geordi wrote:
Hes only the driver, he doesn't do the business end of it, and the fuel costs (thankfully) aren't passed on to him.
If you've never been on US23 in Eastern Ky, you wouldn't know that there aren't really any other opportunities. Negotiation? Hah! Hes hauling coal. Limited to 35 tons plus the tare for the truck, and the rates are dogcrap. I don't know specifics, but they get paid by the ton delivered, and its low.
Business means going where the opportunity is. I live in central Iowa where there is really no good freight. I was with an Iowa carrier that had a good thing going for the last 8.5 years I was with them, but with the economic change, they are struggling. After a lot of research, I shifted over to a Nebraska carrier that has locked in some real good accounts. No... it's not the big boys that many think of for Nebraska carriers.
Willy Sutton said it so well... you have to go where the money is. if you expect to haul the same thing forever and make the same profits, you are not living in reality. Economies change and you have to change with it. Just ask GM, Ford, and Chrysler about that. Heck, even if trucking took a real dump, I would take the passenger endorsement on my CDL and haul those idiots that like to drop all their money at casinos while I got paid well and got free food at the casino!
For the individual you are talking about, there is ample opportunity to drive for a regional carrier that is making money and taking care of its drivers. And he would get home regularly during the week and off on the weekend. Maybe even home nightly, depending on the carrier. He needs to shop around. If he has a problem keeping legal with a truck, then his opportunities will be less. If he has a great driving record and excellent work history, the opportunities are unlimited. with my over two decades experience, all without a vehicle accident or moving violation, I had a lot of companies wanting me to come over to them. And that is even with the economic downturn and higher fuel costs. I was even able to negotiate better compensation package than normal because of my record. And I operate in the upper midwest that brings me by the house during the week and off during the weekend where a lot of drivers have to start in the "system" running everywhere.
You got to think outside the box if you want to survive an economic downturn. I remember the late '70s and early '80s really well and even with the economic problems then, I did relatively well. And we're not even close to those economic problems yet. Compared to those times, we have only hit a economic road bump. It seems like the sky is falling only because we have had it real good for quite a while.
Yeah, fuel costs are a real hit in the wallet and things are not looking good. But with a little persistence and resolve, it can be weathered quite well. Even during the Great Depression, there were those that actually inproved their lot in life.... and not by screwing over anyone.
I don't like spending $4 or more (future) for diesel for my CRD anymore than the next guy. However, in my travels (average 3000 miles a week), I can't tell that the high fuel cost is really bothering anyone. They still drive like they are trying to run poll position at Daytona or they are trying to set a land speed record at Bonneville. They view traffic lights like they are the christmas tree lights at the drag strip. If everyone just moderatated their driving habits, I would bet that all of us together could cut the fuel use in this country by at least 10%... and still drive the same number of miles. That would do more to reduce the cost per gallon than anything else.
light a candle instead of cursing the darkness.
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$4.36 Hazleton Pa. 
( I wish )
