It is not a joke.  It is happening out there.  The fact that it is happening caused a tidal wave of comments on the LinkedIn “A Truckload, Trucking, Logistics, Supply Chain, 3PL, Distribution group” over the past week.  Here is a sample of what the group members had to say.

“I have asked for and gotten almost $4.00 per mile on loads from the Central Valley in California to Portland/Seattle. These are reefer loads, not dry, but that's a good rate...unless you know beforehand that IF you can find a load back out of that area you will be turned down for the load a lot of times if you want more than $0.89 per mile.  On that lane you’ve got to get your money going in...you won't get much out of there,” stated one trucker.

An Operations Manager at another trucker stated, “As someone who has been in this business a long time, I really don't see how $ 3.00 - $ 4.00 a mile rates would be considered greed. The cost associated with transportation - insurance , fuel , equipment, taxes, maintenance have all increased about 4- 5 times over what they were 25 years ago while the rates in most lanes have remained pretty much the same. Brokers are taking a bigger cut in most cases, not all.  Generally 8- 10%, used to be the norm”.

“I guess it depends on the load itself” stated a Transportation Planner at a Freight Agent. “Shorter miles equal higher rates. Some carriers are just plain greedy, but then some are working the negotiations, asking for higher rates knowing they will have to take less, but hoping to find a happy medium”.

A sales person/dispatcher at a logistics company provided these insights.  “See, these are longer miles between 950 miles to 1150 miles. . . I am all about paying a carrier a fair rate, offering more than the bigger brokers, but to pay $3-$4 per mile is outrageous . . .