Canada

I guess it depends on what you're hauling or whether you're an O/O or co driver. To some drivers it's a big pain in the @@&$ but to others it's a nice change. You will need a passport of course but other than that it's an ok place to run. Winters up there can be brutal. Roads are pretty good. You just have to be aware of the procedures when crossing the border and immigration. It's been a few years since I did it. Just make sure you have all the info regarding your load and checking through immigration and customs.
one wrong move can be costly.
im not sure what the status is of the speed limiter proposals. I guess some provinces have them and others not.
Good luck

 

The only Swift driver I know of who has recently run Canada is scottied67 who is no longer a Swift driver. He's back here routinely because I think he misses us but you could send him a PM.

 

That all depends where u cross.Detroit is the worst.Once in a while isn't bad but to make it an every day thing and getting to know the drill,you might get tired of it.I use to go to Canada once a week.

 

There is Fast Pass I know, and from what I know, Swift will pay for that. For that I believe all that you need, Drivers License and Birth Certificate. I know that some of the terminals are crying for Canada Drivers. Lewiston and Inver Grove eights for sure. Not sure about New Boston

 

I've been seeing more and more Swift and Werner trucks running around Toronto. Schneider has a terminal and training facility just west of the city in Aberfoyle. The invasion is coming!

Well, if you're going to be running cross border, I would highly suggest getting your FAST card. It's $50 and expires every five years provided you don't get your card revoked for misuse by the expiry date. You must interview at a Port of Entry with a customs officer and provide a 5 year employment and residence history. The interview process takes about 15-20 minutes but I've found the card to be really helpful in expediting the crossing process.

I disagree with Detroit being the worst crossing, but it all depends on the time of day you cross. I've been backed up 3 miles on the 75 waiting to cross back to Windsor, but I've mostly had smooth crossings over the Ambassador. Was only x-rayed once in the past year. Sarnia/Port Huron on the other hand always seems to leave me with a new story.

I assume you'll mostly be running the 401 corridor. We don't have as many truck stops as you guys do, but there are a bunch of Flying J's along the 401 from Windsor to the Quebec border (Chatham, London, Cambridge, Mississauga, Ajax, Napanee and Lancaster). We have new rest areas called ON Routes that are for the most part pretty good to stay at, provided you can park before 10/11PM. Clean washrooms, free wifi and the normal take out restaurants. We also have numerous Esso and Petro cardlock locations.

Driving through Toronto/Montreal will suck during rush hour, but anywhere else is wide open and can be very beautiful depending on how far north or east you get. If you decide to take on these Canada runs, keep us updated and let us know how you enjoy it! Just don't laugh about our coloured money!

 

I was just reading thru the manual the other day and it said that you can get a fast pass application from your dm or a terminal, return that filled out, along with required documents (license, birth certificate, etc.) and swift will pay all the fees. I thought about doing this just for the heck of it. But I already have my passport and a passport card I carry with me. I'm not exactly sure what the fast pass card does if you already have a passport card (I noticed on the back of my passport card it says "pass system"). So maybe someone could answer that.

 

I've been out of the U.S. only once.
It was only because of one sentence in a fax and a threat to contact the embassy that I got back.