Long time listener, 1st time caller ... well folks, I agree as a carrier, the key to success and stress level is staying connected with direct customers who won't offer things like $1600.00 to Dallas ($1600.00 / 1425 miles = $1.12 / mile) losing at least 50 cents a mile to do this run.... why anybody say yes to this is beyond me, I guess they haven't figured out that sometimes parking a truck for a week is better than moving and losing money every mile you run. That being said, these same guys know they have a $4000.00 bill coming to them at the end of the month for their unit and figure they need to put miles on (Even if they haven't figured they are losing money doing it). On the other hand ... I still can't get the fact some brokers wake up every day and have to look at themselves in the mirror. If you haven't figured out that offering $1.12 / Mile to run a load down to Texas is insulting, than you do not belong in our business. It would be like you breaking down in the middle of nowhere and having the only towing company charge you $1000.00 for a tire,, having the local restaurant charge you $200.00 for a burger and the local Motel Owner ask you to to pay $1500.00 for a room to stay in their motel. ... Yep, my example may sound exaggerated, but heck ... if they are stuck and willing to pay ... why not! At the end of the day ... being a Freight Broker isn't easy, trying to please customers and yet having a good connection with carriers, all we ask is to be fair and have some respect, the same can be said for some carriers ... not all carriers were very good to brokers last year, I believe in long term relationships, working all together to get things done.