Over the Road February 2024

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February 2024 Drive Safely!

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OVER THE ROAD E S T. 1 9 9 3

Keep this magazine in your truck...you never know when you’ll need it!

/OverTheRoadMagazine /OverTheRoadMag /OverTheRoadMagazine

www.overtheroad.ca

H E R E

F O R

T H E

DRIVE YOUR CAREER!

Why us?

At Transam Carriers, we believe that success is not achieved without professional human attitudes. We are proud of providing some of the most flexible work options in the industry for an optimum work-life balance. All of these, in conjunction with new equipment, modern technologies, in-house truck shop, and cross-dock facility, make Transam an exceptional workplace that we call here our second home. @TransamCarriers

2 • OVER THE ROAD

@Transam_Carriers

L O N G

H A U L

WE ARE HIRING: • COMPANY DRIVERS A-Z • OWNER OPERATORS A-Z, D-Z • DISPATCHER • LOCAL DISPATCHER • DISPATCH ASSISTANT • DATA ENTRY/CUSTOMS СLERK • MECHANIC

Contact us today!

Tel. 416-907-8101 x4013

Toll-Free: 877-907-8101 Address: 205 Doney Crescent, Concord, ON L4K 1P6 Email: hr@transamcarriers.com ALL JOB OPPORTUNITIES ARE transamcarriers.com/

ON OUR WEBSITE careers

FEBRUARY 2024

JOIN OUR TEAM!

We are now Hiring Highway Drivers & Owner Operators

Steady weekly runs to Florida Flexible time off Paid Hub miles All picks and drops paid Waiting time paid EZ pass for scales and bridge cards Bi-weekly direct deposit Benefits from day one Great dispatch team

– AYR, ONT. / ORLANDO, FL.

Contact Randy Baker 1-877-665-6015

randyb@beyondtransportationinc.com

Minimum of 1 year of experience is required

300 Melair Drive Ayr, ON N0B 1E0

beyondtransportationinc.com

LOOKING FOR TRIDEM FLAT/STEP DECK OWNER OPERATORS & 2 OWNER OPERATORS TO RUN SUPER B’S CANADA ONLY RUNS | HOME WEEKLY | PERCENTAGE PAY

1-877-464-3429 Office Hours: 7:30 am to 3:30 pm Mountain Time

e. lonny@anvilring.ca FEBRUARY 2024

@anvil_ring

A PROUD CANADIAN COMPANY

anvilring.ca JOBS FOR TRUCKERS • 3

18 Parkglen Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K2G 3G9 1.800.416.8712 • 613.224.9947 Email: otr@otrgroup.ca www.overtheroad.ca

1189694 Ontario Ltd. C.O.B. as Over The Road

Publisher Peter Charboneau peter@otrgroup.ca Director of Operations & Editor-in-Chief Cathryn Charboneau cathryn@otrgroup.ca Account Executive Luke Zentil luke@otrgroup.ca

Graphic Design & Advertising lennykuiper.com lennykuiper@gmail.com Controller Estela Navarrete estela@otrgroup.ca Office Manager Mary Charboneau mary@otrgroup.ca

Account Executive Earle Madden earle@otrgroup.ca

All advertisements, and/or editorials are accepted and published

by Over the Road on the representation that the advertiser, its advertising company, and/or the supplier of the editorials are authorized to publish the entire contents and subject matter thereof.

The advertiser, its advertising company, and/or the supplier of the editorials will defend, indemnify and hold Over the Road harmless from and against any loss, expense or other liability resulting from any claims or suits for libel, violation of privacy, plagiarism, copyright or trademark infringement and any other claims or suits that may rise out of publication of such advertisement and/ or editorials. Press releases are expressly covered within the definition of editorials.

Follow us on @OverTheRoadMagazine

@OverTheRoadMag

• • • • • • •

4 • OVER THE ROAD

@OverTheRoadMagazine

Great Pay Package All Miles Paid Weekly Permits/Tolls/Heavy Tax Paid General Insurance Paid Fuel Cards & Border Cards Pick Up & Delivery $50 Flexible Fuel Surcharge

FEBRUARY 2024

Now Hiring

Moving the industry forward.

One kilometre at a time.

Get on the road to success with the world’s largest retailer.

For Full Time Local and Long Haul Drivers

We offer • Competitive wages • Benefits: Health & Dental, Company matched RRSP and Pension Plan, Uniforms & Safety Boots • Walmart discount program

Apply online at careers.walmart.ca

Thank you to all our drivers.

(905) 670-9966 6800 Maritz Drive & 7295 West Credit Ave. Mississauga, ON

FEBRUARY 2024

JOBS FOR TRUCKERS • 5

MAKING YOUR MILES COUNT Robert D. Scheper

Know What Rules Are Available for Your Benefit February is always a tight month for personal finances and sometimes business finances as well. Taking time off during the holidays and having a low cash flow in January will produce sacrifices in February. In the month of “tight-uary”, scrutiny of details is the flavor of the month. Individuals do it and businesses do it too.

Living on a thin margin of error creates conflicts. What is helpful to get through the tight times and what is not? Deciding to use your credit card to go on holiday doesn’t help your longer-term goal of debt-free living.

That doesn’t mean it’s still not tempting, it certainly is, but that choice is not helpful. Choosing to stay home for an extra day or two will not help your financial margin either. When you are in a situation of “all hands on deck”, it doesn’t help to have a hand voting in favor of going on a ski trip.

Managing finances is all about priorities and systems. Even when someone has no wiggle room… it’s always a matter of priorities. I remember a couple of decades ago when I was going through

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a really difficult time financially… not paying the telephone bill so we could pay the hydro… then next month, not paying the hydro so we could keep our phone operating. There are seasons of life when things are tight. The key is to not give up, not lose heart and say, “to hell with it, I’m going to Cancun”, because when you get back, your problem is even worse.

A system tells your finances what to do, rather than having your finances tell you what you can and cannot do. One of the greatest advantages incorporation has on financial management is separating personal and business money.

Corporations have rules assigned to managing finances. When you are a self-employed operator, the rules are nearly non-existent, but corporations are clearly defined.

Following restrictive rules is not in many people’s DNA. We all like to do what we want to do when we want to do it.

Following the rules for a corporation allows for a safe and secure method of cash flow management. Following no rules for the self-employed will tend

FEBRUARY 2024

to create a financial conflict unless you impose your own rules (such as putting money aside for future taxes).

If you see the benefits of following the rules, you will love non-taxable benefits (NTB). Following the rules, NTB will save $12,000 in taxes. It’s the reason I wrote my first book and it’s one of the only reasons operators should even go the incorporation route. It may well complicate your process of managing cash flow in your business and personal life, but… for $1000 a month, it’s well worth the few hours a month of dedication you will need for it.

National averages show operators grossing $65-70,000 in taxable income and they pay between $12-20,000 in taxes. All else being equal, an operator using NTB pays taxes of $2-8,000. The tax savings to husband and wife “teams” is double that ($24,000). This is using the exact same miles and expenses for comparisons. It’s a real game-changer.

However, there is a problem with the system - people don’t use it. Too many operators think that just incorporating saves the taxes… NOPE. You must follow the rules for non-taxable benefits.

You must use the system to create the benefits. It takes some learning, but not nearly as much as you think. Compared to a logbook (ELD or otherwise), submitting yourself to NTB rules is a snap… easy… if you’re not attached FEBRUARY 2024

to cash. If you grab the cash, without following the rules, you pay the same rate as if you’re self-employed… you miss out on $12,000 in savings. Follow the rules, gain the benefit.

Without a doubt, these times are difficult for some operators. Every penny counts to build after-tax wealth. If you are looking for more operational and industry advice, look up our PODCAST “Making Your Miles Count”. Our longform podcast can assist you in your business.

About the Author: Robert D. Scheper is a leading Accountant and Consultant exclusively serving the Lease/Owner operator industry in Canada. His first book in the Making Your Miles Count series “taxes, taxes, taxes” was released in 2007. His second book “Choosing a Trucking company” is the most in-depth analysis of the independent operator industry today. He has a Master degree (MBA) in financial management and has been serving the industry since he and his wife came off the road in 1993.

His dedication, commitment and strong opinions can be read and heard in many articles and seminars. You can find him at www.makingyourmilescount.com or 1-877-987-9787.

CHECK OUT THE PODCASTS AT “YOUTUBE.COM/@MAKING YOUR MILES COUNT”

JOBS FOR TRUCKERS • 7

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FEBRUARY 2024

SEARCHING FOR A TRUCK DRIVING JOB BUT DON’T KNOW WHERE TO LOOK? Get into a job you enjoy by searching through hundreds of driving jobs across Canada and the US! Drivers and Owner Operators, apply to leading trucking companies in minutes!

It is absolutely FREE, easy and simple to use. Check it out today!

FEBRUARY 2024

JOBS FOR TRUCKERS • 9

SAFETY DAWG Chris Harris

Where Did All the Jobs Go? If you are a driver and you are driving lots of miles, then, at the time that I write this, it sounds like you are an exception. When I am out meeting my TRUCKING clients, they are all moaning and complaining about the lack of freight. Most tell me that we are in a full recession.

So, if you are getting lots of miles and you are being treated well, you should stay with the carrier that you are currently with. If you are looking for a new place to call home, then you are certainly not alone, and the competition is very high.

Stability in your history is important. If you’ve been with your current carrier for three years or longer, you will stand out from the crowd. If you have been with your current carrier for less than three years, you might consider remaining there. But of course, if you are a junior driver with less than three years of experience, you may not be getting the most in miles. It is quite a quandary.

You haven’t been there long enough to be especially treated and your résumé doesn’t look good enough to get a job elsewhere. It’s challenging.

So how do you make yourself, your résumé and your history stand out from the crowd? How do you make a favourable impression when you are completing an application online?

So, let’s get back to the topic. How do you make your application stand out so you can at least get an interview? As I said, the first suggestion is to have a job history that looks stable. Looking stable for several years at each company that you’ve driven for is the first step.

When you are completing your online application, you are competing with everyone who is looking for a job.

The second step would be to have a clean or almost clean motor vehicle record (driver abstract).

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FEBRUARY 2024

The third item would be to have a clean and recent criminal record search, as well as your FAST card. Why do I recommend having both a clean criminal record and your FAST card? Your FAST card will not expire for five years.

So, also having a clean criminal record search, helps to make you stand out from the crowd.

What if you were never listed on that insurance policy? I hope your truck driver abstract (in Ontario called a CVOR abstract) will show inspections from your current carrier. This is one way to demonstrate that you are working there.

And if you’ve been there for three years or longer, there should be multiple line items on your CVOR to prove that.

Most companies don’t accept resumes.

But a résumé is a useful tool. A good résumé will have all past employers’ names, supervisors, contact people, addresses and phone numbers. All these items are easily transferred to the carrier’s application program.

It is a very difficult market right now if you are looking for a new place to call home as a truck driver. If you are lucky enough to get a job interview, please look in the mirror. First impressions really count, especially when the competition is so tough. I wish I didn’t have to say it, but make sure you are presentable. Work clothes are fine as long as they are clean, and a smile always helps!

Do you have copies of certificates from your past training programs? Again, this would help you stand out. Certificates or testing scores are an awesome way to make you look better than the average truck driver.

And nowadays, everyone needs that darn insurance letter! When you are working for a carrier, take a picture of the insurance certificate; it will tell you who the insurance provider is. This way you can reach out on your own if needed and get your experience letter.

FEBRUARY 2024

I wish you all good luck. Stay safe.

Chris Harris Top Dawg, Safety Dawg Inc. 905-973-7056 chris@safetydawg.com @safety_dawg (twitter)

JOBS FOR TRUCKERS • 11

HIT THE ROAD TO

Canada’s Largest Trucking Event

April 18 - 20, 2024 The International Centre | Hall 1-5 Mississauga, ON

• 500+ Exhibiting Companies • 50+ Driver Recruiters • Ride & Drive: Test drive alternative fuel vehicles

Register for FREE with code OTR24

(valid AZ license required)

• GreenTECH Pavilion: Learn about and discover alternative fuels, sustainable equipment and technologies • AND MORE!

ENDORSED BY

12 • OVER THE ROAD

scan the QR code to register or visit

truckworld.ca

OFFICIAL MEDIA

FEBRUARY 2024

Increased Rates for Owner Operators New Sign On Bonus for Owner Operators Driver Referral Bonus

Pet-Friendly

Dedicated Run to Georgia

HIRING COMPANY DRIVER TEAMS Needed for Western Canada and U.S. lanes

OWNER OPERATOR TEAMS Needed for Western Canada and U.S. lanes

OWNER OPERATOR SINGLES Needed for U.S. lanes

New U.S. Team Company and Owner Operator Rates Now Available Your commitment + Our Great Pay Package = Success!

Call our Recruitment Professionals today and let’s get started!

Bill Scott

Ontario and Western Canada

Sebastien Larivee

Quebec and Eastern Canada region

1-844-400-8521 1-888-827-8521 E bscott@totallogistics.com

E slarivee@totallogistics.com

TOTAL LOGISTICS TRUCKING INC.

www.totallogistics.com /TotalLogisticsGroup

Committed to Mutual Success | Through Customer Service Excellence | Together we can move your business forward

FEBRUARY 2024

JOBS FOR TRUCKERS • 13

Index Anvil Ring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Total Logistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Ayr Motor Express . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

TRANSAM Carriers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Beyond Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

TransX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Chris Harris – Safety Dawg Inc. . . . . . . 10,11

Truck World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

DeckX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

TruckDriver.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,9

Genesis Express . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Walmart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Making Your Miles Count . . . . . . . . . . . 6,7

CONNECT WITH US ON @OverTheRoadMagazine

@OverTheRoadMag

@OverTheRoadMagazine

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FEBRUARY 2024

THE BEST IS THE LEAST WE CAN DO

IT’S TIME TO MAKE YOUR MOVE! Driver planned home time | Full load dry van – No touch Freight Steady year-round miles | Group benefits and pension plan | Paid weekly Mostly warehouse and industrial area deliveries in US C-TPAT and FAST approved Carrier and Loads

A huge thank you to all of our Drivers and everyone in the industry that is working so hard.

We appreciate everything that you are doing.

HIRING RECRUITING DEPARTMENT

FEBRUARY 2024

DARTMOUTH Yard MONCTON Yard

WOODSTOCK Head Office DORVAL Yard

BRAMPTON Terminal WINNIPEG Terminal

1-800-668-0099 | ayr.recruiting@ayrmotor.com

ayrmotor.ca

JOBS FOR TRUCKERS • 15

CALLING ALL COMPANY FLAT DECK DRIVERS WHO LOVE LINEHAUL

FALL IN LOVE WITH OUR NEW 2024 FLAT DECK PETERBUILT 579s

$

Ask us about our

Referral Fee & Sign-on Bonus!

Linehaul Division Current Opportunities for Professional Flat Deck Operators & Company Drivers: > Canada Only > CND/USA Openboard > Leasing Program that includes an equipment pack to set you up for success > No Licensing Costs > Excellent Fuel Subsidy > Sign-on Bonuses

Leased Operators Ask About the

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Operating for over 50 years; TransX is one of the largest Canadian (CN Rail-owned) providers of premier integrated transportation and logistics services across North America. DeckX has been in operation under TransX since 1996.

Let TransX and DeckX help drive your success!

Apply at DriveTransX.ca or call 1-877-787-2679 for details 16 • OVER THE ROAD

@drivetransx

FEBRUARY 2024