Info About Conway

Going to Canada really isn't a big deal and I rather enjoy it in moderation (I just get tired of running the same region -- any region -- after a couple weeks).

Here are the main downsides:
1) getting back into the US can be a pain (sometimes delayed with enhanced security procedures -- especially on certain loads like tiles). Mostly you'll sail through, but a 2-3 hour delay can easily happen.
2) Canadian money is basically at parity with the US dollar, but the prices are still 1.5-2x higher. Stock up before you go or get used to paying $8 for a $5 footlong, $14 for a cat scale, etc
3). Your cell/data plan probably doesnt cover canada & you'll face obscene roaming charges if you use it.
4). French is the dominant language in Quebec -- if you hate getting lost in the US, imagine doing so when alk the signs are in a foreign language.
5) There are different laws to learn and adhere to. 99% of it is the same, but the little differences can trip you up and cost you a ticket (example: entering the license plate # of trailers on logs -- not just company trailer #)


In exchange you get $25 each time you cross the border under a load and a lot of the loads are nice long runs (especially those destined for Mexico).

 

Thanks for the reply double yellow. Sounds like all good info. Maybe worth trying to convince a trainer who knows the ropes to go there at least once!

So are you saying it's possible to get a return load coming out of Canada going to Mexico? Holy crap that's a haul!

 

If you have a passport or FAST card before you start training, I would definitely request a trainer that can run Canada to show you the ropes. Last time I was in Taylor there was a student getting ready for his first crossing...

As for Mexico, Con-way has a division that handles the actual driving inside Mexico -- we just drop it in Laredo or Calexico... If you're lucky, you can sometimes get something from the Mexican border going back into Canada (often liquid totes -- so make sure you have your tanker endorsement).

 

Thanks for all the info double yellow. Much appreciated! Tanker and doubles-triples was on my hit list. Hazmat was an automatic gotta have. Already have a passport and TWIC so I should be good to go for any border crossings or port visits. Thanks for the tip about asking for a trainer that can and will go to Canada. I hadn't thought of that.

First things first though, gotta have Con-Way say "you're hired"!

 

As a finisher, we usually aren't given Canada trips as the student doesn't usually have a passport. You don't really need a finisher to teach a border crossing. It isn't that complicated.

 

What is meant by "finisher"?

 

Nevermind. I just realized what you were referring to

 

Looks like you figured out, Finisher in Conway = Trainer in other companies.

Also, finishers can't request a particular trip. We can't request a Canada crossing per se. In the big picture, that's probably good. Our goal is to teach students how to get through all terrains and conditions safely. Canadian terrain and traffic situations are very similar to ours. The difference is kilometer per hour instead of miles, currency doesn't fit in my wallet, and bridge heights are 4.2 meters min.

Finishers are in short supply. I wouldn't recommend slowing down your training waiting for a finisher that has a passport. Just get hooked up with a finisher and get your training over with. They do offer smoking preferences. If you can, don't specify a preferance. Take the first finisher available. We take regular breaks so even if you smoke and finisher doesn't, you should get a smoke every few hours.

The rest of the differences in Canada are paperwork...

When I do go, I stock up on food and smokes, use payphones to call US 800 number at our Taylor terminal, and then don't need currency and such. Most trips are over one day and back the same or next day. Pretty rare to be there more than two days. I cross so rarely that I need to re-read the written procedures before I go.

As others mentioned, be available for Canada, Hazmat, and liquid totes which are starting to require a tanker endorsement. The more you are available the less idle time. Hope this helps.

 

Helps tremendously Roadrealtor. And I appreciate yours and double yellow's candid replies. It's a breath of fresh air to get useful information instead of "don't go into trucking, you'll regret it the rest of your life, it SUCKS!". As soon as I see that in a thread I will quit reading it.

That's good to know. I'm somewhat averse to tobacco smoke but could deal with it if I absolutely had to. After 22 years in the military I've seen my share of adversity and learned how to adapt and cope when required.

From past experience, I completely understand what you are saying.


I presume time with a finisher is still 10,000 miles. What does that usually equate to in time? Roughly 4-5 weeks?

Again, thanks for all the advice and info!

 

I'd say as a prev team we benefited from can-mex loaded that we got at the Taylor term , I'm sure finishers get some of the same quick turn arounds....as a solo I like running extra hrs over my US 11
esp when headed to Quebec ....

and RR you gotta go to US Duty Free
two cartons for $73 ....(yeah I know that's one over the allowance ...)