I'm thinking of applying at Bison Transport as a company driver. Can anyone tell what they're like to work for. Do you get enough miles or sit for days waiting for a load? What's good or bad about them? Thx
Just finished working for them, they used to be great, now, pretty bad. Takes forever to get your truck looked at if theres a problem. You will find yourself being asked to play musical trucks. WAY to much time waiting for freight or unloading freight, and god help you if you quit away from your home terminal, they pull a truck in behind your truck so you cant go anywhere with their truck, and tell you to get off their property. They claim they have had drivers in the past go park their trucks in the bush or something. Really nice when they want to hire you, just be a nice toby and do what they say and you might get along with them if your time isnt worth anything to you. Make any waves or comment on how long it takes to get your truck fixed or ##### too much and its amazing how fast you can get lonely there. I've worked for worse companies however, at least the check was always there, and many of the drivers love working there. Depends on your point of view really. One mans perfect job is another mans poison (shrug)
I think I'll run the other way. I've driven for companies who don't respect their drivers. Don't want to go there again. Sounds like Bison is just like every other big trucking mill. Not much respect for what we have to do out there every day. I was thinking of applying there because they were listed as one of the Canada's Best Managed companies. I was a little suspicious when I read that they had lost a lot of owner operators due to pay reductions. Also, when a company advertises for 50 drivers, it usually means they just lost 50 drivers. Now I can see why. Thanks for your honesty. You probably saved me unnecessary grief and expense.
The yard in Calgary was a parking lot last time I was there a few months ago. Drivers where real unhappy that I talked to. The managment really doesnt care what you think as long as your on the road. The say at Bison the safety and welfare of the driver is their number 1 concern. If you take a pencil and wrote, 'Unless theres some hot freight to be delivered" you would be bang on. As long as you are performing your fine. If there are problems they treat you like a leper. I can't remember when I quit in Calgary ever being treated like more of a peice of ****. Trust me, find a nice Mom and Pop operation, even if it doesnt pay that great and dont go long haul for someone who thinks you are just a scummy driver. I invite any driver who worked for Bison to post any positive experiences with them, like I said, I talked to some guys that liked it. I just know I would sooner open a vein than be treated like that again.
Well if you have any respect for your self you will run the other way because Bison will show you just what type of carpet you are to them. I would not refer my worst enemy to that outfit
I commented on this in a thread about CPx (in this forum) ... it's essentialy a marketing gimmick perpetuated by the various business publications.
You are right. They don't care about anything but the money that they get. And who they they can step on to get what they want.
Like one poster said. One guys favourite company is another guys poison. I myself am really happy at H&R. Then again i have had bad weeks and slow times with them, and great streaks with huge runs. But is it worth going elsewhere, where you will start at the bottom of the rung? Or keep your seniority. I find too many drivers run too fast and complain too easily. You very rarely will be happy to 100% with ANY company. I have contemplated leaving. But the perks of getting to the East Coast, them letting me take a week off, allowed to sleep in my rig, seeing my family, and doing this 3 or 4 times a year is a huge perk. And i repay them by not refusing loads. I run the crap runs and the great runs. I get a new truck relatively each year cuz i take care of them. I run hard and not illegal (wink). Too many drivers out there expect too much at times, and also too many companies lie also. But call their bluff, talk to someone higher up and be honest. Don't threaten to leave. cuz u can be replaced FAST! It's better to agree than wave your class 1 in their face, or so i have come to realise. Then again i am still wet behind the ears LOL As for Bison, i have heard good things about them, but bad things also. Maybe 50/50. I do know they have a zero tollerance on log book infractions! Be safe gang!
My driving school in truck instructor was a former Bison guy. He told me a TON of bad things, in his opinion, about them. He had worked for them for 2-3 years and it just got worse and worse. Obviously bad enough he left them....
