mercer transportation

I run a 1994 model tractor and it is exempt from all the carb compliance issues and retro fits. I can go anywhere in that state except the ports in Long Beach and Oakland,which works out fine for me because I do not to go into the ports anyways.I called Len when we got the message about regestering out 1996 and newer trucks and asked him what about mine. He said can't bother you,you are exempt.So instead of getting newer trucks maybe the thinking should be to get older trucks. I like mercer did really well with them but I left 11 month ago because i did not feel like working this year.They may be starting to think like a lot of outfits do. "Keep those owner operators broke and hungry (in debt) and they will do what we want or what we tell them to do." I may be wrong but it is starting to look that way.

 

I have a 1998, and still have a year to operate. I think it's crazy that the older trucks, any without electronic engines, get a pass on this and can operate for a couple more years. I really can't figure out what kind of sense that makes, in the scheme of fuel efficiency and emissions. I'm not saying I agree with any of this CARB and EPA crap, but trying to find how within their description of the purpose of these "regulations" such a decision makes any sense. Makes me wish I had not "upgraded" my truck and kept my 94 too. Who could have anticipated any of this back then?

As far as any of these rules though, they have been in the works for many many years, they are not something new. Drivers tend to be in a state of denial that these rules will come about, and then act as if they appeared overnight. If anyone is paying attention, what rules are coming into effect in the near future are nothing compared to what is being proposed and having pilot projects currently run. Hate EOBR's, well we know they will be here soon enough. Now how about video monitoring of the driver, tied into a computer that will determine if you are too fatigued to drive? How many drivers will leave because they don't want to be recorded every second they are behind the wheel, knowing that every lawyer will be looking to get hold of those recordings in the event of even the slightest mishap?

And how ignorant is the public of all of this? Well, long time friends of mine, like 40 years, just last week realized, get this .... I sleep in my truck ... and they are RV'ers that travel all over. I asked them what they thought all those trucks were doing parked in rest areas and truck stops at night. Oh, that's where they park before they catch a cab to the nearest motel! These are not unintelligent or uneducated people. They just have absolutely no idea how anything in our profession works. When they hear on the news that FMCSA or whoever is coming out with new hours of service they flat out believe what they are hearing, that it is really about highway safety and all that bunk. The public will never be behind us because they are clueless, and we are the only ones that could educate them but we don't, and never will, have the resources to teach them.

As I've said before, the only constant is change, there will always be those who can adapt to it and find a way to be profitable. Those who want to live in the past will be doomed to failure, or at least reduced profitability. Trucking will not go away anytime soon, there will be a way to make money.

 

Here's a strategy for adapting my business plan to running fewer logbook hours while avoiding CARB equipment upgrades which current rates won't cover.

I'll stay east of the Mississippi River, drive 55mph for best fuel mileage, and filter load searchs to a min. of $2/mi. and $800 gross to the truck per day. I'll run Southeast region and up into OH, IN, and IL; avoiding south FL and mid-Atlantic and New England. I'll strive to get home on weekends as often as possible without incurring much deadhead. As long as this is doable at Mercer, and no better opportunity arises in my area; I'll stay leased on. Well see how long this plan works before I am forced to pull my lease.

 

Where is the rest of you Mecer drivers this week? How many running vs. setting at home?
Myself I take 3-4 weeks off for the holidays. Gives me a chance to refine all the little problems with my truck.

 

Actually, you are NOT exempt. Your truck will be required to update to a filter and ALL 2010 emission standards by Jan 1st. 2015

Here's the link to CARB and the info is on page 16 for you to see. Hope this helps ya out

http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/onrdiesel/documents/TBFinalReg.pdf

 

I was going by what Len Dunham Mercers safety guru told me.It really does not matter to me if I go to California or not,most of the loads I took out there were because I wanted to get away from the house anyway.Never had any trouble out there but they did keep me worried.Never was inspected or checked out there which I am thankful for.Thanks for your input I could not get the site to open for me. Your with Landstar I think aren't you?. Landstar should be on top of things. My boy is doing well with pape I thought about going there also but I do not want to pull any work away from the boy. Plus I am not sure if Lours would hire me or not,as I get kinda pig headed at times I have never been fired I would hate to have that happen this late in the game. Take care.

 

Yes I am with Landstar. My truck is a 2004 with a '03 engine so I had to register with CARB which extended my ability to run in California till January of 2014. After that, I guess I won't be going there anymore.

As for Pape, they have plenty of freight so I'm sure you won't be pulling freight away from him.

 

i am at home. i would be gone by now but i got very sick christmass eve and is just now clearing up. i managed to get a red river load monday to MI. and trying to get a reload to louisville area. need to get a windshield replaced.

 

after some rather hard talks with the wife this week i have made a very tough decision that i have been putting off making for a few years now. i decided to sell out and get out of trucking. i just posted my trk for sale in the classifieds and will put it on truck paper soon.

just so everyone knows this has nothing to do with mercer, i love it here, it has everything to do.with doing whats right by my family and just overall being burned out after 20yrs trucking.

 

good luck to you buddy hope it all works out for you.