Back in FL

I am sitting at my kitchen table looking out over the Gulf. It's quite chilly here today, only low 60s for the high and down into the 40s the next few nights; and very windy but the skies are beginning to clear from the rain overnite. The water is very choppy with white caps from the 20+ wind. But it beats the heck out of being up north.

I made it to my parents for Thanksgiving last week. I have only missed one, maybe two, in my life. It's a BIG day for my mother. She spends 3 or 4 days cooking and relishes in the family gathering. This year, all three sons showed up and five of the seven grandkids so she was extremely pleased with the house as stuffed as the 20# turkey.

My two boys were there which gave me immense pleasure. I love Thanksgiving; Food, Family and Football -- what's better?

I was able to load a car in Nashville going to Savannah, so I 'worked' my way there. Then I reloaded another car - 2 miles away - going to Sarasota, FL, about 40 miles south of Paradise. It is REALLY good to be home. I am so blessed to be able to live the life I have. I try to be thankful every day.

Before I left Belleville I was able to get another driver up and running. George is pulling my old (small) trailer for the moment. I have my new (to me) trailer down in FL for now. George is working on upgrading his CDL to an 'A' so he can pull the larger trailer.

It is difficult finding work for the little trailer, even though it supported me okay for almost 2 years before I 'grew up'. The biggest difference is having ramps to load wheeled-vehicles. As I mentioned before, there are hundreds - if not thousands - of cars moving everyday. So when I end up in a place that doesn't have much general freight - say the middle of South Dakota - invariably there will be a car you can take that at least pays the fuel to get you to a better place.

Cars don't pay real well individually. You need a trailer that can hold at least 2 or 3 to make a living at it. But if you are trying to get into, or out of, a particular place, moving a car will usually cover the fuel cost. Sometimes I can add a car to a load we already have that increases the revenue with-out much increase in miles (cost). The ability to move cars has been a HUGE difference for our bottom line.

My last post here -- more than 2 weeks ago -- I got off on a diatribe against brokers. In a moment of sanity, I at least added the disclaimer that I didn't hate all brokers and that there are actually some good ones out there. Regardless, I have had some feedback.

Most of my business is conducted via email and telephone. I do not have a fax here. When an exchange of paperwork is required, I scan and email back and forth. My email has a 'signature' which includes a link to my blog. Apparently, some of the brokers I am in contact with use the link. Not everyone agrees with my opinion.

But I still feel the same (surprise!) I think I'll just leave it at that. Nuff said.

I had mentioned before, that as I add on more Owner/Operators, my time is increasingly spent on keeping them moving (loaded) and then pushing paper in their support - billing, tracking, compliance, etc. The result is - as I was worried it would be - there are are times when I don't have time to drive also. My one freind has taken to calling me 'Office Boy' now.

Take yesterday. I spent about 7 hours straight monitoring load boards on the internet and making phone calls trying to keep my trucks moving. I ended up with very excellent trips for both guys.

My barometer is $/mile. And I calculate differently than everyone else because I INCLUDE deadhead miles. Brokers and shippers don't care about that part. They look at 'loaded' miles. But as a carrier, I am still buying fuel and adding miles to my brakes, tires and engine to GET to the load. It ain't free!

My bottom line is $1/mi from the time they leave the house until they get back. It isn't easy when the national average for an 18-wheeler flatbed is $1.87/loaded mile and our trucks are 1/3 the size. That's where the ability to add a car makes ALL the difference. That and actively monitoring the load boards so when a good paying load does pop-up, you get on it right away. I have alarms set to notify me when a new load is posted. But it is difficult driving down the road doing this.

So for the moment I am stuck in FL - looking out over the choppy waters of the Gulf, trying to stay warm in these 60 degree temps, waiting for my alarm to sound. Oh well.