Mercer

I gave up my authority and came here, and have met quite a few drivers who have done the same. Remember, one truck or ten thousands, you have the same paperwork requirements, insurance, drug testing and drug policies, security policies, and much increased scrutiny as a small operator. The cost of insurance alone is not worth it, and no way I could haul hazmat, the requirements and insurance are prohibitive.

Anyone wanting steady work for awhile should have taken one of the UPS contracts. Each segment of trucking has its own seasonal cycles, and we typically are entering a slow period for a month or three.

 

Flightline ...

throwing tarps is fun ... especially when you throw them off the truck and don't put them back on

 

I don't care what I pull behind me. To me: it is not the size,type of the load that matters, it's how much money you make at the end of the year. In other words, I'd rather make more money than be proud. I leave the house for weeks, this time months, to make a living for my family. I do not plan to be proud while my wife is at home, sick. I don't care if you are the shiniest truck on the road. I do care if I can make more net money for the same amount of time it makes me to make less money. Like I've said before, if you can prove to me that less than $2pm is more profitable with the trailer vs $1.65-$1.75 power only.- I'd believe you.

 

$2 mile freight is on the board all day everyday, even friday night left overs there is still that kind of freight.

 

I know about the slow season.
I'm going home for the Christmas and not planning to come out until march. To me: I need to be home after the Christmas for 2 months.
I'm even looking into the container work. Don't know much about it, yet. However, if the net income is greater for me, I'd take that too.
See, I'm very simple, I don't care about the gross income, I care about the NET income.

 

I guess what it comes down to is Mercer is not a company that is going to hold anybody's hand. You are left alone to do as you please when you please. You have to have a good business sense to make the most out of it. The way they do it around here is not for everybody. Like I said, no hand holding here.

 

I'm not knocking anybody or anyone. If I'll tell you the lilacs that I've ran, not as a team, your lower jaw will drop or be closed to dropping. Mercer is ok for some folks. I'm looking for the higher pay per mile. Not higher gross, I need higher net per mile.

 

Miles not lilacs

 

I came from Europe and may be I'm thinking wrong, correct me please. If you gross around $200k and keep, after ALL expenses $95k. Or gross
$120k and NET $65k-$75k, and be home more often. - I'll take $65-$75k. I don't need to drive the flashy truck. I need to provide as much as possible in the shortest amount of time for my family. When it's all said and done, HOME is what matters , NOT the road - To ME.

 

Everyone has their own desires. Mine just isn't about the money or a flashly truck. But enjoying what I do and doing it when I want to. Like I don't run the east coast.
I used to run hard. Now it's more play than work. My kids are grown and moved out so now is time to enjoy life.
Magum1, sorry to hear your wife is sick.