2992 registered users.....Where is everybody?

mrgoodtude · Jul 12, 2006

Just wondering as I perused the trucking magazines (in the mens office) this morning why the all of a sudden "push" to advertise events revolving around expedite? I have long felt that the truckload sector of transportation was a good untapped market for quality drivers that would enjoy the benefits of expedite. I suppose if I owned a fleet I would look torward that market to recruit drivers for myself but I am puzzled where 2992 registered users of this forum that have been involved or were interested in expedite have gone. I suppose I am somewhat naive but are the major carriers banking on the continued evolution and eventual explosion of expedite? What percentage of overall transportation does expedite claim now and what are the projections for the future? I would love to have a representative from any carrier share their vision backed by educated reason. I am an expediter and like a shareholder, a customer would like to know my future is in capable hands and if anyone is privy to some great info and can share same without fear of reprisal by all means do so....Talking about a raving fan imagine a annual or (ambitous)
quarterly report so we all feel in the loop.
Just a thought,
Mike

Lawrence · Jul 12, 2006

Mike,

Great question.

I can answer one of your concerns directly - the reason we are advertising in trucking magazines is we feel that there are many readers who are interested in expedite trucking. We have found that there are many drivers â€“ regardless of the truck size or type that find our show interesting and would like to participate. Also, there are some expediters (like you) who read those publications.

On the sustainable growth of this industry â€“ it is averaging about 8-12% annually.

Hope this helps!

Lawrence,
Expediters Online.com

T.V. - Why do you think they call it programming?

No, YOU suck. - the mean people

"Americans are benevolently ignorant about Canada, while Canadians are malevolently well informed about the United States." - J. Bartlett Brebner

Te audire no possum. Musa sapientum fixa est in aure. - I can't hear you. I have a banana in my ear.

Become who you are. - Nietzsche

Whoever coined the phrase "Quiet as a mouse" has never stepped on one.

-----------------------------------------
Thanks For Visiting EO!
[p]
http://www.expeditersonline.com/hotnews/sterling_eo_forum.jpg

Please Help Us Get The Word
Out About Expediters Online.com!
-----------------------------------------

raceman · Jul 12, 2006

Well, I have no real information to share with you but I will say I share your need for info. I have always felt I was in the dark no matter what company I was with. I feel that way as much today as I did when I first carried a load back with Tri State. I feel that way today three carriers later. Really two but I actually have a couple I work for now.

I have always gotten the impression that the information was never really shared with drivers, owners,etc. It has always seemed to me it was over staffed no matter the carrier. I understand why the carrier wants a lot of trucks but it rarely makes the driver as much as possible.

There was a post a while back which really seemed to be getting some attention about growth, current business status and so on but it died off. I always hear 11% 12% growth and yet I never hear the figures from drivers. I personally feel I have learned more over the last year and half than I ever did. During this time I have carried the authority of a carrier but really reported or was dispatched by Ryder and Penske. Long story but those folks have shown and told me alot. Maybe because I really am not thier property so to speak.

I think the fact that we are contractors has a lot to do with it. We simply do not hear all the business stuff that you do when you are an actual employee. There are many reasons for that and co employment is one of them. Now I am going to say the thing that will heat everything up. I very much feel that as contractors we can be replaced and very quickly. We don't need to know anything more than load info and if we don't like we can go somewhere else because the line is long with replacements. Just my opinion. No one ever said that but I sure have felt that.

If you ever find a place that fills you in and you feel you know your future, let me know I will join you. Best of luck to you.

Raceman
OTR O/O

mrgoodtude · Jul 12, 2006

Thank's Lawrence for the come back 8 to 12% seems pretty aggressive guess I am just amazed at my level cause I haven't seen it reflected in my bottom line and we strive to stay ahead of the game in niche freight. I don't want to get slammed here but this year we have seen obscene fuel increases and major changes to automotive entities that expedite was born of not to mention the the pluthra of new carriers vying for freight that the larger carriers have farmed out.
Raceman you are right on with the thought process "we are replaceable" guess that is my whole point...Even though I am not an owner op (by concientous choice) I still try to put myself in that frame of mind, in doing so I feel like if I invest 95k in a truck I should have 95 voting shares of "stock accountablity" in the carrier I work for but alas I will come back to the real world and accept my position of being wishful, hopeful and a mushroom. I saw a Jevic expedite truck the other day, when did that happen? I may be wrong but I believe the industry is destined to become a exact replica of truckload/LTL or one in the same.
Fixed rates, variable fuel surcharge and forced dispatch under the guise of a level playing field?
I don't know.
Mike and Cyn

nightcreacher · Jul 12, 2006

One thing you forgot to mention,the expedite revolving door.Not everyone is cut out for the expedite business,yes we can be replaced,but us that have been at it awhile,have seen the expedite grow and grow and grow,and even when the t/l carriers try to do our work,it doesnt get done as well.
just dropped my 2 cents
nightcreacher
steve gilbert
ooida 263839
fed ex cc E6613

Moot · Jul 12, 2006

Im not sure about Jevic, but I believe many carriers are using the word "expedite" as a sales pitch. CRST has trailers that say "expedite van division". I don't consider this to be true expediting, at least not the exclusive use, straight through door to door service. I think we will see more use of the word "expedite" in the future.

davebeckym · Jul 13, 2006

9 to 12% growth but not every year. This year many people have said their revenue is down 30% or more. This of course depends on what type of truck you are driving and where you are located. Also what type of freight you are hauling.

Someone hauling mostly automotive in a cargo van is likely down 30 to 50% on the bottom line. Part of this slowness is due to big 3 cars sales slowing and part is due to stock piling of parts in case Delco goes on strike.

The resulting shakeout among drivers and o/o's means their will probably be a shortage of trucks in August and September and maybe longer. So get all those honeydos done and get ready to roll.