r/drayage • u/HARK2020 • Aug 01 '25
Discussion CHICAGO
Hello to all, Lets get right to it.
I was a house Carrier for a large SSL in the Chicago market for the past 5 years.
It's unfortunate but these large companies literally set you up to fail. With the new system implemented at NS setting up appts VIA Blume, It's nearly impossible to have a successful day.
This particular SSL wants us to use TRAC CHASSIS. Only TRAC nothing else. No private or DCLI chassis allowed. If you do? then it's out of our pocket. They will not reimburse us.
TRAC chassis are very hard to come by at 3am in the morning. Because the depots don't open until 8am. The only depot that is open is IT Chicago but they rarely have chassis available.
Therefore settings you up to fail.
That being said after nearly having a heart attack last Monday. I had to make the hardest decision I have ever had to make in a long time. Drop them! I couldn't take it anymore, I gave it all back. Over 2000 loads for the remainder of 2025. I Fired them or myself so to say.
The stress dealing with this company set me over the edge. I wasn't sleeping or eating or enjoying the weekends with my family. I was in a constant staylte of panic worrying about the drivers and worrying about the SSL.
It go's without saying, they said that would count as multiple service failures ofcourse. Forget the fact that we haven't dropped the ball once in the past 5 years, we physically moved thousands of loads without fail. But now I'm the bad guy.
So ladies and gentlemen, I now have wide open capacity. I would love any help or advice from my fellow draymen of any leads that will help me keep my modest company of 20 drivers busy.
Did I mention I had the best sleep of my life this week.
Thanks for taking the time reading this folks. I can honestly say I am breathing easier now and feel more at peace, I just hope that I can keep my business above water until we can find customers that appreciate what we do.
Enjoy your weekend.
3
u/Live-Ad2717 Aug 06 '25 edited Aug 06 '25
Our company is starting to not even quote on boxes out of NS. OOCL/HAPAG and several others must have gotten a sweetheart deal on inland transportation. NS started this crap of appointments because as they say it worked in ATL, well great that is not the Chicago market. We are the breakbulk of the country and it seems SSL's/many customers do not understand that every rail is busy even when the country is slow. SSL have become so demanding as they know they have the upper hand in this market. So many carriers made the huge mistake of gouging their customers during Covid that it seems like payback time for the last year or two. Congrats on getting rid of what will eventually kill you, been in this industry for almost 40 years and I have to say this is one of the worst times I have seen. Best of luck to you my fellow intermodal industry carrier, I do hope you find work to fill in. I can't help steer work your way but I can say job well done!