Mercer orientation

Okay thank you very much. I had a dedicated run with LS so I never got to look at the load board. As far as NYC not for me. I would be happy with $3000 or so to the truck weekly. I'm retired with a pension so this is basically mad money. Don't get me wrong I'm still hungry, but don't need it to keep the lights on. LS cancelled my lease due to me having a knee replacement. I'm good to go now and was looking. I was just approached by UPS freight also, but I still own a truck. I enjoy the road but not 2-3 weeks, I'm fine with 5-6 days.

 

I'm not sure why he told you 2 weeks out but you work how you want to. If you live NE you can pretty much make good gross rev staying up there with all the short stuff. Tolls will be your only issues other than fuel. I've gotten some of my best rates running NE. Last time I said I was going to or through NY the VA agent had a load for me I couldn't refuse going to Long Island City paying 4.02 per mile on 373 miles.

 

Vince put my first set of Mercer signs on in Jan. 1989. We were both young men back then.

Vince has put a lot of signs on over the years. He does great work.

 

Just curious, do you get a surcharge for going to NYC area or Long Island?

 

Indirectly. Loads going there usually pay a bit more than say elizabeth nj. This is bigboy trucking. The load either pays good enough that you want to run it. Or it doesn't and you get something else. We don't bother with all those insulting so called bonuses a lot of companies use to make you think you are getting a good deal while they screw you paying 1.30 a mile.

 

3k is doable. In fact you shouldn't have a prob grossing 2.5-4 a week home most weekends. I only say most because we all get bit by that great paying load that takes you out over a weekend. But nothing says you can't be home every night. We don't have anyone telling us when or how to work. It's all on you.

 

Just like Spyder said the surcharge for tolls or the "NYC PAY" that companies speak of does affect me. Gross revenue to the truck is all I look at. That particular load paid more than enough for me to head onto the island. And I got lucky with a load 50 miles away in Jersey going to upstate NY which took me to another load that got me to Indiana which I had a load setup the week before from Indiana going home.

 

Is this on van or flatbed? I have done flatbed for a few years, I recently had a total knee replacement and really don't want to climb around on top of the loads. I rather run van. Like I said I was with Land Star and boy do they nickle and dime you for everything, tired of that. Several years ago I pulled cans out of Jersey, money was great clearing 3500 to the truck after fuel etc... just couldn't put up with the pier idiots and wait times that you didn't get paid for. The other thing is the trailer, I realize it's a good price at 575 a month but who the hell wants to own their own trailer, or is that the best way to go.

Strongly considering on signing on, just on issue which they shouldn't request.....they want a medical clearance stating I can return to work from knee surgery, now normally I wouldn't have a issue with that, but I never worked for Mercer and they actually have no right requesting that, I have a 2 year medical card and that's all they should need.

 

If it's your first job after knee surgery most companies will want a work release

 

Any one worth working for is going to want a release or ok to return to work statement from the surgeon. They have every right to request that. It's about protecting their assets. We live in a society where everyone wants to sue and will use everything to get a big settlement, and they don't care if it applies or not.

As for van or flat...it is much harder to make good money with a van. Get a flat and don't take 8 ft tarp loads that require you to get up on the load.

 

I am going to give. Honest opinion here. You may not be a good fit here. They make a reasonable request and your mad already. Save yourself and go another route