Trucking Industry, Trade War and tRump...
The husband has been a trucker for 25+ years. There are always ups and downs in this industry. Certain times of the year there are slow downs during end of fiscal years and around the holidays. We've rolled with it and learned how to adjust as needed. In years past, he's been able to ask for loads going back west where most of his family lives.
It's all changed now. We've never seen anything like this when tRump started his trade war. Trucking companies have shut their doors and thousands have been laid off. Semi-trucks aren't being built like they were before. Parts are becoming more expensive. Not only that, product that was once reliable isn't coming into the US like it used to.
In other words, finding loads are getting more and more difficult. The miles aren't there anymore. Before, we could count on my husband getting in the neighborhood of 2600 to 3000 miles per week. We need a minimum of 2000 per week just to make our bills. Last week he got 1600 miles and this week it will just make 2300. We're lucky in the respect that the company my husband works for is financially better off than most. He can't take his trips back west like he used to as long as this continues. The company is taking any loads they can find and we're okay with that.
I think we'll survive this, but I know the trade war continues to take a toll. The manufacturing industry is hurting, truckers are taking a hard hit as well. My husband says most days the CB would be mostly pro-tRump, but in the last few months the talk going more and more negative. It's all about the pocketbook.
I do believe that as long as tRump is in office, continues with his trade war that the future becomes more difficult to see. We're trying to save more money just in case, but with fewer miles it will make it more difficult to pay the bills.
This is what we're seeing in this industry and how it's affecting us personally.
on edit: I should also add that the paying rates for loads have also dropped dramatically. A coast to coast run usually ran from about $2000 to $2500. Last night, my husband told me that he saw them running about $1200 on average. There is no money to be made for an owner/operator or a trucking company.
