At fuel prices right now you will lose your shirt so fast you won't know what hit you.


A 10 mile mistake costs six dollars

That's if you drive a nice windcatcher 70+ mph with your big "kitty cat" engine.

That same 10 mile mistake would cost me $3.75.

I've averaged 7.8-8 mpg for several months now.

If fuel prices are what makes you lose your shirt I think you maybe in the wrong buisness anyhow.

I am talking about new entries

Why would they?

Get on a good company that has a fuel surcharge based off the industry average of 6 mpg, and if they have a good truck they'll make more money when the price of fuel goes up.

shhhhhhhh

Why do new business owners have to get crappy rates? Why not start out at great rates, and not have to worry about fuel prices?

Yep If you get 6.5 miles per gallon and your surcharge is based on 6 you should be doing a chant every night and praying for 10.00 per gallon. That is until you think of the impact that would have on freight.

You ever hear of the landstar line "it takes 6 months to learn the system"
Well guess how long it takes on your own

Surcharges are for loaded miles and dedheading or even bobtailing home is extremely expensive

Good paying loads like 3 per mile are not budging to raise their rates to compensate
Lower rates you can get up but you still lose a little more
They never cover all of the new fuel
But home run loads are not moving the bar
(or if you are canadian "in the house" loads are reluctant to raise rates)

other than that I guess everything is fine

$3 a mile shouldn't budge to compensate, there's more then enough profit to be had on those loads.

$1.50 loads should compensate, and I'm glad they do.