And The Cycle Begins...

[MikeJr]

Why is it that every March there are hardly any trucks in OH for TL inbound? I think I'm about to send out empty trucks in order to get the customers shipments moved, same as last year...

Just venting, bah.
Mike

 

[loaders]

There seems to be a shortage of available trucks in quite a few areas of the US. Obviously not enough outbound to balance the available inbound. We have noticed this even in areas where usually there are plenty of trucks, i.e. Houston, Tx. Most times a couple of calls to the regulars and the load is gone, however last week we had to post on Link and even then it took pretty much all day to get covered. Disclaimer......no, the rate was not the problem, never has been and never will be, thank you.

 

[Trans]

Not enough outbound that's the problem also with the ELOGS Drivers don't want to drive any deadheads or wait around.............

 

[NotForHire]

Normally areas that have a surplus of trucks are totally dry

Houston, Laredo, Los Angeles, Boise the list goes on!

 

[MikeJr]

It's sad that I'm seding trucks literally empty from the GTA to OH. Burning fuel and moving equipment with nothing on it makes me sad.

Customer is happy though, they get their shipment moved...

I see I'm not the only one with some loads taking a little longer to move than 'usual'. It's usually just March then April comes along and then it'll be business as usual...

Keep well,
Mike

 

[Shakey]

It's sad that I'm seding trucks literally empty from the GTA to OH. Burning fuel and moving equipment with nothing on it makes me sad.

Customer is happy though, they get their shipment moved...

I see I'm not the only one with some loads taking a little longer to move than 'usual'. It's usually just March then April comes along and then it'll be business as usual...

Keep well,
Mike

will be interesting to see how our spring goes, last couple have been not very good for outdoor retail

 

[Michael Ludwig]

Don't people research their markets anymore ???

Here's the problem with Ohio ... They don't need anything !!!
Everything that Ohioans need for a happy, healthy life is manufactured or grown there. That's why there are never enough loads going to Ohio, and a crap load of stuff coming out of Ohio.

I find it absolutely comical that most (99.9%) load brokers (and the vast majority of carriers) don't know this. Then they have a "Holy Sh*t" moment when they realize they have grossly undervalued their freight out of Ohio, and can't perform to expectations. Meantime, Ohio shippers are laughing their collective asses off while they pocket the differences.

 

[jackhole]

Don't people research their markets anymore ???

Here's the problem with Ohio ... They don't need anything !!!
Everything that Ohioans need for a happy, healthy life is manufactured or grown there. That's why there are never enough loads going to Ohio, and a crap load of stuff coming out of Ohio.

I find it absolutely comical that most (99.9%) load brokers (and the vast majority of carriers) don't know this. Then they have a "Holy Sh*t" moment when they realize they have grossly undervalued their freight out of Ohio, and can't perform to expectations. Meantime, Ohio shippers are laughing their collective asses off while they pocket the differences.

Speak for yourself there num nuts ....... I have known this for a long long time

 

[Michael Ludwig]

But you're not "people" ... donkey ... LOL

 

[loaders]

There does seem to be specific geographic areas that are always the first to feel the pinch of reduced capacity. Ohio is definitely one of them.

 

[Freight Broker]

Truck capacity seems to be tighening up across the board. I have a bunch posted and it almost seems as if there's no life out there.

 

[Jim L]

I believe that there is a swing in the amount of produce that is grown and sold in Ontario running out and then importing the produce from the south ie Florida. When Florida and other southern states are dry more carriers start deadheading north and pick up freight on the way shifting the availability north. When southern states start to ship they stop that and pick up closer to their deliveries moving the demand south. What you are seeing in OH is trucks that normally deliver to south OH and pickup in north OH find it more lucrative to pickup in south OH - $150 extra on short miles makes a difference. The same plays out in each state all the way down.

Like you said, it happens every year - be ready for it. I have added a graphic of the cycle of Florida produce. It shows that there is more in the first quarter of the year available than the rest.

 

[Steph18]

Beginning of the week was a little rough but I have managed to cover at decent pricing the rest of the week