Comparing Landstar and Mercer Transportation and The Spot Market

Comparing Landstar to Mercer Transportation to the spot market is pretty self explanatory lol. Currently I’m at landstar and I’m enjoying being an owner operator for them. If you want the best owner operator pay, then Landstar pay is probably what you’re looking for. Stay Driven!
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[@mikewhite3098]

I love being leased on to Landstar. And you are completely right about 2 things. 1 you can be a little lazy. 2 you can make bank. But you have to get yourself some dependable agents to work with.

[@louisgordon4259]

Honestly I love the videos because you clearly explain things! Great job man keep up the good work!!!

[@stevenc8281]

Specially the beard product

[@truckercamionero846]

Thanks for your video, it’s very helpful for me. Stay safe out there!

[@cwstreeper]

I grew up close to the Houston/ Galveston area. After the CG I moved back and worked on the tugs before I started trucking. Always interesting to hear about freight in that area. Good video and information as usual.

[@MakeCentsTrucking]

Good stuff bro!!

[@stretchingmileswithstretch7227]

I really appreciate the info. I knew that you had the info that I needed. 👍👍

[@TheMogonzo]

I just found your channel and you get the automatic subscription because we're from the same area. 👍🏽 Hi from Magnolia TX. Stay safe, driver.

[@Outdoor-Landman]

Great information my man

[@mikebussell3693]

Thanks! Tremendous amount of information!

[@amsoiladam]

I just want to clarify, To drive for Landstar did you need one year experience with a CDL or one year experience with open deck specifically?

[@superc910]

I’m trying to get too landstar right now. For the people that has no beard, skip to 2:18. What I like about landstar, nobody around to hold your hand . No DM no planner . The driver handles it all and that’s what I need .

[@l0rdcroissant]

so listening to you mention the step deck in a lot of your videos, it's a regret from not getting just the flat. I'll go refer ;) drive safe buddy and be safe

[@edgartovar25]

GREAT VIDEO IM O/O ON THE SPOT MARKET FOR YEARS ..WANT TO DO CHANGE TO LANDSTAR OR MERCER ..WHICH IS BETTER TO LEASE..THANKS

[@mrcain6894]

Excellent info on the 3 companies you have worked for. How long did you run the load board, sound like 6 months during the slow part of the year? I wondered about the grizzly adams winter beard, working the sponsor angle. awesome.

[@DrivenTrucking]

Yes that’s about right, it was six months and it was the slow period for open deck. I always grow my beard out in winter, usually not this long LOL but I always do it. I was so impressed with their products that I reached out to them 👍🏻

[@110texan5]

Glad you doing well friend! ❤️👍🇺🇸

[@mntrivertransportation5841]

Curious to know whats a good starter company with paid training with someone who doesn't have a CDL also I am a insulin pump dependent diabetic and yes I'm aloud to drive cause my sugar is very under control thank you Sir ive watched most of your videos and have helped me . Plus I've subscribed to your channel.

[@jacobharris5099]

I appreciate your videos. Also, where can I find one of those hats?

[@justinc3224]

Thanks for the great info!! I’m going to be a owner op this year and looking to lease onto and I was thinking Oakley trucking. You got me thinking now 🤔

[@DrivenTrucking]

I’ve heard good things about them too

[@ricolobo8626]

@@DrivenTrucking Great info. I don't have a truck nor the money to put down on one at this time so these companies you spoke of are out of my reach right now but good to know for future reference. I now have 3 choices of positions all on 1099 & would love your input on which you would go with & why. BTW I am kinda wanting to eventually get my own truck... So the first option I'd be running for an O/O for 25% of gross load where I will be learning how to dispatch myself by using load boards but no opportunity to lease the truck I'd be driving to make more in %. Then there are 2 dry van companies but one is lease op with 73% of gross with a high drop & hook but I will get no knowledge of how to book loads or dispatch myself bkuz they do that plus I would be responsible for fuel, truck payment & all that (Never done lease b4). The last one is power only at 23% with high drop & hook but again no knowledge of load boards but no truck payments & stuff like that. I really don't want to do reefer anymore bkuz of the crazy sleep schedule but I'm willing to do what I got to to get to where I wanna be so again would love to hear opinions.

[@claytonwinkel4112]

I just recently subscribed to your channel and your videos are very Informative! I’m looking to be owner operator in about a year or two, just trying to do my homework. I recently left my job of 16 yrs working for the government doing heavy truck driving stuff and operating heavy equipment. Before that I was owner operator over the road. I’m trying to get my feet wet again with Smokey point distribution. Any advice would be great. I have some challenges but gonna try my hardest. I am 41 and just trying to be free and be my own boss. Anyway love the content please keep it up and would appreciate any advice you can give me.

[@39simpleman]

Out of curiosity; have u looked into Admiral Merchants? From my understanding they’re primarily step deck & rgn.

[@dozerroberts5261]

Do you know what the minimum experience is to sign on with Landstar? Ref/van

[@michaelweatherhead9470]

Good video crazy shifter each to his own.

[@CashisKingtrucking]

Good stuff. That beard is almost at Wizard status

[@robocop308]

You're a wizard harry

[@al-mubdizahir8704]

i dont know the difference between step deck, open deck, etc. i thought all was just flatbed. so are there different kinds of flatbed? did you do a video of all the different kinds of flatbed trailers???

[@charles2359]

Glad to see your doing good. Hope you and the family had a great holidays. By the way did you send the hat yet ?? Be safe and have a blessed day

[@DrivenTrucking]

I’m sorry it’s taking so long, I should be shipping them in less than two weeks!

[@charles2359]

@@DrivenTrucking that’s fine I know everyone is busy .. make that money while you can

[@jsf8145]

Who was the company you started out with ? Would you recommend working for them?

[@FredyLagos]

Good stuff main

[@garykocker5785]

So just showing my age pre cdl! I grandfathered in but I have all the endorsements! The one that's most valuable is my HazMat and Tanker. It's not that hard you just need to study. I believe that having my HazMat will keep me working if I need a job.

[@jupj1]

Good for you Driver

[@jerrysantos6484]

Smart move. I do the sane with pneumatic tanks. When it slows down I do open deck. When it is off the chart, I run pneumatic. 👍

[@JBrand77]

Bennett has a terminal in Houston. They run stepdeck.

[@Stuartthehobbytrucker]

Fellow Landstar guy here And I love you spoke about hazmat and Landstar. I am pulling a reefer hauling hazmat and the rates are out of this world.

[@DrivenTrucking]

Very nice, yes that’s what I hear LOL. I’ve heavily contemplated getting a reefer

[@Stuartthehobbytrucker]

@@DrivenTrucking if you ever want to chat about it. Feel free to reach out @ 4075299570 Typical week Leave Sunday and deadhead to Chattanooga from Orlando Chattanooga to winesburg oh $1700 Akron oh to Johnstown NY $2400 Waterford NY to Rockford TN $2450 Murfreesboro TN to groveland Fl $3250 Back Saturday morning before lunch to the house get a reset and leave Monday morning I know if I did not live in Fl I could gross more but I sort of like the warm weather and willing to sacrifice that oh and the heaviest load 30k

[@DrivenTrucking]

@@Stuartthehobbytrucker that is so awesome, thank you. You’ll be seeing a change here real soon. Is the hazmat temp controlled stuff year-round?

[@Stuartthehobbytrucker]

@@DrivenTrucking it’s pretty consistent. The only reason I stop hauling it for a period is usually around produce season because the rates can be better in produce in peak season. Just as an example I have run loads out of northern Cali in peak produce season down to Fl for 15k. So to answer your question no it doesn’t slow down just better paying become available. My personal best time of year is the watermelon season in Fl I can get really good loads out of Fl then hauling hazmat loads back in. Cuts out my deadhead loss usually

[@cwstreeper]

I would love to know more about Landstar's temperature controlled freight.

[@victormmedina1457]

I been driving for 15 yrs. Most of the time I'm hauling tankers, fuel n propane local most of the time. Now I'm staring interesting to learn flatbed. In your opinion which companies to start as owner operator. And also I would like to run local n regional in New Jersey area. I would appreciate any tips. Thanks, God bless u.

[@MantimeHustle]

Jersey try ho-ro small company that has direct shippers

[@michaelzma9102]

Did you pull lowboys at Landstar?

[@whiteliontransportation5516]

Agree my friend no other place to be but Landstar !!

[@mikekeierleber2192]

That’s why I went Refer and left flatbed, I have my HazMat and I’m looking for a truck and I’m done being a company driver . LandStar has been my ultimate finial job

[@cwstreeper]

I did the same thing and have my sights set on Landstar as well. Good luck.

[@MantimeHustle]

How was reefer at landstar?

[@DrtyDiesel]

Live Bearded products are excellent!

[@DrivenTrucking]

Yes they are!

[@herisuazo6538]

I'm an owner operator, should I go with forward air? Us it a good one to lease onto? Ir should I do landstar? Please, I'm thi king doing it with forward air but I don't know if it's a good one.

[@Mike_Greentea]

C.R England is hiring.

[@badeiser]

I have my own authority and work the spot market. I personally could never ever go back to working for someone else ever again.

[@JTDyer21]

How did you get your own authority?

[@badeiser]

It is a bit of a process and I would highly suggest you to look up some KZbin videos on it . it’s not the type of thing I could explain or do justice to in a comment.

[@tp4016]

@@JTDyer21 insurance , mc & dot number, Duran payment on truck then trucking. Just costs money to make money.

[@MrLoudog7]

How are you doing in this market now? It’s killing me.

[@badeiser]

@@MrLoudog7 dude I am fucking dying …. But everybody is right now. Mr. potato head completely broke our industry from bow to stern. A good friend of mine runs smooth for tanker with his own authority and he is doing no better. He’s on average last year made somewhere between five and eight dollars a mile. He’s lucky to break four dollars a mile right now. My average haul at the moment is 2:50 to 3 dollars a mile sometimes as high as five dollars a mile but it’s all in state. There is absolutely no money running even regional right now. Dayton to Des Moines pays 1300 Dayton to Indianapolis I can pay upwards of 900 more often Than not it is typically around 650. I am honestly having a nightmare of a time making house payments right now. I think the whole market is going to go belly up here soon and if you can make it through this and come out the other side you will be all set.

[@reggiegary6417]

Mercer you get paid as soon as the load drop....Landstar gets paid weekly.

[@orlando3339]

Mercer have load board same than landstar?

[@breakthecycle5238]

the beard is epic

[@isaacb981]

What are some of you owners grossing in a year at Landstar?

[@ctilley751]

Jack $hit right now.

[@denisomerovic395]

Do you not think mercer and landstar work the spot market as well? Not as much as smaller outfits but im sure they do

[@DrivenTrucking]

It’s transparent at Landstar that they do, Mercer probably does too as well I’m sure but I never had proof of that.

[@markpoland426]

The problem with landstar is their dispatcher s own 3 or 4 trucks quess who gets the best loads

[@barryrobertson2746]

Did you switch to van because of lack of loads out of south tx? I do landstar flatbed out of tn and have noticed slightly higher van rates and obviously more loads now. But am spoiled by generally no delays loading and unloading flatbed.

[@berniesands6201]

Does Landstar have Coordinators or dispatchers if you wanna go that route? It would be nice to have a little help starting out.

[@DrivenTrucking]

Unfortunately they do not

[@joshuapye4438]

You will have a BCO advisor for a while that will help you if you're having trouble. You'll have agents calling and texting you with loads. You'll catch on quick and if you're willing to run you can definitely make money.

[@nattydreadlocks1973]

Sometimes you get lucky. A Agent called me and offered me a load. I asked if he had a backhaul? He kept me running until I figured out how the game was played(Unfortunately, most Agents won't). I could hardly understand anything he said because of his thick Eastern European accent, but he did fine by me. I throw him a bone every now and then just to keep the lines of communication open. The people at orientation will turn you on to true dispatch Agents if you ask.

[@busyboysonedollarcircus6601]

thumbs up to this.

[@marilynbocanegra4960]

I'm thinking of getti ng into trucking...can you recommend a good trucking school..im 65 years old...probably ready for my box though...thank you

[@DrivenTrucking]

I apologize but I just don’t know trucking schools well enough

[@marilynbocanegra4960]

@@DrivenTrucking Thank you very much

[@jakerivera4913]

Is there a fee for using the coordinator?

[@DrivenTrucking]

There’s no additional fee at Mercer, no

[@godsok1]

I guess I’m to lazy.I here great things about Landstar but I don’t want to get the hazmat endorsement!

[@mikedanaher3413]

Live bearded rocks. I use their products too. Many folks bitch about Landstar taking so much off the freight but, they do provide services that make up for it. Glad you are doing well there.

[@DrivenTrucking]

Thanks and yeah, Live Bearded is awesome! I loved the products so much that I reached out to them for this

[@immortalxrpwolf5747]

Do you have to have a trailer for land star

[@DrivenTrucking]

No you don’t, you can rent a platform or pull one of their vans.

[@unc1906]

Do you have to have your hazmat to drive there or can you not have to have it just wondering

[@DrivenTrucking]

It’s a requirement at Landstar

[@walkerinmotionllc8618]

It’s required. I called.

[@david8460]

Can you talk about power only

[@DrivenTrucking]

I’m sorry I don’t know much about PO, I know we have Walmart accounts, Amazon accounts, UPS, and fed ex accounts at the minimum but I have done zero research into all of that

[@vanhughes]

That beard looks soft and fluffy. Looks like you use a pick on it!

[@DrivenTrucking]

Live Bearded products including their wooden comb 👍🏻

[@davidkang6663]

man I love you beard and no matter how long I've tried it never grows that full.

[@dixiemae5042]

👊🏻💪🏻

[@jeffhazelwood8810]

Goodteachingvideos

[@dane6510]

So get a truck and join Landstar. I'm on my way 🚚

[@flatbedtruckingsamrides.9355]

Yeah but, the "Black Girl Stocks" ad, why she claims to be making more than any of us combined! 🤣🤣

[@DrivenTrucking]

I haven’t seen that one yet LOL

[@redwing1273]

I think ls is paying you really big money to commercial for them

[@chrismoody5977]

How much Reefer hazmat freight does landstar have?

[@DrivenTrucking]

I’m not sure how much there is because I haven’t spent a ton of time on the reefer side of the load board. But there is always stuff posted

[@Smooth_Operator_83]

Great video brother they say a beard is to a man what make up is to a woman

[@richardadamiak269]

do you have your own authority?

[@DrivenTrucking]

No sir I do not, I am leased on to Landstar

[@richardadamiak269]

@@DrivenTrucking Please dont call me sir... lol... im just a guy switching careers, and I've been driving Big Truck for 20 years part-time.... mostly local stuff, but looking at maybe going out on my own as an owner/operator... Thanks for all your great videos

[@IRISH4486]

I thought you had your own authority. So ur a truck owner who leases onto companies. ?

[@IRISH4486]

Дивись в Очко I m just saying I thought he was owner op. I love his content. He’s awesome. I just got my authority yesterday. The info I learn from these guys is priceless. I watch them everyday.

[@DrivenTrucking]

Yes I am leased on to Landstar. I know I’m not a complete owner operator, I use that term on KZbin for algorithm reasons and to be honest, most people don’t know the difference. Congratulations on your authority!

[@IRISH4486]

Driven Trucking Thanks buddy. I’ve been a business owner all my life. General contractor at present too. To me it was just a natural step. But I am talking to Landstar also. Getting on a flight right now to go pick up a truck in CA. Love ur Chanel. Be safe. ☘️

[@lovetofly32]

Ssshhhhhhh ddooont make those comments at the end!! Dadgum.. gonna ruin a good thing there for us lol 😏

[@allywilkeforsenate]

Mercer has been nothing,but good to me so far.Been here 3 years.

[@titiproductionent7]

How is it now? With this low rates ?

[@chasindreamstruckin6204]

Looking in Mercer van loads. Looking for information on gross revenue

[@T.O.N.Y_24]

Man you have two channels ???

[@DrivenTrucking]

I do lol

[@mikeleggiero2524]

Both companies are great mercer was more attractive to me . I pulled flat step and conestoga . The conestoga i made the best money with. Less miles . As for lazy i wrote the book o that. My trailer is getting done in march . Be safe

[@89425kw]

I bought a conestoga and had to leave mercer they didn't want to load it. I was there 7 years. Since I left i am so much happier. Mercer is all about mercer

[@orlando3339]

Mercer have load board like landstar?

[@vashlash6870]

Uggghhhh 27% factoring fee is crazy.

[@Bold11x]

Luck is a good thing but the reality is you create your own luck, so its not so much luck as it is making decisions that set you up for good luck.

[@DrivenTrucking]

Facts

[@kebertxela941]

All I need is bacon grease and dip spit to take care of my beard. I dont have a beard.

[@jerrysantos6484]

2 bones to pick with you. Clean your side boxes! 🤔👍😁😎 Quit using snap binders! You are a matried man that has kids waiting to see Daddy. Throw those things away. Especially doing OS OD freight. A friend of mine is paralized because one of them let lose when he had to do a hard breaking scenario. The load let loose and took the cab off the frame and crushed him in it. Another friend of mine lost his jaw when tightening them up. I got lucky and only came out with a cuncussion 12 years ago. I got rid of them then. Trust me my friend. Get rid of them. Oh one more thing. Half inch chains, they come in 10 ft lengths. Cut 3 of them to 5ft lengths. Always keep 4 at 10 ft length. You can thank me later after you see the benefits. 😁👍😎 Stay Safe Brian.

[@Phan-Xu]

Fast forward to 2:16 Unless you’re into beards Lol 😊

[@jeremygriggs1333]

Don't landstar take 30 percent and its basically forced dispatch and that stupid sitting duck policy?

[@Mike_Greentea]

J.B hunt drivers make more than these KZbin drama queens 👸

[@pointnIaugh]

My beard has all kinds of fungus growing in it. I haven't washed it in 11 years. It smells awful, but the ladies like it.

[@carlosdonestevez7532]

People like you are the rates stay low every time capacity for any trailer rises People like you switch trailers and kill load to truck ratio.

[@DrivenTrucking]

People like me? Sorry but you must be new here

[@carlosdonestevez7532]

@@DrivenTrucking 2018 january.. every time rates for skateboards go up Facebook is litterd with dry and guys that don't know what there doing asking for advice. The amount of freight landstar probably has lost due to some guy with a two day class shredding his tarps and and getting freight wet because he doesn't know what he is doing but the rates are better. Then inevitably as soon as it dries up. He is trying to offload a stepdeck. I had to delete Facebook to not get in trouble.

[@DrivenTrucking]

@@carlosdonestevez7532 I meant to my channel and you must not have seen my videos, I’ve only pulled three types of trailers since I started KZbin, a flatbed, a van (for a month), and my stepdeck. I don’t swap trailers around however, it’s an intelligent business move and doesn’t have much to do with the rates

[@terryfranklin537]

Does landstar lease trucks with refer