Ltl Thoughts/comments, Questions Etc:

[maxicoze]

When i first got into the truck game in 93, it seems there were alot of LTL companies---APA, spartan/central/viking, G.O.D., CF of course, nations way, carolina etc., in addition to the "standards"---yellow, roadway, ABF etc.

a) But it seems, recently that alot of them collapsed. Why, all the sudden closures? What do you think caused this? Why now?


2) The other trend that seems to be going on is that package companies seem to be buying out freight companies all of a sudden; I.e., Fedex with american freightways and viking. UPS with overnite.

What is the reasoning behind this? And why now?

3) And another trend that seems to be happening is that the larger owning and/or overseeing company is/are attempting to make the separate companies that they own into "one company." I.e., Fedex'es Fedex freight east and fedex freight west into "fedex Freight national." Con-way's western, central, southern into "Con-way freight."
Do you feel this is so that the shipper thinks s/he is going to get more quicker/consistent service?

[pro1driver]

Originally Posted by maxicoze

When i first got into the truck game in 93, it seems there were alot of LTL companies---APA, spartan/central/viking, G.O.D., CF of course, nations way, carolina etc., in addition to the "standards"---yellow, roadway, ABF etc.

yep, i remember most of these in my area as well

a) But it seems, recently that alot of them collapsed. Why, all the sudden closures? What do you think caused this? Why now?

freight lanes, customers, partnerships, then closures, and this didn't happen "all of a sudden", and it didn't happen "now", either, its been going on and on for as far as the eye can see.

2) The other trend that seems to be going on is that package companies seem to be buying out freight companies all of a sudden; I.e., Fedex with american freightways and viking. UPS with overnite.

What is the reasoning behind this? And why now?

again, this has been happening, not just "now", have you been hiding under a rock to say "why now", when its been happening all along for many years...?? as for the package companies buying out carriers, again, its freight lanes, customers, and having the trucking end of it all set up with out the headaches of a "start-up" company, so its cheaper in the long run, as some might see, it. this also puts a dent, how sizable is anyone's guess, into the competition, and hopefully increasing rates, OR decreasing rates, in hopes of putting another trucking carrier out of business, ripe for a takeover for control.

3) And another trend that seems to be happening is that the larger owning and/or overseeing company is/are attempting to make the separate companies that they own into "one company." I.e., Fedex'es Fedex freight east and fedex freight west into "fedex Freight national." Con-way's western, central, southern into "Con-way freight."
Do you feel this is so that the shipper thinks s/he is going to get more quicker/consistent service?

this is done for "logistics reasons". as for the shipper, they look at the bottom line....COST.....they really couldn't give a flip on who the comapny is (in most instances), as long as the freight gets picked up, then delivered. and if its NOT on time, free charges of services.