Decision: Mercer or Landstar?

Mostly just common sense.
And Mercer has a good 1 day class which teaches alot.

 

I wouldn't worry about it. While there is a learning curve to both, it's two separate curves. No reason you can't tackle both at once. If anything, starring in flats will make it easier due to better paying freight. (Those first time business owner mistakes will hurt less with the deeper checking account).

Seeing as how youve never been an owner op, you probably have little knowledge of freight lanes and good paying areas, this should make mercer an even better fit for you due to having a coordinator to assist you, and be a buffer from making the bone headed mistakes we all make. What I mean by this is when you see that 2.20 mile load to Montana or Colorado, it looks awesome don't it? A coordinator will point out that you reload will be stupid cheap, out non existent. You might deadhead all the way back to Kansas city after getting unloaded. Not so awesome a load now huh?

No matter what company you go with, understand you are going to make some expensive mistakes, we all did, and still do on occasion. Don't waste time chasing lost money, that just keeps you in a bad cycle. You gotta look forward, not behind.

 

I would say it's probably a wash. Maybe a slight advantage to the flat bed side. Unless you live in a rare location that has more step than flat freight.

 

I say there is 3 times more flatbed freight vs step. Only way to keep busy pulling a step is to stay in the better areas and be very versatile like 8' tarps.
With a flat you can do less tarping because more loads to choose from.
Stepdeck freight used to be great but now everybody seems to have a step. Even though you can put almost all the same freight on a step vs flat, a lot of agents list the loads for a flat only especially in areas like houston where I've been sitting for 4 days now because I have a step.

 

go with the flat, especially starting out

 

I just loaded Monday in Colchester, Vermont. 1/3 mile north off I-89 at exit 16 , 26 loads of crane mats to va. I would place bets mercer approves you by Monday at the latest. if not a big bunch of stuff to check maybe Thursday afternoon.

 

I do well pulling step here. Granted its been just one month. Probably 70% of flatbed loads can go on to a step. It may hurt me more in the winter maybe, time will tell. I like the versatility of a step, plus I like hauling od loads which more opportunities for it on step.