I have a friend who has probably over a hundred tractor trailers, pays his guys well and they are making good money.
I think the issue is that independents are considered more risky and perhaps less reliable than those large enough to own at least a modest fleet of vehicles.
As far as the cost of fuel, that gets past on to the customer down the line one way or another.
The big guys buy fuel at a cut rate - but their drivers are still hurting. And the big guys are feeling the pinch too - one of the biggest just passed down orders for all drivers to cut speed quite drastically to save on fuel - which they will. But then, they get paid by the mile, so, lower speeds, fewer miles. Catch-22.
I think the issue is that independents are considered more risky and perhaps less reliable than those large enough to own at least a modest fleet of vehicles.
HOGWASH
As far as the cost of fuel, that gets past on to the customer down the line one way or another.
Like I said, the big guys get a cut rate - (but their drivers are still hurting bad) - the shipper will pay where he can get the best deal - that makes it hard on the Independents. It isn't because they 'more risky' - if anything, it's often the other way around. It takes a lot more these days to get to the point where you have your own truck and run your own business.
geeeze