I CAN'T HOLD MY TONGUE ANYMORE
I am considered new to the business, I started here in May of this year, previously I was a driver and knew only that side of the game. In the 7 months or so that I've been learning this business I have seen what is according to many the worst fall season in many years for loads, Anyway, I find it amusing and disgusting at the same time that through the fall harvest season I was calling around and begging people to take my loads, my loads are pretty decent paying loads and they are our customers year around and we have built a good relationship with them and want to keep it. During the fall I was being told by these greedy drivers, "I won't roll my truck for less than $2/mi all miles" Now I understand that during that time they all see dollar signes in their eyes but let's be real here. I'm hearing people complain constantly about the rates being so low, well the way I see it if people are being greedy and demanding so much more for hauling loads at certain times of year these shipper have to make up for that at other times by offering slightly lower rates. If these people weren't so greedy at certain times of the year there woulod a lot better chance of having more consistant rates throughout the year, nobody sits down to figure this out so I'll do it, the m ore we demand for transporting the loads the more costly the products made from the ingredients we haul will be so you'll end up about the same as you would have if you'd just accept the standard rates. Now believe me I'm fully aware of the ridiculous fuel rates rates now and realize that's a big part of the argument but also look at it this way if we do what it takes to keep the rates a little more consistant it will be easier to keep our heads above water. In closing, rest assured, I will not forget those who beat me up on the rates throughout fall and those who just helped me out for the sake of helping me out without expecting me to raise the rate becuase they understand that the customers we take loads from are our customers all year. I hope at least some of you agree with me that the low rates are not completely the shippers fault, if we want consistancy in rates we should try acheiving consistancy in the numbers of hoppers on the road and dependability of the drivers in front of them.