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So where will you go next?

Dec 20, 2019 at 12:20 PM CST
+ 21 - 3
So you spent the last few decades in this industry building a company hoping and believing that it would all pay off eventually, and now you look in the mirror and realize that you are out of time, the ELD has failed to increase rates, it has chased all of your best drivers away, and made it virtually impossible to attract new help, insurance rates for new drivers are cost prohibitive, and one third of your trucks are parked. You look around and nobody is interested in your purchasing your equipment or your company. Could any of you ever be happy working for some other carrier, after having been your own boss? Probably not, or you would already be there, but you know it’s nolonger possible to stay on your current path, so where will you go next?
Replied on Fri, Dec 20, 2019 at 12:58 PM CST
+ 2

I'm optimistic that the HOS will be updated whenever the FMCSA gets off their asses and releases the change. Also, we all know the industry is cyclical. When I'm ready to sell everything, I'll wait until another upturn to do it. My next step will be washouts and/or repair services. Something where I can function primarily in the world of cash. Cash is king!

Replied on Fri, Dec 20, 2019 at 01:04 PM CST
+ 2
Well, I started my company 6 months ago and with the way I am doing things I’ll be retired in 6 years at the most. I started out with any money or credit. I’m going to pick up my second truck this weekend and my third truck on the second. I also, am going to put o/o on and get them enough loads to gross them between 6 and 8k a week. And only charge around $800 to 1k a month. That is where I go next. I will not give up!!!
Replied on Fri, Dec 20, 2019 at 03:46 PM CST
+ 3
Gentlemen thanks for the reply, but as you have both pointed out, your new to the game yet, and have not yet reached that point of success in your endeavors, your still trying to get there, So you can’t really give a answer to my question, however it is nice to see such enthusiasm on your part. I have to believe that at one time all of the carriers who disappeared from the market once stood in your shoes, and shared your level of enthusiasm.
Replied on Sat, Dec 21, 2019 at 01:23 PM CST
+ 1

Great motivation Jerry!

im just starting (again) after being in construction management for the last 20 years. Was successful O/O in the 90’s with OTR Van and then Belly dumps.

Had the current business and LLC up and following rates and lanes for about a year and decided to buy our truck in January 2020. The plan is to contract to a well known O/O company. Six months later apply for our MC. (This is where other factors come in to play). The ultimate goal is hauling hoppers but we gotta start somewhere.

One truck in 2020, possibly the second truck one year from there, but really would prefer running hoppers by then.

Replied on Mon, Dec 23, 2019 at 07:27 AM CST
+ 2
Quote: "Well, I started my company 6 months ago and with the way I am doing things I’ll be retired in 6 years at the most. I started out with any money or credit. I’m going to pick up my second truck this weekend and my third truck on the second. I also, am going to put o/o on and get them enough loads to gross them between 6 and 8k a week. And only charge around $800 to 1k a month. That is where I go next. I will not give up!!!"

Jerry, you sound exactly like me 2 years ago. If you're that successful early on, be proud of yourself definitely. It's a free country (for now anyways) , so run your business how you like, but the biggest mistakes I made was spending too much money early on because I thought the gravy train would last forever.
Replied on Mon, Dec 23, 2019 at 11:59 AM CST
+ 3 - 2
Hey Dave,

Felt the need to step in here and set the record straight.

This business, like any other is not for everyone. Sounds like it might not be for you. When the federal government announced it would impose ELD’s, I to thought rates would rise, but not for the same reason you did. I quickly realized ELD’s imposed by the federal government would not increase rates…. The only rates the federal government can increase are tax rates.

No, it would be all you truck owning “SHEEPLE”, who would “KOWTOW” to the federal government, and throw out common sense, and voluntarily parking their trucks. That would lead to the scenario we have now. Freight left un-hauled, drivers quitting because they don’t want to sit in a parked truck…………… (“Truck drivers drive”). Allowing all the savvy owner operators of small trucking companies, leverage to negotiate profitable rates…… So now we can afford to pay our company drivers, $0.60 to a $1 all miles. As well as an additional $30 an hour to the driver, for detention with no cap.

I have been in trucking for over 30 years. For owner operators, smaller trucking companies and yes even brokers now is by far the most profitable time to be in the bulk fright trucking industry. This would have been virtually impossible without Bulkloads load board, opening up endless contacts. Of course service, rate negotiation, proper dispatching, pay load, and good money management is key. If done right there is no reason you cannot gross $6,500 to $9,500 a week.

Jerry from Rocky Mountain Express, he gets it…… Remember the federal government gave all of us truck owners three ways to go around this law. It saddens me to see my fellow Americans bow so willingly to tyranny, now that they see you can be controlled so easily the next law will be even more oppressive.

I THINK THEY WANTED TO SEE, JUST WHO WOULD KOWTOW, AND WHO WOULD RESIST.


If I’m right, and I know I am, the federal government did not put that ELD in your truck, or any one else’s for that matter, YOU DID.

All of you who [voluntarily] put ELD’s in your OWN trucks need to stop blaming others for your plight, you did this to yourselves……..


This reminds me of a story of two siblings named Bill and Hilary, one day playing with a gun, Billy shoots himself in the foot, mum comes running in and asked what happened? Billy said, Hillary did it, it’s her fault. ???

So-where-will they go next??????? TO TEAMSR I HOPE. For trucking advice call Ron at 612-490-7016. First 15 seconds free, then $500hr after that, no cap.

Sorry I won’t have time to respond to this post, I will be busy running my own business, counting my money and baking JESUS a birthday cake with my family.

So I will answer the first two questions in advance.

To the first question, YES, I have driven over 11 hrs in a day, only because my wife was going to get pregnant and I wanted to be their when it happened officer. And as I drove away I saw him with his hands on the top of his squad car looking down and shaking his head, I think he was saying to himself why did I let him go.

I would ask any of you who run ELD’s, have you ever driven 70mph in a 60mph zone, to get to where you wanted to be before your ELD clocked you out??? OR have you ever passed someone in a no passing zone because you were in a hurry and running out of time??

SO I GUESS THAT WOULD MAKE US BOTH law braking REBELS. Yes, it might take me 12 hrs or more to get to where I’m going, but I do it my way, and I do it in a safe manner.

To the second question, yes, we are hiring QUALIFIED DRIVERS AND OWNER OPPERATORS CALL AMANDA AT 763-286-0182.

And to the third question, I’m not even going to waste my time.

Food for thought, SCOTLAND 1297 AD government passes a law that, a government official has the right to defile your fiancé before you married her. My great adopted ancestor “William Wallace” resisted the government’s unjust law.

HOW LOW WILL YOU BOW?


REMEMBER THOSE WHO STAND FOR NOTHING WILL FALL FOR ANYTHING…


DON’T TREAD ON ME….


Mary Christ’s Mass,
and may you have a profitable, 2020. Working WITH TEAM SR.

RON ROSKOWIAK

Replied on Mon, Dec 23, 2019 at 02:03 PM CST
+ 5 - 2
Well Ron, what record are you settig straight here? All I get from that post is a bunch of incoherent ramblings, no offense intended. You don’t get to have it both ways either, you can’t talk about how great everything is one moment, and then piss and moan about drivers, Brokers, rates or the DOT the next, either there is a problem or there is not. (Unless your the ATA). I would think if your rates are what you claim them to be, you would have no problem retaining drivers for those couple that you own, I would also think that you wouldn’t need to run ELD exempt trucks.
Replied on Tue, Dec 24, 2019 at 07:04 AM CST
Ron

If you can find the time to set your cash down and stop counting....what record are you setting straight? Here's what I get from your post. You're the best, and you're using the forum as free advertising. For anybody enjoying the fruits of success, great job. That's a very good thing. I hope you use some of your cash for some charity to help the less fortunate. I hope to be in your counting cash shoes someday. I do ok trucking. Be damned if I'd rub it in the public's face at Christmas time....sounds like an ebenezer scrooge thing.

Good luck to everyone. Work hard, be smart. Take time to enjoy Christmas time off. Please appreciate it. A few years back my wife and I spent 2 month in the hospital with my premature twins. Spent Christmas and new year there. Thank god for those doctors and nurses. Thank god for the Ronald McDonald house. I think of Christmas different since then. Alsothink of money and volunteering in a whole new way. Merry Christmas everyone
Replied on Thu, Dec 26, 2019 at 12:45 PM CST
Dale last week everyone wanted to form a co-op and address rates, well right here is a example why it would never work, people let their ego get in the way, and you can’t even get truckers to admit there is a problem, but obviously there is one. For example if your rates are so stellar, and you can’t keep drivers, then you must be a real jerk to work for, otherwise it goes right back to the rates, but what ego maniac wants to admit they dont know what they are doing? It’s easier to keep blaming employees.
Replied on Fri, Dec 27, 2019 at 07:57 AM CST

What I have done is cut back to just one truck with my trailer& Authority other drivers & trucks aren't worth the risk or head ahce plus I don't want to put extra computation on the road if I had to work for someone else I would just retire

Replied on Fri, Dec 27, 2019 at 09:47 AM CST
Quote: "What I have done is cut back to just one truck with my trailer& Authority other drivers & trucks aren't worth the risk or head ahce plus I don't want to put extra computation on the road if I had to work for someone else I would just retire "

I agree with that. Turning down work because I'm too busy with one truck seems to make me more money than searching for work with 2 trucks.
Replied on Fri, Jan 03, 2020 at 07:07 AM CST
+ 2
Quote: "Well, I started my company 6 months ago and with the way I am doing things I’ll be retired in 6 years at the most. I started out with any money or credit. I’m going to pick up my second truck this weekend and my third truck on the second. I also, am going to put o/o on and get them enough loads to gross them between 6 and 8k a week. And only charge around $800 to 1k a month. That is where I go next. I will not give up!!!"

Jerry I've been thinking about your post and I'm going to say this as respectfully as I can. Are you exaggerating a little to make yourself sound better? I can see a person with no money, and no credit getting a loan to buy one modest truck and trailer. But I don't see where any reputable lender would give money to someone to buy 3 rigs with only 6 months of experience and financial history. Therefore I'd guess you either have a co signer on your loans, or you are taking over for a family members trucking company, and have an established customer base. Even if you are the self made stud you claim, and got some great loads for your first 6 month and brought in rock star pay, I still can't see a smart banker jumping on board with that much debt, with that little history. If I'm wrong, email me the name of your bank and banker, maybe they would take on my financial wreck of a farm. [email protected] either way, good for you if you are having success. I just sense a little exaggeration
Replied on Mon, Jan 13, 2020 at 12:13 PM CST
Quote: "Well, I started my company 6 months ago and with the way I am doing things I’ll be retired in 6 years at the most. I started out with any money or credit. I’m going to pick up my second truck this weekend and my third truck on the second. I also, am going to put o/o on and get them enough loads to gross them between 6 and 8k a week. And only charge around $800 to 1k a month. That is where I go next. I will not give up!!!"

I'll sell u a truck and 2 trailers. hopper and flat.
Replied on Mon, Jan 13, 2020 at 12:13 PM CST
Quote: "Well, I started my company 6 months ago and with the way I am doing things I’ll be retired in 6 years at the most. I started out with any money or credit. I’m going to pick up my second truck this weekend and my third truck on the second. I also, am going to put o/o on and get them enough loads to gross them between 6 and 8k a week. And only charge around $800 to 1k a month. That is where I go next. I will not give up!!!"

970 560 1795 for the truck and trailers.
Replied on Mon, Jan 20, 2020 at 09:16 PM CST
And HH Williams of Greeley Colorado joins the club, of carriers who can’t find a buyer.
Replied on Tue, Jan 21, 2020 at 10:09 AM CST
Quote: "Jerry I've been thinking about your post and I'm going to say this as respectfully as I can. Are you exaggerating a little to make yourself sound better? I can see a person with no money, and no credit getting a loan to buy one modest truck and trailer. But I don't see where any reputable lender would give money to someone to buy 3 rigs with only 6 months of experience and financial history. Therefore I'd guess you either have a co signer on your loans, or you are taking over for a family members trucking company, and have an established customer base. Even if you are the self made stud you claim, and got some great loads for your first 6 month and brought in rock star pay, I still can't see a smart banker jumping on board with that much debt, with that little history. If I'm wrong, email me the name of your bank and banker, maybe they would take on my financial wreck of a farm. [email protected] either way, good for you if you are having success. I just sense a little exaggeration "

Well I talked to Jerry 2 or 3 weeks ago about leasing on with him and he told me he drives like a 78 kenworth I thought I know it was a very old truck and that to make any money with him I would have to run around the scales and back then he was out of Utah it said. And I'm not trying to bash the guy but I didn't get a good feel from him at all. I was looking to lease on with someone and still am but what he said wasn't adding up. Jerry I hope you do well.
Replied on Tue, Jan 21, 2020 at 10:09 AM CST
I'm a owner operator and I agree it has been hard for me as well. But one thing that I have found is that nobody will let a guy lease on under them have you ever thought to do that and he pulls your trailer bc that has been the hardest thing for me to find in the hopper world.
Replied on Tue, Jan 28, 2020 at 06:55 AM CST
Quote: "And HH Williams of Greeley Colorado joins the club, of carriers who can’t find a buyer."

The ELD claims another one, TK transport out of Clute Texas shut the doors yesterday, the flatbed carrier had 17 trucks. Don’t think this can happen to you? Hold onto that enthusiasm, your going to need it.
Replied on Tue, Jan 28, 2020 at 09:34 AM CST
Quote: "I'm a owner operator and I agree it has been hard for me as well. But one thing that I have found is that nobody will let a guy lease on under them have you ever thought to do that and he pulls your trailer bc that has been the hardest thing for me to find in the hopper world."

Because it's to hard to come back with new athuority when you have a leased operator mess yours up, that's why it's kinda impossible to get a small carrier to lease someone new.

Replied on Wed, Feb 05, 2020 at 01:14 PM CST
Another one bites the dust, cold carrier logistics based out of Florida with 350 trucks, is reportedly shutting the doors at the end of February, according to TNN. Meanwhile the whitehouse says everything is just peachy, and ELD’s are leading the way to prosperity.