Challenger? Bison? Better opportunities from Calgary?

Greetings to all and Thank You everyone for making this forum such an awesome place!

To anyone with knowledge of Challenger Motor Freight, how are they to work for? What can I expect to make a week during the first year with them? Do they have lots of miles and loads? I saw some mixed reviews on this forum and I am trying to decide based on my location and priorities if Challenger or Bison is a better fit to start.

Looking as a novice at the cpm rates, Challenger seems slightly better than Bison for the first year for the same mileage per month but comparing the yearly income seems the best approach.

Maybe somebody could suggest a better paying company that would hire a green guy from Calgary ? (moving to Edmonton is also possibility also)

I am in Calgary and I have 2 little kids. With no the oil & gas work I need to start somewhere and figure it out somehow.


Thank you,
BeCool

 

2 young children you might only see twice a month? I’d look at other job opportunities JMHO

 

Hey Dude,

lately a lot of guys have been showing up, asking this exact questions (from all across Canada) so here is a bit of reading for you. I've posted a lot of stuff, for new drivers starting out (i'm out of Calgary Also) as I went through this whole process a few years ago. I'm also a recruiter for my current company, so I have some different insight also.

Anyway, here is some light reading lol.

Choosing between different schools [Need opinions].

Challenger Motor Freight?

New Driver looking for work, what to look for?

The short version, do everything possible to avoid Bison and TransX/QuickX/CanXpress.

If Challenger or Versa Cold (Not CPX) offer you a job (both are hiring new drivers) take it and tough out the first year. After you have 12-24 months of experience, you will have your pick of companies.

Where did you get your class 1 and what kind of experience do you have?

Cheers.

 

In Calgary, there are no such thing as "job opportunities" IE Hundreds out of work as long-time Calgary electrical business folds: sources and that's just the latest one this week.

 

What about Rosenau?

 

I haven’t enrolled in a driving school yet, I am trying to figure out what is the most cost-efficient one? 7500$-9000$ for the CCA/Capilano top program or 14500$ for MTI in Castlegar is a lot of money.

I am thinking to enroll in the CCA Basic Manual Transmission 20h BTW or the CCA Intermediate Manual Transmission 30h BTW based on what you guys recommend.

Driving experience is 20 years class 5 manual stick in Alberta accident free. I drove quite often Hwy 63 to Fort Mac for a while, before it was doubled.

 

I work for challenger motor freight out of Cambridge, Ontario. It CAN be a good company it all depends on what you make of it. The pay is meh, but I heard the west coast drivers make alot more than us east coast drivers. Because CMF likes running east coast states, so you don't get that many miles. They have some dedicated runs if you ask for them. I'd go with team if you just want to make money. If you don't mind how much you make than solo is great and you will learn alot in your first few weeks OTR. Pay cheques vary, I make $800ish a week after tax as a new driver. For about $1500 biweekly. Depending on how hard I run obviously. Not much, but as a new driver don't expect much either. I heard Toyota auto part teams run over $1500 weekly running Texas. Benefits are alright, you choose from 3 plans. The highest plan is $66 a month. 0.44 per mile but in reality I make more for detention time than I do driving so it works for me. You get paid for everything but you have to ASK! If you don't ask don't expect anything. Stay the #$&@ away from bison. At least with challenger you get your OWN truck and no slip seat. the training program was great for challenger, once I was done by 10 weeks I felt very confident with my driving. They are very lenient when it comes to making mistakes as well, and very flexible on days off. I can take how ever man days off as I want even if I was out for a few days. Anytime I'm tired, I send a message to my driver manager, and they don't pressure me to keep driving or anything. I once told mine that I was "very tired" and had a hard time "keeping my eyes open". I told him I'd take a half hour nap and continue driving. He replied back saying "no worries, thanks for putting safety first. Just shut down for your 10 and have a great sleep!"

Definitely a good starting company. Just do your one year contract and go to another company that will pay you very nicely.

 

There seems to be a stark contrast between how companies ran in 2009 and how they run today. The fact that your driver manager had your back really shows that managers are really understanding the risks and consequences of drivers running tired. The negative press truck crashes get only makes it harder for the Ragged Express Lines to continue.

 

That's probably my favorite thing about challenger. Whenever I feel like I'm too tired to continue driving, I'm able to shut down without the fear of getting into trouble. I try not to if I don't have to. Challenger has had their fair share of drivers falling asleep at the wheel so they are very strict on that now.

 

Glad it's starting to come around man.

800/wk paid out after taxes and benefits is amazing in the first year! Above Average Bison guys make 400-700 is they're lucky. I worked my ### off, and my best week of all US runs, was only $1000 one week. They got pissed off I cracked a $1000 that week, so then banished me to Hwy 3 Walmart runs. $400-$500/week if I was lucky; and couldn't do anything about it.

No you definitely made the right choice dude, I think you can crack $1000/wk every week in your second year easy, just gotta get on the right fleet/run, and do your thing.

Also, Bison won't tell you too keep going tired, BUT they will punish your ###. IE you will get the ####TIEST slip seat truck next rotation, endless JBS/Walmart loads, etc etc. When you finally complain, they will say passive aggressive #### like "Oh, feeling better? we can send you on longer runs now without you being tired?" mother####ers.