Any UK truckers here that moved to Canada?

Discussion in 'Canadian Truckers Forum' started by 00Gambit, Jan 18, 2020.

  1. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    Good to know. I'll be doing some shopping around come renewal time. Really not overly impressed with today's vehicles. Overpriced and not reliable. At least most people can fix a 350 Chevy with a 75 piece Canadian Tire tool kit lol.
     
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  3. not4hire

    not4hire Road Train Member

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    o_O

    My buddy sent me this text while I was reading your post...

    "No more oil changes!"

    Resized_20200119_105734.jpg
     
  4. BigHossVolvo

    BigHossVolvo Road Train Member

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    @Northerntanker is a good friend of mine who came from the UK, I think you should stay in the UK, trucking here is in a huge recession. Generally Canadian trucking companies suck, don't pay, are disorganized/incompetent, Only want cheap third world slaves, The general population hates us, truck stops are almost non-existent, the only way to make money OTR, is to run the US and hope they can find re-loads back to Canada.

    Or go to the US and work for a US company, forget Canada.
     
  5. 00Gambit

    00Gambit Bobtail Member

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    From the research I've done trucking is an industry which is suffering from a shortage pretty much everywhere, not just the UK but North America too.

    I just had a quick search for Northerntanker and read his post where he said it's a steep learning curve and some BS with shippers / dispatchers etc but he still enjoys it so it can't be that bad. To be honest I think I can handle the negatives of driving in Canada because the positives of not having to drive on depressing, narrow winding roads with roundabouts every 5 minutes, constant traffic even on the #### highways (trust me it's terrible) and god awful truck stops.

    Even if I try it for a few years and don't like it I can just return home, as I said earlier if I don't at least give it a try I'll never know and I'll always feel a sense of regret.
     
  6. BigHossVolvo

    BigHossVolvo Road Train Member

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    If you ask him today, I think he would say stay in the UK or go to Aus after its not on fire.

    Or just go to the US, and be done with it.
     
  7. 00Gambit

    00Gambit Bobtail Member

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    The US is a little harder from my understanding. They're much stricter with VISA's and going to the US as a trucker you're not under any of the VISA types (h1b, h2a etc). You may be able to qualify for the h2b which is for seasonal work and an employer could make an argument that due to it being "grain season" or christmas or some other excuse that they need more drivers for a short period of time.

    However this would certainly not be permanent as it cannot be extended like other VISA's can, because you're there purposely for seasonal work. Canada, especially Manitoba, supports trucking under their PNP programs making it significantly easier for someone like me who doesn't have family / spouse or any ties that I could use to leverage.
     
  8. BigHossVolvo

    BigHossVolvo Road Train Member

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    Canada is easy for a reason, cause its literally a third world job here, with third world conditions; and third world pay.

    I'm Canadian, born and raised in Alberta, and i'm doing everything I can to move to the US. It's hard to get into the US, because its actually worth living/working there.
     
    uncleal13 Thanks this.
  9. Snow Monster

    Snow Monster Medium Load Member

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    You have done your homework, good on ya!

    Follow your passion and instinct, get it out of your system, that's the only way satisfy it.
    You're in a position in life with few responsibilities and all you really have to do is survive while you're here and have enough money to get home if things don't work out.

    Manitoba is a great choice, one of the least stressful and friendliest places to live in Canada.
    As you discovered there is opportunity for seasonal work hauling grains, sugar beets, beans and other commodities summer and winter.
    At one time you would be sure every year to see beet haulers laying their trailers on their side somewhere between the field and the sugar plant and beets everywhere!

    Tell you what, if you show up in Manitoba, you can buy me lunch one day and I'll help steer you in the right direction, fill you in about prairie trucker ettiquette and other stuff relevant to the job and lifestyle and show you round, point out the good meat markets, music venues, best burger joints, safe neighbourhoods/towns and etc, you pay the gas or supply the vehicle.

    If you prefer small town life there's lots of progressive farm communities with potential to get your foot in the door, rent is very reasonable in many, unlike a few other provinces I've been to, AB, BC, ON.

    Be warned, if you might be a scammer, which you don't seem to be, you don't want anything to do with me.

    Otherwise, welcome to "Friendly Manitoba", just like on the license plates.
    [​IMG]
     
  10. 00Gambit

    00Gambit Bobtail Member

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    I assure you I'm here for one purpose, to try and get first hand insights into what to expect as a foreign trucker, no scamming or defrauding people involved ;)

    I appreciate the offer my man and if things work out, perhaps I'll take you up on that. Would be great to grab a few drinks with someone during my first week to help me find me feet. I'm very much a small town person and hate the big cities, too many people, too much noise and chaos.

    At the same time I don't want to live super rural, perhaps Steinbach or somewhere would be a nice balance, local shops with town / community vibe but still close enough to the city for when needs must. I'm still about a year away from making it a reality but thanks for the welcome bud!
     
  11. not4hire

    not4hire Road Train Member

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    Any one of the towns in this song should do. ;)

     
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