Decision: Mercer or Landstar?

To make a long story short, I have made up my mind to switch (am a company driver at present) to the O/O realm (prayerfully before year's end).

My research has resulted in the two companies stated above as my choice to choose from. Both have (as do most things in life, eh!) pros and cons.

So I am reaching out to y'all that are Mercer O/O's to educate me on the reality at Mercer Land...

Most of my experience is in the dry van and reefer arena (I've done a little open deck, would need a "refresher" on load securement) but I find many saying that there is more money in the open deck realm (correct me if I am in error please) so I am trying to decide whether to switch (if I did it would be to the step-deck) to pulling open deck freight or stay with what I am familiar with, dry van freight.

In all honesty, I would rather switch but am concerned about my physical ability to do the work. I am not all that old (only 59) but due to my lack of "taking care" of my health through the years (I'm not over weight either, just have creaky joints, etc) I find that my body is not as tough as it used to be and climbing on top of a load safely concerns me.

Also would appreciate some honest comments and opinions of whether Mercer has the step-deck freight to keep me busy year round?

Lastly (for now... lol) I would appreciate some honest opinions (please NO trash/bashing type comments, there's enough of that to be found already) as to why Mercer would be a better choice over LS.

I thank y'all in advance for your time and your honest opinions/comments.

Be safe, be happy and be blessed. ~BigDubber

 

Reason(s) are (step instead of regular skate board) is the step being closer to the ground... I think the "extra work" involved in open deck would be good (need of exercise) for me... better paying freight (usually)... the dry van realm can get me into some nasty-tight backing in situations that I'd rather not deal with...

 

God knows I wish I could go! Not this year... hopefully next!

 

Thanks... I shall do that, I remember running across them last year so I'll need to look again and refresh my memory.

P.S. We've "chatted" last year a little... and I've only recently gotten back into TTR so I am "out of date"... did you retire from the road? What are y'all up to these days?

God bless.