Passport for Stevens

Apply for your passport now. It can take up to 4 months for it to be processed. You an obtain an application on line or at any post office.

 

Or avoid the passport, and avoid canada. Maybe stevens has changed policies but that would be my choice.

 

Chad, check into a 'passcard' - they are significantly cheaper and easier to carry, about the same size as your drivers license.

...just do a google search for info

"U.S. citizens can now apply for the new United States Passport Card. The U.S. Passport Card provides a convenient alternative to carrying a bulky, full sized U.S. Passport. The U.S. Passport Card is similar to a regular passport as it provides proof of both U.S. citizenship and identity; however, the U.S. Passport Card is the size of a credit card. The U.S. Passport Card fulfills the new border travel requirements that will take effect in June 2009 and will expedite sea and land border crossings between the United States, Mexico, Canada, Bahamas and the Caribbean. The regular U.S. Passport or Passport Book is still the only valid document for international air travel."

Hope that helps

 

Canada use to be a pain in the butt to run, but since they came up with the PARS system, it's a piece of cake. I've run a significant number of runs into Canada and back out for Stevens and I've never been at the border longer than 10 minutes.
There have been days I've shuttled three loads from Monroe MI to the other side. Good miles.
Of course I don't do it in winter. I try and stay south. Mama raised some dumb kids, but she didn't raise any fools.

 

Good canada works out for you Emulsified. Ask some other drivers and they will tell a different story even with the PARS system. Usually a paperwork error, by the broker or Stevens holds them up at the border for hours and hours. So I only have their knowledge from talking to them as I hand off the load in Monroe MI, or Buffalo, NY.

Me I have no personal experience going into Canada, they won't let me in. I do have a passport and can go anywhere in the world except Canada.

 

Forced Dispatch, you go where you are told. Don't want to go to canada, don't have a passport. Refuse a load, you will set. Refuse too many loads, you will be sent back to the yard for an attitude adjustment. (forced to quit)

Canada DOT requires a full day off on your log book...I don't remember the amount of time, but don't have that day off, don't get sent to canada.

People hate New York city due to traffic and narrow streets and low bridges, and miss labeled bridge heights. Philly, Boston, Washington DC are just as bad.

 

To avoid Canada, simply tell Stevens you are now eligible to go into Canada. You don't have to explain, it can mean anything from late child support to a conviction for a crime they don't like. (such as domestic violence). No one at Stevens will press the point.
As far as requirements, you need your passport, be eligible and you have to have had 24 hours off within the previous 14 days. Almost like a reset, but 24 hours.
You have to do your log sheets a bit different, but that is covered each time you take a load to Canada with a 'Canada Talk' with safety. Nothing difficult. Just things like you have to note your tractor and trailer License # on the logs, you have to print your name under where you sign it and note your speedometer reading on the log sheet.
If you are dispatched to NYC or anyplace, you must accept. Yes, it can be a pain in the butt, but so is nearly every other major city. I think NYC just has a reputation that intimidates people.