The State of Trucking: What Every Shipper Needs to Know

The trucking industry has changed dramatically since deregulation in the 1980s — and most shippers haven't kept up. Understanding how the shipper-broker-carrier relationship actually works today could save you money, headaches, and lost freight.

Brokers: Not What They Used to Be

Brokers were originally middlemen — finding trucks for shippers and loads for carriers in exchange for a modest finder's fee. Today, many operate more like commodity traders, buying capacity at the lowest bid and selling it at the highest offer. That margin comes out of your pocket.

The Case for Going Directly with Carriers

Think of a common carrier less like a vendor and more like a staffing agency. They may serve multiple clients at once, dispatching drivers on assignments as needed. Before deregulation, common carriers were required to accept shipments and charge consistent rates. Today, building a direct relationship with a reliable carrier can give you that same predictability — on your terms.

Your Options as a Shipper

You have more flexibility than you might think:

• Run your own fleet — full control, but high overhead

• Lease trucks and drivers — a middle ground some larger shippers use

• Hire for-hire carriers directly — treating them as an extension of your own operations

• Use a broker — convenient, but often the most expensive path

Before deciding, identify what you actually need: box truck or semi, liftgate, flatbed, reefer? How often? Once you know that, you can vet carriers, request proposals, and compare bids.

A Smarter Starting Point

If you're concerned about cargo theft, freight damage, or inconsistent service, consider joining Freight Commerce Exchange — basic membership is free. The platform gives you access to a load board for posting loads and requesting bids, an equipment board to find available trucks, and a carrier directory with vetted profiles and consumer ratings. Upgraded memberships also let you post job openings directly to logistics professional: Traffic manager, warehouse staff, office staff…etc.

Created by Asset Labor Service