10-4 Magazine August 2022

10-4 Magazine / August 2022 59 Some of you may be wondering why I am making such a big deal about a regular dispatch that I’ve done hundreds of times before. I have to be honest and come clean with you – I never thought I would be able to drive out here again due to my health. Not long ago, I was looking at forced retirement and possibly hanging up my keys. I can tell you, after that ordeal, the trees are greener and the sky was definitely a brighter shade of blue. For all the drivers out there who are disappointed with trucking and can’t help themselves from complaining, just stop it. A bad day of truckin’ beats a good day of almost any other job out there. If you have your health, you have everything. Throw in a few people who love you, and you are living on top of the world – whether you realize it or not. Today was the first time in all my years of trucking I had to pay $6.50 a gallon for fuel. There once was a time when I too would have squealed like a pig over that price. Shoot, I’m old enough to remember 50 cent fuel. Not today, however, I will simply have to charge more for my services, watch my costs, and reject cheap or under-rated freight. Inflation is here, and it’s not likely to go away anytime soon, so get used to it, and adjust your attitude. Just top off the tanks and keep trucking. There are many catch phrases I could use here, but I think that “it’s always darkest just before the dawn” might be most appropriate. These are dark days for trucking. Twelve to six months ago the freight rates were out of this world, and everybody wanted in. The brokers were hailed as heroes because they were paying rates no one had ever seen. Then, equipment became scarce, and the price skyrocketed out of sight. The price of trucks and trailers is now coming down to a more normal range, but they are still too high for my liking. Freight rates, however, have dropped faster than expected, and the amount of steady freight is dwindling. The long and short of all this – there is too much equipment in the system and that has made the spot market (load boards) very competitive. I listen to the market reports, and the people I trust are saying it will be at least a year, maybe longer, before we see much positive change. That means some of the folks who came to the party late will probably not stay long, therefore easing the pressure on the availability of future freight. If you’re anything like me, tighten your seatbelt and hold on, because it’s going to be a rough ride. Earlier I mentioned how your attitude can make all the difference in your outlook on life and business. I was quite nervous about making this trip to the PNW and had thoughts of retirement to avoid the reality of possible failures. I’m not one for taking the easy route or for avoiding confrontation, but I had to get my mind right, then make my body do its part, open the door, start the truck, then put it in gear. If every journey starts with a single step, then none of us can go trucking unless we first open the door. I made a lot of excuses for why I couldn’t go, but not for how I should go. But once I set myself up for success, things started to fall into place. With the proper preparation and execution, all things are possible. If grandma and grandpa blue hair can pilot their oversized motor coach all across America, why can’t I? Trust me here, I couldn’t have done it without the help of many people along the way. Recovering your confidence is one of the hardest endeavors you will ever undertake. Some of you are wondering what my health has to do with trucking. In reality, nothing, I’m simply using it as a metaphor. If you want to succeed in this crazy business, then you’re going to need to get your mind right, tighten your belts, then make preparations for lean times. We all joke “chrome won’t take you home” because it won’t, so don’t go there – stay rolling when freight is available with good rates. There will be plenty of time to go home after the bank repos your stuff. That is if you are lucky and they don’t take your house, too. I shouldn’t need to tell you how to save money, but in case you forgot, speed is expensive, and I’m not talking about high-speed chicken feed. I’m already seeing trucks slowing down, driving more conservatively, and fewer lane changes, things like that. These are all money saving techniques for fuel saving and reduced tire wear. I’m not sure about you, but for me, those are my most expensive costs, besides insurance and driver wages. Driving slower may help there, as well. I hear you saying the ELD forces you to run harder. Well, I’m calling BS on that. If you slow down 5 or 10 mph and run at a reasonable speed of 65, the fuel saving at $6.50 per gallon will add up. In addition to that, just think how much longer some of your other components might last, as well. Inflation isn’t going away, so be prepared to pay more for everything. There may be shortages of common supplies, too. Try to pre-purchase things like motor oil, belts, and tires if you can (and the opportunity presents itself), to save money and ensure you have what you need when you need it. I plan to forgo a vacation this year and we are not buying any new vehicles, so if fuel continues to set records, I plan to be right here behind the windshield freewheeling in my large car, rolling down the interstate. I’ve always said the time spent preparing for success is stolen from failure. So, never mind the sticker shock, fuel up, fire it up, and hit the road, because America still needs us. If the good Lord is willing and my steel horse stays together, that’s where you can find me, because I’m in this for the long haul, 10-4! n