How we find loads:
The carrier we are leased to has a simple system. For the purpose of this post I will be
calling brokers and load planners agents.
The agents go knocking on doors and acquiring customers then the
customers call the agents with loads and the agents dole the loads out to the
drivers who will take them. We have our
own load board, but there are similar load boards out there which work the same
way. Most of the solo freight that the
agents give the drivers is done on a relationship basis. As an agent who wants to make the customer
happy, the loads need to be delivered on time and without damage. A new driver will have to earn the respect of
the agent or the trucking company. This
can take a year or so, but usually 6 months is enough time and then there are
still other drivers who are in the running for the same freight so sometimes
seniority comes into play.
Supply and demand is very evident here as the customers need
things moved on a time table and the type of equipment that is needed is not
really up for negotiation. When the
customer needs a double drop trailer and you have one, then you get the
load. The more specialized your
equipment, the less people you have to compete with, but the more time you
might have to wait in between loads and the more empty miles you might have to
drive. Since there are many types of
trailers, you have to find what works for you.
There is also being too specialized where you might only haul one or two
loads a year with your equipment if at all.
There is a balance that you have to find.
A typical load will look like this:
P/U
FROM: TO:
MILES: TRAILER:
|
2/10
|
EAST CHICAGO, IN
|
VALLEY CITY, OH
|
309
|
Full
|
Flatbed
|
|
|
2/10
|
EAST CHICAGO, IN
|
PERRYSBURG, OH
|
214
|
Full
|
Flatbed
|
|
|
2/10
|
EAST CHICAGO, IN
|
BELLEVUE, OH
|
261
|
Full
|
Flatbed
|
|
|
2/11
|
EAST CHICAGO, IN
|
KENTON, OH
|
243
|
Full
|
Flatbed
|
|
|
2/10
|
EAST CHICAGO, IN
|
COLUMBUS, OH
|
334
|
Full
|
Flatbed
|
|
|
2/10
|
CHICAGO HEIGHTS, IL
|
MIDDLEFIELD, OH
|
370
|
Full
|
Flatbed, Step Deck
|
The many load boards out there demonstrate how simple it is
to find freight. It IS very easy. Finding it is quick, but competing to win it
is a little more difficult and in many cases simply being in the right place at
the right time is half of it. Once you
have narrowed down who has the freight, the next time you don’t have to get it
online. You can just call the agent and
negotiate a rate. After you have a done
a few loads and proven yourself, you can ask for a better rate. We have gone through a transition lately
where the entire old school phone to driver networking that was done has been
replaced with the internet and sites like U-Ship.com and Getloaded.com. The relationships are important and I take my
job as seriously as a good doctor does his or her practice.
Delivering the freight on time and damage free
is priority number one. If you can
accomplish this on a timely basis week after week, you are one step closer to
having a successful trucking operation.
