feel that way at all now.

Another thing I'll be interested in is what happens with major carrier company drivers' wages the rest of the year? That's always been a fall back to me. Are they even hiring, still?

Not trying to sidetrack the thread, just another angle.

simple. they declare bankruptcy and all contracts are canceled. you might get pennies on the dollar on what is owed to you.

they start up or buy another carrier and go on about business.

I am glad that you are doing well, lowrange. I would expect to see more layoffs and wages could be cut unless freight and rates begin to turn around. A number of carriers have laid off drivers during the last few months. Some have a hiring freeze for both drivers and owner operators. After all, there is no need to hire more people if you cannot keep those you already have on the payroll busy.

Do any of you guys take loads from CH? What kind of rates are they throwing out there right now?

There rates are pretty cheap like about everyone else if you can even find one of their offices that has a load.

Slow here at Autumn as well....

Work is still there i guess even though miles have fallen down, but the rates have taken a dip as customers are cutting back.

We just lost a Procter&Gamble account due to Foodliner undercutting our rates by a bunch.

There is a lot of rate cutting going on, Dejanh. That is one reason rates are so low.

What is the lowest rate/mile you guys have seen out there?

I have been offered as little as $0.70/mile. I have been told about some who have taken loads as low as $0.50/mile. :hellno:

I see Landstar as indicator on rates... Just looking at the equipment pulling there wagons... Now VS back when.. I see better looking trash trucks..

Maybe you been looking in the wrong place.

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g1...2/IMG_1917.jpg

I don't know that using Landstar rates or how some of their trucks appear is the best indicator of how the rates are doing. Like any other fleet some trucks are newer and better maintained than others. Some agents have better rates than other agents. Whether the economy is good or bad those who have decent rates are likely to have better rates than those who typically have cheap rates.

Well Landstar has gotten in the bulk hauling buisness in Oklahoma and Kansas and they cut the rates by a bunch to get the job. The cut the rates at one place and are trying to broker it out but from what I hear no one is hauling it, all local stuff. I say good luck to that agent. I hear they are doing it cheaper then the mexicans.

The cheap freight haulers and brokers won't be able to make it through this depression. They may survive for the short term but unless you have a profit you won't be able to make it. This depression just may get rid of some of these logistics companies and brokers who have crippled this industry and pushed rates down. Right now we see a race to the bottom to keep the doors open. A point will come when trucks refuse to haul a load due to the cheap rate. That could be the turning point.

My bet is many will quit at the end of March, when they have to pony up for new prorate tags. I have seen more trucks in the last week out of fuel on the way in or close to the pumps than when fuel was $4.50. From the crappy shape of some trucks I have been seeing lately you may want to buy stock in companies that make Duct Tape and bailing wire.

I'm just going to throw this out here because I'm now a real tanker yanker, I'm paid on percentage!

Spent today on a short run. Made a boo boo, basically worked for free today. :o

First real load tomorrow is Joliet, IL to Brooklyn, NY. I'm still getting a handle on the pay scheme but I should make $1.86/mile plus 16 cents or whatever a standard fuel surcharge is right now. Now, that ain't bad. I know it's Brooklyn, but... We'll see what it's like coming back the other way or if I can continue to pull rates like that...or...if the economy doesn't finally give up the ghost- that could happen, you know!? :cool:

I don't think the economy will stop completely. I think we will see some improvement as we get further into spring and summer. I would not expect this to be as good as an average year but those who can survive will be able to command much better rates when the economy rebounds. We will need to make more money to pay all these extra taxes the chickencrats are putting on our backs.

I loaded last week at my usual place. The broker has cut us pretty bad on the account. The load paid $3400 last Aug when I first went there, now it is paying $2500 on 1750 miles.

I was sitting there getting loaded and a truck came in and backed in beside me. I got to talking to the driver. He was from Bosnia and said he owned 3 trucks and his wife was at home booking the loads for the trucks. He said he was going to Atlanta (LA to Atlanta) I asked him if he was getting a fair rate, he said yes it is paying $2200. I asked him who the broker was and it was the same one we use for that shipper.

Think the broker was making any money on that load?? LOL

He asked me what it paid going to Des Moines and I ignored the question a couple times and he quit asking.

Is that $2,500 after the "commision"(you're words not mine) is taken out or is that gross?

[QUOTE=mike3fan;441317]That's Gross.......My part would be $2,000

That's why I have been sitting at home this week. They keep calling me with loads that GROSS $2100 out and I have been telling them "No Thanks"

Have been getting a halfway decent rate to Phoenix, then deadheading to LA. I can deadhead to LA for $100 which comes out alot better than than taking a $2100 load straight to LA. The load I took to Phoenix last week GROSSED $2650

I,ve been squeezing $1.60. It's like pulling teeth. I am trying to hold back till it gets a little better.

Close on foclosed house in Fayetteville, GA in 2 weeks. Got a good deal on a nice house.

I'll be leaving NY in June when daughter graduates high school.

Gman, I just came threw TN. McMinnville, picked up a nursery load going up to CT. Drove up TN 56 to 40 then east. Relaxing in TA at exit 36 I81 in TN. Pretty driving.

You should have stopped by to say hello. I am only about 80 miles from McMinnville.

As I was driving, I was looking for the blue mask. I was wondering if you might have been close. Next time I come by that way I'll shout out before I come in. I'll buy the coffee, you name the place.

If my shipper with the Jonesboro, AR load gets busy, I will be coming through more often.

Well, there is a Waffle House with truck parking nearby. :D