mercer transportation

Step deck freight rarely pays step deck rates from what I see. I actually saw loads today where a step paid less than flat, picking and going the same place. I'm sure you'll hear pros and cons for both.

 

I'm.in the pilot in South bend Indiana. All ready had two people ask for money. This makes Jersey feel clean.

 

It's actually 900 a year the last 2 years, 770 a year from 2011-2014, a 72% growth over the past 2 years, in a economy that's less than favorable.

 

I think you will hear pros and cons for both. I don't run the SD lanes so every time I'm looking for loads I come across great SD loads that make me wish I had one. At the same time there will be 30 FB loads and 3 SD loads. Of course when I do venture into a SD lane there may be 20 SD loads and 10 FB loads and the rates (although slightly higher for SD) don't seem off that much. Of course I know areas where vans get better rates then FB too so it's not saying much.

 

So is that growth split between the division's or mainly on the van side?

 

Total fleet growth, vans, flats, steps, ect.

I think much higher of people to think everyone of those people that left were complete idiots and couldn't grasp the concept, so I put it out there for informational purpose only. Considering I don't follow the blueprint and I'm still here, I figured there could be other reasons for departure.

 

Without a doubt yes. Assuming he has a lick of common sense when it comes to how to secure things.

 

Not necessarily true. Step decks are not considered specialized equipment like they were in the 90s. Between 02 and 04 the sheet number of step decks in the industry sky rocketed. So of course rates have fallen. In most situations, a step deck load will pay a little better than a flat load in the same lane..just not 50 percent better like they used to.

So does that mean step loads don't pay step rates? Or does it mean market conditions have changed and today's rate just isn't as good as yesterday's?

Edit to add: no matter what trailer a person gets, they should utilize it to its full advantage. Example of what i mean, with a flay you learn the lanes with consistent good paying freight and stick with them. With a step, there is no lane. You chase the money and you use that step for what it is designed for. Tall loads with ten foot drop tarps. Tappa for drove on equipment like backhoes, small dozers, front end loaders, etc. And then you stock a small partial up on the top deck. If you are loading brick and bridging pipe, you are not utilizing your equipment properly.

 

I was delivering at a job site Monday. The driver unloading in front of me started here about a year ago. Said he had an orientation class of 24-25. Only 4 of them owned their trucks. 3 of those 4 went FB/SD the the rest were quality guys mainly going van (I think he said 1 was going flat the rest van). Anyway, 3 of the 4 O/O are still here. NONE of the rest of his class is still here. Now I can't verify this but from what I've seen I can believe it.

On I side note. Sunday night I parked near a 3###. Had a blue Conestoga with Mercer on the sides. I pulled in late and he left early in the AM. What 4 digit midget did I almost have the pleasure of meeting?

 

People leave for lots of reasons. I wasn't saying or asking to judge people in any way. I was just wondering if they broke it out per division. That's all.