Jones or Mercer...

Mercer,the folks are really Good to deal with.

 

Do you like kool-aid ?

 

Neither.... just my .02

 

Freight for flatbed has been really slow this winter and is still carry over. You might be disappointed to see how much less freight than dry van.
Though it just picked up this week more than all spring so far.

I'm at Mercer and love it. But I also drink the koolaid.

 

Though if your considering Mercer, why not Landstar?

Both are very comparable compaines.

 

Most don't want to work at LS now because they mandate EOBR's. I can't blame them for not wanting to work here with that requirement, plus it takes a very long time for the application process and such, which detours many guys also.

 

If you was leased to Jones express please give pros and cons for the guy.
I'm at Mercer and I'll tell it the it is here.
Get paid into your checking within couple hours of scanning in your paperwork.
Literlally pick your own loads. Go where you want. They never questioned if you don't want to take a load or if you want to stay at home for extended times.
Non forced dispatched and truely mean it. Also very straight forward and honest about everythining all the time.
Trailer rental/ lease purchase is not one of my favorites but is straight forward and all on the up and up. I think it runs around 180 a week but can't say for sure as I have my own trailer, not theirs. Their trailers are nice but heavy. I really like my fontaine. Their are great danes.
Inspections are picky and twice a year but DOT safty ratings is quite high so we get the bypass usually on the bestpass transponders.
Mercer is more of flatbed than stepdeck but they do run steps as I have one. They also run rgn but only lease out steps and flats.

 

I am currently running my mom's equipment. She books with a few familiar agents and also scraps off broker board. Since I've been driving for her it seems things are getting worse and worse at a depressingly quick rate in the flat bedding side of trucking. We are running step decks and I would like to continue running the trailer after she retires, but hesitently, considering the way things are going so far. My three options after she (my mom) retires are to gamble on o/o my own authority, leasing to a bigger outfit like mercer or landstar, or getting hazmats and pulling someone elses trailer (tanker). Right now I'm leaning towards leasing to landstar or mercer, but not sure what to think about the mixed reviews. It seems theirs plenty of good and bad reviews for both companies. I understand theirs different strokes for different folks, but I sure wish this choice was easier. I can't afford to mess this up. I'm blessed to be starting off with paid equipment. Now I want to capitolize on that with a good company to pull for.


any advice?