Musings and More from Sommelier Logistics

Our Adventures Number 1 Part 2 What can you say about a pickup truck?             “If it ain’t covered in mud, It ain’t a real truck.”           “True love is when a girl loves a guy as much as her truck.”               “If you think this truck’s smokin’, you should see the driver!”           “Some of us grew up playing with tractors and trucks. The lucky ones still do.” I’m not sure that Les and I can ever say any of these things about our little truck.   Our little truck is a 1996 Dodge Dakota with a coat of red paint that has seen far better days.  She is a sturdy truck that is easy to maintain mechanically since it doesn't have all of the bells and whistles a newer truck would have.  But with her age, there are many things that are not pretty about her and that could fall apart at any given time.  Her interior is not very attractive.  The under dash has fallen apart.  The dash itself is peeling as are the door panels.  But lately, the biggest concern has been the oil li

Our Adventures Number 1 Part 1 While visiting Les this past weekend, we were met with a series of 'adventures' as we call them, and Les mentioned that maybe we should start documenting our 'adventures'.  So, here we are, or so, here I am documenting our eventful weekend together.   Anyone familiar with our story is aware of our living arrangements.  Les is on the road around 330 days a year living his long-haul trucker dream.  That leaves 35 days more or less that he's at home or off the road in an official capacity.  We balance the 2 days a month with planned and impromptu visits throughout the state of Texas while he is technically still on the road.  Les is working on a dedicated project, and he spends the unloaded hours away from home at our property in Hico. Planning our weekend together started like it normally does.  We frequently talk throughout our days apart and discuss what activities we each do or have in the works.  We often talk finances, politics,

One would have to live in a coma to not feel the impact that the rise in fuel costs is having on the worldwide economy.  Let’s delve into how freight rates are calculated and why they are spiraling. v   One important fact about freight that needs to be understood is that freight is a commodity.   It is supply versus demand, pure and simple.   The rates charged to a customer have specific inputs, such as insurance, overhead, equipment (tractor and trailer expenses), maintenance, and fuel.   But, by and large, the indicator that determines the final rate charged to the customer is how much that customer will pay to have their freight moved. v   Fuel prices – anyone filling up at the pump is keenly aware of the impact that the increase is having.   o    What is your average fuel economy?   Do you get at least 35 mpg, better or worse?   Do you understand that semi-tractors get between 5 and 10 mpg, depending on their age, the weight they carry and other fuel efficiency capabilities?