In my experience out here in the transportation of freight. The biggest problem with the movement of said freight is the per mile scam. Some of the best companies in this industry have an hourly or salary pay scale. For an independent trucker Like I am who owns his own equipment. Well the hourly rate is almost unheard of.
Many of the problems and unsafe behaviors come directly from the per mile and racing to get it done attitudes. Now lets add an ELD (electronic countdown clock) to the drivers dashboard to really make them feel pressed for time. Just more of the fucking clown world we now live in.
Speaking of clowns. How bout that big corporate snake chasing it's own tail called Landstar?. I would like to post about my first week hauling freight with the new company and newer prime mover. But if you've been following along you will know it has been one road block after another with the sale, purchase, & leasing. What a nightmare this has been.
Where I am parked right now in Downtown Louisville Kentucky (usa)
So Sunday I drive the truck up to Louisville, KY usa from Florida to lease on with Mercer Transportation. A much smaller trucking company with 100% owner operators. What a breath of fresh air this has been. They are a driver focused company much like Landstar was before they lost their way. A loss that I witnessed and experienced. It has been slowly and steadily happening for well over 10 years of the nearly 30 I spent leased to them.
Where I am sitting as I type this up for you to read
Monday Tuesday & Wednesday were orientation. On Tuesday I find out my VIN# (vehicle identification number) is locked. So we automatically assume it is Landstar. Turns out it was as they do this to every truck when the leases are terminated. Then they extort your escrow monies paid to them by asking you to sign off any claim to it for an immediate unlocking. SMFH
Now here is the weird twist in this lockdown on a truck that Landstar had refused to even permit due to a name change on the HVUT 2290 tax.
So how can they block/lock a truck they refused? A registration vin lock that was blocking Mercer from signing on and permitting my truck. My life partner and business partner and I both agreed that we just want to move on and get away from the horrible corporate monster Landstar has become. We signed the document surrendering around $6-700 (usd) dollars. It came back as refused due to the wrong trucks VIN # on it. Turns out Landstar has the old Freightliner Coronado we sold back on Feb, 24th. Locked down.
2006 Freightliner Coronado
2022 Kenworth T680
So the jokes on Landstar. We will not sign off on our escrow monies. They can block/lock a truck I no longer own forever for all I care.
Now on to our Kenworth. Why is this truck being lock/blocked? Well Mercer did the investigation and chased down that it was locked by the previous owners.
A company that still has an active web site but that We were told is no longer in business. Do you agree with me that not cleaning up your left behind cyber trash is as bad as not flushing the toilet when your done?
Mercer had this truck immediately unlocked and I am happy to tell the three people that read this far We are back in the freight relocation business with an almost new truck and an old but well established owner operator only company called...
So thanks as always for LEASING Hanging out with Krazzy this #weekend-engagement morning here in downtown Louisville KY (usa).
Sammie Jo's new home away from home
