Fuel Surcharges

This is a HOT topic, especially if you are an Owner Operator. Fuel Surcharges are for offsetting the high and exceedingly variable cost of fuel against the rate of freight which holds somewhat steady. Last summer when fuel skyrocketted it cost upwards of $800 to fill a truck one time. Who should get the fuel surcharge? The person or company who actually pays for the fuel, that is why it is charged and that is who should get it. Unfortunately greedy brokers and trucking companies alot of the time keep it for themselves. I will not go so far as to say that ALL brokers do this, but there are enough to make this an issue. I think the best way to handle these brokers is to not haul their freight at all, but I am a realist enough to know when you have a truck and freight is tight, the truck payment is due, the family is hungry, you gotta keep em rolling.

The 110th Congress

A bill introduced May 6 2008 by Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-OR, and co-sponsored by Rep. Thomas Petri, R-WI, and