Some Minor Layoffs In Trucking

I woke up to this article: Over 1,300 Layoffs Hit Logistics Companies Across US.

Turns out it's a nothing burger. A handful of companies laid off some workers due to losing a contract or closing a hub:

• Universal Logistics - 677 layoffs in Detroit, MI, due to closure of subsidiaries.
• Swissport Cargo Services - 235 layoffs in Atlanta, GA, due to lost Amazon contract.
• The Kroger Co. - 230+ layoffs in TX & FL, closing delivery hubs.
• RXO Logistics - 114 layoffs in Warren, MI, due to lost customer contract.
• Nosco Inc. - 51 layoffs in Carrollton, TX, relocating operations.
• Ryder Integrated Logistics - 29 layoffs in Romeoville, IL, due to lost customer.

So the lack of bad news is good news, I'd say. The industry has been slowing down for quite some time, and most companies have adjusted to it already. Clickbait headlines about layoffs are a staple in the economic news industry, so the fact that this one was so lame means the bad news isn't too bad at this stage.

How are you guys hanging in there with mileage these days? Are they keeping you running?

Any word on whether your company is growing or shrinking its fleet?

Work for me has been steady but not spectacular. I just added up my last 8 days and it is 2479 miles. I’m getting more layovers and detention lately and more assignments with two stops rather than the usual one stop.

My goal is to get 3500+ miles per week but there are weeks like this now. Yes, I get layover and detention pay, but it never adds up to what I would make by getting miles instead of sitting.

My company does a good job, in my opinion. They have built up a solid business with a loyal customer base by virtually guaranteeing on-time pickup and delivery. I can tell things are not as robust as they were when I started here two years ago, but I’m grateful to have a good job with a good employer.

Election years make me somewhat nervous. The current administration, be it Democratic or Republican, wants to paint a rosy picture for purposes of getting re-elected. But the real picture doesn’t emerge until after the votes are counted. Time will tell.

I had to return to my former OTR company due to an injury that took me out of work for four months. Doctor cleared me to drive but can't do much more. Needed money due to dwindling savings so I didn't have any options. Had to resign from throwing beer which sucks because I was making really good overtime and money doing that gig.

All that said, this is my first week back out and I'm not impressed. I thought I could easily rack 12k+ miles per month with this company as I have before. That is no longer the case. But I was given 4 days to make a delivery from Twin falls, ID to Carthage, MO. I drove for two days before already taking a 34 at Bosselman and then running the remaining the day of delivery. Fortunately, I know this facility and they allow overnights so there is that. I have a reload in Arkansas tonight that runs out to Phoenix. And most of my company freight is out that way. So I'm hopeful that I won't be doing too much more in the way of sitting. But its clearly an industry wide issue. I met up with a company driver here last night that wouldn't stop talking about how bad things have gotten within the company in the last year since I left.

My personal opinion is that it seems trucking is starting to become less and less worth it unless you are okay with being out for indefinite periods of time to make up for your personal shortfall due to being fluffed out on loads. I did what I had to do in the sense that I need SOMETHING to supplement my income while I am slowly cleared for activity, but I'll say this: everytime I hear rotting oatmeal brains in the White house, his token pick of a VP, or that Frankenstein creation press secretary bob and weave their jaws about the economy being great, I feel myself develop an ulcer followed by the unshakable urge to vomit. And the sad part is, I have doubts that any incoming administration will be able to undo the damage caused by all branches of government. We have been sold out to the point where we are well on our way to the 3rd world and its extremely depressing. I hope I'm wrong of course, but I digress.

I'll just keep it simple. I'm at least grateful to be working again even if the money isn't quite what it should be at the moment. Once I recover, I will probably return to local work. I'm thinking one year.

Work for me has been steady but not spectacular

All that said, this is my first week back out and I'm not impressed. I thought I could easily rack 12k+ miles per month with this company as I have before. That is no longer the case.

One reason to keep hope alive is that survival in the trucking industry requires efficient operations. If you're not getting solid miles, it won't last. It's can't. Trucking companies must utilize their fleet efficiently enough to pay their bills. They can't afford to let their trucks sit for long.

So, if you're struggling to pay your bills because you're not getting enough miles, your company is also struggling to pay their bills, at least on your truck. If you ask around at your company and find many drivers complaining about it being slow, your company is hurting as well, and they're working on changes.

Many companies are reluctant to reduce their fleet size because ramping things up again is a slow, arduous process. You can quickly eliminate as many trucks and drivers as you like, but acquiring more trucks and drivers can be time-consuming and expensive. You may also miss out on some great opportunities if you're not ready when they present themselves.

We have been sold out to the point where we are well on our way to the 3rd world and its extremely depressing. I hope I'm wrong of course, but I digress.

You're not wrong about us being sold out, and you're not wrong about the direction we're heading. Hopefully, we turn this ship around soon!

In the meantime, and this goes to everyone out there, be proactive about maintaining your mental health. At times, I've allowed myself to get too bogged down in the headlines, which has impacted my happiness and productivity. I've had to step away a bit and spend more time focusing on meditation, positive news, and exercise.

If you've paid attention in recent years, you know that there's been a massive campaign going on to demoralize us. If you weren't aware of that, now you are.

Don't let them draw you in. Understand their tactics and motives and proactively counter them so you remain strong, confident, and in full control of your life. Keep an eye on your family and friends. Check-in with them. Make sure they're ok.

We are living through some of the most trying times of our lives, and It's nowhere near over. Prepare for a long battle and do not lose faith.

Knight is critically over staffed in dry van and refer. Certain markets are worse than others. CA is extremely difficult right now.

We had hundreds of trucks and empties sitting in our Fontana yard, waiting on loads. I sat for 1 day, I managed to get a 250 mile load out. I recieved a ton of glares on the way out. Spoke with another driver, high performing guy, he said it's been bad and getting worse. He had waited 4 days for a load.

Along with the damage being done to their drivers morale, there is starting to be some hints of DEI policies being implemented. There is an attempt to give loads based on first in, first out of an area. It rears its ugly head periodically. Instead of picking the high performing drivers that are best likely to serve the customer, in an effort to be "equal", and eliminate favoritism, which not all drivers are equal. Inferior drivers are being forced on a customer. Obviously, this practice is causing long term drivers to flee and resulting in increaed service failures, as it reduces the quality of your fleet, which in turn adds to loosing freight.

Today's load is 185 miles, it puts me right back down into Fontana, again lucky to be moving, but it's a horrible load in its own right. Coupled with a new DM , who doesn't know how to get loads out of the planners, and is young, it's not a good forecast.

I'm having to bill a ton of detention and layover, which helps with my immediate revenue but doesn't cover our loss of "bonuses" which requires 11k miles for the month. It comprises 8 cpm or roughly 880 to 1000.00 dollars per month. Again a very significant issue.

If I can find a company that offers the same flexibility, the same resources and equipment, the same or better pay, and more access to consistent miles, I may migrate. I'm reticent to do so because overall, my pay is much higher than it looks on paper. The company bends over backwards to accommodate my needs and wants and generally keeps me moving when others are not. I have a great relationship with my terminal manager and staff. Starting over at the bottom somewhere isn't appealing.

Pretty much a similiar tale all around i think. I’m lucky I have picked up 3 new customers. Two of which left a large company. They said it was due to my service. They are running me mon-thur. I’m not killing it, but making money so I’ll take it.

I picked up my rgn last thur. It looks awesome and my trailer guy says what we are planning on using it for should last along time. It’s overkill for our need but was priced right. All in a 60k trailer with a 30k cost.

SPD runs me very well so far, granted I’ve only been here for two months. We have aerospace contracts that keep us moving. We'll see how long that all lasts though if Boeing doesn’t start gluing their planes together better lol

My local DC, as well as our sister DC in Marcy, had suspended the hiring of private fleet drivers due to a slow first quarter and residual obligations to contract carriers. We leveled off at 110 PF drivers, as opposed to the 65 or 70 when I started less than 5 years ago. I was told a couple of weeks ago that this suspension could possibly last until Q3. However, I noticed last night that my DC is again on the list of those that are hiring. So things must be picking up already.

Me personally, I've been as busy as ever, averaging 2500 miles per week along with multiple paid activities per day. There has been absolutely zero slowdown on my end. As long as you folks keep eating, I'll have a job.

Any word on whether your company is growing or shrinking its fleet?

There is a new article in Freightwaves about Knight-Swift cutting its earnings forecast for the first half of this year by a little more than 50%. That's a lot!

That's an indication of just how stubborn this freight market is. I was confident overcapacity would have eased at this point. That's one more good reason to not ask me for investment advice. My crystal ball is cloudy and murky.

Knight is even stepping away from some of its contractual freight and committing those assets to the spot market for now. I was surprised by that, but proud of the negotiation team for saying "NO" to the cheaper prices shippers are feeling confident they can force onto carriers.

This market is tough. I hope you all are surviving the ups and downs. It's always a wild ride, but this time around seems extra crazy.

I think it noteworthy that they aren't talking of reducing their fleet. They are mostly allocating assets to more profitable areas. That's a strategic move to be ready and able to jump on opportunities as they open up. They will open up, but the wait is hurting everybody out here.

I've ended up doing a few brokered loads, which are spot. Whatever gives me miles. My miles are down by 2400 miles this month from what I normally run at. OS, have you seen any impact on your end as you're dedicated?