Broken carpenter looking to make a change

Good afternoon everyone, and happy mother’s day to all. I have a few queries that I am hoping the better informed could help me with. I am a red seal carpenter and have been for almost twenty years. I have also accumulated a lot of wear and tear on my body climbing up and down scaffolding ( 2 knee surgeries, torn rotator cuff, torn back tendons). I have worked for the same company for thirty years and don’t want to leave, but I can’t keep up the grind, I’m 47 and have a lot of good working years left. Last year while recovering from my shoulder injury I took time to get my class 1 licence with air brake endorsement. I am based in Montreal but am an east coast boy. I am looking for driving work from Montreal east and back. No companies even respond to my emails. I have 0 moving violations in the past twenty years, I pull twenty and thirty foot trailers through Montreals never ending construction, and do snow removal in the winter( used to operating over 15 hours at a stretch).
What gives?! I’m bonded, first aid certified, can weld, fix hydraulics, manage our fleet( 5 one ton trucks).
The owner of my company is a great friend after all these years and understands that working in pain is no way to go on. He has even offered to completely finance a truck for me( he is a good man), but without anything to pull that would be a fools errand, like getting a bucket of steam, or a left handed paintbrush.
Sorry about the long thread, but I got kids and bills and need to stay squared away.


Thanks for taking the time!

 

You have checked the usual avenues? Indeed/Glassdoor/ Kijiji/FB/Local Govt
You need to apply with a larger company possibly where you can talk your way into a road test…you have to sell yourself. Not as much work out there currently. Also look at hauling gravel. You should be able to snag a job just the fact you have been driving for years prior to acquiring your Class 1

 

I understand that I will need training, I’m not naive to this fact. No one seems to be interested, I am happiest operating my truck and have always cared for them as if my own, cleaned, maintained and dent free. Kids are older now and I can be gone a few days at a time. My wife is a nurse and is supportive of this. Ideally looking for an overnight run to Moncton and back twice a week……any takers?

 

I tried applying with cat ( a friend of mine is a manager for them) even with his push I was told to reapply once I have one year of verifiable experience. I even went as far as trying the novice driver program with Midland. Not interested. Tried with ayr out for Woodstock NB, not interested.
I can’t count how many people I have trained in carpentry over the years. We know in our business we need to train to get the candidates we need. It is frustrating to be told to get experience when no wants to train. I even offered cat a week of my time free, “if I’m not what you’re looking for I will be on my way” … not interested
Sorry, got a little “ranty” there.
I had hoped thirty years with the same employer would help…no
Experience operating loaders, excavators, backhoes… not interested

 

Perhaps apply at a rock quarry as a driver?

 

Here’s a few other Maritime based large carriers:

- Eassons Transport.
- Armour Transport.
- Sunbury Transport.

 

Thanks for that, I think armour has a yard nearby me as well

 

If and when freight picks up, rates increase and all the bottom feeders are weeded out that is when companies will start hiring again and you will have a much better chance of getting hired and trained by a reputable company.Very few if any companies are even hiring experienced drivers right now.

 

Thanks to all for your input, I will carry on managing my jobs(would rather build than manage) and hopefully things improve freight wise in 3.5 years when things start moving north south, as well as east west. I will continue to do my homework, and drive truck and trailer at least once a month to stay sharp. My school has left the door open for me to book practice time.

 

T

Thank you for your input