Sign Of The Times?

First time its happened to me since I started, My DM has no load for me. I normally ask him what he has set up for me next, I tend to think 3 or 4 loads down the road. I had 2 loads back to back. I thought about it after the first and asked him, Ok, what do we have from El Paso. I have home time scheduled in a week and a B-service that has to be done. (I've been on him about the B service for a couple months.) It was especially frustrating when I asked him, "So I have nothing tomorrow? Just going to sit?" He replied somewhat lazily "Yeah, it looks like it might be that way"

He said he totally forgot about the B service, and he has nothing out of El Paso. I replied that I cant have lapses in loads and we really need to avoid that. I also asked if we can get approval to do the B service at another terminal other my home terminal since I have only 2500 miles left until its time for it and home time is scheduled 900 miles from my terminal. He said he didn't think that he could do that. I told him, no problem, I understand, but again, its a fresh month and I don't want additional down time as it affects my productivity bonuses.

I checked with our local terminal in El Paso for any loads, they said they were not even able to get most of their guys anything, they flat out had nothing. Its very disconcerting, I know the freight market has been crazy lately, and there has been several drivers at my terminal not getting loads while I usually have a few stacked up. It is Saturday going into Sunday, but still bugs me. We do have one of the other DMs in tomorrow (Sunday) so Ill check with them and see if they can dig up anything, but Im not expecting much.

Im pretty gun-shy of work being feast to famine as that's how construction is, which I was in most of my life. My DM and TM know that Ill run just about anywhere except NYC and I get the jobs done on time and safely. With the effects of recession starting to hit, and inflation, I hope this isnt a sign of the times. At the same time, my DM is green and the load planners seem to beat him up pretty badly a lot of the time, which is frustrating to say the least.

It's pretty bad. This time of year, my phone rings every 10 hours. I worked through the entire memorial day weekend last year. I worked 3 days last week and they have nothing going out on weekends. When I got back yesterday, the area where we keep the loaded trailers was less than a third full. I've never seen it that empty on a Saturday.

It’s one thing to have political disagreements, but (as a society) we always agreed on the greatness of our nation. That is, arguably, no longer the case.

Many of the past crises (e.g. 70’s gasoline shortage) were due to outside forces. The current and coming crisis is completely self-inflicted. It begs the question; how would our country’s problems look any different than if we were being taken down by an enemy?

The good news is; we know how to solve this AND we already have the resources to do it. We just need those in charge to take the correct action.

My friend who drives for Schneider said there have been “adjustments” made to cut back on driver hours. Rumblings of more to come.

I wonder if reefer will be more steady than dry van? My company has shown no sign of slowing down on the refrigerated freight. I’ve had to take some time off to get my knees worked on and my DM wants me back on the road asap. He says he needs all his drivers hauling loads. So I don’t know, but we are definitely in a slowdown. I hope it doesn’t get worse. Worrisome.

Hopefully you're able to get a load out of El Paso soon.

bk says:

I wonder if reefer will be more steady than dry van? My company has shown no sign of slowing down on the refrigerated freight. I’ve had to take some time off to get my knees worked on and my DM wants me back on the road asap. He says he needs all his drivers hauling loads. So I don’t know, but we are definitely in a slowdown. I hope it doesn’t get worse. Worrisome.

Reefer is much more steady than other freight. Think about what you're typically hauling. Food, and we all need to eat regardless of how bad the economy is. Drivers may change what type of freight they haul if what they're currently doing isn't working out but overall reefer is probably the most steady type of freight out there. You also are able to just turn the reefer off and pull dryvan loads as well. Its still important to do your best to be a top tier driver. Are your knees feeling better, BK?

Hi Davy,

The freight market has been in the toilet for the past 3 months going on 4. But i've seen some of the rates go up this week so maybe it will only be a temporary slowdown for you. Good luck.

I have been going non-stop. I can get a PM at any of our shops, Love's, Speedo, TA or Petro. Biggest service issue I've seen recently has been lack of filters.

Rob T, thanks for asking about my knees. This Tuesday I have the procedure from the pain management doctor that should alleviate the pain for the short term. I hope it works because I’m scheduled to start work again on Wednesday. Long term, I met with a very highly recommended orthopedic surgeon last week and he said knee replacement is my only solution. That would be very problematic for me as I would be off work for several months and have to clear out and turn in my truck. But first things first. Hoping the pain management thing works. I’m told the procedure can be effective for up to a year.

Weekend DM hooked me up with 4 loads, 2 local and 2 to Dallas, said we can get the B service done there while I hit home time

Weekend DM hooked me up with 4 loads, 2 local and 2 to Dallas, said we can get the B service done there while I hit home time

Perfect!