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Need input for Mercer, in California West Coast

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by johnnyman1099, Mar 12, 2019.

  1. Mar 12, 2019 #1
    johnnyman1099

    johnnyman1099 Medium Load Member

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    Mar 13, 2017
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    I just moved from east coast back to California and I am considering leasing on with Mercer again. I left Mercer back in 2007 pulling a Flatbed, because they did not have much freight in the western states even though business was still booming. Back then, if you go to Washington, Oregon, Idaho, you will need to deadhead back to California because even at #2 on the regional board, i still did not get a load after waiting 3 full weekdays. In California, if I empty on Monday, I might get a load eastbound by friday. I was pulling a 48' flatbed back then.

    Right now, Which have more freight, Flatbed or Dryvan in the western states ?

    Is it true that you can self dispatch with Mercer load board and be able to see all the loads that the driver manager see ? Or do you still need a driver manager to book the loads from the agents.

    I have heard many good things from recent run ins with Mercer O/O's at the fuel islands and read many threads about Mercer and decided for myself to give it another try.

    There are two main reasons why I am very interested in leasing on with Mercer again. First is the walk away lease on a new flatbed trailer for only $600/month. 2nd reason is you do not get penalize for saying no to a load. I have been with many carriers since and all of them have penalized me if I turn down a load by making me sit a day or more with no load offers. Are the Mercer walk away lease really walk away with no penalties?
     
    johnnyman1099, Mar 12, 2019
    johnnyman1099, Mar 12, 2019
    #1
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  3. Mar 12, 2019 #2
    Lenny74

    Lenny74 Bobtail Member

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    Mar 12, 2019
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    Hi,
    I’m a newbie scanning through the forums because I’m going to go to school soon. You mentioned you got penalized for turning down a load. Can I ask why you would turn down a load?
     
    Lenny74, Mar 12, 2019
    Lenny74, Mar 12, 2019
    #2
  4. Mar 12, 2019 #3
    johnnyman1099

    johnnyman1099 Medium Load Member

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    Mar 13, 2017
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    If you say no to a load, the dispatcher will not offer you a load again until the next day or longer and claim that there are no other loads available. As long as they offer you any loads within 24 hours, you will not get layover pay if you deny a load.

    Why would I turn down a load ?... Because it may be too low paying, too much deadhead miles for very little paying load. Or driver hand unload a full 53' dryvan with 44k lbs of product and only pay him less than $100 to unload, drive, and deadhead. Or go to NY city and paying you only a dollar a mile as an owner operator. List goes on.....All of this has happened to me, both as an owner operator and a company driver.
     
    Last edited: Mar 12, 2019
    johnnyman1099, Mar 12, 2019
    johnnyman1099, Mar 12, 2019
    #3
  5. Mar 12, 2019 #4
    Bakerman

    Bakerman Road Train Member

    4,663
    8,812
    Jan 27, 2013
    Phoenix, AZ
    0
    Look into White Mountain trucking, I see them running I-10 all the time with her flatbeds.

    They have company trucks, but I’ve also seen some owner operators pulling their trailers.
     
    Bakerman, Mar 12, 2019
    Bakerman, Mar 12, 2019
    #4
  7. Mar 12, 2019 #5
    Gentlemanfarmer

    Gentlemanfarmer Medium Load Member

    365
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    Feb 26, 2010
    Greenville, FL
    0
    I have been with Mercer for almost three years. I have not ever been penalized for turning down a load. My load coordinator calls with the best options, and may even make recommendations on whether to accept or refuse based on destination and freight available. The LC many times refuses loads without calling me because he knows they are either cheap or going to a no freight area.

    However, back to the Western States. I knew one driver that regularly ran the left coast and did well. He would generally run north and south along I-5 and made a pretty good living. I also met another four digit driver that would run between coasts on a regular basis and did well. My suggestion is that if you want to run the left coast, consider leasing with a left coast carrier. From what I experience, Mercers freight is primarily east of the Rockies and I personally tend to run Midwest, Southeast, Mid-Atlantic.
     
    Gentlemanfarmer, Mar 12, 2019
    Gentlemanfarmer, Mar 12, 2019
    #5
  8. Apr 27, 2019 #6
    CJndaTruck

    CJndaTruck Road Train Member

    3,349
    3,365
    Nov 21, 2014
    Knoxville, TN (area)
    0
    I've been here 4 1/2 yes. I ran/lived west when I started with a flat and did just fine. But the west coast really booms at the end of each quarter when the military has to blow it's money.

    There have been many changes in just the time I've been here but you definitely WILL NOT be put in the box for passing on any load. You CAN self dispatch (I do).

    Now they changed the way the load board works a few years back trying to make it fair for those like me that book loads a week or two out. Unfortunately it caused an issue with those that run the western board and if you don't know the tricks or you depend on your coordinator to find you loads when you empty you won't find good freight.

    As for trailers I believe flats/steps are still walk away leases. I know the changed the policy for vans to some sort of rental but I don't know the details.
     
    CJndaTruck, Apr 27, 2019
    CJndaTruck, Apr 27, 2019
    #6
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