TheLittleGuy
The Truckster
As a continuation to the National Trucker Strike on April 1, 2008, we ( the Owner-Operator and Independent trucking community) believe that our message about rising costs and non-compensatory freight must be realized beyond government and consumer awareness. It needs to be heard in the brokerage houses and by EVERY freight shipper across the country!
According to Foxnews.com, on April 1st, 2008, Owner-Operators and Independent Truckers represented approximately 90% of the trucks on the road everyday, nationally. That equates to approximately 500,000 trucks.
We believe that, in many cases, the freight rates including fuel surcharges are inadequate to the service that we provide. There are brokerage houses out there that are notorious for undercutting rates and/or failing to pass along 100% of the fuel surcharge to the person whom is paying for the fuel. Many of these brokerage houses have flourished and have some of the best credit ratings in the business. Meanwhile, carriers that haul their freight have gone bankrupt.
In some industries, shippers refuse to even pay a fuel surcharge, expecting carriers to absorb the cost.
Being such, we wish to make it known that we provide an essential service, hauling other peoples' freight. In doing so, we will NOT absorb a cost that is essential to providing that service. Fuel surcharges must be compensatory to current fuel prices and equipment efficiency and MUST be paid 100% to the person that buys said fuel. We believe that freight rates and fuel surcharges MUST incorporate TOTAL mileage, not just loaded mileage. Shippers and receivers must be held accountable for detention and layover times. Poor or improper planning on your part does not constitute an expense on our part!
WE ARE OPERATING A BUSINESS TOO!
And so, we invite ALL owner-operators, independent drivers, expediters, and the such to participate on May 1st, 2008 by SAYING NO TO CHEAP FREIGHT! Whether you are local, regional, or over-the-road.
According to Foxnews.com, on April 1st, 2008, Owner-Operators and Independent Truckers represented approximately 90% of the trucks on the road everyday, nationally. That equates to approximately 500,000 trucks.
We believe that, in many cases, the freight rates including fuel surcharges are inadequate to the service that we provide. There are brokerage houses out there that are notorious for undercutting rates and/or failing to pass along 100% of the fuel surcharge to the person whom is paying for the fuel. Many of these brokerage houses have flourished and have some of the best credit ratings in the business. Meanwhile, carriers that haul their freight have gone bankrupt.
In some industries, shippers refuse to even pay a fuel surcharge, expecting carriers to absorb the cost.
Being such, we wish to make it known that we provide an essential service, hauling other peoples' freight. In doing so, we will NOT absorb a cost that is essential to providing that service. Fuel surcharges must be compensatory to current fuel prices and equipment efficiency and MUST be paid 100% to the person that buys said fuel. We believe that freight rates and fuel surcharges MUST incorporate TOTAL mileage, not just loaded mileage. Shippers and receivers must be held accountable for detention and layover times. Poor or improper planning on your part does not constitute an expense on our part!
WE ARE OPERATING A BUSINESS TOO!
And so, we invite ALL owner-operators, independent drivers, expediters, and the such to participate on May 1st, 2008 by SAYING NO TO CHEAP FREIGHT! Whether you are local, regional, or over-the-road.