A Few pics of my Truck

[BigJon]

As promised, I have taken a few pictures of my truck. I will grab some more tommorow while im out and about, and take a picture of the special floor we have, which enables us to transport airline cargo containers in the trucks after we have finished our pickup and deliveries.

The Truck itself is a Freightliner M2 , With a custom built box. It has an Allinson Automatic transmission, but im not quite sure what size the engine is, it looks big compared to a car engine though I shall find some more details about it tommorow. Its governed to 110 km/h maximum speed (We have one that has the limiter broken, it gets up to 130 km/h ).




I know, it needs a wash. Only got it back from the mechanics today, The truck had sat for 6 months un-used, and the Vehicle inspection had expired. I gave the inside of the cab a good wipe down, and cleaned the interior of the glass, now i just need get the jetwash out and hose the outside down. Oh and the grey post you can see in the picture infront of my truck is a power socket, so we can plug the truck in to keep the engine from freezing solid in winter

Now a few pictures of the plane, for those are interested




The pictures were taken this evening, The plane is a Boeing 727 , headed to the GOC (Global Operating Centre) in Memphis, where the freight will be sorted and make its way onto other planes going all over the world. If you have ever seen Castaway, you will have seen how chaotic it is at Memphis. Tonight the plane must have been heavier than yesterday, as it took an extra 300 metres before the plane took off.

[wire]

All looks good Jon. I am glad that every thing is working out for you mate.

[Big Jon's dad]

As promised, I have taken a few pictures of my truck.

Nice truck, is this rated for 18 tons?
What happened to the curtainside? Was the crummy truck you had before this one a curtainsider?
The next truck to yours needs a wash more than yours does. Wait till later when winter properly arrives, then you will see real dirty trucks.

It tickles me that Canada measures distances in metric units but still uses feet & inches for the overhead clearances.

BTW, someone has nicked your licence plate.

BJD

[BigJon]

I think its rated at 15 tonnes Gross weight. The Truck is about 6 tonnes . Will get the exact figures when i start work.

Most of the straight trucks we have are curtainsiders. We have only 2 Hard sided straight trucks, one of which is mine, the other doesnt have the rollers inside for moving the cargo containers. The old truck, i will try to get some pictures of later, is really not too good to drive. The bodywork has started to rust, and looks a right mess. Im kinda glad i dont have to drive it anymore lol.

Im now back on days, Nights was trunking down to Calgary, and was only for holiday cover. Im back on nights again in a week or two, the other night driver is going on holiday. (Means i get to drive the artic )

They have had me out on the road most of this week doing a handful of deliveries, and trying to not give me too much to learn all at once. I think next on the agenda, is either training for using the forklift, or training to do pickups.

[newmercman]

Looks like your enjoying it all BJ, you got there in the end, do you think you'll go OTR or stick with your cushy little number?

[BigJon]

To be fair, i dont know FedEx seem to look after their employees, your guaranteed your 40 hours in your contract, you will never be laid off, the benefits package is excellent, and $19.40 / hour isnt a bad rate of pay to be truthful. My take home pay for the last fortnight was $1244 , and thats after they have deducted my amount i agreed on to top up the company pension plan

I like the idea of doing OTR, and seeing all the different places you guys goto. Maybe at some point in the future an opportunity may present itself. Until that time, Im going to stick with FedEx We have a nice uniform, and loads of perks come with the job. I'm going to get trained by the company to drive the forklift, as some deliverys , the customers shipper/receiver isnt in that day, and no-one there can drive their forklift. Ive had training this week that meets the FAA requirements to Inpsect and Load the Aircraft cargo containers. Ive receieved some DG (ADR) training, and could go on to become a DG (ADR) specialist.

Tonight for example, I stayed late after work (After my 8 hours, which = overtime ) to wash my truck. They were fine with that, and told me I was silly for putting my end time about 10 minutes before i actually finished. I was told washing trucks is all paid by the company, put the full time taken down. I got told off for sitting on my break, polishing the inside of the cab I want my truck to be nice and tidy, Its sat for 6 months gathering dust :S but its great, its only got 29000 km's on the clock Now if anyone borrows my truck and it comes back in a right mess, heads will roll

Ive been told that no-one else will drive my truck apart from when im on vacation, but i think I will be crafty, and swap my truck at the city station, with the old beatup truck I moved to the Airport when I started

So If your around the Edmonton area, and you see a FedEx Express Solid sided straight truck. Give us a honk and a wave

[BigJon]

It tickles me that Canada measures distances in metric units but still uses feet & inches for the overhead clearances.

Nope, we use metres, for some reason we have those signs on the truck, but all the clearance signs are in metres, with the odd one in feet and inches.

[newmercman]

Seems as if you've landed on your feet there, from what I hear Fed Ex is a job for life, it's a totally different job to what us OTR boys are doing, but it goes to show that there's something for everyone in Canada

Ok, come on Big Truck, your turn.........

[Big Truck]

Seems as if you've landed on your feet there, from what I hear Fed Ex is a job for life, it's a totally different job to what us OTR boys are doing, but it goes to show that there's something for everyone in Canada

Ok, come on Big Truck, your turn.........

OK,
when I ever get around to making it over to Canada for a "recce" Westcan Bulk in Calgary will be my first port of call

[BigJon]

Nice! just been asked if i can do a shift every other Saturday, driving the artic down to Calgary and back even better is its Overtime all day

So look out for the FedEx Express semi if your passing my way on a saturday

[wire]

OK,
when I ever get around to making it over to Canada for a "recce" Westcan Bulk in Calgary will be my first port of call

Not my own particular cup of tea but in fairness i dont recall ever hearing anything bad about Westcan. That could be a reasonable idea.

[Big Truck]

OK,
when I ever get around to making it over to Canada for a "recce" Westcan Bulk in Calgary will be my first port of call

Not my own particular cup of tea but in fairness i dont recall ever hearing anything bad about Westcan. That could be a reasonable idea.

Only downside is the price of houses around Calgary
But good skiing in the Winter isn't too far away.
I've talked to "KB33" many times on the forums this past couple of years and the shift system they work at Westcan would suit me and my young family down to a tee,just have to get us over for a look around.

[BigJon]

Its taken me a while to get these done, been so busy with work.
Heres the inside of the back of the truck (Note its not my one, this is a soft sided truck, mines solid sided). You can see the rollers along the length of the truck, they are able to be raised up out of the truck bed, enabling us to move the cargo containers easily. There are locks to secure the containers spaced at the correct spacings for the containers.



Here is the truck fully loaded with containers.



Here is where the containers are moved around and into position to be loaded / unloaded. You can see the floor has rollers that turn 360 degrees.

[remy]

Hi Big John, it looks like you've found a good job there, it's interesting and sounds like you like it. If the money is decent and you like doing the work i think you've just about got it made. Learning other skills makes a job more interesting and a more valuable employee too.
All i'm saying is enjoy what your doing now and i'm sure you'll get the chance to drive a 'big rig' otr if you want to.
A couple of months ago i changed jobs in the company and went from 630 miles a day to about 170, i just go around and load empty pallets on trailers all week, it's a bit more work than a fat old guy like me is used to but i was surprised to find that like it a lot more than just pounding down the highway.
I enjoy your posts and pics, good luck in the future.

Charles

[STEVE OWEN]

OK,
when I ever get around to making it over to Canada for a "recce" Westcan Bulk in Calgary will be my first port of call

Not my own particular cup of tea but in fairness i dont recall ever hearing anything bad about Westcan. That could be a reasonable idea.

i understand they have really improved over the last few years, just after i moved over i heard from several of their drivers who were unhappy about the way they were being treated but things got sorted.

[dave_lol66]

OK,
when I ever get around to making it over to Canada for a "recce" Westcan Bulk in Calgary will be my first port of call

Not my own particular cup of tea but in fairness i dont recall ever hearing anything bad about Westcan. That could be a reasonable idea.

i understand they have really improved over the last few years, just after i moved over i heard from several of their drivers who were unhappy about the way they were being treated but things got sorted.

I agree Steve, when I first started looking at Canada Westcan had a terrible reputation but they seem to have straightened themselves out. Even paid me $1500 to come over for an interview