Getting Ready for Another Week of Running

Tomorrow morning I will hit the ground running.  Bank business first then put something together for my driver in Cleveland, OH who should be empty by 9 am.  Then some errands, including about $1,000 to the Secretary of State for license plate renewals on three trailers.  It's expensive being in business.  But prospects are good.

I just saw another article abut the near-term forecast for the trucking industry.  Everything I have read points to a strong demand for business and a shortage of drivers.  The result will be higher freight rates and longer delivery times.  I'll take the freight rates but we will not sacrifice service times.  That's what we do, get it there NOW.

Like most of the stories I am reading, the reason for the increase in rates despite the (so called) week economy is the reduction of QUALITY drivers available.  You can't get kids right out of high school because you must be 21 to have a CDL.  Non-collage bound kids go more toward the trades like carpenters, plumbers and electricians.  Also, the major changes the feds have imposed on the trucking industry -- specifically making public safety records of drivers and carriers -- has eliminated many of the less-safe operators.  Then there is the quality of life thing.  People don't want to be away from friends and family for a week or two at a time.  Over-the-road truck driving is a lifestyle; not just a job.

That's why the niche were are in is so awesome.  We are cheaper to operate than a big truck.  Fuel mileage in particular but even repairs and maintenance.  But we still get about 80% of what a big truck makes for income.  Because we have a pretty good market of out-bound loads from St. Louis area manufactures, I bring guys straight back home after each load out.  My guys are out from one to three nights at a time and home almost every weekend.  Everybody is happy.

So the future is bright, beginning with my busy day tomorrow.  Then sometime late afternoon I will head to Detroit for the Veteran Small Business Conference starting Tuesday afternoon for three days.

Go, go, go.