Canada-Only OTR, New Driver?

Couple fleets run freight west and cattle back to ontario, hyndman or hutton, try those. for flats you would be running a B train, not alot of them running canada only, could try mackinon in guelph or kelsey trail trucking near barrie, you might be best to stay local for first year or so, starting out with B train flats running all over canada could be more then you can handle

 

Now as a younger truck driver I highly disagree. In my short career I've had many great opportunities ever since the age of 20. I started out flat decking, hauled cars, moved machinery, btrains, tankers and even dry van for about a month. Lots of my time was also spent off road and in some challenging terrain. It's all about your attitude and willingness to learn. And by the way I never had to go with a mentor, enroll in a on the job training program or run team. Ask questions, take notice of how things are done. Even at my new job where I'm moving more into oversize and machines I'm going around the yard, looking at how things are loaded, different tie down methods, axle combinations, and even psi in the airbags. Don't listen to nay Sayers like this guy. If you want it bad enough just work towards it.

 

And for the record, I'm not some farm boy who's been around equipment since I was 3. I was thrown into a truck and figured it out. Man your posts discriminating against people's age just pissed me off...

 

Good luck finding a company that will hire/insure you until you're 25...

 

Not everyone driving a truck is 25 and over.. I was under 25 when I first start... I got onto a company and has no issue...

 

For one I didn't say anyone could jump in a truck and go... But lets face it anyone can get a licence quick and start driving a truck.. We are not rocket scientist, engineers, doctor etc.. We are people with a higher class driving licence that operate trucks.. Sure not everyone can handle the big truck, being alone, stress etc but it's a hell or a lot easier to be a truck driver then some of those other job professions I listed.. So in a way yes anyone can get in the truck and go.. Especially dry van type of hauling... There are plenty of different types of jobs in our profession and that is when not just anyone can do it.. Like super-load guys have lots of experience and mathematical know how.. Speciality type or trucking requires more like you said flatbed BUT a lot of stuff in flatbed require common sense and someone who is willing to learn by reading the safety and securement books.. Training is an excellent way to learn, but your age doesn't factor into your common sense or know how... Also I have been a flatbedder and I will tell you first hand that YOU CAN'T learn everything from a mentor.. Loads are always changing and you need common sense and know how to figure out how to chain down a load or strap down a load... 50 year old could have no clue in the world how to chain a machine down while a younger guy like Nate would know how.. Or visa vera age don't mean crap about your know how or common sense.. The only think that age plays a factor in is when it comes to insurance with the company.. That's it...

Your a very narrow minded not just about age but about people in general.. "he will become depressed very quickly" or "but not OTR across Canada".. Are you depressed what your doing and thing everyone will be the same as you...?? Not everyone who does OTR become depressed some people out there LOVE doing OTR old and young.. It all depends on what your are like as a person... I did OTR and it wasn't for me so I went local, that doesn't mean I think everyone will not like OTR.. Who knows maybe he will hate it maybe he won't but it's not very nice to discourage him... Also what makes you think he can't get OTR Canada, do you have any proof of this cause I just see you saying a lot but not backing it up.. I clearly stated I worked for Muskoka and one of the guys was 19 or whatever and he was going all over the place... So your statement holds no ground....

Rather then discouraging the young guy, why not be more positive with him....

 

Excellent post Gov't Trucker.

I'm not a young guy but I was told the only way to get into trucking was to go to school, work for a company that has puts you on a forced march for a year blah blah blah.

None of that is true. You can do it on your own whether you're young or old. It just takes a little ambition.

 

Things have changed since the 90s. Schneider won't even piss in your direction unless you're 25. And they will hire someone with 6+ demerit points... The only way you'll get a job is maybe for an o/o who is willing to give you a shot.