mercer transportation

i will say though i have a friend with them and i have been secretly watching and asking questions for the last year or so and they seem to be very laid back. he says he has never been pressured to take a load. the load comes up and they have to.ask if you want it even if they know better but nothing is ever said after NO

 

I was going to park my flatbed and try out the van division first to get around some of these issues but then I remembered that my fifth wheel will put me over height with a van because I used to pull tankers. I realize that this can be changed but on my truck I'm probably looking at over $1000.00 to get it done.

 

everything i have ever heard is to stay far away from the van division.

i was trying to get on hauling oversize at daily. they said they would take me with no experience in flats because i have 20 yrs exp with no accidents or tickets. however in the end they said my last two leases which were 1.5yr ea were too short, i have a 21 yr old dui and my trk has no slider on the fifth wheel. so it was no unless i get a year of recent flat exp.

 

I submitted my paperwork also, keep me posted with your experiences please. I'm still not sure so I decided to dip one toe in and see.

 

How well do the guys pulling Conestoga's do?

Also, what's the story with all the custom bunk trucks? I know, I know many of them are "ex military" and have a "pension" from another job. Really??? I'll buy those 2 reasons up to a point. There has to be more to it though.......

Speaking of the big bunk trucks, what weight requirements does Mercer put on new hires?

 

I was wondering about the weight limit also.
They say on their website that you have to be able to scale 45000 lbs but the big shacks with stepdecks likely can't do more than 42,000-43,000 I would guess and this is why I am wondering if all of these rules are really enforced or just for show during orientation.

 

Sounds a lot like me. Do not take a load for me unless you ask me first. while it is my truck/trailer & I pay all my expenses not you, I'll decide if it is a good rate & if I will take it. if I wanted to haul what, where & when someone else decided, I would be a co driver. if I say yes to any load, I will pick up & deliver no matter what, but may not take the same load again ever. yes I am picky. but I am very clear about that upfront. I will run my butt off for you & me, I will take some good with the bad, but I still will not be forced dispatch.

 

at most companies the big bunk buys are usually military arms and stuff like that which requires teams and one person on the truck at all times. not sure how much of that mercer does.

at least thats how landstar was

 

I beleive the weight requirements and equipment requirement is only for orination and not even checked there. I beleive it's because Mercer doesn't want anyone complaining when you go to a bad area and have to set or deadhead out because of weight or lack of equipment.
I have a large sleeper, but just avoid bad areas unless it pays good enough to dead head out. I set last month in Elpaso for a week because of my weight but also didn't complain to Mercer.
I'm very happy here but also don't run hard either. I do carry tarps, not because I haveto but Mercer has paid for them on a few very high dollar loads. Mercer has some loads that pay 3-4 dollars a mile because of the tarps. If I'm getting an extra 600 to tarp, I'll carry the tarp and use it once it a great while when I get paid great for it.

 

You bring up another good point.....bad areas! Currently I have a west coast gig. I've even hauled a brokered Mercer load out of L.A. recently. In fact the agent called me on Monday with the same load again. That being said does the west coast freight pay that good? I mean, really....stop off at any truck stop up and down the 5, 15 and/or 25 corridor empty Mercer trucks are everywhere!! Of course, that is subject to the time of the year as well. I believe one can lease on and not even license for the western half of the U.S. I often wonder what the average wait time out west is for a reload.

Also, what about the Conestoga's? I see them at Mercer. I even see them out west on occasion.

Does Mercer release what there turn over rate is?