mercer transportation

I am not matched to many loads that I find myself able to haul. My coordinator tells me that HE doesn't match me to those loads due to one thing or another. I don't think that is the way it works.

 

So are you saying you will commit to loads that HE isn't allowing you to have or are you just saying he isn't matching you to different loads for one reason or another. I'm inthe process of trying to come over there so this problem and the solution to it interest me greatly. can you give a lil more detail to this. Thanks

 

I ran a load for 1100 miles into NE. There were two loads coming out of IA. I told him I wanted one of those. I was never matched to them. I ended up sitting in NE for the weekend. I asked him why I didn't get one of those loads and why wasn't I matched to them. His response was another contractor would PROBABLY get it and I PROBABLY didn't have a chance. I told him I didn't have a chance unless I was matched to the load. Her got pissy with me. He lies and tries to make excuses. I can tell because he studders when he lies.

There are several loads locally (Baltimore) that I am not match to. I took 3 of those loads as they paid enough for me to DH back and grab another to keep me busy until something better came along. I made just over $300 for 2 days. Better then sitting at the truck stop.

I explained my concerns to my contractor and he asked me if I wanted another coordinator and he would make it happen. I told him I'll give it 30 days and I'll let him know. It's been 30 days Everytime my coordinator calls me about a load, it's always a cheap load to a worse area. I was in Tulsa and kept getting calls for a 120 mile deadhead to Iowa for 400 miles at $1.65 a mile. That comes to $1.26 a mile. I know we have big AC units in Tulsa. I waited and got a two stop AC load at $2.00 a mile on 1200 miles THAT I WASN'T MATCHED TO and it was Thursday afternoon. It went to Long Island, but it was better then taking a chance sitting all weekend.

I think I chose wisely. I'm starting to like going to the island (I love abuse).

Lately I have been going straight to the agent inquiring about loads. I mentioned it before on TTR that my coordinator told me not to look at the load board as it doesn't have all the info when making decisions about loads (how many truck are there or going there), but my coordinator doesn't look at the area to see if there are any loads coming out so I can be preplanned. Without the load board, there will be a mass exodus from Mercer. I'll be the first.

A good coordinator is priceless.

 

Yep thats an issue for sure. can't you " commit" on a load off the board without him or am I not understanding how it works as well as I thought I did. That probably crap wouldn't cut it with me. I know if both trucks commit and no one else does first one empty gets it. or at least I thought they did.

 

I can commit and match my truck. That doesn't mean I will get the load. But if I commit, that load will fall on me if everyone else passes on it (FIFO). That load was 7 days away and I know everyone is passing on it because they want something sooner (which makes sense). But when the loading day approaches, many will change their mind and will call their coordinator to get it. It should have been mine by then and would have disappeared off the load board.

That's the way I understand the system. Others will chime in soon, especially if I'm wrong

Also, if I am never matched on a good paying load, I'll never know unless I watch the load board, but by then it might have been taken by someone else. This is my greatest concern.

My coordinator has told me about bad weather in Michigan and I should take a certain load. But then I will look at the weather forecast and I find it will sunny all week. I think the guy may be brain dead.

 

so what I'm hearing here is you commit online but " he " isn't giving it to you. It makes since to me that if I " commit" for a load for tomorrow load and dont empty until tomorrow but you are nearby and are empty today you should be able to get the load. Or atleast it works that way in true first in first out system. Let me know if you come up with a solution to your problem. That's how I learn.

 

At that time I told him I wanted that return load. He failed at the task. I now go directly to the agent when I inquire about a load.

What is stated on the load board isn't always accurate. If a load indicates a 3pm deadline, they may stay later, but the coordinator won't make the call to the agent because the load info is supposed to be accurate. As far as I know, the coordinator will only see loads that I am matched to. He can't see the others unless he looks for them. He has 39 other drivers to deal with. How can he possibly run my truck as efficiently as I can?
If a load indicates 48k, but my truck will only hold 47k, I won't get matched because I can't haul it legally. But a simple call to the agent sometimes reveals that "Oh, we just put in 48k as a default weight. It's only 15k this time". Bingo! I found my own load that few trucks can haul

Apparently agents are not so bright either

 

I understand much better now. I run into similar problems where I am now. Being able to see the entire load board is part of why I want to come over.

 

I never implied anything I just stated as I was told, Never been at mercer, never will. I don't play well with others and after 7 years if it weren't for the tax deductions I get I'd go back to twisting wrenches. Trucking isn't what it was 30 years ago. Drivers back them stood up for themselves now most I wonder how they sit upright due to the lack of backbone and all I ever hear them say is yes sir, yes sir three bags full. Back to mercer now the loads I have pulled for them have paid good and they pay really quick. But all the better paying loads I've gotten have come from independent brokers. With a Non recourse factoring agreement I have no exposure after the credit is approved so I'm still better off than leasing somewhere 5% compared to how much 25-35%? Different strokes for different folks.

 

Nope, wanted to go get loaded and down the road.