mercer transportation

That's $93,600 a year "clear" so I think you may need to specify what you mean by "clearing 1800 a week". The average income of an O/O is nowhere near that amount. If you mean just revenue minus direct expense I'd agree with you. Many of us however will define "clear" as revenue minus direct expenses, but also minus what we have set back for major maintenance, truck replacement, and taxes which should be a significant amount of revenue. The common mistake of drivers is to consider their entire check their "take home pay" with nothing set aside. $93,600 is well above the median income in the US and many true professionals (sorry, I don't consider truck driving a true "professional" occupation), including doctors and lawyers, do not make that much nowadays.

 

You didn't misspeak. For most part it is great atmosphere. Personally I'm as lazy a person as you will ever meet, this deal isn't about how hard you work, it's about how smart you work. I've seen really hard working folks bust their butts and not make it if your husband has business sense he will do fine. It takes both effort and business savy to make it. If the question is Caledon or Mercer based on how quick you can get it done I strongly urge you wait on Mercer. It's the better long term solution.

 

I was going to leave the original statement alone. But I have to agree with this.

I left the original post alone because it was to subjective. I don't know if the OP is talking before or after taxes and all that stuff. But assuming he was with the way I run my stuff he is grossing about 300k pulling a van. I would have to say not bad. I need to go back to the drawing board because I'm not going to hit 300k this year from the looks of things. I think it's time I sit back and try and learn something.

 

I agree with everything but this. Truck drivers are professionals, those who are not are steering wheel holders. Not everyone has the patience, discipline, and personal accountability that it takes to be a truck driver out here, but those that do are, in my opinion, professionals. I can teach anyone to drive a truck, but there is much more to it than that. Those that can maintain the qualities it requires to be safe and successful are professionals.

 

@gjcarr03
Lol we really are like a family. And like a family we have our disagreements. But at the end of the day we will all sit down buy eachother dinner (if mercer doesn't pick up the tab) and have a good laugh. You will never see the kind of (uhg I can't spell that word, starts with com) we have here anyplace. I would bend over backwards to help any and everyone on here. And I'm sure most feel the same way. Don't let a little public debate change anything.

 

I have a friend who just started there about a month ago. He was at FedEX CC until they changed the contracts, and then over at Landstar, which he said was absolutely horrible. He has been staying busy with Mercer. He's in La Grande, OR delivering to Pasco, WA for Monday.

 

Unfortunately, it looks as though Mercer is out, at least until sometime next year. I'm trying to push my husband towards Jones Motor instead, but he may be giving Celadon a shot in the interim. He's talked to a few FB drivers over there that are doing well, so hopefully he will catch on quick and be okay until he's able to get on at Mercer. You can pick your own freight, at least... I'm just still not comfortable with it. I mean, yeah, if things go south, he can hand in the truck and go back to hauling crude oil, but we really don't want that. He is not happy up there and not making enough to even make it worth it. It's just not working...

 

The thing I hate about weekends is I can't work the board. (On working weekends that is). Leaves me with way to much time on my hands.

 

....but football is back, so I'm ok with downtime

 

Lol watching a game as we speak.