Well these load boards are OK but they are what is killing the rates. The people that have extra loads to cover would not spend all day on the phone calling trying to find cheap trucks, they would give you the full rate just to get them covered.  They are collection the full rate on all these loads anyway, but with these load board they can cut the rate and fish for someone to work for nothing.

I think that the rates being what they are is just the free market at work.  There is great competition between trucks.  As with anything else competition is going to lower the price.  If you are buying a new tv, do you go where it is the cheapest?  I'm guessing most would answer yes to that question.  Buyers, and shippers of any kind are going to do the same, especially if they are dealing with larger quantities.  Of course there are those that are loyal to one service provider, and the rate there stays good.  I figure most who struggle lack the one or two good loyal customers that keep a truck making money.  Trying to survive off a broker, or load board is a hard way to go.  Obviously everyday demand for trucks just isn't there, hence the low rates.  You can't, or won't do it for X dollars, then there is another truck parked that will.  Maybe he can make money at the rate being offered, maybe he can't.  But, if he takes the load that is his choice, and business.  Crying about rates will not make demand go up.  More trucks going out of business will though.

The brokers I believe are charging the 3.00 to 3.20   but with load boards they can put them out for 2.50 get someone to cover them and they make good money for that phone call. They are not charging the owner of the cattle this low rate.

First off, I'm not a broker... Now the $2.50 load you are calling on may be put up by a broker, but check on them and see if they have there legals in order to be a broker. If not a snake is a snake and they won't be there long. If it's a buyer / agent, they make they're money on the hundred weight buying and typically don't need to be charging $0.35-0.70 per mile you run. Mostly because if they are shipping 3 loads at 50k weight getting there commision as a buyer.. they are already making $7500 commision and the packers or feedlots usually pay the truck. If you work for a broker moving loads at that rate.. check em out. The cost for them to file bonds and run their liabilities should be there too.

I personally know a handfull of buyers and agents that charge a load fee of say $25 per load. They undestand the good faith of keeping trucks going and making sure their clients are taken care of. (and $25 is a cheap cost for a load) Are all that way. Nope! but you can choose to use them for pay or not. It may only pay your fuel going back to your good load. That doesn't mean sign a contract as their exclusive carrier and take it in the shorts each time. Your truck is powered by what you want it to do.

WELL WHEN I STARTED DOING THIS EVERY ONE KEPT THEIR MOUTH SHUT ABOUT WHERE THEY WHERE GOING WHERE THEY BEEN WHAT THEY WERE CHARGING YOU DONT HAVE THE SAME BREED ANYMORE BROKERS KNOW THIS