XPO | Thinking things are going to get really slow....

[BigDawg516]

I just wondering if anyone else around here is thinking that things are going to get really slow. I only ask because of the new pricing in the True LTL loads and the linear foot provisions that they introduced last week. I think at my barn once word gets out to the customers that have been using us for the trailer loads they are going else where....hope i am wrong. I would say on average we get about 2 to 4 solid loads per day....that is both inbound and outbound. I think also with the way things keep going on claims customers are going to go else where.

 

[nicksbrain]

no more cheep frt.

it will be a god thing when we stop hauling frt. for free. 18ft. or 28 ft.--same rate i saw a bill for 27,000# from baltimore to ft. wayne for $581.00, discount saved them $2100!

 

[Geezer]

Between these changes, the increase in W & I people and the increased goals for reweighs it appears that rather than expanding our customer base and bringing on new business we are going to take every last nickle out of the existing customers. We have a history of going in and squeezing the customers rather than building the relationship.

 

[Local_Driver]

it also can be the domino effect also, when one starts they all follow......we also have been a little slow the last couple of weeks. But we just cant seem to get rid of the long steel crap!! yet the good skidded freight has seem to disapear.

 

[free_thinker]

Between these changes, the increase in W & I people and the increased goals for reweighs it appears that rather than expanding our customer base and bringing on new business we are going to take every last nickle out of the existing customers. We have a history of going in and squeezing the customers rather than building the relationship.

There are going to be so many inspectors in the next few months, you'll see one for every 40 doors at your FAC. Can you say, "overkill?"

 

[Rat]

it will be a god thing when we stop hauling frt. for free. 18ft. or 28 ft.--same rate i saw a bill for 27,000# from baltimore to ft. wayne for $581.00, discount saved them $2100!

it also can be the domino effect also, when one starts they all follow......we also have been a little slow the last couple of weeks. But we just cant seem to get rid of the long steel crap!! yet the good skidded freight has seem to disapear.

Thae days of the deep discount offered by LTL carriers is probably over.

The pricing war had to end eventually. Carriers cannot continue to lose money and survive. Every company has a minimum amount of revenue that must be generated just to cover costs...let alone any profits.

Most carriers have cut to the bone...operationally and in their staffing. This has hurt the industry in many ways. Lack of equipment purchases...cutbacks on employee benefits...loss of wages are just a few of the many unfortunate consequences of the current economic environment.

The chickens had come home to roost at some point.

It will be monkey see monkey do.

As the first carrier raises rates and adjusts other considerations...others will follow suit.

Unprofitable freight must become profitable or not hauled. Giving away ones services for free or damn near free can only go on for just so long. Shippers have had the luxury of shopping for deep discounts from carriers with rates in some cases going back as far as 2000 levels.

Those days seem to be coming to an end.

Rate considerations will continue...but perhaps other factors in the carrier of choice will be re-evaluated...such as cutomer service...claims...on time delivery...and the like.

This will be good for us regardless of what name is on the side of the rig you drive...and perhaps our pay and benefits will no longer be the focus of what companies need to do to stay profitable.

That well has pretty much ran dry anyway...

Now is the time to rebuild...to get back on track and be where we were on prior to this economic mess.

It about time!!!!

Rat

 

[beerfd]

Thae days of the deep discount offered by LTL carriers is probably over.

The pricing war had to end eventually. Carriers cannot continue to lose money and survive. Every company has a minimum amount of revenue that must be generated just to cover costs...let alone any profits.

Most carriers have cut to the bone...operationally and in their staffing. This has hurt the industry in many ways. Lack of equipment purchases...cutbacks on employee benefits...loss of wages are just a few of the many unfortunate consequences of the current economic environment.

The chickens had come home to roost at some point.

It will be monkey see monkey do.

As the first carrier raises rates and adjusts other considerations...others will follow suit.

Unprofitable freight must become profitable or not hauled. Giving away ones services for free or damn near free can only go on for just so long. Shippers have had the luxury of shopping for deep discounts from carriers with rates in some cases going back as far as 2000 levels.

Those days seem to be coming to an end.

Rate considerations will continue...but perhaps other factors in the carrier of choice will be re-evaluated...such as cutomer service...claims...on time delivery...and the like.

This will be good for us regardless of what name is on the side of the rig you drive...and perhaps our pay and benefits will no longer be the focus of what companies need to do to stay profitable.

That well has pretty much ran dry anyway...

Now is the time to rebuild...to get back on track and be where we were on prior to this economic mess.

It about time!!!!

Rat

And, I think the change in management was a good start.

 

[micro brew]

I do think it will be a long winter. I think things are going to get real slow but I also think for the first time in about the last 4 years the company will take steps in the right direction. CCX was not a "we'll haul your freight for free" company. All I can hope is that we return to the days of CCX when I was new here - I remember sitting a lot but at least I understood why and what the company was doing.

I was hit hard by the closures a few years back and although I've maintained that this has been a great driving job, this is the first time since probably 2005 that I'm actually optimistic that the company might make a real turn in the right direction. I hope we can get back to moving freight properly for a premium rate - let's get rid of the stupidity that has been prevalent over the last two years or so. I guess we'll find out but let's get back to the basics of freight which is what made this company what it is..

I'm cautiously optimistic right now..

 

[Rat]

it will be a god thing when we stop hauling frt. for free. 18ft. or 28 ft.--same rate i saw a bill for 27,000# from baltimore to ft. wayne for $581.00, discount saved them $2100!

it also can be the domino effect also, when one starts they all follow......we also have been a little slow the last couple of weeks. But we just cant seem to get rid of the long steel crap!! yet the good skidded freight has seem to disapear.

And, I think the change in management was a good start.

More change is needed!

Rat

 

[Rat]

I do think it will be a long winter. I think things are going to get real slow but I also think for the first time in about the last 4 years the company will take steps in the right direction. CCX was not a "we'll haul your freight for free" company. All I can hope is that we return to the days of CCX when I was new here - I remember sitting a lot but at least I understood why and what the company was doing.

I was hit hard by the closures a few years back and although I've maintained that this has been a great driving job, this is the first time since probably 2005 that I'm actually optimistic that the company might make a real turn in the right direction. I hope we can get back to moving freight properly for a premium rate - let's get rid of the stupidity that has been prevalent over the last two years or so. I guess we'll find out but let's get back to the basics of freight which is what made this company what it is..

I'm cautiously optimistic right now..

You may be surprised....

Don't believe the spinmeisters....they get paid for delivering doom and gloom...and are ususally wrong.

The economy is recovering...and as long as the government keeps their collective noses out of it things will continue to be better.

This recovery is different...as was the recession.

Past recessions recovered on the availability of credit.

This one is different...it is based on hard cash.

Companies with cash are investing...although cautiously.

This recovery will be slower than those of the past...but much more resilient.

Hiring will be sporadic...and those people fortunate to be employed will face much more than the 'status quo' of the past.

The old adage "part of the problem or part of the solution" will play a large part in the future.

The old days are passe'...

Welcome to the 21st century.......

Rat

 

[micro brew]

My major fear about the economy is hyper-inflation. I'm more concerned about it from a personal perspective aside from the company but I guess time will tell right..

I agree that hard cash is king but if it becomes worthless which I'm afraid it will, all my hard work to save is for not - maybe I should buy that Porsche before it's too late..haha.. That's not really a joke though - always wanted one and am really thinking about a new 911 GT3..

 

[angry lcp]

brothers all we can do is work hard and hope for the best. lets do it right, and use the tools we have to reduce damage. i have been seeing some terrible breakers, at the facs racks not used, and the contents destroyed, no matter whos at fault we cannot, afford to have this happen.i know it takes time, and the racks can be a pain, but we have to use them.

 

[Dodge Ram]

I have given this alot of thought, going along with their "Loss and Claim Losses" Remember when we seen the video a couple of years ago when the subject of Sub-Service? In that video we were told that Con-Way was going to start using outside carriers to eliminate empty miles. It was a LOSS to the company. In my eyes every time there are empty miles are involved they take that cost onto the Loss and Claims number. Get into a accident? That's a loss to the company. In accounting terms, any time something negative affects the balance sheet it's called ............ yes, a loss. We, as drivers have not been told or informed what exactly are they calling a "Loss and Claim" I bet you I'm not all that far off. For the amont of time I'm on the dock, either service center or the reship, I don't see all that much damaged freight.

 

[Gunner119]

I have given this alot of thought, going along with their "Loss and Claim Losses" Remember when we seen the video a couple of years ago when the subject of Sub-Service? In that video we were told that Con-Way was going to start using outside carriers to eliminate empty miles. It was a LOSS to the company. In my eyes every time there are empty miles are involved they take that cost onto the Loss and Claims number. Get into a accident? That's a loss to the company. In accounting terms, any time something negative affects the balance sheet it's called ............ yes, a loss. We, as drivers have not been told or informed what exactly are they calling a "Loss and Claim" I bet you I'm not all that far off. For the amont of time I'm on the dock, either service center or the reship, I don't see all that much damaged freight.

Speaking of empty miles , On a average of 3 times a week I see a 53 footer (Not even a Con-Way Truckload or CFI , but a outside carrier ) come out of lets say Terminal A going to Terminal B . About the same time that 53 footer gets there , here comes 2 drivers from Terminal A ( Where 53 footer came from ) . Between those two drivers they usually have at least three empties with them. WHY ON EARTH THE 53 FOOTER??!!! This kind of crap is part of the problem. Line Haul has no clue about how to run things. Line Haul themselves cost us more money than I think the damages do. They do whatever the MODEL ( Computer ) tells them. There is no common sense that comes from experience ever used.
I am not going to say which two FAC's are involved because I don't want to say too much that can narrow down where I am out of.

 

[doppler]

My major fear about the economy is hyper-inflation. I'm more concerned about it from a personal perspective aside from the company but I guess time will tell right..

I agree that hard cash is king but if it becomes worthless which I'm afraid it will, all my hard work to save is for not - maybe I should buy that Porsche before it's too late..haha.. That's not really a joke though - always wanted one and am really thinking about a new 911 GT3..

wow thoses are fast cars !! you will the first one to the soup lines......save me a bowl...

 

[angry lcp]

i agree this is my third ltl company, and the costly mistakes of linehaul, seems to be a problem for all. sometimes you gotta scratch your head, and say wtf?

 

[CSR]

Between these changes, the increase in W & I people and the increased goals for reweighs it appears that rather than expanding our customer base and bringing on new business we are going to take every last nickle out of the existing customers. We have a history of going in and squeezing the customers rather than building the relationship.

We are just making sure our customers are honest. When you see a trailer full of Styrofoam as class 50 it makes you kind of wonder...

 

[doppler]

We are just making sure our customers are honest. When you see a trailer full of Styrofoam as class 50 it makes you kind of wonder...

yea, makes ya wonder what the sales team was thinking....how much of a discount they got and the sales team not looking to see the class and product before we haul it .... why not do all that before hand....s.o.p. let the next guy do it !!

 

[rightturn]

yea, makes ya wonder what the sales team was thinking....how much of a discount they got and the sales team not looking to see the class and product before we haul it .... why not do all that before hand....s.o.p. let the next guy do it !!

thats the way its been for a very long time, they get all excited about new business then in some way shape or form down the line tell the customer oh my/we can't haul that for that price.

 

[Mudd Flapp]

I have given this alot of thought, going along with their "Loss and Claim Losses" Remember when we seen the video a couple of years ago when the subject of Sub-Service? In that video we were told that Con-Way was going to start using outside carriers to eliminate empty miles. It was a LOSS to the company. In my eyes every time there are empty miles are involved they take that cost onto the Loss and Claims number. Get into a accident? That's a loss to the company. In accounting terms, any time something negative affects the balance sheet it's called ............ yes, a loss. We, as drivers have not been told or informed what exactly are they calling a "Loss and Claim" I bet you I'm not all that far off. For the amont of time I'm on the dock, either service center or the reship, I don't see all that much damaged freight.

I agree with your post,It's what they don't say that pokes holes in their bs.