mercer transportation

Yep, but look at how much of the riff raff that keeps out.

 

I ran a Qualcomm EOBR for a year at Miller Transporters and for the most part didn't hate it as much as I thought I would. The two main problems I had were that some terminals refused to adjust schedules on runs they had been doing for years and instead wanted you to make up for any delays by driving practically non stop and the other was that pulling tankers you have to unload by appointment all the time and never know how long it will take and could go over your 14 hr limit and not be allowed to stay at the chemical plant for your break. On a long haul application I don't think it would be as big of a deal. Having said that I didn't raise my hand last week in orientation to volunteer to be a test truck...lol. I'll continue to use DDL on my laptop as long as I can.

 

Bayou step away from the kool-aid

 

It wouldn't be a problem if if he'd stop mixing it with Everclear

 

Flightline, I sold my last truck in '04. I'm just stating that all the carriers that are paying on a per mile basis are paying less that I was paid per mile 13 years ago. Yet, everything has gone up in that time. Yes I had a high idle time, but I also still had good fuel mileage despite this. I believe if I'm away from home to earn a living I'm going to be comfortable. The difference is I could afford to idle and still make money then. Fuel is very high and the rates have not increased enough to be able to do that now.

The point is that freight rates have not increased, and actually have gone down in many cases. O/Os are having to squeeze every tenth of mpg out of their truck to make it. The fuel surcharge is being used as a rate increase more than what it is supposed to be, which is an adjustment to cover fuel. I'm only stating that rates should be going up along with fuel. Read all the mid-sized and mege carriers ads and see what their paying per mile, then compare that to 10-15 years ago. It's the same of less, but that new truck sure has gone up in price about $30,000. That is why so many people have to stay out weeks at a time and run as hard as they can.

The same with company driver pay. Look at the companies that pay .22 to .30 per mile. I made that back in the 80's on hub miles, not HHG miles like so many pay today. This wasn't about Mercer and their rates, it's about how the megas have ruined the rates for everyone, and now O/Os are fighting for scraps a lot of the time. I keep thinking about buying another truck, but I'm not willing to go through everything out there now, such as dot shaking you down every chance they get, over $100.00 per hour service rates, $500.00 tires, $2000.00 tags, gone too long from home, and getting paid less than 10 years ago. It's just not worth it to me.

As far as EBORs go, I ran them with a company I worked part time for in '04 after I sold my truck. They left me stuck out of time a couple times just a short distance from home. I pulled in a truck stop and took my 10, then came on in. I would have went to bed when I got home anyway. I liked not having to do anything but tap on a screen. What I don't like about the new rules is not being able to stop the clock once you stop unless you split break. That definitely needs to change. I believe that and the slow speed trucks have a lot to do with all the truckstop accidents. Instead of being able to pull in somewhere and eat and maybe take a nap, drivers are driving 11 straight, and by the time they get in a truckstop they are so out of it they can't function well. That and the very under trained new drivers on the road. When is the last time you heard of a trainer failing a student. They are used as a cheap team driver and passed on for the next student. Companies don't want to hear, and don't believe, someone just can't be trained, but we all know some people just don't have the type skills needed to drive a truck, just as some drivers don't have the skills to work at certain non-driving jobs.

Trucking is the most screwed up I have seen it since I started in '75. The only reason my years of driving in my stats is not going up is because I had enough a few years ago and am now driving a sofa.

 

YAAAA!!! One truck sold 3 more to go!!!

 

Hey don't forget you owe your cousin from Indiana some of that since he loaned you some money back in 1978. I will pm you my address.

 

LOL!!! Im waiting on a guy to come look at a trailer now i may end up making more money this week than i did all last year!!!