Surging Volume, Tight Capacity Pushed Carrier Profits

urging freight volumes and tight transport capacity pushed trucking profits sharply higher in 2004, even as carriers struggled with pay increases needed to cope with driver recruitment and retention, skyrocketing fuel prices and changing driver hours-of-service regulations.

Truckload carriers began the year concerned that changes to federal driver HOS rules would decrease tractor use, diminish productivity and create a need to buy more trailers.

However, those concerns were short-lived as carriers levied detention fees against shippers for delaying trucks and drivers at loading docks. As a result, shippers managed trailer loading and unloading more efficiently.

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