Load Boards 2024

I cancelled my load link maybe 6 months ago. As a 1 truck operation while yes, you can get good leads off it, it was very useful in the beginning, it eventually turned into I almost never used it anymore. I had built a core network of customers/brokers I'd call instead of posting myself on the board. However yes I built that largely from using load link.

As far as how much work is on it, it's always just a reflection of the state of the industry at any time. Now, more trucks than loads, not much good if anything is posted. In times of plenty, you post up and your phone immediately rings off the hook. There is ltl on it, but not specifically 1-2 pallets, it's really a mix of everything. Right now I'm sure you would get "this is the rate yes or no?" Or "already covered." Assuming you have the fastest finger to call on a posting.

They changed the interface maybe 2 years ago now. I found it to be far inferior to the prior, simple, data was more easily entered and found, it was not flashy, and it worked great. Now it's "new and improved." Well it sure is new, but it isn't improved by any means. Unless you have a computer screen that's one of those super wide ones, you can't access all information without scrolling. Not good for laptop. It is also patently obvious it was not designed or looked over by anyone with english as their first language.

Worth it for a new company? Yes, the expense is worth it if you don't have any connections. Worth it for independent with connections? Not really. Worth it if you have multiple trucks you are dispatching? Absolutely.

As for jumping back in, I would say if you are looking to buy equipment and have the cash, you can get some great deals right now. However operating for a profit? Good luck, even more so as the new guy on the block. Right now everyone will say hold your money things are terrible. But that's also like saying sure buy in now it's $10 a mile in every direction who cares if a freightliner is $350,000? The reality is we are likely at or near the bottom, the down swing of the market started somewhere around March 2022, and it won't last forever. Companies can only operate for so long in the red before they grind to a halt. Then capacity shrinks a bit and price goes up a bit. It's just a cycle we've seen many times before, this is just exaggerated largely due to covid and 10+ years of basicly free money.

 

It was similar to what you were paying. I also had the cell phone version which was decent, for an extra 50/mo. I never tried other boards, believed most if not all others were primarily focused on the American market.

I did have a few friends who were also independent like me who I'd search sometimes for them as well. You can't share login info though, the system knows which devices login and will lock out others. Found this out I have a desktop at home I would use and laptop on the road.