mercer transportation

if you want to go buy an overpriced, breakdown prone truck to run ca for rates that are the same as they were in 1995 then have at it. i run ca, i like running west but i #### sure am not going to buy equipment just to satisfy them.

 

who wants to run 55 anyways.

i hate the west coast states.

 

I do not see Mercer pushing out the older trucks and do not expect to see it. I have a 99 and no longer can run Calif..Oh well. I have never did good running Calif. after the cheap freight to get out of the west coast and the time sitting waiting for it or the large deadhead to get out of there.
If I had a new truck, I'd still need $4 a mile going out there to justify getting out and $4 a mile isn't going to happen.
So I'm happy stay east of the rockies and doing better for it. This works well with my 99 pete.
This argument Mercer hiring a bunch of drivers. I talk to alot of other Mercer drivers and do not hear of anyone planing on leaving soon.

 

I have two 98's and can still run CA through 2013. Did you register for the small fleet extension on the CARB website? While I'm not in any hurry to rush out to CA, I prefer to have all my options open when it comes to available freight. I unloaded in AZ a year ago and saw a load in CA that I knew I could get immediately, paid around 8K to go back east. I knew there were easily 50-60 trucks ahead of me and I was hundreds of miles away. How did I know I could get it? 1. first stop NYC (Manhattan) 4pm delivery .... we all know the majority of drivers will refuse to go there, and especially at 4pm. Actually that's a great time to go since you're going against traffic. 2nd stop in Ottawa, Ontario .... plenty of drivers won't go to Canada, and then many more won't go to Ontario or Quebec due to speed limiter issues. When I called about the load they instantly put me on it, and due to some issues during loading I managed a couple hundred extra dollars.

Do what others refuse to do and there can be plenty of freight. Refusing to go to CA or the northeastern parts of the country just limits how much money can be made.

 

More power to you. I'm actually glad Mercer has ones that will do it cause I know longer care to work that hard even for the better money. I want the easy money and I usually get it. No doubt I set more, heck you probably don't sit at all, but that's also why I have the large sleeper.
Guess that's one of the great things here at Mercer, some go for the money, and some sit back enjoy the country. It's nice that Mercer has both.

 

Since my last west coast trip in early March I've been home EVERY weekend since. I wouldn't say I've been working all that hard. I have no problem sitting, don't like cheaper freight. I find local/regional loads to pay much more per mile. My shipper here pays tolls while running dedicated for them, no questions asked, so that eliminates one of the big arguments against running the NE states. Run across the PA Turnpike or NY thruway from end to end and it makes a big difference.

After the holidays I'll probably run west, and north. Notice how so many of our trucks will be sitting in TX or other southern states during the winter months? Sometimes I think it would be nice to have one of those big sleepers, until I'm trying to maneuver in some screwed up off road job-site, or narrow streets somewhere. But I'm comfortable enough, generator keeps me warm or cool as needed, best investment I ever made on my truck. But trucks with a bathroom and shower, yeah, now that's got to be hard to beat!

 

I get calles everyweek going to CA but when I tell them my price they say I'm crazy I'm talking under $2/mile I'll never do that I've only been there twice in my life and was paid just over $3/mile on one and was $3.50 a mile on the last both times come home with tickets first time for passing on the right 2nd was speeding on I-10 going in 64 that 55mph is BS both times I went I was parked for days first time I pulled out at $1.43 a mile last time all I seen was $1/mile so to AZ I headed empty I won't go back for under $3.50 a mile and have never seen a load coming close to that

If I could get good money coming and going I would but it's not going to happen so unless I went every week I'd never run out and buy them problem child trucks

 

Your highlighting extremes and grossly exagerating the scope of this. No, my only other choices are not a low paid hourly job or a crappy company driver slot. I like having the flexibility being an owner/op gives me, and I use it regularly.

But, there are real obstacles here whether you like to see them or not. It's not whining or crying to discuss them and look for solutions. I see it as working toward solutions that may better refine my future. When you tough guys jump in and try to disuade people from honestly working through real problems in this profession, it sounds like you may be a little insecure in admitting these problems affect you as well. Maybe it's just easier to put down your fellow drivers for trying to make this career better?
The most successful people push, claw, scratch, and scream for every little inch of their ground. Why shouldn't we protest the BS in this profession and fight to make it ours?

 

What type of trl you pull with Mercer?

 

you asked if you could be home every weekend with mercer and i told you no. i really dont care what you think about my views otherwise. woyld you rather i lie?

ya sure, come on over. plenty of loads out and straight back, $9/mi too and $500 tarp pay.





feel better now?