mercer transportation

If I lived in Phoenix AZ but don't want to go to California, will it be hard to get home and out at Mercer? I look at the load board at mercertown and there doesn't seem to be much AZ freight on there but someone also told me that a lot of loads arent shown on there.

 

I want to thank you all for the good info. We go to orientation at Mercer the first of Sept.with our Purple Pete and Conestoga. Could have started earlier but had scheduled personal appointments for the end of Aug. So far all our contacts with Mercer have been wonderful. Everyone has been very helpful and courteous.

Several years ago I ran on my own authority for 2 years and had a terrible time finding loads that paid enough running mostly the midwest. I am sure that won't be as difficult with Mercer, but I may be back asking for more help. It is great having such a fine group of people for support.

 

As I recall Sept was my worst month last year. But I was forced to take extra time off as I had to get my birth certificate to renew my license. But it picked right back up and the portion of Dec that I did work made that month one of the best of the year. And that was with taking the holidays off, going to San Dog for a bowl game and getting to both houses.

TBH my best months have been during those time frames. Seems many take a lot of time off while others work UPS. But if you ask 10 people here you will get 5 answers. I'll say this, I started here in the winter and I'm glad I did. Don't expect to make a million but you won't starve and the lack of competition helps IMO.

 

I would be happy to get $1.40 or better getting me out of that house as long as it goes to a decent area. That beats what I'm getting now.

 

Or, just fence it in and buy some Goats !!!!

 

E

Everyone has there bottom line and not to say I don't drop below 1.50 with deadhead counted but I personally would DH to AK or MS from OK city if necessary then taking a load for less from the shipper but back to the main point most drivers don't sit there so 1 day empty and your the top 10 2 Days and your top 3 if not # 1 on most loads and as dragon tamer brat pointed out shippers there wait till load is ready to ship or the day before to post most of the time

 

I can get home without hitting CA but it isn't easy unless you want to deadhead home. VIA CA is easy and pays well. You can get out easy enough, but again the $$$ takes you to Cali. Unless you want to run heavy for $1.5 to TX.

 

I hear ya. I have no problem bouncing if the money is there. All things equal I would bounce 300 miles for a load that paid $1.70 after the DH instead of grabbing a load right there for $1.50. I usually don't bounce that far now but I've dead headed 125 miles to get a load that only went 140 miles. Just last week I dead headed 94 miles to get a load only going 80 miles. Lol.

 

Get used to longer dhing. It's nothing for me to put a hundred gallons in the tank and bounce a thousand miles for the right load.

 

As long as it averages out I have no problem running empty. Lol. Truck get really good MPGs that way.

The way I operate now (not sure if it will work at Mercer) is I look at each load but I also look at the next loads also.

Ok, that didn't make much sense. This is what I'm trying to say. If I want an avg rate per mile of $1.75 it make take 3 or 4 loads to get it, a couple good loads & a couple loads not as good but in the end I got the avg rate I'm looking for. Hope that makes sense. Lol.