Turning my authority back on...

[Waterloo]

Well, been a little over a month now, losing my ass. Up until this past week, I am paying the bills and that is about it. I went and rented a trailer, still on the fence regarding that decision, I kind of want to return it, but then again, I have made money with it. Power Only has been the better avenue, with the best rates to date. I'm in an undisclosed city running primarily Amazon many miles from the house, have been here for a week and FINALLY making some money. I found a truck stop that allows me to drop my trailer, while I go run local PO loads.

The pay has been above average, what I am used to making when expediting, at least for this week which has been pretty good. Things are starting to really hum with the holidays coming up. I am going to hang tight here until the snow flys as long as this work continues. I haven't had a beer in weeks... LOL!

My real issue, and what is holding me back, is this damn ELD. I'm running local, I ran two hours last night, two loads, and then had two loads booked for the afternoon. I had to bug out ten minutes early on my ELD and ten hour break, I'm in violation, but could not be late, I was ten minutes from the DC. I'm losing quite a bit of good paying local work due to this stupid egg timer. It is financially killing me. And don't go all you need your rest BS, I'm only working 4 to 6 hours a day. I get plenty of rest, too much rest.

We shall see how this week finishes out, and how next week goes, have another good paying load tonight, my trailer, 4 to 6 hour turn, roughly 175 miles all in, $801.00. I am still of the belief that power only is the way to go, but when loads like this pop up, I am glad I have the van. Sitting here looking for a load or two I can run this morning, make it a real good day.

Then the rates, the van rates where I am currently located are running .70 to $1.20 a mile. Short haul rates are even more pathetic, not even worth mentioning they are so bad. Criminal what this industry has become, over regulated and no shortage of trucks or drivers, the truck stops out here are full 24/7. I leave here and see the same trucks when I return, very little if any parking after 1400 hours. I don't know how these guys are making it, especially with all of the new equipment I have been seeing.

As far as who is paying, my best rates are still Amazon, with CHR bringing up the rear. If I am not having any luck with Amazon or CH, I try to find local work off the boards and use my trailer or take a reset. Things are looking up, not to the point I need a pair of shades, but getting there. Again, the ELD and the inflexible HOS are the real issue I am having to grapple with. It is fine if you drive long haul, but short haul, you will lose your ass.

I have been looking for outfits to lease on with, as that is what I more than likely will do after the first of the year, or sell the truck and go drive for someone else, the money is just not out here like it used to be and the expenses are ridiculous, just too much to justify the stress and time involved. Trucking honestly sucks.