Bison?

Discussion in 'Canadian Truckers Forum' started by zoobatuba, Jan 9, 2009.

  1. zoobatuba

    zoobatuba Bobtail Member

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    Jan 8, 2009
    Calgary, Canada
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    I'm thinking of applying at Bison Transport as a company driver. Can anyone tell what they're like to work for. Do you get enough miles or sit for days waiting for a load? What's good or bad about them? Thx
     
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  3. Tradescant

    Tradescant Bobtail Member

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    Jan 18, 2009
    Prince George BC
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    Just finished working for them, they used to be great, now, pretty bad.
    Takes forever to get your truck looked at if theres a problem. You will
    find yourself being asked to play musical trucks. WAY to much time
    waiting for freight or unloading freight, and god help you if you quit
    away from your home terminal, they pull a truck in behind your truck so
    you cant go anywhere with their truck, and tell you to get off their
    property. They claim they have had drivers in the past go park their
    trucks in the bush or something. Really nice when they want to hire you,
    just be a nice toby and do what they say and you might get along with
    them if your time isnt worth anything to you. Make any waves or comment
    on how long it takes to get your truck fixed or ##### too much and its
    amazing how fast you can get lonely there. I've worked for worse
    companies however, at least the check was always there, and many
    of the drivers love working there. Depends on your point of view really.
    One mans perfect job is another mans poison (shrug)
     
  4. zoobatuba

    zoobatuba Bobtail Member

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    Jan 8, 2009
    Calgary, Canada
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    I think I'll run the other way. I've driven for companies who don't respect their drivers. Don't want to go there again. Sounds like Bison is just like every other big trucking mill. Not much respect for what we have to do out there every day. I was thinking of applying there because they were listed as one of the Canada's Best Managed companies. I was a little suspicious when I read that they had lost a lot of owner operators due to pay reductions. Also, when a company advertises for 50 drivers, it usually means they just lost 50 drivers. Now I can see why. Thanks for your honesty. You probably saved me unnecessary grief and expense.
     
  5. Tradescant

    Tradescant Bobtail Member

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    Jan 18, 2009
    Prince George BC
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    The yard in Calgary was a parking lot last time I was there a few months
    ago. Drivers where real unhappy that I talked to. The managment really
    doesnt care what you think as long as your on the road. The say at Bison
    the safety and welfare of the driver is their number 1 concern. If you
    take a pencil and wrote, 'Unless theres some hot freight to be delivered"
    you would be bang on. As long as you are performing your fine. If there
    are problems they treat you like a leper. I can't remember when I quit in
    Calgary ever being treated like more of a peice of ****. Trust me, find
    a nice Mom and Pop operation, even if it doesnt pay that great and dont
    go long haul for someone who thinks you are just a scummy driver. I invite
    any driver who worked for Bison to post any positive experiences with
    them, like I said, I talked to some guys that liked it. I just
    know I would sooner open a vein than be treated like that again.
     
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  6. M&J Trucking

    M&J Trucking Bobtail Member

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    Jan 20, 2009
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    Well if you have any respect for your self you will run the other way because Bison will show you just what type of carpet you are to them. I would not refer my worst enemy to that outfit
     
    BigHossVolvo, snafutoo and zoobatuba Thank this.
  7. lostNfound

    lostNfound Road Train Member

    3,506
    2,263
    Jun 28, 2007
    Home of the Stampede
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    I commented on this in a thread about CPx (in this forum) ... it's essentialy a marketing gimmick perpetuated by the various business publications.
     
  8. Workinonit

    Workinonit Bobtail Member

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    Jan 31, 2009
    Victoria, BC
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    Dont work for Bison, they dont care about the guy on the road, just the dollars you can bring.
     
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  9. M&J Trucking

    M&J Trucking Bobtail Member

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    Jan 20, 2009
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    You are right. They don't care about anything but the money that they get. And who they they can step on to get what they want.
     
    zoobatuba Thanks this.
  10. FINCH

    FINCH Bobtail Member

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    Mar 4, 2009
    Calgary Alberta
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    Like one poster said. One guys favourite company is another guys poison. I myself am really happy at H&R. Then again i have had bad weeks and slow times with them, and great streaks with huge runs. But is it worth going elsewhere, where you will start at the bottom of the rung? Or keep your seniority. I find too many drivers run too fast and complain too easily. You very rarely will be happy to 100% with ANY company. I have contemplated leaving. But the perks of getting to the East Coast, them letting me take a week off, allowed to sleep in my rig, seeing my family, and doing this 3 or 4 times a year is a huge perk. And i repay them by not refusing loads. I run the crap runs and the great runs. I get a new truck relatively each year cuz i take care of them. I run hard and not illegal (wink). Too many drivers out there expect too much at times, and also too many companies lie also. But call their bluff, talk to someone higher up and be honest. Don't threaten to leave. cuz u can be replaced FAST! It's better to agree than wave your class 1 in their face, or so i have come to realise. Then again i am still wet behind the ears LOL

    As for Bison, i have heard good things about them, but bad things also. Maybe 50/50. I do know they have a zero tollerance on log book infractions!

    Be safe gang!
     
    Cybergal Thanks this.
  11. handysamm

    handysamm Bobtail Member

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    Mar 12, 2009
    cambridge, ont
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    My driving school in truck instructor was a former Bison guy. He told me a TON of bad things, in his opinion, about them. He had worked for them for 2-3 years and it just got worse and worse. Obviously bad enough he left them....
     
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