Pricing Down Profits.(USA Truck Inc.)

BYLINE: John Gallagher

There are times when it''s good to be a shipper, and this is one of them. One of the most competitive freight environments to hit the industry in years is forcing truckers to lower prices as they scour loading docks for freight to fill empty trailers.

"The current freight environment continues as one of the most challenging we have ever seen," said USA Truck President and CEO Cliff Beckham.

Excess capacity and lower shipping volumes are squeezing profits out of carriers, as shippers use negotiating leverage to not only drive down rates but to reduce fuel surcharges.

"In addition to pressuring freight rates, shippers continued to impose more restrictive fuel surcharge programs" in the …