mercer transportation

About 9 months. My first repair was 2 weeks of truck working needed oil cooler.. what company you getting truck from

 

It sounds nothing like being chewed out. You're just giving me different angles of reality to look at because with gentleman like u, truckerpete, etc as possible mentors, there's darn near no way I can lose.. Although I don't know u guys, I would definitely try and reach out to y'all.. In actuality, you guys are the reason I would love to be at Mercer.. Because I realize how hard u guys worked to enjoy the "blue kool-aid..."

 

Nobody here is trying to say it is easy. Nor are they saying you will fail. The problem is that we do see people fail here. Often many of us scratch our heads and ask how ANYONE can fail here but 2 things happen time and time again. 1) A new OO is simply under capitalized. 2) A new Mercer driver depends on his/her coordinator to much. Not to say there are no good coordinators here. Some seem to get lucky. Nor am I saying those are the only reasons. Just the 2 I have observed the most these last two years.

LOL I think Pete was in the shop the day he signed the contract. We call him "Bad Luck Pete" for a reason.

 

I'm looking into the first time buyers program at Freightliner and Kenworth.. The trucks don't have to be spit shine new but they can't be decrepid old either.. I'm looking at 2014 and 2015 Cascadias with warranty add-ons

 

I understand completely about being undercapatailized.. But sometimes you just have to go for what you know... Thorough pre-trips and smart running...

 

After market warranty are not worth it.. from my experience they are rip offs lol.

 

So you wouldn't suggest and add-on warranty at all??

 

If it's costing you money to get that warranty no.

 

Freightliners program isn't all that bad when buying from the dealer but in general I would agree with you.

Here is something to think about. When I came to Mercer my truck was paid for. I got a $3k (I think) bounds for having a Cali truck (so equipment was paid for). This freed me up to do a lot of experiments early on. I would hit different parts of the country for a few weeks at a time to learn. I am not sure how successful I would have been starting here with a payment. There is a learning curve here. Just make sure you are ready to weather that.

 

It's one thing to get a truck and pull company equipment and make it with little up front money. It's a whole different ball game when you have to add equipment, trailer, and learn a new self dispatch system!
I have 2 more months before I make the swap to Mercer and I'm really glad I waited. I'm pulling a company trailer and all my equipment is paid for. Now all I need is a trailer and learn the system.
Starting out with a newly purchased truck, having to get your equipment from the company, and learning the system would have the deck stacked against you. I know guys have done it, but it is difficult in this market. Just my opinion