Over the Road January 2024

FOR

TRUCKERS

FR

JOBS

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January 2024

Happy New Year!

Wishing All a Happy and Prosperous New Year!

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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

JANUARY 2024

WISCONSIN

INDIANA

CALIFORNIA

CAROLINAS TEXAS

– HAPPY NEW YEAR –

HIRING OWNER OPERATORS WE PROVIDE > A Sign-on Bonus > A Competitive Pay Package > All Miles Paid

> Flexible Scheduling – No Forced Dispatch > No Northeastern US

> No Touch Freight > All Bridges, Tolls, Scales, Insurance and Borders Paid

DRIVER REQUIREMENTS 2 Years Verifiable Border Crossing Experience / Clean Abstract / Criminal Search / FAST Card or Valid Passport

For more information about joining our team please contact

1-800-265-6576/905-267-2223 dispatch@shipprimex.com JANUARY 2024

3755 Laird Road, Unit 8-9, Mississauga ON L5L JOBS0A3 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.

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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

JANUARY 2024

FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS, WE WISH YOU A SAFE, HAPPY & HEALTHY NEW YEAR!

The TransX Group of Companies

JANUARY 2024

JOBS FOR TRUCKERS • 5

MAKING YOUR MILES COUNT Robert D. Scheper

Are You Making Enough to Survive 2024?

I had a client in my office today who was in a deep financial mess. Their $24k engine job that was done two months ago missed some issues and now it will cost an additional $40-75k (their quote not mine). I ran through their issues one step at a time and helped them evaluate what they should do. This is the part of my job I don’t feel adequate to advise… and I don’t think anyone is qualified, because perseverance through a difficult situation is much more a personal issue than a simple numerical business choice. Often the stress of debt impacts choices and paths. Too often, before they even enter my office for advice, they have already pushed the “enough is enough” button. If the plug is pulled, sometimes it can take years to recoup the losses.

Mechanical issues are just one part of the overall choice to shut down or power through. The carrier contract is another major consideration. A very simple judge to find out if the carrier margin is sufficient is a simple litmus test. After fuel and carrier charges 6 • OVER THE ROAD

(not including maintenance and truck payment, see last month’s article), is the amount deposited in your bank more or less than $1.00 per mile? For example: if you drove 11,000 miles in a month, what was the amount deposited? Was it more or less than $11,000? Though this figure can make numerous operators cringe (either too high or too low), it represents a figure that nationally reflects survival. One client was getting $8,500 deposited on 9000 miles traveled ($.94 CPM).

I had another operator who got $7,500 on 6000 miles ($1.25 CPM).

As far as national averages go, $.94 CPM is a little low, but $1.25 CPM is not. However, the volume of miles is now more of the issue - not the rate.

Long distance drivers operate on 10,500-12,500 miles as a national average, so both of the above illustrations would have difficulty surviving with a new truck payment… but not necessarily with a fully paid for truck. When the industry starts to show overcapacity, the first thing to drop is the available miles per month. If it drops too much, even with acceptable margins, survival becomes an issue.

JANUARY 2024

After the fuel economy, carrier contract, volume of miles and truck payment the next major cash flow issue is the tax method used. Does the operator utilize Non-Taxable Benefits?

As I wrote about this issue in my first book “Making Your Miles Count: taxes, taxes, taxes”, it makes a very significant impact on after-tax cash flow. Currently, the spread is $1000 per month. National averages have operators paying taxes of between $12-20,000 using the TL2 simplified method. The NTB method averages $2-8,000 (all else being equal). If your tax preparer asks you how many days you were on the road last year… you are using the TL2 simplified method.

If your tax preparer asks you to hand in meal receipts as part of your tax paperwork… you are using the TL2 simplified method. If you want to save $12,000 per year in taxes you should learn how to use Non-Taxable Benefits. Since we started keeping track (2006), our firm has saved clients a collective $70 million in taxes. It is not that difficult to calculate the savings if you use the technology available. If your tax preparer doesn’t have the technology, contact our firm.

Beginning in April 2024, we will be licensing out our system to operators so your tax preparer can help you fully benefit from the best system for operators in Canada.

JANUARY 2024

Without a doubt, these times are difficult for some operators. Every penny counts to build after-tax wealth.

Sometimes you can’t survive, and if so, you should sell your truck, and sometimes all you need is a little tweak to make it work. If you are looking for more operational and industry advice, look up our PODCAST “Making Your Miles Count”. Our long-form podcast can assist 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

~ HAPPY NEW YEAR! ~

8 • OVER THE ROAD

JANUARY 2024

Now Hiring For Full Time Local and Long Haul Drivers

We offer

Apply online at careers.walmart.ca

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

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

JANUARY 2024

JOBS FOR TRUCKERS • 9

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

10 • OVER THE ROAD

scan the QR code to register or visit

truckworld.ca

OFFICIAL MEDIA

JANUARY 2024

A PROUD CANADIAN COMPANY

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

JANUARY 2024 e. lonny@anvilring.ca

@anvil_ring

anvilring.ca anvilring.ca JOBS FOR TRUCKERS • 11

WOMEN IN TRUCKING Ellen Voie

Solving a Driver Shortage, One Calorie at a Time Well, the Christmas holiday season is over, and those pies, candies, and cookies that many of us ate to celebrate the season have not helped our waistline! One study found that the average person gains eight pounds over the holiday season.

We tend to disregard calories during the holidays, as ninety percent of us said we aren’t going to worry about our weight right now, and 60 percent said we deserve to indulge in treats. It’s been a hard year (or two), and we often turn to food to reward ourselves for dealing with these challenges.

Well, now it is January when nearly forty percent of people make a New Year’s resolution to eat better, exercise more, or just be healthier. For professional drivers, the quest to eat better is even more difficult because of the limited food choices and the challenges of eating in a truck.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), seven in ten long-haul truck drivers are obese. Obesity is defined as 12 • OVER THE ROAD

excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health. A body mass index over 25 means you are overweight and if it’s over thirty, you are considered obese.

We all know that obesity affects us in more ways than our pants size. Heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and sleep apnea are all related to our weight. Weight loss of just five to fifteen percent can dramatically improve our health.

Why is it so hard to shed those excess pounds? There are so many reasons, but for drivers, here are some responses to a Facebook question recently posted.

Nutritious food isn’t always available, and the variety isn’t great. In addition to these challenges, the costs are always higher for healthier food options. Some drivers don’t like cooking in their trucks as meal preparation and clean up are a challenge.

(Have you tried to clean a crock pot in a truck stop restroom?)

A study called “Barriers to Truck Drivers’ Health: Eating, Environmental Influences JANUARY 2024

and Health Promotion Strategies” published in the Journal of Workplace Behavioral Health found that 85 percent of drivers are obese. They claim the life expectancy of Drivers is 63 years for union drivers and 56 for members of the Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association.

The research included driver eating settings such as truck stops, terminals, warehouses, rest areas and truck cabs.

They explored the food options at fast food restaurants, vending machines, mini marts, driver lounges and break rooms. Their findings were that “trucking work settings … do not emerge as work contexts that encourage healthful eating.”

One of the statements that jumped out at me was, “These findings further corroborate our hypothesis that the trucking sector remains an overall underserved workplace, which can be linked to the blue-collar nature of its employees.”

As a frequent flyer, I spend a lot of time in airports and on airplanes. I often see pilots with a fast-food bag from Chickfil-A or Subway sandwiches, but I rarely see an overweight or obese pilot. Wait, how could this be? They are eating fast food between flights. They are away from home and don’t have access to cooking facilities in the cockpit. Why are pilots not experiencing the same rate of obesity as truck drivers? A study from the National JANUARY 2024

Center of Biotechnology Information found that less than fifteen percent of pilots were obese.

Let’s go back to the term ‘blue collar.’

I truly believe that a person’s sense of self-worth affects the way they feel about themselves and that extends to how they treat their bodies. One study claims that we are more likely to over eat when we are feeling a lower sense of self-esteem.

Would it make sense to start treating our professional drivers like the skilled workers they are and maybe they will feel better about themselves? This industry has a driver retention challenge and perhaps that could be changed by treating our drivers more like pilots. Let’s start talking about self-worth and maybe our driver retention issues will improve.

Ellen Voie President/CEO/Founder of Women In Trucking, Inc. ellen@womenintrucking.org www.womenintrucking.org

Mission: Women In Trucking was established to encourage the employment of women in the trucking industry, promote their accomplishments and minimize obstacles faced by women working in the trucking industry.

JOBS FOR TRUCKERS • 13

Index Anvil Ring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

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

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

TransX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,16

DeckX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,16

Truck World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

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

Walmart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,9

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

Women in Trucking Article . . . . . . . . . 12,13

Primex Transource . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Happy New Year from

14 • OVER THE ROAD

JANUARY 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.

We wish everyone a safe, happy and healthy New Year

HIRING RECRUITING DEPARTMENT

JANUARY 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

$

Save Operating Costs on Insurance with TransX!

JUMP INTO THE NEW YEAR!

YOUR LIFE YOUR LANE Join one of Canada’s premier transportation companies today and get the pay and miles you deserve!

The TransX Group of Companies

Hiring Owner Operators City

Linehaul Division Owner Operators & Company Drivers

Canada Only

Canada/USA Lanes in ALL LOCATIONS

Canada/USA

Tandem, Tridem & Super B Trailers Tractor & Trailer Lease to Own Opportunities Available

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 Happy Holidays!

JANUARY 2024