Looking for a new company

Hey all.

After initial plans to move to Quebec, I had to shift my focus to out West to be closer to family. Things are resolved now and, although my current company is an honest company, they just aren't getting me through Ontario enough so I’m looking to get back East. Honestly, if I have to do another reset in Saskatoon, I may have to burn down the city.

I won't go back to my old company--Highlight Motors--and am hoping to find a company that welcomes someone with a small dog, a 'lifestyler' who will spend three plus months out on the road--failing Life emergencies like my last one(and of course appreciates more than a reset back home when I do get out of the truck).

I have Van, Reefer, Chassis, Rail Car, Conestoga, and Flat Bed experience(more straps than chains but I learn). This last company had me hauling MUCH haz-mat so, feeling pretty familiar with that. After three and a half years of driving, I still have a clean CVOR and one strike on my Personal Abstract--demerits are gone though....just one more year before it's completely wiped. I have my FAST and TWIC cards and don't see any problem maintaining them when they come up in a few years.

I have mountain experience and will throw chains as necessary(but realize that some storms just need to be sat out because chains don't protect me from other drivers on the road). Last winter I sat out a storm in Hope, BC after finally getting into the J there, the next afternoon things were finally cleared up, decided to take the canyon and saw the same trucks who were crawling out and towards the Coq hours before(I heard it was a fiver hour wait just to get to the chain area), at the Petro in Kamloops when I pulled in hours later. I know how many hours I saved on my clock.

I would love a company that truly goes everywhere and has varied load destinations. I understand dedicated lanes are bread and butters....but variation still needs to be there. I bore too easily and it could be a fault. Perhaps to help with that, I do have Native Status but then, I would have to be in a truck that is registered Stateside, not to the Canadian location.

Also, just because I lifestyle it doesn't mean I'm only going to sit in the seat, waiting for a load. Every chance I get, I get out running 5K plus, multiple times a week. I also study online courses. If I'm going to stay out for months at a time, this is necessary stuff to maintain my sanity while out on the road. So, I appreciate having a decent amount of time to get to pick-ups and deliveries....not be running two hours late already by the time I get my Load Info and that's just the norm(Highlight). The company I'm with currently almost always has us able to get in the night before--they have a good safety record and I'm certain that not having to speed as a general rule helps with this.

Perhaps this is all unicorn stuff....and one trucker friend suggested that I get into O/O. I simply don't have enough money saved to do so and if my Financial Accounting courses are teaching me anything, it's not to start immediately with debt up beyond my ears and no capital. Also, I'm not interested in that fake "independent operator" stuff that some companies pull--and the driver's name isn't even on the registration but they don't receive any of the tax benefits...and assume so much of the risk. How is that even legal? Oh, right....Ministry of Labour doesn't actually have teeth.

Anyhow, if anyone has leads....or are interested in talking further, let me know. I just procured my CVOR last Monday so it's still fresh!

Happy Canada Day Long Weekend to you all as well.

 

I’m sorry, I wasn’t clear....edited my post to clarify. I would rather be based out of Ontario than out West—technically it’s where I live(Manitoulin Island).
When I hired on with this Saskatoon outfit, they said they had an Ontario yard—which wasn’t a terminal(my bad for not knowing to clarify)and is only a trailer drop yard. So, dispatching out of there. Instead, I find myself brought bi-weekly to Saskatoon and darn if it means a reset—if I was somewhere in Ontario....or even Montreal-I could attend to life things instead of sitting in Saskatoon.
I like to swing by Manitoulin as that’s where my stuff is stored....and I’m also keen on access to Toronto as that’s where I lived for the past 20 years....so, Ontario/Montreal flexible.

I’ve got some pokers out and I’ll see what next week brings after the holiday is done.

And yes, I know I bring a good work ethic to anyone I’ve worked for. It’s just being able to balance health and education while on the road that I want to ensure.

Thanks for your reply.

 

Well, it would be nice not to chase general freight. My current company specializes in Dangerous Goods—it’s been a good learning experience and definitely changes the border experience.
I’ve checked around Sudbury but no one that I’ve searched, goes the distance. They-McCevvit, Schneider, LA Trucking, T Bell, Manitoulin—all keep a pretty tight circle around the Great Lakes or just stay in Ontario/Quebec. I want to go places.

And, not taking my dog is not a viable option. I rescued her, I’ll keep with me and accept the commitment. I got her before I got into trucking and that’s not her fault.

It has certainly narrowed my options—Stagedoor Transportation and I were having a great phone interview until I brought up my dog. Tanker is out and most auto hauling is out. Even with my current company I’ve had to find a kennel for her while I do my delivery or pick up at certain places. I’ve got to meet some groomers and boarders though!

I’ll keep looking.

Thanks for mentioning your company situation.....maybe the industry will loosen more with pets over time.