Covid surcharge

[Shakey]

Anyone else hearing this from carriers?

I'm hearing from clients carriers trying to implement 150-175 per load on all cross-boarder loads (CAT, Challenger, KTS, TFI)

 

[Navigator]

It is going to be an interesting next few weeks!

 

[thebluffs1]

i've heard some rumblings as well.

 

[tasuinam]

Anyone else hearing this from carriers?

I'm hearing from clients carriers trying to implement 150-175 per load on all cross-boarder loads (CAT, Challenger, KTS, TFI)

What is the reason? are they paying drivers a premium for cross border?

 

[Phantom T]

It's interesting how all of those carriers were pretty shy about voicing their concerns on losing drivers due to the cross border vaccination mandate, but they're sure anxious to demand rate increases as a result.

 

[lowmiler88]

I know Cat is for sure $150 border crossing charge and will not back down from it. Phantom T those carriers are some of the most vocal about the vaccine mandate.

 

[liner]

What is the reason? are they paying drivers a premium for cross border?

I know Challenger just increased all cross border driver pay.

 

[Mia19]

I've heard about this as well, should be interesting to see how it goes!

 

[loaders]

What next? How about a “winter weather” surcharge? Longer transit times resulting in increased wages and higher fuel fuel consumption. Not too difficult to explain/rationalize that one. Don’t get me wrong, there is a time and a place for surcharges, I am just not convinced that the middle of a global pandemic is the right one.

 

[NotForHire]

its greedy and short sighted

might just be the new norm

 

[lowmiler88]

What next? How about a “winter weather” surcharge? Longer transit times resulting in increased wages and higher fuel fuel consumption. Not too difficult to explain/rationalize that one. Don’t get me wrong, there is a time and a place for surcharges, I am just not convinced that the middle of a global pandemic is the right one.

Loaders I usually agree with most things you say but who takes the hit at the border?
1. DRIVERS
2. Trucking Company

Drivers and Trucking companies cannot keep taking it on the chin because of "the pandemic" there are a lot of additional charges because of how screwed up things are and they have to be accounted for. Get ready because rates are going up and you better have your ducks lined up with your carriers because capacity is already a big issue and starting Saturday it's only getting worse in Canada for US outbound.

 

[NotForHire]

RATES ARE ALREADY MORE THAN DOUBLE FROM THIS TIME LAST YEAR

OUTBOUND FROM CANADA IS PAYING TOP DOLLAR

INBOUND FROM USA IS PAYING TOP DOLLAR

EVERY TRUCK HAS ABOUT 7 LOADS TO CHOSE FROM WHEN THEY WANT TO RETURN HOME TO CANADA

 

[Navigator]

RATES ARE ALREADY MORE THAN DOUBLE FROM THIS TIME LAST YEAR

OUTBOUND FROM CANADA IS PAYING TOP DOLLAR

INBOUND FROM USA IS PAYING TOP DOLLAR

EVERY TRUCK HAS ABOUT 7 LOADS TO CHOSE FROM WHEN THEY WANT TO RETURN HOME TO CANADA

Spot rates were completely depressed due to COVID. Yes, rates are double those depressed rates.
Those rates were not sustainable for any carrier playing by the rules!

Rates are NOT even close to double from 2018/2019 highs.

And ALL costs are skyrocketing!

Insurance
Equipment Parts
Fuel

AND soon enough, driver wages will be soaring due to lack of cross border help!

 

[Rob]

RATES ARE ALREADY MORE THAN DOUBLE FROM THIS TIME LAST YEAR

OUTBOUND FROM CANADA IS PAYING TOP DOLLAR

INBOUND FROM USA IS PAYING TOP DOLLAR

EVERY TRUCK HAS ABOUT 7 LOADS TO CHOSE FROM WHEN THEY WANT TO RETURN HOME TO CANADA

Doubling of your rates is what $2 bucks a mile you offer now instead of the 1.50 you bragged about last year? No one in their right mind would feel sorry for you sir. You seemed to get off on being known as a dick that wanted to screw carriers and take as much as possible. Karma is a bitch ain't it.

 

[tasuinam]

Loaders I usually agree with most things you say but who takes the hit at the border?
1. DRIVERS
2. Trucking Company

Drivers and Trucking companies cannot keep taking it on the chin because of "the pandemic" there are a lot of additional charges because of how screwed up things are and they have to be accounted for. Get ready because rates are going up and you better have your ducks lined up with your carriers because capacity is already a big issue and starting Saturday it's only getting worse in Canada for US outbound.

Also capacity is affected by drivers who are close contacts when home if spouse/child is positive - then even with no symptoms they need to isolate for 5 days - as PCR tests are hard to come by... my driver has been waiting for an appointment for 2 days - by the time he gets one his 5 days will probably be up...

 

[loaders]

As I said, I am not against surcharges, when they’re required. Border delays are a fact of life, especially since 9/11, 2001. One would think that any additional costs associated with the hassles of border crossings would have been built into the rates by now. There is no question that rates in general have increased sharply and probably will continue to do so. The demand for transportation services shows no sign of decreasing, yet the supply of those services is at lower levels than we have seen for a number of years. All signs that point towards eventual higher prices for consumers and a driver of inflation. If higher rates are necessary, then just do it and let’s give this whole surcharge thing a rest.

 

[JN1981]

RATES ARE ALREADY MORE THAN DOUBLE FROM THIS TIME LAST YEAR

OUTBOUND FROM CANADA IS PAYING TOP DOLLAR

INBOUND FROM USA IS PAYING TOP DOLLAR

EVERY TRUCK HAS ABOUT 7 LOADS TO CHOSE FROM WHEN THEY WANT TO RETURN HOME TO CANADA

YOU SHOULD GO BUY SOME TRUCKS AND SEE HOW FAR THE "TOP DOLLAR" GETS YOU

 

[Jim L]

Spirit Air was one of the first companies to keep their prices low but add a fee for anything additional (ie surcharge) and was greatly rewarded. They were able to grow their fleet and had strong revenues for quite some time. The rest of the airline industry laughed and shrugged it off at the beginning but most follow the same pricing schedules.

I have no issue with surcharges so long as they are fully explained ahead of time. That is why spot prices are usually requested as all-in - in the end your all in price should include all your surcharges. Who cares how the price is made up? Everyone on this board is dealing with spot prices and it is just a number to compare it to another number.

If you want longer term 'secured' business and with multiple lanes then surcharges make more sense to somebody who is not primarily in the industry. Think of this price:
1.25 per kilometer anywhere + applicable surcharges.
Fuel surcharge, Border Crossing Fee, New York City Fee, Toll Charges, Scales charges, etc etc etc.

The invoice might be pages long but it will be fully transparent.

 

[NotForHire]

Doubling of your rates is what $2 bucks a mile you offer now instead of the 1.50 you bragged about last year? No one in their right mind would feel sorry for you sir. You seemed to get off on being known as a dick that wanted to screw carriers and take as much as possible. Karma is a bitch ain't it.

try close to 3$ for dv
3.90$ reefer
way over 7$ a miles os/ow

miss me with your bullshit if i didnt adjust my rates to market i wouldnt have any trucks to put my crap in

 

[loaders]

That makes sense. Surcharges should apply to costs that are constant and are subject to periodic increases I.e. fuel as a good example. Border crossings are not. We all know that not every trip across the border results in undue delay. Just as in my example of a “winter weather surcharge”, not every trip made in the winter results in delays due to road closures, bad weather, etc.. If the cost of new trucks goes up, or insurance, or tires, or drivers wages, then they should be reflected in a higher base rate.