There is been a lot of talks, about "cheap", and not so "cheap" rates lately.
But with all due respect to the posters opinions, it's reminds me comparing "apples to oranges"!
To talk about rates, we'd have to agree on a terminology, cause there is a lot of different factors, besides plain buck, or two bucks a mile figures.
Type of equipment, origin and destination, time consumed...to name a few.
I wouldn't say anything about "back", or "front" haul, but we got to deal with reality of the "free market economy", supply and demand.
You can't expect the same rate, from the area, with 5 truck per load, as to from the 5 loads per truck area.
So while considering good or bad rates, all this factors, must be taking into equations. Cause plain "bucks a mile" figures, didn't mean much, without it!