taffytrucker:
I started this thread coz I was fed up of all the [zb] you read so other guys thinking about coming out can see how I found it instead of MMTM over a pint if that have offended some people then sorry and if some of you think I have a cocky attitude then you don’t know me at all.
I’m sure that you’re not offending anyone Taffy, but you can’t win on forums, if your experience at H&R is all positive then so be it, my experience was different to yours (and recent H&R drivers were telling me in person that it’s still the same). So, there are at least two versions available, and you can expect some flack, as I expected with my account, all I ask is that you keep it honest, then no-one (families) gets mislead and make a serious mistake by coming over.
BTW: My missus says my blog made W&S sound perfect, which of course it can’t be.
It was a couple of messages I got and I’m not gonna mention names that got me thinking why do I bother,
Had a great run back down to CA again this week (no comments bout ice cream boy needed lol) dropped a day early and even managed to get one of my collections done on the friday night, bad side about produce is waiting for it to get paicked and into the cooler before being laoded so saturday was wasted really only made it Bakersfield for fuel and thought sod it end of shift. Still love the run through North West Arizona through the caynons there one of the best runs I been through and a great break from sitting on the interstate for hours on end.
Got back to AB to find the white stuff gone for a while dont think be to long before it shows its face again. Me looking forward to it is not being cocky or anything its a new challenage to look forward to and try and get through the season in the same truck with no dents or extra scratches, waiting for unit to come out of workshops now found an oil leak on the wheel hub this morning so fingers crossed get unit back soon then over to BC back for weekend off then
taffytrucker:
It was a couple of messages I got and I’m not gonna mention names that got me thinking why do I bother,
Had a great run back down to CA again this week (no comments bout ice cream boy needed lol) dropped a day early and even managed to get one of my collections done on the friday night, bad side about produce is waiting for it to get paicked and into the cooler before being laoded so saturday was wasted really only made it Bakersfield for fuel and thought sod it end of shift. Still love the run through North West Arizona through the caynons there one of the best runs I been through and a great break from sitting on the interstate for hours on end.
Got back to AB to find the white stuff gone for a while dont think be to long before it shows its face again. Me looking forward to it is not being cocky or anything its a new challenage to look forward to and try and get through the season in the same truck with no dents or extra scratches, waiting for unit to come out of workshops now found an oil leak on the wheel hub this morning so fingers crossed get unit back soon then over to BC back for weekend off then
I very rarely took notice of P.M.s on here when I was posting regularly, if they can’t say it in the open, then why bother, it is after all a ‘forum’, of course, most of teh ones I got were offensive ones lol.
You should get your wishes when you go over to BC, Alan Douglas at H&R has just posted snowy pics on FB from Rogers Pass.
Drive safe.
Keep the diary going Taff , it’s great for an old has
been like me who never even thought about going
out there but now wishes that he was 30 yrs younger
and would like togive it a try .
taffytrucker:
It was a couple of messages I got and I’m not gonna mention names that got me thinking why do I bother
Keep it going Taffy, enjoy the life experience and please keep writing about it… okay, the moneys not as good as the UK unless you put the mega-miles in, sometimes there’s loads of unpaid hanging around between tipping and loading, but hey… YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE and it’s not all about the money!
Some driver’s will never get the chance to go there and have a ‘crack at it’, so it’s great to read an honest, no ‘Bull’ write-up, looking through a Taff’s eyes. (without having to plough through 20 posts of daft lorry driver’s playground squabbles… )
Stuff the negative PM’s… Sticks and stones mate, sticks and stones…
It’s looks like you’re having a fantastic time… good on you mate.
contractdriver:
… sometimes there’s loads of unpaid hanging around between tipping and loading
There doesn’t need to be “loads of unpaid hanging around between tipping and loading”, and if you ‘work’ for nowt you are feeding the merry go round of cheap (unpaid) labour which some Canadian companies thrive on!
There’s plenty of ex-pats on this forum who don’t accept conditions like that.
Unfortunately, there’s plenty who will go over there and accept those conditions, but if you don’t want to see the negative as well as the positive then you are doing yourself and other drivers and families a great diservice.
I hope taffy keeps his diary going AND keeps it honest, even if it’s all positive, as long as it’s true.
I’m in no position to advise as I’m just starting out but from what I can see been at a smaller firm they have the incentive to keep you going as they need the money coming in wheras the bigger firm costs per truck are lower and if a truck has a bad week for H&R or big freight it’s not the drama that it would be at a firm with 10 trucks.
I’m under no illusions that to make a good wage you have to work hard possibly harder than you would back home. I’m looking at it as a big adventure and hope it works out but trucking never has been the be all and end all of my life and if it wasn’t working out for me or the family I wouldn’t sacrifice that to say I drive a yank truck all over the USA.
To be fair to H&R sitting round then going hell for leather. Aint that just the same as fridge work in Europe too. I remember as a kid when I used to go with my dad it was sit all day in Spain or Italy while the load was been picked and packed then go like the clappers for the ferry.
Talking face to face to an Ex H+R driver from N.Ireland here yesterday.
He was there for two years 08/10 and only wanted to stay max two years “for the craic”
Told me he had a very good dispatcher and got MEGA miles but virtually lived in the truck for those 24months
He was called up into the office one day during his second year and given a cheque for $4500 from Dave Foder.
It was a “prize” for the most miles clocked up in one month and Foder told him they set the mileage amount so high as they thought NO DRIVER would be able to attain it.
He admitted PLENTY of “creative logging” when on that month but H+R don’t give “two balls of blue”
He said he regularly did a “triangle” run from Lethbridge to Cali then Cali to New York(interstating I know ) then NY to Toronto and back to Lethbridge.
He did also say it was the loneliest two years he has spent in his life.
Could be “truck driver canteen talk” but he knew his stuff about H+R and says the ex Wincanton “driver relations” guy is a knob
First of all a big thanks to Mr Cooper for the brews last night they went down well. Its been a strange old trip this ‘week’ use that term very loosly lol.
Had a drop in LA last saturday but managed to get down a day early and managed to tip out so happy days even managed to squeeze in a night in Vegas so did the tourist stuff and I gotta say blown away by the fountains, anyway tipped out and got one collection on friday and ready for the second on saturday but no rush as the produce was still in the ground lol. Its the same as a previous poster said sit wait then run like the clappers. Ran back upto Calgary and dropped trailer @ Loblaws 10 hrs early no waiting there. Woke up though next morning and on walk around found had burst a seal on wheel hub so truck in Penske for the day. Next day up and at it to drop trailer at Delta BC. What a run across the trans can highway snow almost soon as get through the booths for park passes. Last time was that way was in the summer and now to see it with snow was like a postcard no problems on the run through and thanks to Alan for updates on the weather through there. Picked up loaded trailer from Delta upto Edmonton AB managed quick pit stop at Flying J Kamloops where coops had a coffe waiting. What a top bloke!! Nice to meet someone for a change instead of over facebook. Running into Edmonton this morning saw about 3 trucks in the median because of the snow luckily I wasn’t one of them managed to dropp off pick up another trailer back to Leth for weekend off. About 3100 miles covered from last Friday and I got my wish of the white stuff and colder temps - 17c saw it at today and it gonna get colder so more shopping tomorrow I think lol
Adam stop using coke trucks as bumper cars play nicely with the other kids lol man that sucked but glad to see you’re ok. Kev nice to see you made it buddy hope to catch up with few more of you guys sometime. As for the driver relations guy I know who you mean but tbh I know some guys might have a problem with him he has been fine with me and I can’t grumble. God am I sure I’m not him :s
I tried that mick but kept saying invalid o well ill catch one of the guys on the road and see if I can work it out no OK this week just Dallas and Houston. Stay safe out there guys
kr79:
The forum British expats is quite helpful with lots of things not just trucking but day to day life stuff. Also on here there are some very helpful people.
It’s run by a snobby tart and has other snobby tarts among it’s members. I was banned for speaking my mind, that horrible slag ‘Leslie’ is the most hateful ■■■■■ on the forum.
I am a member on there pat and I did post three or four posts but had more help from the driving side from the guys here especially Mark (Newmercman) and John (fly sheet) and all the guys in steinbach on day to day life but have found a few useful bits of info on there about day to day life banks and stuff like that but it does seem there are quite a few on there who seem to have agendas and use it to knock one another.
That’s the thing with forums this is the only truck one I use as even though I think there’s a fair bit of crap posted throughout its still the best one. I use a couple of others relating to other intrests I have and all of them have keyboard warriors on there who you just know wouldn’t be saying what they do if you was down the pub face to face.
Very sad news about a fellow ex pat this week thoughts are with the family but on a lighter note the other drive is well enough to be lifted to Lethbridge hospital I wish him a speedy recoverym. Sorry not been told any names as of yet and no details. Brings home the dangers out there and it could happen to anyone I know I been switched on a bit more since the news.
Been a good week so far managed to get both drops done and empty a day early happy days, upto Plainview TX for reload then ended up sat there waiting for customs paperwork for about 6 hrs drop at Regina then head back to Lethbridge. What can I say the miles still continue to roll in dispite people moaning all I can say is right place at the right time. Been nice to get some sun this week before heading back off to the snow
)
Sticks and stones mate, sticks and stones…
no OK this week just Dallas and Houston. Stay safe out there guys