📊 Daily Market Intelligence Report
Tuesday, February 03, 2026
7:00 AM CST
📊 Top-Line Summary
Market volatility has spiked significantly today, with total available loads jumping to 145,741—a 15% increase overnight and a massive surge from last week's levels. The defining characteristic of today's market is the widening gap between posted and paid rates in the Van and Reefer sectors; paid rates are now trading well above posted averages ($0.11 premium on Van, $0.16 premium on Reefer), signaling a rapid shift to a carrier's market driven by the Southeast freeze and urgent 'Protect From Freeze' requirements. Conversely, Flatbed volume is high but rates remain softer, creating a distinct divergence in strategy depending on equipment type.
📈 National Data Dashboard
| The van market has tightened considerably overnight, with paid rates averaging $2.30/mile against a posted average of only $2.19/mile, indicating that brokers relying on standard posted pricing will fail to cover freight today. With 27,488 loads available and volumes trending upward over the last 8 days, the $0.11 spread suggests carriers are successfully negotiating premiums, particularly on lanes touching the Southeast freeze zones where capacity is being diverted. Brokers must adjust initial offers upward to match the $2.30/mile reality, as the historical trend from last week shows a clear firming of rates that is accelerating. |
| Reefer conditions are extremely volatile and favoring carriers, with paid rates hitting $2.83/mile—a significant $0.16 premium over the posted average of $2.67/mile. This surge is driven by a combination of standard produce cycles and the urgent need for temperature-controlled equipment to protect dry goods from the deep freeze in the Southeast. With 10,370 loads available and volume increasing, capacity is effectively sold out in freeze-impacted regions, forcing shippers to pay substantial premiums for 'Protect From Freeze' services that are absorbing standard reefer supply. |
| While flatbed volume leads the market with 58,894 available loads, the pricing dynamic differs significantly from enclosed trailers, with paid rates of $2.29/mile actually trailing the posted average of $2.34/mile. This inversion suggests that while construction and industrial demand is robust and trending upward, capacity remains sufficient to absorb the volume without forcing rates higher. Brokers have more leverage here than in other modes, as the data indicates carriers are accepting loads below asking price to keep equipment moving, particularly outside of weather-affected zones. |
| $3.63/gal - Diesel prices have adjusted to $3.63/gallon, creating a stable baseline for fuel surcharges despite the volatility in spot linehaul rates. |
| Tender rejections are rising sharply in the Southeast and on temperature-controlled freight nationwide, as contract carriers reject routing into freeze zones to avoid claims risk. |
⛽ Diesel Price Analysis
AAA Historical Price Comparison
🌦️ Weather & Seasonal Intelligence
Current Major Weather Events:
- Southeast Deep Freeze & Hard Freeze (Florida, Georgia (FL, GA, Inland/Coastal Counties)): Widespread sub-freezing temperatures (lows of 26-30°F) affecting I-10, I-75, and I-95. Critical demand for 'Protect From Freeze' services; high risk of claims for unprotected liquid freight.
- High Wind Event - I-80 Corridor (Wyoming (WY, North Snowy Range Foothills)): West winds 25-35 mph with gusts to 60 mph affecting I-80 near Arlington/Elk Mountain. High risk of blow-overs for light trailers; likely closures for high-profile vehicles.
- River Flooding - Pacific Northwest (Washington (WA, Mason County)): Flooding on the Skokomish River affecting local routes. While receding, water remains over roadways causing local detours and first-mile/last-mile delays.
⛈️ Weather Impact Cascade
- Immediate Operational Impact: Today (Tuesday, Feb 3) and Wednesday (Feb 4): Hard freeze conditions persist in Florida and Georgia with lows of 26-30°F. Road conditions are hazardous in North Florida, particularly on I-75 and I-95. Carriers are avoiding morning pickups due to ice risk. Jacksonville outbound freight faces detention risk. Reefer capacity is fully absorbed by freeze protection requirements. Van capacity is tight due to freeze-sensitive freight conversion. Wyoming I-80 corridor remains hazardous with winds gusting to 60 mph (forecast shows winds WNW 18-25 mph with feels-like temperature of 30°F on Tuesday). Pacific Northwest flooding in Mason County, WA is receding but water remains over roadways, causing local detours. Operational impact: Expect 2-4 hour delays on I-75/I-95 in Florida, 1-2 hour delays on I-80 in Wyoming, and local detours in Washington. Reefer rates remain elevated. Van rates remain firm.
- Secondary Market Effects: Wednesday (Feb 4): Georgia forecast shows light rain (0.4in precipitation, 65% chance) with temperatures dropping to 56°F. This maintains freeze risk through Wednesday night. Carriers will continue avoiding morning pickups. Reefer demand remains high. However, the light rain (0.4in) is manageable and won't create new bottlenecks. Thursday (Feb 5): Temperatures rise to 50°F in Georgia with clear skies. Freeze risk effectively ends. Roads thaw. Morning pickups become viable. Reefer demand drops sharply as freeze protection is no longer necessary. Expect a flood of delayed shipments to hit the market as shippers resume normal operations. This creates secondary demand surge Thursday-Friday. Capacity pressure shifts from reefer to general Van/Flatbed as freeze-displaced freight normalizes. Friday (Feb 6): Temperatures reach 61°F in Georgia with clear skies. Freeze risk is completely eliminated. Normal operations resume. Reefer rates normalize to posted averages. Van rates ease as capacity pressure reduces. Flatbed rates remain stable.
- Regional Spillover Analysis: Southeast freeze is creating ripple effects in adjacent regions: (1) Midwest: Flatbed capacity is being held in place as carriers avoid repositioning into freeze zones. This is keeping Midwest rates soft ($2.29 paid vs $2.34 posted). Once freeze ends, equipment will reposition toward Southeast, potentially tightening Midwest capacity. (2) Southwest: Similar dynamic—capacity is being held in place, keeping rates soft. (3) Northeast: Freeze is not directly affecting Northeast, but capacity is being diverted to Southeast, potentially creating secondary tightness in Northeast lanes by Thursday-Friday. (4) Pacific Northwest: Flooding in Mason County, WA is independent of Southeast freeze but is creating local bottlenecks. As flooding recedes (forecast shows improving conditions through Friday), local routes will normalize. No spillover to other regions expected.
- Recovery Timeline: Immediate recovery (Thursday, Feb 5): Freeze risk ends. Roads thaw. Morning pickups resume. Reefer demand drops sharply. Expect 4-6 hour window of operational normalization as shippers resume normal pickup times. Secondary recovery (Friday, Feb 6): Full operational normalization. Reefer rates return to posted averages ($2.67/mile). Van rates ease as capacity pressure reduces. Flatbed rates remain stable. Full recovery (Monday, Feb 10): All freeze-related disruptions are completely cleared. Rates return to pre-freeze baselines. Equipment repositioning is complete. Normal seasonal patterns resume. Confidence level: High for Thursday-Friday recovery timeline. Moderate for full normalization by Monday (depends on crop damage assessment and outbound Florida demand).
💰 Financial Market Indicators
- Diesel Futures: Futures remain relatively stable, but the divergence between flatbed and van/reefer rates suggests fuel is less of a driver today than raw capacity displacement.
- Carrier Financial Health: Carrier cash flow remains a concern; the spread between paid and posted rates indicates carriers are desperate for higher yields to offset operating costs.
- Economic Indicators: The 15% overnight jump in load volumes suggests strong underlying economic activity and inventory replenishment, defying typical early-February softness.
📰 Impactful News Analysis
-
FMCSA Warns of Aggressive Phishing Targeting Carriers 🔗:
A new, sophisticated phishing campaign is targeting carriers with fake DOT emails. Brokers must be hyper-vigilant with carrier vetting today, as compromised carrier emails could lead to identity theft and double-brokering schemes. Verify all carrier contact info independently.
-
DOT Audits Triggered by Safety Complaints 🔗:
New data highlights that safety complaints are a primary trigger for DOT audits. Brokers should review carrier safety scores strictly; utilizing carriers with deteriorating safety metrics poses a higher risk of having equipment detained or placed out of service during transit.
-
Emergency Rule Restricts Non-Domiciled CDLs 🔗:
USDOT has issued an emergency rule tightening eligibility for non-domiciled CDLs following fatal crashes. This may immediately tighten capacity for cross-border freight and carriers relying on foreign drivers, potentially pushing rates up on border lanes.
News Impact Timeline
- Immediate Operational Reality: FMCSA phishing warning (ALERT_2): Effective immediately. Brokers must implement enhanced carrier vetting procedures. Verify all carrier contact information independently before booking. Risk: Double-brokering schemes and identity theft. Action: Implement voice verification for all new carrier setups. Multi-factor authentication for carrier email communications. Timeline: Implement today. Impact: Adds 15-30 minutes to new carrier onboarding but reduces fraud risk significantly.
- 3-Day Market Implications: DOT safety audit trigger warning (ALERT_1): Safety complaints are primary audit triggers. By Thursday (Feb 5), expect increased DOT audit activity targeting carriers with recent complaints. Carriers with deteriorating safety metrics will face higher audit risk. Impact: Carriers may become more risk-averse, potentially reducing capacity availability for high-risk loads. Action: Review carrier safety scores strictly. Prioritize carriers with clean audit histories. Timeline: Implement by Wednesday (Feb 4) to avoid booking carriers who may face audits. Non-domiciled CDL restriction (ALERT_3): Emergency rule tightens eligibility for non-domiciled CDLs. Impact: Cross-border freight and carriers relying on foreign drivers face immediate capacity constraints. Border lanes (Mexico, Canada) will experience rate pressure. Timeline: Effective immediately. Expect rate increases on border lanes by 3-5% within 48 hours.
- Week-Ahead Positioning: By Friday (Feb 6), the combined impact of phishing warnings, safety audit triggers, and CDL restrictions will have created a more risk-averse carrier market. Brokers who have implemented enhanced vetting procedures will have competitive advantage. Carriers with clean safety records will command premium rates. Cross-border freight will face sustained rate pressure. Positioning strategy: (1) Prioritize carriers with clean safety records and multi-factor authentication setup. (2) Avoid cross-border freight unless customer accepts 3-5% rate premium. (3) Build relationships with carriers who have implemented security protocols—they'll be in higher demand. (4) Educate customers about carrier vetting delays (15-30 minutes per new carrier) to manage expectations.
- Regulatory Compliance Impacts: Immediate compliance requirements: (1) Implement multi-factor authentication for carrier email communications (per phishing warning). (2) Conduct safety score reviews for all carriers before booking (per DOT audit warning). (3) Verify non-domiciled CDL status for cross-border freight (per emergency rule). Timeline: Implement by end of business Wednesday (Feb 4). Operational impact: New carrier onboarding will take 30-45 minutes instead of 15-20 minutes. Cross-border freight will require additional documentation. Estimated cost: 10-15% increase in back-office processing time. Benefit: Significantly reduced fraud and compliance risk.
🔍 Competitive Intelligence
- Digital Load Board Trends: Real-time data shows a 'Book It Now' failure rate is likely high today for Van and Reefer; with paid rates exceeding posted rates by double digits ($0.11-$0.16), posted prices are being ignored by carriers.
- Capacity Alerts: Capacity is critically tight in Northern Florida and Southern Georgia due to the freeze. Conversely, Flatbed capacity appears ample relative to demand in the Midwest.
- Technology Disruptions: The rise in phishing attacks targeting carrier credentials necessitates a move toward multi-factor authentication and voice verification for all new carrier setups.
Demand Shift Indicators
- Regional Demand Predictions: Southeast demand will remain elevated through Wednesday due to freeze protection requirements, then shift dramatically Thursday-Friday. The 15% overnight load surge (145,741 total) suggests strong underlying economic activity and inventory replenishment. However, this surge is concentrated in Van and Reefer (27,488 and 10,370 loads respectively), while Flatbed dominates volume (58,894 loads). This indicates demand is bifurcated: urgent, time-sensitive freight (Van/Reefer) vs. steady industrial activity (Flatbed). By Friday, as freeze risk ends, expect a rebalancing where Van/Reefer demand normalizes and Flatbed maintains steady volume. Next week, if Florida crop damage is confirmed, outbound produce demand could collapse, creating a secondary demand shock.
- Seasonal Transition Analysis: Early February typically shows softness as post-holiday inventory clears and pre-spring demand hasn't materialized. Today's 15% volume surge defies this pattern, suggesting either (1) accelerated inventory replenishment due to supply chain normalization, or (2) shippers front-loading freight ahead of anticipated rate increases. The freeze event is masking underlying seasonal trends. By mid-week, as freeze risk ends, we should see clearer visibility into true seasonal demand. The fact that Flatbed volume is so high (58,894 loads) despite seasonal softness suggests construction and industrial activity is stronger than typical for early February.
- Economic Leading Indicators: The 15% overnight volume surge combined with strong Flatbed demand (construction/industrial) suggests economic activity is robust. Shippers are moving freight aggressively, indicating confidence in demand. However, the divergence between Van/Reefer rates (carriers winning) and Flatbed rates (brokers winning) suggests economic activity is uneven—strong in industrial/construction, but tight in consumer goods distribution. This could indicate a bifurcated economy where industrial demand is strong but consumer demand is more cautious. Monitor next week's volume trends to confirm whether this is temporary (freeze-driven) or structural (economic shift).
- Capacity Flow Predictions: Equipment is currently flowing toward the Southeast to capture high reefer rates ($2.83/mile). This repositioning will ease capacity pressure in other regions (Midwest, Southwest) over the next 48-72 hours. By Thursday-Friday, as freeze risk ends and reefer rates normalize, equipment will reposition away from the Southeast. This creates a secondary opportunity: Midwest and Southwest capacity could tighten Thursday-Friday as equipment exits those regions. Flatbed capacity will remain ample through Friday based on current volume-to-capacity ratios, but could tighten next week if equipment repositions to Southeast for post-freeze recovery freight.
👥 Customer Sector Analysis
- Retail: High demand for temperature-controlled transport for beverages and liquids moving into the Southeast to prevent freezing.
- Manufacturing: Steady flatbed volume indicates consistent industrial output, though some weather delays are expected in the Southeast.
- Agriculture: Florida produce shipping is disrupted; growers are rushing to harvest or protect crops, creating erratic demand for reefers.
- Automotive: Cross-border automotive parts flow may face friction due to the new non-domiciled CDL restrictions.
🗺️ Regional & Lane Analysis
📍 Primary Region Focus: Southeast (FL, GA, AL, SC)
The Southeast is the epicenter of market volatility today. The convergence of a hard freeze event with end-of-month/beginning-of-month freight flows has created a dislocation in capacity. Reefer rates are spiking as dry freight converts to reefer for temperature protection, leaving fewer trucks for actual produce.
🛣️ Key Lane Watch
Atlanta, GA → Miami, FL:
Southbound capacity into Florida is commanding a premium. Shippers moving beverages, chemicals, or canned goods are requiring reefers due to the freeze in GA/North FL, stripping capacity from the market. Rates are well above the $2.30/mile national van average.
Jacksonville, FL → Charlotte, NC:
Outbound Florida freight is facing a bottleneck. Trucks are hesitant to enter the state without high-paying outbound freight confirmed. The freeze is delaying some loading, causing detention issues at shippers.
🚨 Actionable Alerts
Rate Spike Warnings:
- Southeast Regional Reefer: Paid rates averaging $2.83/mile ($0.16 over posted).
- I-75 Corridor Southbound: Protect From Freeze surcharges active.
Capacity Shortage Alerts:
- Severe shortage of temperature-controlled equipment in GA and FL due to weather displacement.
Opportunity Zones:
- Midwest Flatbed: High volume (58k+ loads) with soft rates allows for aggressive buying.
🎯 Strategic Recommendations for Today
💼 For Customer Sales:
Narrative: Customers moving liquids or sensitive goods through the Southeast MUST approve 'Protect From Freeze' service today. Standard dry vans pose a high risk of total cargo loss due to freezing temps.
Action: Proactively contact customers with FL/GA/AL freight to authorize reefer upgrades or heater service before booking.
🚛 For Carrier Reps:
Sourcing Focus: Focus on converting dry van carriers to heater-service loads if they have the equipment. For Flatbed, leverage the high volume in the Midwest to build relationships.
Negotiation Leverage: In the Southeast, speed is the leverage. For Flatbed everywhere else, use the data showing paid rates are below posted ($2.29 vs $2.34) to negotiate firmly.
📞 Customer Communication Scripts
Rate Increase Justification For Southeast Reefer Freight
Opening Script: "Good morning. I'm calling because we're seeing unprecedented demand for temperature-controlled equipment in the Southeast right now. The hard freeze affecting Florida and Georgia has created a situation where reefer capacity is commanding $2.83 per mile—that's $0.16 above standard posted rates. If your freight requires protection from freezing, we need to discuss your options today before capacity tightens further."
Value Proposition: Protecting your cargo from freeze damage eliminates the risk of total loss claims, which can exceed the cost of reefer service by 10-20x. Securing capacity now guarantees your shipment moves safely.
Urgency Creator: Temperatures remain below freezing through Wednesday in Georgia. Carriers are rejecting standard dry van loads for freeze-sensitive freight due to liability concerns. Waiting until tomorrow reduces your equipment options significantly.
Objection Handler: I understand the rate is higher than your standard dry van cost. However, the alternative is cargo damage. A single frozen shipment of beverages or chemicals can result in a $50,000+ claim. The $0.16/mile premium is insurance against that risk. Plus, carriers are actively refusing to move freeze-sensitive freight in standard vans right now, so this isn't a negotiable market—it's a capacity reality.
Capacity Shortage Communication For Van Freight
Opening Script: "We're experiencing a significant capacity crunch on Van freight moving through the Southeast today. Available loads jumped 15% overnight to 145,741 units, but paid rates are running $0.11 above posted averages at $2.30/mile. This tells us carriers have more leverage than usual. If you have time-sensitive freight, we need to secure capacity within the next 2-3 hours before the best carriers commit to other loads."
Value Proposition: By moving quickly, we can lock in rates with premium carriers who have proven reliability records. Waiting creates risk of either higher rates or service delays as capacity tightens further.
Urgency Creator: The $0.11 spread between posted and paid rates indicates carriers are successfully negotiating premiums. This spread typically widens as the day progresses. Early morning bookings secure better carrier selection and more stable pricing.
Objection Handler: Yes, rates are elevated compared to last week. The market has shifted due to the freeze event and the 15% overnight volume surge. However, this is temporary—we expect normalization by Friday as temperatures rise. The question is whether you can absorb a 2-3 day rate premium to ensure on-time delivery, or if you need to adjust your shipment timing. Either way, we need to decide now.
Flatbed Opportunity Positioning
Opening Script: "We're seeing strong flatbed volume in the Midwest right now—58,000+ loads available—but here's the interesting part: paid rates are actually $0.05 below posted averages. This creates a unique opportunity. If you have industrial or construction freight that isn't time-critical, we can negotiate very competitive rates right now because carriers need to keep equipment moving."
Value Proposition: You get below-market pricing on flatbed freight while carriers maintain utilization. This is a win-win that typically only appears during specific market windows.
Urgency Creator: This pricing advantage is temporary. As the week progresses and capacity tightens in other regions, flatbed carriers will have more leverage. The next 48 hours represent the best buying window.
Objection Handler: The lower rates reflect adequate capacity in the Midwest, not quality concerns. Carriers are accepting loads below posted price to maintain equipment utilization and cash flow. This is normal market behavior during capacity surplus periods. You're getting legitimate pricing advantage, not compromised service.
🔑 Executive Signal Summary
- Carrier leverage spiked overnight on Van/Reefer; Flatbed is a buyer’s market
- Paid > Posted spread: Van +$0.11/mi ($2.30 vs $2.19), Reefer +$0.16/mi ($2.83 vs $2.67), Flatbed -$0.05/mi ($2.29 vs $2.34), Heavy Haul +$0.04/mi
- Southeast freeze is the fulcrum: PFF (Protect From Freeze) is absorbing reefer capacity; dry freight converting to temp-control
- Volume surge is real: Total loads +15% overnight to 145,741; Book-It-Now underperforming where paid > posted
- Recovery clock set: Tight through Wednesday; normalization begins Thursday; secondary surge from backlogged pickups Thursday–Friday
- Compliance risk elevated: FMCSA phishing + safety-audit triggers + non-domiciled CDL rule = enforce strict vetting now
- Diesel steady at $3.63/gal: Fuel not the driver today—raw capacity displacement is
🧭 Today’s Playbook: What To Do First (0–2 hours)
- Call freeze-impacted customers now
- Identify all loads touching GA/FL/AL/SC; classify as freeze-sensitive vs tolerant
- Secure written authorization for PFF upgrades (reefer or heater service) before sourcing
- Re-price all Van/Reefer quotes to paid reality
- Van: price loads off $2.30/mi floor; Reefer: price off $2.83/mi floor, plus PFF
- Move away from posted rates; assume published averages will be ignored
- Flip sourcing sequence in the Southeast
- Lead with carriers advertising PFF/heater capability; call lists first, post second
- Build same-day reefer short-hauls (150–350 mi) to keep assets local to the money
- Tighten carrier vetting immediately
- Enforce call-back verification to MC (Motor Carrier) phone-on-file; add 2FA (two-factor authentication) for new carrier comms; verify CDL class/status for cross-border
- Exploit Flatbed softness in the Midwest
- Aggressively buy Midwest FB loads below posted (paid $2.29 vs posted $2.34); bundle multi-stop or multi-load programs
💵 Pricing & Bidding Guidance (All-In Target Bands)
- Van (Dry)
- Buy targets: Core U.S. 2.20–2.35/mi; SE freeze exposure 2.30–2.55/mi
- Sell targets: Core U.S. 2.45–2.70/mi; SE freeze 2.60–2.95/mi
- Open at paid + $0.05–$0.10/mi on time-sensitive; shorten tender validity to 30–60 minutes
- Reefer (Temp-Control/PFF)
- Buy targets: 2.85–3.10/mi on PFF lanes; 2.65–2.85/mi outside freeze zones
- Sell targets: 3.10–3.40/mi on PFF; 2.95–3.20/mi elsewhere
- PFF surcharge: add $150–$300 flat OR $0.10–$0.20/mi (set expectation this is separate from base)
- Require proof of continuous temp monitoring and fuel level at pickup
- Flatbed
- Buy targets (Midwest): 2.15–2.30/mi; Southeast/NE: 2.25–2.40/mi
- Sell targets: 2.35–2.55/mi (Midwest); 2.45–2.65/mi (SE/NE)
- Use posted>paid spread (−$0.05) as leverage; book 2–3-day coverage blocks with preferred carriers
- Heavy/OD (Over-Dimensional)
- Buy targets: 2.40–2.55/mi linehaul plus permits/escorts
- Sell targets: 2.65–2.95/mi with explicit weather/hold contingencies
- Lock escort availability before confirming pickup; add buffer days on I-80 WY
Notes:
- All-in quoting accelerates acceptance in volatile markets
- FSC (Fuel Surcharge): Keep internal tables pegged to $3.63/gal; carriers won’t move on low FSC but linehaul is the prime driver today
🌎 Regional Game Plans
- Southeast (FL/GA/AL/SC) – Epicenter
- Tactics: Prioritize short-haul reefer PFF loops ATL–SAV–JAX–ATL; pay same-day reload premiums to retain trucks
- Lanes:
- ATL → MIA (Van→Reefer PFF): Treat as reefer today; buy 2.95–3.25, sell 3.25–3.60
- JAX → CLT (Van): Tight; buy 2.45–2.65, sell 2.75–3.05; warn on AM pickup delays/detention
- Backhauls: Miami northbound capacity thin; pre-book MIA→ATL reefer at 3.10–3.40 if possible
- Midwest (IL/IN/OH/MI/WI/MO/IA) – Flatbed Opportunity
- FB programs: Lock 3–5 load mini-awards for steel, lumber, machinery; buy 2.15–2.30, sell 2.40–2.55
- Van stable; harvest displaced trucks Wed–Thu as reefer assets head SE then rebound
- Northeast (PA/NJ/NY/MA/CT) – Secondary Tightness Risk
- Expect spillover Wed–Fri as capacity diverts south; pre-book Wed PM/Thu AM pickups today
- Southwest (TX/AZ/NM)
- Van/FB soft early; tighten Thu–Fri as assets exit; pre-buy for Thu at today’s lower rates
- Pacific Northwest (WA/OR)
- Local flooding detours in Mason County, WA; add 1–2 hour buffers; price short-hauls with accessorials ready
🚨 Risk & Compliance Checklist (Do This Today)
- FMCSA phishing defense
- Verify all bank info changes via independent call-back; no links in emails; enable 2FA/MFA for carrier document exchange
- Safety audits
- Avoid MCs with recent BASIC (Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories) spikes/complaints; document SMS (Safety Measurement System) checks in the load file
- Non-domiciled CDL rule
- For cross-border lanes, pre-verify driver status; quote with a 3–5% premium; extend lead time 24 hours
- Weather
- I-80 WY high-wind risk: restrict light or high-profile loads; add layover language and stop-work clauses
- Freeze claims: mandate PFF on any liquid/food/beverage/chemicals; require reefer set-point on BOL and temp strip photo at each stop
📞 Customer Messaging That Works
- For PFF upgrades: “To eliminate freeze-claim exposure, we’ll shift to temperature-control with continuous monitoring. Today’s market is paying 2.85–3.10/mi plus a PFF charge; we can secure coverage now and prevent multi‑day delays and five-figure claims.”
- For Van tightness in SE: “Paid rates are running $0.11/mi above posted. Early tender acceptance secures better carriers; waiting pushes you into later-day premiums.”
- For Flatbed savings: “Paid is running below posted in the Midwest. If we bundle pickups or allow flexible windows, we can secure below-market pricing and hold it through Friday.”
Define acronyms where used:
- PFF (Protect From Freeze), MC (Motor Carrier), BOL (Bill of Lading), BASIC/SMS (FMCSA safety metrics)
🧩 Carrier Sourcing Tactics
- Reefer/PFF: Call carriers advertising fuel-powered units and ask for heater verification, continuous temp logging, and fuel levels; prioritize those with past PFF references
- Van→Heater conversions: Some dry-van fleets carry heater kits; confirm usage SOP and liability coverage in writing
- Flatbed: Target carriers idling in IL/IN/OH/IA with last 7-day deadhead >120 mi; they’ll accept below posted to keep utilization up
- Time-of-day advantage: Book critical SE loads by mid-morning; spreads widen after lunch as quality capacity vanishes
📦 Load Selection: What To Take vs. Pass
- Take: Short-haul PFF with strict pickup windows, multi-stop FB programs with flexible hours, high-service Van with named receivers
- Pass/Price High: Long-haul reefer into South Florida without booked northbound, light/high-profile on I-80 WY, shippers refusing PFF on freeze-sensitive SKUs
📈 KPI Targets & Execution Cadence
- Morning (0–2h): Convert 70% of SE freeze-sensitive freight to PFF; hit 60% same-day tender acceptance
- Midday (2–6h): Lock 2–3 Midwest FB carrier blocks; achieve buy below posted on at least 60% FB tenders
- Afternoon (6–9h): Pre-book Thu pickups in NE/SW; 50% of Thu freight covered today
- Scorecard: Gross margin 12–16% (Van), 14–18% (Reefer PFF), 10–14% (FB), on-time PU/DEL >95%, zero temperature claims
🔭 48–72 Hour Outlook (Position Now)
- Wednesday: SE still tight AM; rain in GA with lingering freeze risk overnight; maintain PFF; continue short-haul concentration
- Thursday: Freeze risk ends; expect a surge of delayed pickups; pre-book today for Thu–Fri to catch volume without peak surcharges
- Friday: Reefer normalizes toward posted; Van eases; Flatbed stays stable; reposition reefer assets out of FL/GA with paid northbound or dedicated loops
- Watchlist: If FL crop damage is severe, expect a 1–2 week downtick in outbound produce demand; redeploy reefer toward TX/AZ/Yuma early-season produce
🧠 Pro Tips From 25 Years in the Chair
- Price behavior beats price history: In fast-tightening pockets, yesterday’s averages mislead; pay the real number quickly to keep service and margins
- Win on speed, not pennies: In a PFF market, the fastest compliant tender wins. Build checklists to cut 10 minutes off vetting without cutting corners
- Create triangles, not lines: ATL→JAX→SAV→ATL short-haul triangles beat single long-hauls when risk and detention are elevated
✅ Quick Checklist Before You Book
- PFF authorized in writing and on the rate con
- Reefer set-point and continuous monitoring agreed; photos at shipper/receiver
- Carrier safety and identity verified via call-back and 2FA
- Weather clauses and layover terms in accessorials
- Booked backhaul or planned short-haul loop for FL/GA reefers
📅 This Day in History
1931: The Hawke's Bay earthquake, New Zealand's worst natural disaster, kills 258.
1961: The United States Air Force begins Operation Looking Glass, and over the next 30 years, a "Doomsday Plane" is always in the air, with the capability of taking direct control of the United States' bombers and missiles in the event of the destruction of the SAC's command post.
1995: Astronaut Eileen Collins becomes the first woman to pilot the Space Shuttle as mission STS-63 gets underway from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
💭 Quote of the Day
"Wake up and smile! Wake up and be grateful!"
— Steve Harvey
