[bibcheese]

I keep hearing the economy is bad and frieght is slow, so that many companies will be challenged this year. Maybe even to the point of having to lay off drivers or reduce pay. Does anybody know if this is true. Was going to go back to driving, but if things are going to get real bad for a driver, maybe I should stay at job I have now... Any opinions or suggestions will be helpful. thanks......

[Phantom433a]

frieght is always slow around the holidays, but I haven't heard anything about layoffs. even on interstate 171 all the trucking company advertisements are claiming :roll: growth in 08

[headborg]

well one example might be: TRL just got bought/bailed out by Prime--

very hard on the little companies--especially those trying to run "fast" trucks coast-to-coast and hauling Produce and other cheap freight.

most companies say---freight is "slow" but really only "good" paying freight is hard to come by---too many companies fighting over it--and the Big Dogs can offer to haul it for a .01 mile less.

that leaves you & I, setting in the truck stop because our company working all day trying to find the best paying load before committing to that cheap stuff.

It's just business.

[BHG0069]

There is one thing to be certain of. As long as you have the Class A in your wallet you will not have to worry about finding work.

[csramsey640]

It really all depends on what your pulling, who your pulling it for(customer), and where your pulling it to.

Flatbedding always drops off in the winter time, so the shippers have controll. Same amount of trucks+less loads=cheaper freight.
People are not building as many bridges,houses,etc etc in the winter so steel, building materials, etc,etc slow down. The shippers take advantage of this, as do the large carriers who want to insure that thier trucks are not sitting. I run dedicated out of Alcoa, and it has slowed...like it does every year.

Dry van, depending on commodity, usually has really decent times until christmas, then it slows.

I highly doubt youll see any layoffs, you might see a different hiring policy, even though not announced, some companies may only take a certain experience level, and not announce it.

Things do and will pick back up, like they always do. The economy is cyclical, it runs in circles, somethimes your on the bottom, sometimes your on the top.

[ibamars]

Well I can tell you here, where I am. SLOW!!!! I am working about 30-35 hrs a week. Back in November I was working 50-55. Yesterday we had 300 bills go out. Today I got the call. We only have 160 bills, go ahead and take the day off.

Crazy business

Well as slow as it is, i can tell you that in those stupid magazines and on the trucker radio shows on satelite, These stupid companies insist on the fact that there is still a driver shortage in this company...cant see them laying anyone off on that logic but trucking comapines do tend to surprise people with what they do, although i still cant see layoffs on OTR

[RottsATruckin]

No slow down here, I pull a flatbed and have had my next trips pre-planned a day prior to the current trips drop...the companies hustling to find drivers, it seems everybody takes vacations this time of year :lol:

[truckiedriver]

I don't know why any truck driver that is being paid by the mile would ever be layed off. They would just let you sit until you strave to death then paid someone else to recover the truck.

[movinit]

Our higher ups at the company we work for had a meeting with several of us drivers the other day. Consumers are being stretched to the max with skyrocketing prices, stagnant wages and layoffs so they aren't spending. The experts are predicting a pretty good slowdown in 2008 for all industries affected by consumer spending as the effects of the housing crisis, high fuel, etc. trickles on down thru all levels manufacturing and services. They said that the smaller companies will probably get overtaken by the big dogs and that many O/O's who do not know how to manage their business will lose it. This will in turn create more loads for the companies left standing when all the dust settles, however it may be rough for a few months and be really slow for there will be many hands in the air wanting each load. If I was a solo I would be for putting money in the bank right now instead of spending it at the casinos or video games in the truck stop (something you should be doing anyhow).