Anyone here work for Versa Cold? (Calgary)

So, i'm getting fed up with the fun and games where i'm at. I put some feelers out and got a pretty good offer from Versa Cold, doing Western US work, all out of Calgary Direct (no running to Vancouver then crossing, or crossing at Vancouver and running home).

Thinking of going for it, but don't wanna make the same mistake that landed me in this pickle. I also don't like changing companies, but the current place is forcing my hand.

I also got called by Hyndman, but I don't wanna go that route, with the whole Celadon thing going down.

Appreciate any info

 

While I tend to agree, they want 3-5 years exp. For me the no running to Vancouver is a plus, cause i'm just tired of all the BS on Highway 1. I don't have a problem with Highway 3, but the god #### Kamikaze's on Highway 1 are stressing me out. I mean, first snowfall, a CNTL guy lost it, going way to fast, and almost wiped out the whole chain up area after smasher. Its also just easier to cross at Sweetgrass/Coutts, then dealing with Sumas or Blaine; but that's just me.

 

Thanks for the reply, I will do that, even tho i'm going company. This is all dedicated runs, so I'm really looking forward to some stability and consistency. I've been doing Pacific NW/BC/AB open board for over a year now; the planning, and getting stuck without reloads just sucks.

 

This was going to be for Versa Cold Corporate. I went down for the road test, and interview. It seemed like an OK job, but a few things put me off.

#1 - First and Last Picks/Drops free, if you are doing an FTL load, your load and unload in the dock was for free. (At bison I got $45 to live load, $45 to live unload a reefer FTL)
#2 - Wait time was capped at 8 hours, not cool, esp in Reefer.
#3 - They have 2 tiers of trucks, the 72 inch condo Cascadia's and Volvo's they like to show off, and the 60 inch bunk, mid rise with a roof cowl lightweights they give to Solo drivers. I don't know about you, but i'm not doing US OTR in a 60 inch bunk lightweight Cascadia.

Things I did like

#1 - No Slip Seating Ever, all Trucks get interior/exterior detailing regularly.
#2 - US rate is paid on all miles, not just miles in the US, and a ####ty Canadian rate in Canada.
#3 - Cell Phone Allowance of $75bux
#4 - Awesome lane premiums for I5, Border Crossing, BC Hwy 1/Hwy 3, LA/NYC/Chicago.
#5 - Good Safety Bonus/Productivity Bonus/Fuel Bonus.
#6 - Good home time, lots of different options.

Overall, it was a decent job, and would have been a step up from Bison/ABL work I was doing for sure. However I happened to get an offer from my current Dry Van LTL company, which pays significantly more, had nicer trucks, and wasn't a huge fleet. I ended up taking the LTL job, and couldn't be happier. If that offer didn't come up tho, I more than likely would be at Versa Cold.

 

You nailed it bud, that's why I turned them down.

This is why I will NEVER leave where i'm at, they pay you for everything, nothing is free, everything is fair and honest. Their turnover rate is 2%, so instead of spending tons of cash on recruiting and orientation; only to have 100%+ turnover rate like most places cause of the ########, they put money into the pay package, trailers, dispatch and in house customs.

The good companies are out there, ERB, K-Dac, J&R Hall, Duckerings, CANEDA, TEAMS Transport, Manitoulin, Barry and Smith, Arrow Transportation, XTL Transport are just some that come to mind off the top of my head; that I know 110% forsure are good! (non are HQ'ed in BC, go figure lol).