I'm canadian but want to truck in europe. Where do I start? Need advice.....

Discussion in 'European/Other Countries Truckers Forum' started by AleksofCanada, May 18, 2009.

  1. AleksofCanada

    AleksofCanada Bobtail Member

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    Hey. I'm not a trucker but I wanna ask something. If I got experiance here in canada as a good trucker, would that increase my chances of getting a OvertheRoad truck driving job in europe somewhere? And if so, how long should I truck in canada before switching over? Do you got any advice for me? Anything will help. I'm thinking about Russia, Serbia, UK, Germany and Switzerland (based on the places I like and where my background is from). Do truckers from moscow get to see the entire europe aswell as places all over russia and siberia? To Vladivostok (the pacific side of russia)? If that's true that's why I mainly would choose russia. I don't care about the cold. But another thing that's REALLY bugging me is about the language barrier for all these places. I can speak a little serbian but that's about it. I'm only fluent in english. Should I go to england first then switch over as a stepping stone? I don't mind learning another language but I really would like to get trucking already it's a real bummer to have to do meaningless jobs until you master the language. Do you need to speak fluently in all these places in order to get a job in the trucking industry? Any answers to ANY of my questions will help. Please help me.....

    - a friend
     
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  3. Mrs T

    Mrs T Road Train Member

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    You are kidding, right?!:biggrin_2551:

    Forget England, European trucking is dominated by the East, the former Soviet States and Eastern bloc. Lithuanians, Romanians, Polish, Croatian - those are the drivers working in Europe right now.
    As a non-EU passport holder, you won't have a hope of getting work.

    I'm in London, England, but have spent time working in Russia, and unless you are FLUENT, both written and spoken, forget it. If you go to a new country, learn their language, its a basic rule and courtesy!
    How would you feel if a Russian driver showed up where you work now, and expected you all to speak his language?!:biggrin_2552::biggrin_25525:
    Удача, и счастливое движение!
     
  4. AleksofCanada

    AleksofCanada Bobtail Member

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    May 9, 2009
    Vancouver, Canada
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    Well actually my father and mother are serbian so I "could" get a serbian citizenship (and keep my canadian by the way) so the passport thing I don't think would be a problem and with the serbian that I know now I'm sure I could polish up on. I know how to understand alot more than I can say in that language so I guess that would help me to understand what people would be saying in serbian language classes, but the problem is where to work while you learn the language........all I hear is stories of no work in serbia and people wanting to get out. Maybe the trucking industry is better.....Mrs T, do you know anything else about the situation in serbia as far as trucking goes? Like if that industry is hard to get into once you know the language? If the trucking industry is dominated by the east, then does that mean it's in demand anyway or that most of those jobs are not in demand.....sorry I can't figure that one out. I'm slow lol! Or maybe I just want to be sure. Thanks again for posting!
     
  5. otherhalftw

    otherhalftw R.I.P.

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    Yep they sure do...we call it MEXICAN...and sometimes MESICANS
     
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  6. Mrs T

    Mrs T Road Train Member

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    Ok, well, despite what the politicians would have you believe, Europe is still divided east/west, a legacy of the pre-perestroika days and the divided Germany.
    Eastern folks are flocking west to benefit from the stronger economies, and as an example, here in London, its rare to hear English spoken.
    Try riding the subway and you will hear nothing but Polish and Lithuanian spoken!:biggrin_2554:

    That means the eastern economies struggle more, as only the elderly seem to be left behind, (!), and the west creaks under the strain of mass immigration.

    Trucking-wise , well the eastern drivers don't seem to take legal issues too seriously. Most accidents here in the UK are the result of foreign drivers running too long hours, and/or with badly maintained trucks. The western companies are struggling as they cannot run legal AND compete. I think I posted some links to news items about this in another thread in the European section a while back.

    And border crossings are hazardous, they can be violent places if asylum seekers decide that YOU are going to take them across. Get caught with illegals on board, (whether you knew they were there or not) and you face huge fine and possible jail.
    I've heard of O/Os going out of business because they unknowingly had illegals hiding under trailers, and I think its about US$15,000 fine per illegal, do the maths if there is 10 of them hiding there . . . :biggrin_2551:

    My hubby is driving in the US, (and I'm heading back there tomorrow!) so I don't know too much about specific trucking issues. But I can think of 3 friends who were long term OTR and who have ALL lost jobs this past year due to eastern drivers running cheaper. If you don't mind running a dodgy truck, illegal hours, and geting paid buttons, then go for it!! :biggrin_25525:
     
  7. zile

    zile Bobtail Member

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    Jun 14, 2009
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    Dragi moj zemljace, mani se suludih ideja, transport u evropi je pukao a pogotovo u Srbiji zato se mani gluposti! Pozz :smt023
     
  8. rookietrucker

    rookietrucker Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Translated: Beloved my world , manifesto yourself lunatic idea , transportation from Europe had pukao and especially from Serbia accordingly yourself manifesto humbug! Pozz
     
  9. Mrs T

    Mrs T Road Train Member

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    OK. Anyone want to translate the translation ?:biggrin_2554::biggrin_25525:
     
  10. JChors

    JChors Medium Load Member

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    "Loved home, had a crazy idea to ship myself from Europe, but threw up when I got to Serbia, so take my advice, don't ship youself. Bah, humbug!":?:
     
  11. coldwarvet

    coldwarvet Bobtail Member

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    My advice just go overseas to visit, make a few nice pictures, drink some German beer and go back to Canada.
     
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