It's finally over! Cleaned out my truck and moving on.

I hear ya dude, just letting everyone know whats in demand lol (I couldn't handle dealing with pooo myself LOL)

Even better, someone will GIVE you a new welding truck, and $50-$75hr. Go do your thing, and don't own a bolt in it. (My cousin in BC currently does this, he wanted his own truck, but like trucking, the costs are bonkers. His Dad talked him into staying company, and he's super glad he did).

Personally, I will never own another truck of any kind, not a tool truck, hot shot, or semi. There was a time for that (2004-2015) but that time is over. Let someone else own the headaches, you just go to work and enjoy life.

 

That's brutal dude, $71/hr is also insanely low! Our tandems were making $95/hr and Truck and Pups making $130/hr and it wasn't worth it (our authority and contracts tho). Also yea, I luckily knew how paving crews were pre-trucking, so when I got offers to go paving in a dump truck, I said no thanks! (twice). Back in the day, when I was working Oil and Gas, doing my rotation to the US. I was around a lot of paving crews, and they are the polar opposite of the ones in Canada. Clean equipment, clean uniforms (FR Slacks and Button Up Shirts) American Flags flying off the paver/rollers. Respectable job down there, always seems like a bunch of crackhead burnouts up here.

 

So just a quick update. I've been at the new job for 4 weeks now. I can't say too too much, due to this companies social media policy, and I'm sure the Bison hit squad is still after me.

So I'm running a mobile service truck, for one of the top 5 big equipment rental outfits (United, Hertz, Cooper, Sunbelt, Herc). This is a Heavy Duty Mechanic/Technician Position. I have not worked as a HD mechanic before, but I have other trades experience, trucking O/O wrenching experience and a few other things they liked. A big reason why I got hired was 1) clean class 1A 2) Passed drug testing (Mobile Service Trucks, fall under all the CVSE rules and regs, even ELD's) and 3) Was fine with working by myself, after the 3 month orientation/training period.

Starting Pay, with that level of experience, is $34.18/hr OT after 8hr each day M-F + Full Benefits ($170/mo for a single dude, includes Short/Long Term Disability, Dental, Drugs, Travel, etc etc etc), 2 weeks paid vacation, RRSP Match + Profit Share + Bonus. Yearly Tool/Boot Allowance, PPE provided, The service truck is completely outfitted, all I had to bring was 2 bags of my preferred hand tools and some lights.

So far, the work has been pretty easy, nothing harder than doing an Oil Change + Fuel Filters on semi's, or dealing with trailer/light issues. Half the time, I'm driving to a site, and doing annual inspections, for stuff on long term rent (Take pictures, check fluids, belts, tires, cables etc etc, its like getting paid for a proper pre-trip). What is shocking, is how hard it is for companies to find people with half a brain, that show up, and aren't on drugs/booze. I don't think I do anything special, I just show up and try to do clean work, while not being a prick. I guess they went through 4 guys in a year before me, and are very happy with me so far.

Anyway, the reason I'm sharing all this, is to let you guys and girls know, there is life after trucking. You don't have to keep putting up with all this ########, for no money. You have more skills and potential than you realize, and if you can show up ready to work everyday, and stay off drugs and booze, there is A LOT of opportunity out there. I personally had 5 job offers in trades (3 heavy duty mechanic, 1 electrician and 1 millwright) once I put it out there I was looking for work. I did pay for a resume writer/head hunter, but I think it was money well spent ($320.00) vs. taking your chances on indeed/online applications. (It only took 10 days to get those offers).

 

Funny enough, if you prove yourself with these guys. They will pay for your trade school/red seal! You can either do the 3 year HD Off Road Mechanic, or the 4 year HD On/Off road Technician; they're fine to pay for either!