Getting Into Flatbed Life in Ontario, Canada

Hey guys, first forum post here. I've been creeping for a while and wanted to document my journey getting into flatbed driving here in Ontario. In the past i've mainly had driving jobs, but nothing trucking related. Started out doing Amazon deliveries, worked at a car dealership, and realized trucking was the next best thing.

Today was the first day of orientation at my company. I don't want to share the name yet, because i'm not sure of their policy regarding that, but I'll share all the other relevant details. It's a flatbed company based in Southwestern Ontario. Some of you might be able to guess it eventually.

Anyways, I don't have any experience with trucking. No one in my family drives and I don't know any drivers. I decided to give it a shot and see how it turns out. The long term plan is to get into something local, maybe, whether or not I like being away from home for long.

As for the orientation, most of the day was paperwork. A quick tour around the yard, got to see the showers, drivers lounge, some of the trucks, and met most of the office staff. I also met one of my driver trainers who's taking me on my first run tomorrow - we're dropping off steel and sound barriers somewhere in downtown Toronto. That should be a fun learning experience for me - I haven't driven since the training school in March. We'll see how it goes!

Later in the week is load securement. Next week will be my first trip into the USA. Picking up steel in Virginia. The company said I'll be getting in my own truck in about 3-4 weeks depending on how i'm progressing. Other than that, I'll try to update when I have the time. Not sure how much free time I'll have, but i'll be sure to share my experience with you guys. That's all for now!

 

Day 2 - Started off the day at 7AM. Went over pre-trip, some basic load securement, and hooking up to a trailer. Learned about attaching and removing straps.

Next, hopped into the truck. First stop was 60 mins away in an industrial area. Made a drop of some sound barriers. Leaving the industrial area I went to make a wide turn onto a narrow road, took up both lanes on a 2-lane side street. A pickup came ripping around the corner too fast, slammed on his brakes, and got rear ended by someone tailgating him!

Next, went to pick up some steel beams in a dusty yard. There was a mixup with the paperwork but we got the beams loaded. Secured them using straps and dunnage. From here was the 2 hour trek right into downtown Toronto.

Driving into Toronto was a blast. We dropped steel beams and sound barriers to the Royal York (I think) subway station at Royal York and Bloor. This was fun driving into the city for my first time. On the way in, slightly rubbed a curb on a tight right turn in a construction area - I rushed it and it was my mistake for not taking it more slowly.

Leaving the subway station was through an upscale residential area. Went to make the left turn, took up the whole lane, still wasn't enough space. Poles and hydrants everywhere. Had to back up with 10+ cars waiting, then went over BOTH the grass on both sides of the road. It was the only way out..we could see the marks in the grass from drivers before us.

Leaving Toronto traffic was heavy but easy driving. My mantra so far is to be nice to other drivers on the road. Slow down to let passing trucks in, move over for merging trucks, give other truckers space, etc. It's worked for me so far and I'll continue trying to be a kind driver.

Complaints - I never worked a 14 hour day in my life so it's going to take time to adjust. Right now I'm still commuting to the yard but once we go OTR it should be a lot better. I'm already thinking there's some hobbies I'm going to have to get rid of as long as I'm doing OTR. Not really enough time today to do anything except eat, post, shower, and now I'm going to bed. It's only been 2 days and I already miss my girlfriend. Well, I don't plan to be OTR forever but it's what I need for now as a completely green trucker.

That's all for today. Tomorrow, heading out with another trainer for load securement. Mostly steel and aluminum. I'll update you guys tomorrow with how things go!

 

Day 3 - Started this morning at 630. Heading out today with one of the owner operators. I wasn't driving, just coming along for the ride, learning how to use the roll-tarp, and practicing load securement.

Today's freight was mostly siding and roofing sheets for businesses in the Midland area. Beautiful scenery on the way up to Midland. Had 8 drops in total. Each drop we had to get out, roll back the tarp, unstrap, wait for the unload, then restrap and roll the tarp back into place. Getting into the habit of checking the truck and trailer every time I get out.

It was cold and raining. I'll definitely be buying better gear for the upcoming winter season. I was wet and cold most of the day. It made me realize I probably wouldn't like local flatbed work. I'm more interested in highway runs at this point.

The O/O i was with shared a ton of helpful info about trucking. Answered all my (stupid) questions and gave me a better feel for the industry.

There wasn't much tricky driving. Mostly straight backs once the load was dropped off. There was one tricky drop at the Home Hardware in Midland. The driver backed in off the street, which was pretty impressive. I'm very far from that level of backing skill.

Otherwise, an easy day with deliveries out on the road. Ended up being a 13 hour day. Another long one for me, but I'll get used to it. Heading in this morning at 7:30AM and I have no idea what the day will bring. I'll keep you guys updated.

 

Yep, that's my natural way of driving. My trainer was trying to rush me but I had the cruise set and wasn't in a hurry to rush into stop-and-go traffic.

 

Day 4 - Another day of local deliveries. Mostly shuttling trailers between the yard and one of our customer locations. Had one longer run, maybe 45 min away to pick up a boiler and some other pieces. Lots of load securement practice today. Straps are pretty easy if you stand back and take a minute to think about what needs to be done.

I have to say it again, I don't think I'd ever want to do local deliveries with flatbed. Highway seems much more appealing to me. All these stops, unstrapping, restrapping, BS'ing with the forklift guys, it's a lot of extra work for little reward. Some guys are good at it, but I got into trucking to drive, not to make local deliveries or I would do food service. Otherwise, I'm thankful for the load securement practice.

The most annoying thing today was when we strapped an entire load of aluminum roofing and siding. Turns out, the forklift guy forgot one more load. Had to unstrap most of what we just strapped, then do it again. Oh, and for another load the guys that pre-strapped it inside the warehouse did a half-a&& job and we had to re-do everything. I learned to always double-check everything, especially when you're not strapping it yourself.

Got home late Friday night, heading out on my first highway trip early Sunday morning. Driving down to PA with a load of steel or something. I'm not exactly sure. I'll update you guys with my progress on Sunday.