I too think that enforcement is key. Enforce the rules we have …….or get rid of em.

That’s not regulation, that’s enforcement. It’s not trying to regulate rates or fuel surcharges.

Don’t take this wrong ok? How can you say what you just said

“Like I’ve said a thousand times, government needs to mind their own business and stay out of mine. Build the roads and other stuff government is supposed to do, don’t try and fix something because they always screw it up.”

and ALSO say that the trucking business needs to be re-regulated?

To me that seems to be contradictory.

Please enlighten.

By the way…I agree that government is inept. More often than not it ruins what it attempts to “fix”. Best thing it can do is keep it’s hand off………of anything.

Mr Miller. I wasn’t beating you up directly. I feel for the O/O because they work the hardest in the whole industry and many have big issues with their family because of the love of the road. They should get paid a premium.

I am an owner of a small trucking company. I started this business saying that I will make money only by running trucks and running miles. I will not make money off the backs of employees or O/O. I do not deduct pay for accidents, missing equipment and the sort like many other carriers. I don’t have any O/O – because I can’t pay them enough to last through the long haul. I too am beaten by carriers who hire O/O and charge them for every little thing that happens. They make their margin off the costs they don’t have to pay – missing load bars, scratches to the equipment (that they don’t fix), blown tires etc.

For all you O/O and small carriers out there, do yourself a favor. Study every cost right down to the cpm. KNOW YOUR COSTS and watch them everyday. Have an exit plan and stick to it. It will get worse before it gets better.

This weeks DOE is 3.81 $/Gal. A truck running 6mpg will cost 63.5 cpm add your personal wage of 35cpm and you are already at 98.5 cpm. A truck payment of 1100/month at 11000 miles per month will cost 10cpm. Now you are at 108cpm. If you are running for 1.10 or 1.15/mile you will not pay for your maintenance, insurance, plates, incidentals and anything else that comes up in the last 2-7 cents per mile. At 7cpm you have $770 left at the end of the month for payment of the rest. Everything above $770 comes out of your personal wages. If these numbers are liberal, as I think they are, it just won’t work long term.

GOOD LUCK.

Jim

The way we think may be pathetic, but the bottom line – it’s a business first. It may be also be a lifestyle, but it’s still a business first. And as business men, we all hope for better days ahead. The truth is I’ll probably go under before you. If I can last till my wife finishes school and is working, I won’t care. I will, but it won’t hurt as much.

This is why O/O’s are going to have such a hard time. The reluctance of running their business like a business and bailing out before it’s too late. Then finding something else or driving for someone else.

I completely agree with Charles, there are a lot of dirtbag fleet owners and companies out there. Finding the good ones is tough. Hopefully, the dirtbag fleet owners go under just as fast if not faster as the rest of us.

But because they use o/o’s and have no overhead and no expenses, their o/o’s are going to go under first.

How can you come to this conclusion to what kind of owner operator I am?
Do you have a reading comprehension problem do you understand the English language.
I will summarizes maybe you A.D.D…

1. I am concerned about the current crises that faces our industry.

2. I am concerned about the future of guys like us (small Independent O/O).
3. I am only one man, I post my feelings to try to generate thought, to try to get the I.O/O’s rallyed and fired up, to realize that we as a mass of ONE can make a difference.

But, to no avail. I’ve been beat up on here by all the authors, and by you. I’ve gained a lot of in site, of how you guys think, and its pathetic..

I understand why this industry is in the shape its in. I will go back in my shell, keep to myself and not worry about anybody but myself.

And for your information, I’ve been a Trucker for almost 15 yrs. 12yrs of struggle leased to big and small outfits like yours.
I finally went broke in 04, sold my truck and trailer (which were payed for), to pay my debts, went thur 5 different driving jobs in 2yrs, working for assholes. Currently I have bought another truck and trailer, have got my own authority / LCC. With a lot of hard work, love for truckin, hope and prayers, I’ll make it through this current bullshit.

And to all of you, no need to respond, I won’t be here anymore.
I’ll be searching the web for a better breed of TRUCKERS that share my thoughts, love for truckin and hope for better days ahead.

I have O/O’s calling me everyday begging me to put them on our fleet. I refuse because I cannot pay them enough to keep their heads above water. They will work for cheap only to keep the cash flowing. Mr. Charles Miller (earlier post) is one of them. Maybe O/O’s should sell their trucks, become a company driver and make the same amount of money without the headaches.

The only answer to the current problem is LESS AVAILABLE TRUCKS. The sooner this happens, the quicker the rates will go up. Last week I went to one of my customers asking for an increase in the rate. The rate has been the same for 14 months. I was advised that unless I drop my rate by $100, he was going to go to another carrier. I lost the contract. I am only hoping the carrier, who has it now, who only employs and exploits O/O for less than they are worth, loses his O/O’s because they cannot satisfy the O/O’s demands for an increase. If his service fails, I may get the contract back at the original price.

I wish O/O’s would take more time to look at their expenses, understand them, know when they are losing money, and find some way to change it or else get out. Why buy another truck when you can’t afford the one you have? Why work for less take home pay than you would if you were a company driver somewhere else? Get out when you still have some equity left and plan to get back in the industry when it changes for the better. If you have any experience at all, you will know when the tide has changed.

Jim

“he spent $64,000 on diesel in the last eight months.”

Hmmmmmmm….

at $3.50 a gallon that’s 18,285.71 gallons.
at 5 miles to the gallon that’s 91,428 miles
….that’s 11,428 miles per month.
….that’s 2857 miles per week.

unless my math’s wrong.

Lot of miles.

Of course he COULD be getting better fuel economy….in which case the numbers are even higher….4 thousand miles per week at 7 miles per gallon. If that’s the case then he’s maxing out his log book ….EVERY day.

Bet he’s worn out.

200,000 miles a year on the truck too.