we need drivers in northern bc

I think I preferred it when they were driving into the lake. At least when they are in the lake they are less likely to careen into oncoming traffic.

The word I got from a Maple Leaf driver is that drivers are required to pay $1200 for mandatory life insurance. I don't know whether he had the facts exactly right but it sure did not sound like the benefit plan was very good (especially for a flat-rate slip-seating job that does not pay well in the first place). Under any circumstance he made it really clear he felt safety was not a big priority and cost-cutting was the order of the day from the Maple Leaf Head Office. I suppose they have to pay for those wrecked trucks somehow.

If you have driven the Maple Leaf Yukon Zinc units on the Stewart-Cassiar Highway in the winter, give us your impression of their handling on hardpack snow and ice. I know that several drivers have tried them out but did not take the job for whatever reasons.

For those of you who have not driven on the Stewart-Cassiar Highway here is a picture of it in the summer:


Being passed too closely can cause the trailer to take a rest break in the ditch on such a narrow highway.

 

sounds like a good benefit plan considering the lowrate of pay

i wouldnt take that job as it would be a pay cut plus logbooks...but i drive every shift, day and night on "extra-wide-profile Maple Leaf steering tires (7500 kg cement truck tires) easily lose traction on snow and ice. " and have no issues

 

I never been on this road, i was curious how does it look like and searched the You Tube found this videos;looks narrow,dangerous for trucks ;
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Stewart-Cassiar+Highway&page=1

... and worst winter time;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXyk4QI9Bto

 

Hauled out of Northern BC and the Yukon to Alaska in the 70s-loved the country and the people-wish I was still doing it.

 

In 1969 I use to haul ore from Anvil Mine at Faro to the Whitepass Railhead in Whitehorse. 335 Cummins and 13 speed.

 

I hauled from the FNFI mill in Fort Nelson, and the YFP mill in Watson Lake-had an old CF Freightliner-335 with 5&4, and an Emeryville day cab with a 318 & 5 and 4.

 

You must have thought you died and were in heaven. Thirteen gears and you only have one stick...YAHOO!

 

I drove this road about 6 weeks ago with a van full of soda ash I think (maybe caustic soda don't remember). Drove 37 up and the Alaska back. I thought it was a nice drive, a nice change from Vancouver-Calgary anyway.

I came across three Maple Leaf trucks at South Burrage. The first one waved me to a stop so I didn't go down the hill and run into his two buddies. A rookie had run up barefoot and jackknifed as he slid backwards. To get out of the situation he threw his chains on the ground and drove over them (I kid you not). The third driver went down to actually oversee the kid putting on his chains.

The one at the top told me they were looking for drivers and they were making $326/day (not mileage based) and encouraged me to apply even though I've only been driving 18 months. The tractors are Kenworths with 18 speed automatics.

When I got back to Fort Nelson I called Maple Leaf and the recruiter told me I needed 2.5 years mountain experience + 2.5 years B train. I didn't mention the kid who drove over his chains, because I thought that would be impolitic, but I'm going to guess that kid didn't have the requisite experience.

I e-mailed my resume and never heard back. I know that most of you think that the money sucks, but right now I make $.38/mile hauling beer and bottled water to Calgary and meat on the backhaul. I'm a hungry dog and I'll snap at anything that comes my way.

 

Backing onto a set to keep your unit from sliding any further while you're chaining up is not a rookie move... it's a smart thing to do especially when it's already slid back once.

Jeez, you're the rookie.

 

Pinner is right.