Pro-Trucker Driver's Choice - July August 2024 ( Find Your Trucking Jobs)
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FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK
BY JOHN WHITE
Trade Shows & Innovations
I have to admit that after 24 years of being the owner and editor of Pro-Trucker Magazine, well actually 20 with Pro-Trucker and now four years as editor and partner in Pro-Trucker/Drivers Choice, I really enjoyed the APNA trade show this year. Not that I did not enjoy the other shows, but for some reason, this show was especially good.
That is not something that comes easily, as spending a weekend setting up a booth and then being on your feet for two days straight can be very tiring. (And don’t get me started on Show n’ Shines) Ask any of the people who have trade booths at these shows, or just look at the exhausted faces as the show winds down. Some travel long distances to show off their products, and I’m sure they are all looking forward to seeing their families and crawling into their own beds.
Personally, I enjoy these shows because I get to see old friends and acquaintances and keep up to date on the new products and remarkable innovations on display. Yeah, I know I am supposed to be drumming up new business for the magazine, but that seems to fall by the wayside as I walk around.
Speaking of new innovations, whether we like it or not, the world is changing. Walmart Canada has taken a huge step in introducing its fleet’s first hydrogen fuel cell over electric semi-truck. This move marks a significant milestone in the company’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint. Hydrogen fuel cells generate electricity through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, producing only water vapour and heat as byproducts. Hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) offer several advantages over conventional diesel trucks. First, they produce zero emissions. Hydrogen fuel cells also provide a longer range and faster refuelling times than battery-electric vehicles, making them well-suited for long-haul trucking. Something that, until now, has held back the development of electric highway trucks.
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RIG OF THE MONTH by John White
Our Rig of the Month for this issue is Nick Einarson from Crossfield, Alberta. Born into a trucking family Nick has tried to leave but has always been drawn back to life on the road.
My story started in December of 1985 when I was born into a trucking family from Orillia, Ontario. My Dad and grandfather were both truck drivers, so after growing up in the trucking lifestyle, it is little wonder that I followed in their footsteps. I was about two years of age when I went on my first run. It was on a trip to Stoney Creek, Ontario, in my Dad’s 85 Freightliner Cabover. One of my earliest memories when I was young was sitting on the dog house between my mom and Dad.
One early morning, while they were asleep, I got out of the house
and climbed into that Cabover in the driveway. I don’t think they were nearly as happy as I was to discover that I could do that. It was good that I knew never to touch those red or yellow buttons.
From then on, I wanted to be in the truck any chance I could. I constantly got in the way as I “helped” do everything from greasing, tarping loads and throwing straps. I even went with Dad into the office at Liskeard Transport, where Charlie, the dispatcher, usually snuck me candy.
Eventually, Dad got into a 1987 Freightliner FLC, where I spent most of my summers.
From trips to the East Coast, Winnipeg or Churchill, Tennessee, we would have late-night pit stops to split French fries and talk to other truckers, and I’d laugh till my belly hurt. We’d then grab a coffee and chocolate donut and be gone trucking again. I would try my best to stay up with him, but then I’d say I had to stretch my legs, and I was going to go into the bunk for a minute. A few hours later, I would crawl out of the bunk
Nick Einarson
and wonder where we were.
When I was in my late teens, we moved to Calgary, where Dad took a General Manager’s position at a trucking company and got off the highway. That summer, I went to work with Rick and the guys at Big Rig towing. I learned more about the maintenance side of things in the shop and got some experience with life in the towing business. That was my first full-time summer job, and I loved it.
As high school ended, I knew that I wanted to be involved with trucks and be a firefighter, so I had to devise a plan. Dad never wanted me to be a driver, so I was on my own to find a way into one. He always said that if I did it alone, I would appreciate it more. I didn’t have my class 1, but at 19, I must have called every company in Calgary and the Yellow Pages to see if anyone would hire me.
One day, I found myself standing in the office at Ralcan Holdings, trying to sell myself as best I could. They had a great-looking fleet of new W900 Kenworths. After talking to Lori and Karen, they decided to take a chance on me. I remember Karen telling Lori I wanted it so bad she couldn’t say no. They hired me to work in the wash bay until I passed my class 1. My mom lent me the money to take a quick course at CCA in Calgary, and after a couple of months, I took my test and passed the first try. They stayed true to their word and immediately had me in a truck. I did a few day trips with other veteran drivers and was eventually cut loose. I ran a lot of Alberta and made some trips to Winnipeg that summer. In the fall, I started running to Vancouver.
I wasn’t 21 yet, so I had to stay in Canada, but I wanted to run south as soon as I could, so they made sure it happened. Just before Christmas, another driver and I got to the Sweet Grass border crossing at 10 pm. I didn’t turn 21 until midnight, so the lady at the booth told me I had 2 hours to wait. She searched my truck and
went through my paperwork slowly, trying to kill time. At 11:15, she said, “Okay, it all checks out. I’m going to let you go now, but whatever you do, don’t screw up in the next 45 minutes.” The words were barely out of her mouth, and we were gone - headed for Arizona. I spent the next year and a half running refrigerated mainly in the west and southwest states with a 2006 Kenworth W900 with a CAT engine and 18 spd. I was fortunate to have such a beautiful ride for a kid just starting out. I had a lot of fun meeting some great guys who helped me along the way, and I still get to work with them.
But as much fun as running refrigerated was, I wanted to get into flat bedding. One day in Montana, I saw a couple of sweet Kenworths with decks, and they had Kootenay Wood on the door. I decided I better check them out. I called and met with the owner, Ken. Everyone I talked to had great things to say about him and the company. The bonus was that he was also in the fire department, which was exactly the path I wanted to take. In November 2007, I started as a company driver running all over the northwest U.S. with a 02 Peterbilt 378 with cat power and a new quad trailer. I sure got my exercise, tarping almost daily.
Once 2007 / 2008 came around, and the economy slowed a bit, and to keep me busy, Ken asked if I wanted to haul cattle in the fall and winter. I had always wanted to try this, and gaining more experience in other freight is never bad. So for three years, I switched between flat decks and hauling cattle for Bruce at copperhead transport. In doing so, I now have a greater appreciation for hauling livestock and the process that gets food to our tables.
At this point in my career, as a company driver, I wanted to take the next step and own my truck. After a long search, I found a 2000 Kenworth W900 with a cat that had been very well
cared for by Keith out of Kamloops, BC. Ken happened to be out there at the time and went to look at it for me. He called and said if I didn’t buy it, he would. So, needless to say, I jumped on it.
The truck had a 475 cat with a 15 spd and 3.90 gears. I ran it for a few months and then changed the 15 for an 18-speed. I have been pretty biased toward anything with a cat in it since I started, and I will probably stay with them and keep rebuilding them for as long as I can.
In the meantime, I submitted my application to the Calgary Fire Department. It’s quite the process and very time-consuming, so I had another fireman help me by running my truck when I needed the time off. He was great on the truck, and all the ladies at my customer’s offices didn’t seem to mind a calendar fireman showing up either.
The time finally came, and I received my acceptance letter. As I waited for the information about the next recruit class, I decided to sell the Kenworth and buy another truck in the future. While waiting for training, I ended up with pneumonia that hit me hard. I put off the training for one session and eventually decided to change course and not join the Fire Department. It turned out to be the right decision.
In 2014 and 2015, I took some time off from trucking and tried to adjust to the regular job schedule. As great as it was being home every night, spending more time with friends and family, the road was calling again.
It’s hard to describe that feeling you get from a clean ride, early morning coffee, the glow of the chicken lights and the perfect sunrise. There is only one rule: don’t be late to the customer! What you do with your time in between is up to you. So I started back in a truck, staying local. That lasted a couple of weeks before I wanted to run
I found a 2005 379 Peterbilt with a CAT engine, 18-speed transmission and 3.36 rears. I knew it needed work but I figured I could bring it back to life. It certainly needed work. I put a lot of money into that truck in a short period of time. After fixing roof lights, platinum in-frame and wiring, it decided to catch fire at a Holiday Inn parking lot in Niagara Falls. But even through all that, it never let me down on a load.
I was tired of that truck trying to bankrupt me, so I soon hunted for another one. My buddy had a 94 Freightliner Cabover with a blue interior. I told him that if he ever wanted to sell it, he should let me know, and eventually, I got the call, so I took it. I sold the Peterbilt right away to a fellow in Ontario. I ran into him a few months later and asked how it worked. He had painted it and said it was running team to Texas back to Ontario regularly and never had an issue. I was happy to hear that, as I could never sell a truck knowing it needed something. I always fixed everything right away and properly.
Now, I had my childhood dream truck that was similar to the one
my Dad drove. The 94 Freightliner Cabover has a 5ek cat engine, 18spd, and 3.90 gears. Now I got to see what trucking in a Cabover was like. I hired on with Canusa Transport out of BC, running a tandem flatbed throughout North America. I knew the AC needed fixing and decided I would get around to it eventually. Well, I got a load to Phoenix, AZ, in June. Needless to say, I was not happy with myself for putting that off. It was reading anywhere from 44 to 50 in the sun. And having that engine right under me was like being in a sauna. Even the mattress was too hot to sit on, let alone try to sleep. I returned home and decided I would never run a truck without AC again.
The following May, I was loaded with air units to a school in Austin, TX, and my girlfriend Katie jumped in and suggested we make a holiday out of it. It was one of the best trips I ever had. After we had unloaded, we spent a few days sightseeing and made some great friends. Little did we know that two of us went south on that trip, and three came back north.
Fast forward eight months, and we are prepared to welcome our little girl into the world. I decided to do one last trip and be home early and ready for when she arrived. I was in Duluth, MN when my phone rang at 1:30 am. Our baby had decided she wanted to come into this world a little early, and I was supposed to load the following day for BC. Panicking, I called dispatch, and I’ll never forget Chris just saying, “Family comes first.” I put the truck in the going home gear and headed for the border in one heck of a snowstorm. I figured I might make it in time if I could get to Winnipeg and get on a plane. I told my mom in Ontario what was happening and that she would be a grandma shortly. She called me every hour or so to make sure I knew I wasn’t completely alone and to make it home safely.
I reached out for a place to park my truck and quickly had some help from Dean Myhre and Doug Drobot.
Who I had never met in person, but we all had Cabovers. Doug’s wife had the car started and was going to take me to the airport when I got there. As I waited in line to cross the border, I got a call saying the baby had arrived safely and she and momma were doing great. I decided just to drive straight home since everyone was okay. Many emotions and thoughts run through a man’s mind in that circumstance, and I had 14 hours to think about all of them. I finally got to the hospital at 3 am to see my daughter for the first time. I’ll forever be grateful to everyone for doing everything they could to help a guy get home in time. Thank you!
I can honestly admit that not being there took a toll on me. I knew that I loved trucking and enjoyed the company, but I wanted to be around for my kids more often. After some lengthy discussion, We decided to start our own company, which I had always wanted. This just sped it up a bit. In November 2018, the first truck was on the road, and I added two more right away. I’m fortunate that guys were willing to try a new company and work with the challenges that come with it. It’s a team effort, and everyone has a big role to play.
In April 2020, the world was in the beginning stages of the pandemic, and our second daughter was ready to enter the world. Now, this time, I was home and nervously ready. Katie, however, was calm as could be. I was racing to the hospital and remember her telling me to slow down as we had a couple of hours yet. We got settled into the room on Easter weekend and found that our trucks were being held up at the border. Katie, who was ready to give birth, was on the phone trying to clear border paperwork while I was on the phone with drivers and customers. That was when we felt the full responsibility of owning the company. But through all that, the 2nd baby was healthy, and the guys got across the border, and we went home. All of our drivers were great and understanding. I’ve always said we have the best crew
MAXIMISE YOUR TIRE LIFE
you could ask for.
As a new company, we were unsure what the pandemic would bring and what it could do to us.
But we worked through it as a team, supporting one another and the choices we were forced to make. Our customers stayed loyal, and we gained a few along the way. We came out the other side, still standing and stronger, knowing we had each other’s backs. I’m incredibly proud of the guys we have and how we got through something that was so unprecedented. We are optimistic about the future as we continue to ride the wild wave of transportation and logistics through economic and political uncertainty.
One of the most memorable trips I ever made (next to our Texas trip) was when one of our drivers, Steve, and I loaded up some 100-year-old
antique horse wagons from south Calgary, going to a winery in Malibu, California. They were old but in great shape, and they bought them to use for estate tours. We blanket-wrapped everything and got the ten wagons on two trucks.
We got into Barstow, CA and had the trucks all polished up to make a great impression at the winery. It was a beautiful drive up the Mulholland highway but not ideal for big trucks.
We got unloaded and returned to a wide spot just before the interstate. We parked there and decided to visit a local steak house for Steve’s birthday. We had a great meal, a few pops, and lots of laughs. The next day, we decided to rent a Dodge Challenger and go sightseeing. We went to all the famous piers we could and filled up on lobster rolls in Santa Monica. We went to the Hollywood sign and Walk of
Fame, ate at the famous hotdog stand and might have left some rubber and tire marks on Rodeo Drive. We looked a little out of place, but did we have fun that weekend. Sometimes, we get so busy making a living that we forget to have a life.
I’m forever grateful to Ralph and Karen Hunter for giving a kid who wanted it so bad a chance to prove himself and get the wheels rolling. Ken Bilben, who put up with me as an employee the longest and was an upstanding mentor for myself and countless other guys over his successful career as a fire captain and business owner.
Most importantly, my wife Katie and our daughters for enduring the long days away from home and making trucking a family business, my ultimate dream, come true.
Letters to the Editor
Pro-Trucker Driver’sChoiceMagazine
John, I really enjoyed the APNA show in Abbotsford this year. I was on the road for the last show and missed it. That seems to be the nature of the beast. Sometimes you get lucky. You can ask for the time off but you are at the mercy of your dispatcher who sometimes could not care less. (That comment is why I did not sign this.) Sure they have a job to do but they get to go home at night. A little consideration for a driver who may only make a couple requests a year doesn’t seem to me to be too much to ask. I’ve changed companies for that reason.
Truck shows like the Pro-Trucker shows (I miss them) are one of the few places where you can see old friends you have met and maybe worked with or shared a dinner or beer over the years. I really enjoyed the one we had and you introducing me to the people who put the show on. They are a great bunch. That is one of the reasons that I enjoyed the show. Meeting old friends like Bill MacDonald who is selling Peterbilts now and even a lot of the guys and gals at the trade booths I have dealt with that have become friends. It is quite amazing how small the industry is. Like truckers a lot of people move from company to company but stay in the industry.
It never was a lot of money but I liked how I did not have to pay to get in this year but I ended up spending it on some new toys so I guess it all evens out in the end. Some of the new technology makes jobs easier than when I started. Well it’s late and I have an early morning delivery. I hope to see you at the next show.
Name withheld by request.
Abbotsford, BC
Editor’s note: It was great seeing you again also. I agree. I saw people that I had not seen in years, and at our age, it is important to keep in touch…lol I spent hours at the different trade booths looking at all the new things coming out. The innovation at these shows is incredible. As far as you are concerned, it must have felt kind of strange not taking a trophy home after one of our meetings.
John, Alberta may have said that they would start a Red Seal program for Truck Driving but how many promises have politicians kept in the past? Is this just another ploy to get votes? It’s a long row to hoe, considering the provinces can’t even get their s*&t together long enough to standardize any other part of the industry.
Sick and tired of the B.S. Calgary, AB
Editor’s note: You make a good point. All you can do is remember them at the next election, and if they have not moved on their promises, try someone new. There are enough truck drivers in Alberta to make the changes needed to keep their feet to the fire.
John,
Many of my friends and I were sad to hear about Dave Madill’s passing. I started driving just before he started writing for you, and I learned a lot from his stories and some life lessons through his poems. I guess we won’t be reading any more of his stories, but you said you have three of his poetry books, so I hope you will continue to print the ones we haven’t seen yet. I always look forward to reading them.
S.Sutter Edmonton
Editor’s note: Yes, we will continue to print his poetry in his memory. Dave was a good friend, and selfishly, I will also be re-printing some of my favourites.
2024 APNA Truck Show a Big Success
Vancouver, BC – The APNA Truck Show, Western Canada’s largest trucking event, was another huge success, bringing together industry professionals from across the nation.
The APNA Truck Show took place at Tradex in beautiful Abbotsford, BC. After some days of dreary weather, the powers above blessed the weekend with sunny skies. The event attracted close to 150 vendors and saw over 8500 visitors to the show. Due to slower economic times and societal cautions, numbers were not back to pre-pandemic levels; however, all vendors said they made significant contacts and got better leads than in previous years.
“This year, we tried something different as in previous years,” said Tony Arora, Senior Manager of ADS Shows, which owns and produces the event. “This year, we reserved Saturday for industry professionals and stakeholders rather than the general public. There was no entertainment on Saturday. Sunday saw the wider people in the trucking industry, and the community, come out and enjoy the show.”
“The general consensus was that most vendors got great leads and made meaningful connections with decision makers and buyers in the industry,” commented Bobby Saini, Senior Manager at ADS Shows. “Although certain aspects of the show’s structure and logistics were
changed, the overall feeling was that the show was a huge success.”
There was constant traffic throughout Tradex and some new features were very well received. For the first time, there was a Ride & Drive component, where visitors had the opportunity to test drive commercial trucks and other vehicles. A Women’s Pavilion was included to recognize and celebrate women in trucking. Finally, there was a VIP Lounge which was used by vendors and their customers to sit and discuss business matters.
“For the next show, there will be a couple of more components added,” remarked Ron Dhaliwal, Senior Manager at ADS Shows. “We’ve
seen that times have changed and the APNA Truck Show recognizes this and will add more components to the next show to make it even bigger and better. We are thinking of adding a third day, but those plans are still in the works.”
APNA Truck Show management would like to send our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to all vendors and visitors. And a special thank you to Thermo King for their
grand prize donation valued at over $14,000, which was won by Rick Dhaliwal at Maven Transport Ltd.
The next APNA Truck Show is scheduled for June 13th and 14th, 2026 at Tradex, Abbotsford, BC.
The APNA Truck Show is owned and operated by ADS Shows, a collaborated company with JGK Media Group. ADS Shows and JGK Media Group manage and produce
various events and publications for the transportation, automotive and lifestyle industries across North America.
For more information, contact: Jag Dhatt
Senior VP, JGK Media Group t: 604-767-4433
e: jag@jgkmedia.ca
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The Rolling Barrage 2024
The Rolling Barrage is in its 8th year as a coast-to-coast motorcycle event, raising awareness to combat the stigma associated with PTSD and other mental health-related concerns.
April 1917
Deep in the horrors of trench warfare, the Canadian Corps mustered in caves, camps, trenches and shelter points close to the town of Arras in northern France. It was Easter weekend, and on Monday April 9, 1917, the massed Canadian Corp set off at dawn under a light snowfall to their main objective; Vimy Ridge.
The Canadians had developed a new combat technique where foot soldiers would follow closely behind an artillery barrage. The artillery shelling would progressively advance at arranged intervals, and the infantry would follow close behind. This technique became known as the Creeping Barrage.
2016
99 years later, Founder and retired Canadian soldier Scott Casey envisioned an annual cross-Canada motorcycle ride. Finding inspiration in the Creeping Barrage, Casey’s newly-coined “The Rolling Barrage” would capture the power, motion and emotion of a group of Canadians organized to fight the stigma of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and raise funds to benefit programs and organizations that help CAF members, Veterans, and First Responders (both serving and retired) obtain treatment to live with the mental health injuries
they received from their service to Canada and their communities.
The Rolling Barrage was established as a charity, and the inaugural ride thundered across Canada in the summer of 2017.
July 2024 - The Rolling Barrage returns
Taking 21 days, motorcyclists from across Canada (and indeed, from around the world) journey from the refreshing Atlantic breezes of St. John’s NL, through the Maritimes, Quebec, Ontario and the great Western Provinces to the final stop in Aldergrove BC, just outside Vancouver, on August 17th.
Riders include Veterans, Police, Firefighters and other public safety organizations. Interested members of the public are welcome to join this event, and details on specific route information, accommodations, organization and code of conduct are available on the event website at Home - The Rolling Barrage.
Some riders cross the country entirely, in what is known as the “Full Pull”. Many will choose to ride along a portion or select number of days. For example, riders can select to join The Rolling Barrage from 1 to 3 days, 4 to 6 days, or 7 days and longer. The same options apply to passengers, and a very modest participation fee
By Scott Casey Scott,
our Rig of The Month for May 2003 has written “Ghostkeepers” a book about his years as a gun toting truck driver while serving as a Canadian Peacekeeper in the former Yugoslavia.
is required to address insurance and liability issues. Full details at Register - The Rolling Barrage.
Riding across Canada is a ‘bucket list’ item for many, and The Rolling Barrage is an excellent way to check that item off the list! You’ll be riding with many different riders of different skill and experience levels, in a safe and welcoming environment. Many great lifetime friendships are made on the journey, from day 1 in Newfoundland to the last day in British Columbia.
Along the way, The Rolling Barrage stops overnight in Gander NL, Aulds Cove and Dartmouth NS, Oromocto NB, Levis QC, Kingston ON, Barrie ON, Sault Ste. Marie ON, Thunder Bay ON, Kenora ON, Neepawa MB, Saskatoon SK, Stony Plain AB, Jasper AB, Okotoks AB, Cranbrook BC and Princeton BC. Check the schedule detail French version at The-Rolling-Barrage-VIIIRoute-Information-Guide-FinalFrench-Version-1.0-March-2024.pdf.
Each daily ride is organized and led by a Road Captain and a team of experienced riders, smoothly coordinating the events, activities and resources that occur every day on The
Rolling Barrage 2024.
Daily “Reports from The Road” will be posted on Facebook as well as our website Home - The Rolling Barrage.
The Adventure of a Lifetime
The Rolling Barrage is a lifechanging journey that evokes positive strengths, courage, resiliency, friendship, and understanding. Whether you ride one leg, a series of days, or “The Full Pull” across the country, you are united with others who have experienced or are experiencing what you may have. To truly comprehend The Rolling Barrage, you must join us and immerse yourself in this unique experience. Discover the family you never knew existed.
What sets The Rolling Barrage
apart from other charity rides? It’s a motorcycle journey that takes you through the stunning landscapes of Canada. Refreshing ocean breezes along the East Coast, the breathtaking sights of the Maritimes, the majestic St. Lawrence, the serene beauty of Northern Ontario, the vast prairies, and the magnificent mountains of Alberta and British Columbia.
Indulge in the diverse flavors of regional cuisine and be nourished by the amazing volunteers and organizations along the way. Discover the unique diversity and profound unity that make up the peoples of Canada. Feel the excitement as sirens wail, motorcycles roar, and people cheer on the riders. Embrace the camaraderie of reuniting with old service colleagues or meeting new friends. It’s an adventure that leaves a lasting touch in your heart.
Imagine…time to reflect, and think, long and hard. About anything, and everything you’ve been needing to think about. Past, present and the future.
And connecting with people who understand that life throws curves, and it can cause you to lose your balance. For many who ride with us, this ride is about centering yourself; not just having a life but living.
The Rolling Barrage welcomes all. Expect to meet people from all walks, all backgrounds and all types of motorcycles, united in one great ride. Find out everything at HomeThe Rolling Barrage.
Matthew McBride TRB_Media@ therollingbarrage.com Cell/text 604220.8393
Tires and Trouble (continued)
As a 30-year broker hauling cars, I was becoming annoyed with tire shops in all provinces, especially B.C. I came unglued when I saw the repair person pounding on my polished aluminum wheels on the steer axle with a sledgehammer. Even I know how to loosen a stuck wheel. You take all the nuts off except two across from each other that you just finger-tighten. Then you start the truck, move it front or back 2 feet and put the brakes on. It works every time. No damage. Then, when he was done, he gave me a service call charge of $75.00. He was already at the shop dismounting some tires.
I stayed cool; it’s better for blood pressure, and you can think better if you are not yelling and calling names that caused my mother to wash my mouth out with soap. There were no timeouts when I was little.
I asked why a service call when you are already here. He said we charge a service call out on every work order we write. If you don’t like it, talk to the head office. I called the lady, and she told me I would have to wait to talk to the boss. I couldn’t wait, so I left a detailed message for the secretary to pass on to the boss. I wasn’t sure what I would do, but I was sure I was not done with this.
A month later, the shop owner where I stored the truck asked if I would like to attend a tire seminar put on by no special tire brand, just a safety group. He said I could go with him. That gave me the idea to do my own tire work, and I would not have to deal with Mr. Personality from the castle in Vernon.
By Glen Millard
Glen “The Duck” was born in Saskatchewan. He has driven trucks for 50 years, mostly long hauling. He’s now retired, that is until another adventure comes along.
That seminar was one of the best that I had attended. I learned a lot, and I decided that I was going to fix, mount and dismount and see if I could improve the tread wear on my tires. I also bought $6500.00 worth of tools, a compressor, torque wrenches and a centramatic wheel balancer.
I cleaned and inspected the wheels, bolts and hubs. (The wheel fasteners and rims will wear from being put on and taken off.) Shortly after I started doing my own tires, I noticed about 20% less wear on my tires and also a 40% change in my physical shape and build. I was not afraid that Mr. Personality would ever meet me, and I wanted to discuss my attitude toward him. I knew I could run faster on dry asphalt than he could on a fresh slick of scat.
I also used nitrogen in the tires (yes, I even bought a system to handle nitrogen), and I used “Tire Life,” a product to eliminate air loss at the bead and side walls of the tires. I figured I reduced my expenses by 30% over a longer time. Sometimes, it’s not so much the cost of the tires; it’s the increased wear, and the tire life is shortened, which increases the cost per mile.
Another way to save tire costs is to slow down and run at a steady speed instead of racing down the highway and around corners over the speed limit and tailgating 20 feet behind another semi-pulling a van. I’m sure the rear truck is often waiting to see a 3rd brake light come on the top of the van because he certainly cannot see the normal taillights, signals or brake lights.
As you see, there is much more to learn to be an experienced driver than just being a steering wheel holder.
My wife and I have started role playing in the bedroom. Her favourite is “Sexy Librarian” where I have to sit quietly while she reads a book.
If people don’t like you, it’s okay. You only need to be concerned when dogs don’t like you, then it is time for some reflection.
When did this all happen?
I’m not sure when the trucking industry took a turn for the worse, but I have seen changes just in the 13 years I have been driving. It feels like professional drivers are a dying breed. I’m talking about drivers who take pride in what they do and genuinely care about this job. The ones who care about the rules, regulations and responsibilities that we carry with us every day. Owneroperators and company drivers alike. We drive the biggest and heaviest things on the road, which comes with a huge responsibility! Lately, I feel like some drivers are taking it very lightly, and it definitely shouldn’t be.
In my situation, I’m a company driver, but I care about and take pride in what I do. This pride is what drew me to the industry in the first place. The rig I am fortunate enough to drive every day is my office and a reflection of who I am as a driver. I keep it clean inside and out and go above and beyond for my employer and customers alike because I like my job!
In the eyes of the public, whether we are driving, loading, unloading or parking, we represent the company whose name is on our door. And
today, with social media, it is like we live in a fishbowl with even more eyes on us daily! You often see trucks that look like they haven’t even seen a rainstorm, let alone soap in months. Dashes are gross and dusty, and garbage is everywhere in the cab. Trucks have oil leaks, gas tanks with dents, and stacks that might look straight if you tilt your head. But we represent even more than our company- every one of us represents all other truck drivers in the eyes of the public.
When I became a driver 13 years ago, I was excited, driven, and motivated to do good. I wanted to work hard and succeed, take pride in my work, and have others celebrate with me in this industry - especially all the other female drivers who started long before me and those who have come along since. We are still underrepresented, yet it is an excellent career for those of us who want a different view from your office every day.
For all the men and women who get up every day and do this job, it’s not easy. We miss time with family and friends, special events, you name it. Long hours, new places,
By Kalyn Marie
new faces, every day. Yes, we all are here to make money. But we aren’t all just “in it for the money, “ which is a huge problem! Can shippers get things done cheaper? Heck yes! But will it get there on time, is the driver professional? Will it get there with no damage to the load?
One of the biggest things I was taught is that no load is worth your life. With e-logs, we have a shorter time frame to get things done; as we all know, there are days when things don’t go as planned. When you have that clock ticking, it can make things stressful and encourage some to make up time the best they can. But we have a responsibility to the public and each other! When it comes to the recklessness of some drivers, the disrespect and disregard for anyone but themselves is scary and disheartening. It puts us all at risk, especially when the only thing that separates us is a dotted yellow line.
Careful What You Wish For…
A genie granted me one wish – so I wished to be happy. Now I live with 6 dwarfs and work in a mine…
Times have changed…
When I was a kid I could go to the store with $1 and come home with two bags of chips, three candy bars and a cold drink. Nowadays they have cameras everywhere…
Father’s Day
The best weekends happen when you least expect them. I hadn’t booked Father’s Day weekend off, but the Friday before was my day off, so I asked my Dad if he was available that day to visit. He said he would be attending the Lundar Agricultural Fair, so I could drive out to the country to meet him there if I wanted. I figured that was a great idea as it has been many, many years since I took in that event.
I drove out to the fair that evening, and we had a great evening taking in the sights, having a drink in the beer garden and visiting with friends. It turned out that I didn’t have to work until Sunday, so my Dad asked if I wanted to stay at the house for the night and attend the parade the next morning. He said I might need to drive an antique tractor in the parade if our friends, the Masons, couldn’t find anyone to drive the last tractor. I thought he was joking because I had never driven a tractor in my life. I didn’t think it was an outrageous idea, but I was definitely going to need a crash course.
We headed to the fair Saturday morning for breakfast, and that’s when I got word that I was needed for the parade. My Dad and Andrew Mason took me to the tractor, a 1941 John Deere LA. I’m so glad that hardly anyone saw me trying to get onto the tractor because it was not a pretty sight, to say the least. Gracefulness is not my strongest quality by any means. I definitely need to work on my movement and flexibility and perhaps lose a few pounds. Once seated on the tractor, I knew I wasn’t planning on getting
off it until the entire parade was over. Dad and Andrew explained to me how to make it go and how to stop, and we were off! I followed my Dad on his 1944 John Deere A to the staging area. I was smiling all the way there!
My Dad is one of my biggest supporters in trucking, and it was exciting for me to do something with him that was in his element. It was an excellent opportunity to see what drives him for a change. We did the parade route, and I couldn’t have been happier. We are very close with our family friends, the Masons, so for my Dad to be in the parade with Andrew, Laila and myself, made his day! This was one of the best days with my Dad because it was something we could do together that he is passionate about.
George Strait said it best when he sang,
“Dad, this could be the best day of my life
Been dreamin’ day and night about the fun we’ll have Just me and you doing what I’ve always wanted to.”
We talked about this event for days following the fair, and it really makes you appreciate the little things in life. I have a feeling I may be booked for the parade for next year already! Word on the street was that you would never have known it was my first time driving an antique tractor.
Here is a recipe I tried in the truck that might help me shed a few pounds in preparation for next year’s parade.
By Myrna Chartrand
Myrna was born and raised in Oak Point, Manitoba and was our April 2019 Rig of the Month driver.
INGREDIENTS
Mango Salsa:
1 ripe mango, peeled and chopped
½ cup finely chopped tomatoes
¼ cup finely chopped red onion
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
¼ cup or more to taste chopped cilantro
Chopped jalapenos, if desired
Salt and pepper to taste
Or, you can cheat like I did, and just add mango to store bought pico de gallo.
Shrimp:
1 teaspoon olive oil or avocado oil
As many frozen, cooked shrimp as desired
½ teaspoon chili powder
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
Wraps:
Butter or romaine lettuce, washed and leaves separated
INSTRUCTIONS
Combine all the ingredients for the mango salsa in a medium bowl and toss.
For the shrimp, preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees. Coat the shrimp in oil and seasonings and cook for 8 minutes, tossing halfway through. Serve the shrimp on lettuce leaves topped with the mango salsa.
Dunning-Kruger Effect.
A type of cognitive bias where people with little expertise or ability assume they have superior expertise or ability. This overestimation occurs as a result of the fact that they don’t have enough knowledge to know they don’t have enough knowledge.
Why do Professional Athletes think I care about what they think? If I wanted advice from someone who chases a ball, I’d ask my dog.
Trainee Drivers
I was saddened to hear of the passing of Dave Madill, another old trucker gone but not forgotten. Dave Madill, driver, author and poet, his stories in the magazine made it obvious to all who read them that he’d grown up with a love of driving.
Reading the stories where he’d been delivering loads with his dad, I could feel the father-and-son bond, and it got me thinking about the modern-day truck driver shortage. I couldn’t help but wonder if the health and safety desk jockeys hadn’t clamped down on drivers taking their children in the cab with them, maybe we wouldn’t be just as short of truck drivers as we are now.
When I was a young trucker, I used to take my son out with me, and while he never went into truck driving, he couldn’t wait until he was old enough to get his driving licence. He’s not a truck driver, but his job is truck-related. He does the import/export paperwork for containers and airfreight.
I was just like my eldest son. I couldn’t wait to get a driving licence. My father and mother met a couple in the Blackwatch social club who had a son about my age. I became friends with their boy and used to cycle a couple of miles to their house to hang out with him. His father had a small Austin A35 van, and he would take us up into the quiet country roads of Cambuslang above his house and let us drive the
van. That was it for me. The feeling of being in control of that van was amazing, albeit only in second gear at maybe 15 miles an hour.
By the time son number two came along and was old enough to come out with me, children were no longer allowed in the company trucks. Strangely, while he got his provisional licence, that was as far as it went. Unlike his brother, he’s shown no interest in learning to drive. I even bought a couple of L plates and took him to a quiet industrial estate to get a feel of the gears and controls in my car, to see if it would spark the same feeling I got as a boy.
When I worked for Lep Transport, some of the staff didn’t like me bringing my son to work. I used to do a regular run-up to Dundee, and the office manager complained that I was slower on the days he was there. I wish she had said something to me, but she phoned the company’s boss, who had just received the truck contract when Lep decided they didn’t want to run their own trucks anymore.
One day, I went into the depot for fuel and was called into the manager’s office. I stood in front of his desk while he swore at me for about ten minutes, and then he said, get back to work, and keep that Dundee mouthpiece off my back. In
By Colin Black
Colin Black lives in Bellshill, Lanarkshire, Scotland and has been driving truck for over 40 years. His story shows us once again that the problems drivers face are universal.
the tirade of swear words I didn’t hear anything about not taking my son in the cab with me. As I got to know him, I discovered he was a good guy, an old-school boss who called a spade a shovel.
But the father/son bonding in the workplace sometimes isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
I used to give one of the office lassies a lift home if I was finished early enough. We usually took the trucks home with us so we could make a late delivery or an early pickup.
I left my boy in the cab and went in to tell the lassie I was ready to go when she was. In the couple of minutes I was out the cab my son had found the bottle of polish I kept to keep the cab nice and clean. When he pulled the trigger and liquid shot out, he must’ve thought it was a water pistol because he just kept pulling the trigger until he’d coated almost the entire inside of the cab. The lassie was very impressed by how clean and shiny the inside of my cab was, unaware of the hectic five minutes I spent with a duster before she got there.
If a high school kid flipping burgers deserves $15.00 and hour ($2400 a month). Then why isn’t that the minimum Canada Pension payment?
• $300 0 sign on b onus
• Increased mileage rate 10/2021
• Fuel Cap of 47 cent s p er litre
• Fuel p er formance pay program
• Dire c t dep osit, paid t wice monthly
• Fas t cards and passp or t s preferre d
• No cost satellite communication s ystem
• Insurance/ license subsidy is upto 50 % , e qual monthly pay ment s, no interes t
• Late model tractor preferred
• Safet y b onus paid quar terly
• Scales/tolls/f a xes paid
• Group insurance
• Excellent home time and exible dispatch
• Paid pick ups and drops
• All miles paid/prac tical miles
• Stable company in business since 1954
Safe driving record • Mechanically sound tractor • Cross bo rde r ca pa bilit y • Cu s to m e r se r v ice focu s
Sadly Dave Madill passed on May 1st of this year. He will always be fondly remembered and missed.
That Call
His coat came in the mail today; so she hung it in the hall, One million miles safe driving and she’s hoping he will call;
So many things to tell him about the dreams they share, The baby tried to walk today; he wanted to be there.
The phone rings and she answers, but it isn’t him that calls. They said they were Highway Patrol from just below Great Falls.
A big rig there has overturned and the driver lost his life; He swerved to miss a family car; two kids, husband and a wife.
From her trembling fingers the phone falls to the floor, Her husband won’t be coming home; she needs to hear no more.
She stumbles down the hallway and checks on three sleepy heads, Walks into the bedroom and falls crying on the bed.
Crying, she hugs the pillow where he once laid his head, Remembers all the hopes and dreams they hatched there in that bed.
Trucking is a hard life and many drivers live with pain, But nothing like the pain she feels; her man won’t be home again.
