Thoughts on over saturated market?

Hi all,
This is my first time posting in this section of the forum but find this segment of the trucking industry very interesting. Currently I drive OTR for TMC Transportation and have had a CDL A since 1997 although I have not used it for that entire time.
I have seen a TON of hot shot trucks on the highways this last few months up here in the NE where I do most of my traveling. I see many in the Carolinas as well but not to such a degree. These are mostly DRW's hauling a wedge with 2-3 cars.
Does anyone think that the slow down in freight and lowering of pricing is due to market over saturation or due to a larger economic slow down? I mean I see a LOT of hot shots out there these days.
Might be interested in doing something like this but probably with a 40' low profile flat that I can haul a cars or freight on rathe than a wedge.
Great information in this forum, thanks to all the experienced people who freely contribute their knowledge.

 

While I agree with what you are saying and the reasoning behind it, I tend to wonder if just those reasons should not be feeding the hotshot market rather than hindering it.
I know that with TMC, the level of multiple stop loads are rising and recently we had a driver with a 5 stop load. This is not real common with flatbedding for a major. If the economy is getting bad we should be seeing the shippers looking more towards the smaller, less costly shippers to get the loads delivered. The consignee in this market will be ordering smaller quantities and trying to keep down their taxable inventory down.
The hotshot market, if priced and marketed correctly, should be gaining or maintaining in this type of market.