mercer transportation

If you want a step then why not just buy one on the market? A payment is a payment, nobody says you have to get it from Mercer.

 

You said it!! The insurance and the stress/headaches will go to a minimum. I know I'm crazy, but I always encourage inspections unless the driver has something there needing to hide. If I can lower my insurance roughly about half and if Mercer's fuel discount is roughly around what I'm getting now then its gonna work. What fuel chain does Mercer use?

 

You can fuel anywhere that EFS is accepted.... sometimes little mom and pops are cheaper, but usually we get a big enough discount at the national chains that it's more beneficial to use them. Personally, I fuel 75% at PFJ, 25% at TA/Petro.... extremely rare I go anywhere else

 

With that attitude i think you'd do good with a step unlike the majority that think getting a step will mean everything drives on, hook a couple chains for securement and get down the road.

I woukd almost guaranty the reason mercer said they won't start you with a step is due to not having one available or possible they have had a change in philosophy and now won't give steps to any new higher due to how many guys quit and the expense involved in recovering equipment. Fact is there is a big learning curve here for most folks, and its even harder with a step. Most new hirers have either never owned a truck, or are coming from a place where they got all their loads from a dispatcher. If you have experience working for agents, freight lanes, and working load boards you would do fine with a step, just got to buy your own instead of getting one from mercer.

 

How is the van freight? What areas is best for van freight with Mercer?

 

Honestly I've got my own authority and been running it for the last couple of years. I'm use to dealing with it all. I've got 3 guys leased onto my authority and I've been doing it all from calling, dispatching, making sure all the paperwork is correct and billing. So basically from A-Z and forgot to mention driving myself.
Just some changes taking place, the company is in good standings and will continue to stay open. The guys went out and got contracts early fall last yr and now they've got it made.
Your probably sitting there asking why is this guy making changes then. Honestly it's due to rates, insurance, and all the expenses. If I can have less of a headache/stress and still take home enough to live on then I'm ok. I'm not trying to get rich, just want a nice living.

 

I'm completely the opposite TA over PFJ. I'm normally saving around $30 -100 each time I top off with the fuel card I currently have right now.

 

I get it. I was making good money when i decided to suspend my authority. Just no longer wanted so much of my life invested in 'work'. At this point in my life im kinda on cruise control, truck just enough to make a modest incone and pad the retirement savings. Heck I'm taking this whole week off cause my 13 yr old nephew wanted to come down for spring break. Tomorrow we go fishing, Thursday he gets to learn how to change oil and grease a truck. Every guy needs to learn how to use a grease gun.

 

We get good discounts at ta. It really jyst depends on what area you are in. In sone places the ta is cheaper, in other the flying hook is cheaper. But they are always real close to each other so you could fuel exclusively at 1 if you wanted.

 

What areas/lanes do you recommend to stay in. I'm close to Nashville. What kind of weight should I suspect to be hauling the most? Will they allow jj keller mobile in the place of the Qualcomm because as I was watching the training videos it said something about jj keller mobile.