New to the forum-Hello to All

There are several training outfits in Regina; I've heard good things about 18-Wheels, so if you've got the $$ to take a 2-3 week course (recommend 3 week course if you have no semi experience), that's the way I'd go unless you have access to a truck through a friend, etc (that's what I did, then rented one from Warner for the road test). I did that because I have years of experience pulling travel trailers, and my dad is a retired 1A instructor and he rode shotgun with me and helped me out a LOT. It worked out much cheaper that way for me.

As far as jobs go, there are a ton of places looking; set up an alert on sites like Beyond and MyJobHelper, etc to let you know who's hiring. If you're looking for a full-time gig, you should have no problem finding something soon after passing the road test. I'm having issues finding a job, because I'm looking for part-time on the weekend only, otherwise I'd have been out on the road long ago.

 

They now have to be an accredited program registered and approved by the government.

 

Very true, they are really cracking down on these illegal drivers, for the ones that pay the big bucks to get the proper training, koodoos. I paid $3k for my training in Alberta. That was because I paid more than what the average Joe pays so that I could practice more and get more out of the lessons. I talk to a guy from ON and he paid $10K for his schooling. I just passed my class 1 recently and I'm still looking into where I want to go work or what I can even find. So much out there as far as jobs, but they want at least 1 year of experience. I was a bus driver, so that helped me out alot, I can't imagine going from class 5 to class 1. And then alot of jobs out there are paying like $20-25 hr., same as the school bus. I found too that a person training for class 1 should get alot of practice backing up and lots of pre-trip practice time, so much to look over and remember.

 

Jesus, I paid like $8000 in 2006 I think.. But it was an 8 week course

 

OH YA, I thought it was cheap, I didn't have any trouble paying more to get extra training, fill my brain to the max with info and experience. In Canada, it all depends on the province and the regulations, I guess. But down to the school also, what they teach, different endorsements and such.

 

I paid about $6k for 40 hours in truck. Fort Mac ain't cheap apparently

 

Still awesome to hear all of your feedback as far as what others have paid and the hours put in. I'm still amazed I passed, I found it really hard without repetition, to absorb what I needed to know, the pre-trip really got to me. So many things to memorize, to know if they leak, what may be damaged and what needs to be secured. So much more than a bus, to have to look at every component, every nut and bolt, every cotter pin, to climb under the trailer or hang over things just to take a peek. Slack adjusters, OH MY. The engine compartment, had that part of the pre-trip with the bus. Not to mention the 53' trailer and the off tracking, much more different. And hands down, I like Kenworth much more than Freightliner. International buses I think are better too.

 

Maybe I'm wrong, but truck drivers must still get through the background check process too just to drive in the US? Any criminal background will get you a refusal? Being dual citizen is always good. Get in with a US company would probably be a good gig.

 

No background check required... only the ability to fog a mirror.

However, the US CBP officers may, or may not, give you the rubber-glove treatment (including searching the various police databases), depending on which side of the bed they got up from on that day.