Simply put - in general terms, LTL (Less Than Load) means ---- if there is room on the back of a 28', 48' or 53' trailer that happens to be going in the general direction of a 1 to 24 skid "expedite" load, they (the carrier) will throw it in the trailer as "LTL"..........or worse yet, it can go on a plane as "air freight" for a "per pound" rate that often equates to an even cheaper rate than LTL - air freight usually charges pennies on the dollar compared to what even a cargo van would need to haul the same load for.
We see it first hand on literally thousands of expedite load offers every day, all day long - and we do everything we can to educate our drivers and keep them appraised of the situation as it happens (neither of us wants to hear the reality - but for warned is for armed) - so with our help, they have the tools necessary to make the smartest decisions possible on most load offers - which translates into profitable revenue for us both!
As General Manager of a small expedite carrier, I can say without hesitation that the bigger the carrier, the more power they have to set the rate............to date, the biggies have driven rates to where they are now, iow, TOO FRIGGEN LOW!!!!!!!!!
Personally, I have zero clue - but fwiw, I think we are in the "eye of the storm" and only those who operate smart - those who understand this market - will survive the coming resurgence of the storm - and survival here means the land of milk and honey once the sun starts shining again in a year or so (hopefully sooner!).........after all, with near zero inventory throughout the country, once "the recovery" REALLY begins, there will be a HUGE shortage of expediters!!!!!!!
Here's another link designed to enlighten:
Mish's Global Economic Trend Analysis: Trucks Sit Idle; Rail Traffic Horrific
To all expediters everywhere rolling or sitting - be safe out there!!!!!
Steve
