MY EXPERIENCE AS A Mercer FLATBED DRIVER

Yeah, either that or one of the many "cheerleaders" who is in denial about errors in their judgement, or who have created a fantasy for themselves that is sensitive to criticism.

 

I agree with you completely. Right now he doesn't get in my way. I think my personality is far more aggressive than his plus, I'm originally from Metro NY which I find as a barrier to begin with. I don't get much cooperation from some peeps once they hear my accent. I have been trucking for a short while now and I've learned to ignore that nonsense. So when he didn't agree with me it didn't phase me. Plus I could've shown him a couple reasons why his reasoning doesn't fit that scenario but, I felt I had more important things to conquer that day. When it comes to planning loads though. He doesn't waste my time and he is normally right. Planning loads is new to me. Even though I was an owner op before mercer, I was spoon fed my loads so I lack that experience. I'm learning quick though. I'm bringing my other truck and driver over in April and only good things can happen from there.

On another note.. I only talk about what I know which isn't much around here. You Mercer drivers (I call veterans) intimidate me with your experience. I keep my mouth shut in Louisville because I learn so much from just listening. However, I'm not afraid to put myself out there. So it really isn't ####iness you may sense from my posts. I'm fearless and hungry to meet my goals and eager to help.

 

I have the right way guage like Mercer resells. Works great and was an easy install.
If loads not being correct on weight is the only problem you have, you must be doing well here.
I've not run into a excessive heavy load not being real close to stated weight, always less when really heavy.

 

I'm pretty strong on the feeling that if a shipper sells himself short by over estimating the weight on a load then shame on him. For me and I'm sure for most if not everyone here, weight plays a big factor on picking a load along with the terrain distance pay etc. But to think that I owe someone because most of my loads are lighter than they say. Which is the way my coordinator thinks. pfff! I depend on the weight being close so I can make the best decision possible with what information I'm given. The other extreme to me is why even bother putting a weight if the shipper can put what ever they want on the truck?

Now I'm not complaining. The shipper I posted about was good people in the sense that they did a lot of the hard work. And 14.8k isn't a big deal to me at all. It was the point. It only raised the question That's all. Because whats to stop them from booking 5k loads and it being 42k when we get there?

I'll share another one. After that happened to me . I went to pick up my load from PA to NC my last load of the year to go home. I posted before I picked it up because I already bought the fuel I needed and 10,000lbs piece of cake right? When I got there it was 35k and I couldn't deliver the same day anymore in fact 27hrs later was the earliest on 480 miles. Now that's a huge difference and it only paid 1.67 a mile. Cheap freight in my mind. Because I knew I had a right to refuse which wasn't my intention because I didn't want to DH home. I called the agent before I bumped the dock. I got .20 cents more a mile for it. Where I used to be leased on to I was powerless. So it was good news to me that I can refuse a load if it's not what it's supposed to be.

To be fair both agents had no idea and I believe them. One offered to send me the email they got from the shipper.

 

hey skateboard man whats your idea of getting off the east coast lancaster,pa to washington, dc or fairless hills pa to pittsburg because thats all im seeing on thier board unless of course you want to deadhead 250 miles to get loaded, sorry man not my idea of making money when you got to operate like that oh wait a minute delaware to vermont ya theres a good one go up there and deadhead back to pa yup makin a killin there! and as far as learning the system what system is that the no freight worth talkin about system and as far as being picky not at all tarps, snow, cold weather dont bother me none. if your doing good here good for you im not lookin to start an argument but all im sayin is im yet to be impressed with the opprotunity to make money here for a flatbed

 

question pre planed on a load 2 tanks 53 long how much overhang can i have and do i need flags and such on 48 flat ?

 

I believe 4ft over the rear is legal limit. Yes you need to flag rear.

 

A few states ARk, MO., and Ohio, you can't have any overhang on a 53' trailer without a permit. Might pertain to certain kinds of freight like pipe, I know of. I have gotten check in Ark. for this, thankfully I have a 48' trailer.

 

this is 53' on 48' mo. to ia.didn't know for sure about it