Standard of driving in Canada is a joke

I am very sorry if this is going to upset anyone but hey too bad...... the driving standard for the car drivers over here is a joke. If you are driving around one of the big city's then you have to make sure you are well awake because you get car drivers coming from everywhere. Its not against the law here to undertake so if you get a slow car in the middle lane and you move over to the third lane to over take them then you get some car drivers undertaking you then change back into the third lane before you get to the car you are over taking! I really do think that some car drivers think they have a force field around there cars it really is eye opening over here. The worst ones are the mums who are in the third lane chatting on the mobile phone with kids playing in the back of the car then without warning they go from the third to the exit in one move with out looking. I think Mac Donald's must have been giving away a free driving licence with every big mac or they got them in a lucky bag. When you are crossing on the trans Canadian highway you get the idiot who risks his and his family's life's by overtaking you on bends only to slow down when they get in front of you and speed up when you get the chance to over take them. I think about 80% of drivers over here would never pass an English driving test. There are 3 types of drivers over here there is the overtaker the undertaker and then there's the pisstaker!

Nipigon express

I went into the yard today to pick up my trailer to do a swap in Nipigon Ontario the fifth wheels we have on these trucks are a pain in the arse. When you back under the trailer the jaws close before you get to the pin so you have to get out and pull the pin again it took me 4 times today! After the 4th time I was getting mad then with out warning I slipped up on the ice. As I was flying through the air I thought to myself shit this is going to hurt so quick as a flash I bent my head forward then bang I landed on my shoulders then my head hit the ground. I didn't think you could see that amount of stars in the day time I saw so many stars I could have sworn I saw the Starship enterprise shoot by lol. I managed to climb in the truck and sat there for about 10 minutes all dazed. My shoulders took the full force of the impact and at the moment they are fine but my neck does ache a bit so I am going to take a full dose of my pain killers I take for my bad ankle so hopefully when I wake up in the morning I will be OK. Tell you what though, I would have given Todd Carty a run for his money on Dancing on Ice lololol. Because of my late start today I called it time at Regina Saskatchewan it was 7.30pm by the time I got here and I was lucky to get the last parking space and with this Husky truck stop you get free Internet I have found 5 Husky's now that give you free Internet.

New shower at Lethbridge

There was lots of comments about the new shower. While it was being done even I made a few comments about having a shower in a cupboard but today I used it for the first time and wow what a surprise the guy made a bloody good job. From now on when I am in Lethbridge I will use it there is plenty of room to have a shave and shower it was really clean much cleaner than most showers in the truck stops it gets a big thumbs up from me.

A good reset

I have kept in touch with a couple who I met while doing my training, Colin & Shona. We keep in touch by e-mails to see how each other were doing. I knew when I came back from my month off they were going on holiday but when I got in the yard this morning I bumped into them. It was nice to see them we didn't have much time to chat as they were going on a trip to Washington, can't wait for them to meet Dee and Cassie because I know Shona and Dee will get on really well.

I went off and got my night heater fixed then went and did a bit of shopping and went back to the yard. There's not much to do when you don't have a car so I sat in the mess room chatting to Graham (the Broons) and a guy called Charlie. We were having such a laugh the time just flew by. This is the best bit of this job, you get to meet some really nice people. We went out for something to eat and stopped in Tim Horton's for coffee I have not had such a laugh like this for a long time it was a really good night.

The 2 couples that were stirring up trouble between everyone have now left H&R. Its nice now, you don't have to listen to any back biting!

Rest of trip

I tipped out in Winnipeg and then went up to Saskatoon for my second delivery which was a really quick tip. I had enough time to get to Edmonton but I stopped at a place called Lloydminster to ring my wife and as I stopped I got my preplan for my next trip and it was for Vancouver not Toronto as promised. I rang in to ask why I was not going to Toronto and was told the job was given away! So they gave me a job to Lethbridge with another promise of a Toronto from Lethbridge, I had to have a reset anyway so no problem.

I forgot to mention last Thursday 19th Feb I was in the Road King truck stop in Calgary and I bumped in to Phil (Montedarlo) it was the first time I'd met him. We had a chat and I told him I was going to buy some washing powder to do my washing back at the yard and have a shower. He said to do it here and gave me some washing powder and let me have one of his showers which was kind of him (thanks mate)we went and had something to eat and a chat...nice bloke.

What a muck up

I picked up my trailer from Calgary and had to go to High River to finish off loading. I spent 36 hours waiting at High River then when my load was ready I left just gone 4am. I got to Swift Current in Saskatchewan and stopped for my break. I spoke on the phone about all the time spent waiting for my load and to say I was unhappy with the result was an understatement (more to follow will find out Monday about getting paid or NOT). After my chat on the phone I went back to my truck and filled the water bottle with windscreen wash then got into my truck and saw I had a message. I hit the roof, they wanted me to swap my trailer (that I had been sat around for 2 days waiting for the job and 36 hours at the plant) at Nipigon with another driver. I thought about jumping up and down but in the past it has got me no where so I went in and rang the bloke who I had just spoke to on the phone when I said hi its me he burst out laughing and said he was looking at the clock to see how long it would take me to ring (nice to know people are laughing at my expense) I told him I was passed caring but he told me the new plan and IF it all goes to plan (yer right)then I will be much better off money wise only time will tell.

On the way across Canada there were 2 trucks on their sides (as normal I had camera at haand) it was not a very nice sight my first thoughts are always to the family's of the drivers. I know only to well how upsetting it is for the ones at home who get the phone calls.

I came over to Canada to find the best place to live for me and my family. In Alberta the weather is very mild I have been walking around with a t-shirt on but when I got to Swift Current I open my drivers door and boy was I in for a shock .I didn't hang about in closing the door lol. It was so cold I got my big coat out and walked over to the restaurant with my hood up and when I got to Regina to fuel up I was going to fill up the tank on the trailer but no chance it was even colder there. So I have found the place for us to live.... somewhere in Alberta LOL.

I got to the Husky truck stop at Nipigon and waited about 30 mins for the driver to turn up after we had a chat it turns out he does 3 trailer swaps a week and he knew my trailer number before I left High River (mushrooms in the dark springs to mind) Oh well never mind what goes around comes around. I am on my way back to do a drop in Winnipeg and another in Saskatoon then up to Edmonton then pick up another trailer to Toronto I wouldn't mind swapping at Nipigon again. I am parked in a petrol station for the night this part of Canada there are very few places to park. I got here first and now there are 12 trucks here and no more room, hope the owner don't mind lol and free internet! There's a cafe here so its a case of rolling out of my bed and in for breaky in the morning with a nice cup of Canadian coffee. I was not a hot drinks person before I came to Canada but I do like the coffee here and even better you get as many FREE refills as you can handle (stay of the soft shoulders though lol). Just got to sort out my paper work ready for my drive up to Winnipeg its only about 600 miles from here and the place I am going to is open 24/7 so at least I might get that one off and hopefully meet up with George (The Big Trip) lets just hope he is not out visiting tyre fitters lolololol.

Sorry babe, just need to sabotage your blog for a minute......

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR MICHAEL HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOUUUUUUUU :-)


Well its a shame you're not here for your birthday but in a way we are all breathing a sigh of relief. You are the hardest person we know to buy presents for and it's really nice to think we haven't got to worry about what to buy coz you're not here lol! Every birthday and xmas is the same, we think of something you'll like which has taken weeks or months to think of and just before you're birthday or xmas you'll go out and buy it!!!!!

We'll I can't give you a present or a birthday kiss but I can wish that the sun will shine brighter and be beautiful all day just for you. I can wish for you to be safe forever on the roads and wish for you to see the most magnificent sight on your day....And if you buy a lottery ticket i'll wish for you to win lol!

At least we had a party before you left and you did manage to open a couple a presents. It was a nice night, well it was up to 10.30 ish then everything was a bit of a blur after that for me....until the next morning when I woke up to find pics on facebook of me with my face down the loo and out cold....never again lol!!!!

Well babe it's not special for you but have a nice day and just remember we are all thinking of you, all sending you hugs and loads of kisses, and we are all proud of you for what you are doing for us, Love you so very much, happy birthday

Cassie sends all her love and told me say 'a special happy birthday Dad'.

Go careful speak later.

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Job to Toronto

The job to Toronto has been held back until Thursday so its looks like I will be sat around for another 2 days with no work. I was offered to take a trailer to High River and sit there all day in the smelly place with no where to go to the toilet (you can go in a plastic hell hole)and no food or Internet all for $20...said no thanks! I was offered a night job but like I told my dispatch I am a day driver I can't switch from days to nights then back to days just like that its not safe what if I fell asleep?!

My trip from Calgary to Vancouver

Saturday morning I picked up my loaded trailer at 6am and drove round to the Husky truck stop to fuel up. I left Calgary about 6.45am as I got going the train lights ahead started to flash so I had to wait for the train to go by (I think it was the worlds longest train or it seemed it) I lost about 15 minutes but I was still happy because I had a job. The drive through the Rockies was very enjoyable the load I had on was only 26,000 lbs so was not to bad a drive. There was the odd few muppet car drivers who risk everything to get by you then slow down so it slows you down then they speed up every time you get the chance to pass them.

The roads were clear no snow or ice the sun was out the views were out of this world and the lakes that were frozen are starting to thaw out now and we are still in the middle of winter. As I was driving along I was just looking around at all the houses and animals and thought what a great country this is and how much my family would love it here ( so I with drew my notice)!! I stopped at the McDonald's in Golden for some breakfast (that's where me and Dee stopped a couple of times). Then I drove for a few more hours until I got to the Husky at Sicamours BC there I stopped to use the rest room (no more soft shoulders for me lol) and spoke to a nice lady that works there we chatted for a while then I carried on with my journey to Vancouver the weather is not what I expected I was wearing a t-shirt I had no heating on in the cab and the drivers window open it was really sunny not a cloud in the sky. The roads had more traffic on than the last time I went this way but nothing to worry about and no traffic jams. The last time I came this way I had Dee with me and it was dark so when I was going down the mountains I was very careful. This time it was light so I had a much better view of the road in front of me and was able to go down them much easier and faster with full control of the truck. Like everything you do the first time you are miles too careful which can cause other drivers problems after a couple more times over that way then I will be able to go down the mountains as quick as the other drivers!

I stopped at another Husky truck stop at a place called Hope BC. When I ordered my meal I got chatting to the lady there and she told me her mum and dad moved from England many years ago and that her dad was from Torquay I told her I used to live near Torquay so she couldn't wait to tell her dad that she was speaking to a guy that lived near him! Will find out next time I go there what he said. I ate my meal and drove all the way to my drop in a place called Burnaby BC (Vancouver) when I got there the guy on the gate told me to drop my trailer and get an empty to drop at the H&R's Delta yard.

When I got to the petrol station right by the yard there was 8 H&R trucks parked there so I knew it was not going to be good news when I spoke to dispatch. They told me they had nothing until Monday I was told to pick up a loaded trailer right by the yard and take it to Calgary. I pulled into the petrol station parked up and met up with a guy who I knew called Phil (hello love lol) We had a long chat, he told me the lack of work this time of the year is normal so I had to take the rough with the smooth then we was both given the details for our jobs but my trailer was not ready until Monday. A lady trucker called Martha came over and we spent about an hour chatting and telling jokes lol hey Phil I have used that joke you told me about the fresh ice you should have seen the look on the Lady's face lololol.

It turns out me and Martha are picking up from the same place and both going to Calgary so we stayed at the petrol station until Monday morning then went and got our trailers both not ready (now there's a surprise) from the time I got my pre plan to the trailer being ready it was 24 hours of waiting around.

When we got going we went to a place called Chilliwack to fuel up have a shower and breakfast then on our merry way. Its nice when you are running with someone you can chat on the CB the whole trip and keep each other awake lol and it makes the drive less boring we made our way to Sicamours BC when we got to the coquihalla mountain now coming from Kamloops this is a very steep down hill and so many drivers have lost there brakes and crashed and today there were 2 trucks that had crashed one on its side and the other in the middle of the ditch. I took a couple of pics so you can see for yourself what happens if you don't take care.
We stopped at the Husky for our late meal the lady who I had been chatting to on the way down was now serving meals she brought over a glass of water with ice in it and I asked her if it was fresh ice because I don't like that frozen stuff you get lololol you should of seen her face (thanks Phil). After our meal it was just a long drive to Calgary yard where we dropped our trailers. I followed Martha to the truck stop, turned out of the yard then left at lights and found a train shunting trailers about in the train yard we had to wait 40 mins we were not happy! When we got to the truck stop there was no room at the RoadKing so we parked at the Esso for the night I was so far out of it I don't remember taking my socks off I think at that stage I must of been sleep walking lol. Woke up this morning and turned on my truck so my qualcom comes on and no job so I sent in a message and guess what (yep no job) Martha came over and asked if I have had breakfast which I hadn't (on the way to Calgary we were chatting about birthdays and I told her its mine on Friday 20th feb) so when the bill came she grabbed it and said she was buying for my birthday..... thanks Martha.

I am sat in my truck updating my blog and the qualcom has just beeped 6 times wow got a job over to Ontario with 4 stops so should keep me happy for a few days and out of trouble lol so I have just got to fill out all of my envelopes and drop them into the Calgary office otherwise I won't get paid.

Wow not much work

I have been back a week now I sat around for 2 days without a job. Then I was told if I took a trailer to Calgary ($56) they had a job there waiting for me. When I got to Calgary there was no such job which made me really angry so I waited and was offered to go and sit at High River all day and then take a trailer to Lethbridge for another $56...... That's when I lost it big time and gave 2 weeks notice! I have been moved from one fleet to another which made me happier.

I don't know what I want to do. I love it over here but I hate sitting around doing nothing and not getting paid its not like the UK, there you get your minimum wage but over here you get nothing. A mate of mine has been offered a job with a company called Challenger and they get a guaranteed minimum of $800 even if there is no work.....gotta be a catch somewhere! It seems all the transport companies are in the same boat this time of the year it's slow for everyone. I am just glad I am not supporting my family because last week I earned $436 when you take out the tax it leaves you with $300 for a weeks work after I took out my hotel room for 2 nights and food for the rest of the week it leaves me with nothing!!!

So far this week I have earned $238 and its Tuesday today I sent a message in this morning and told there is nothing so far so it will be another day sitting about earning nothing oh well this is what you call taking the rough with the smooth if I had my visa to go into America it might have been a different story.

Don't get me wrong I have not fallen out of love with working for H&R they have been very good to me, and now I am working for a different fleet it might make the job easier for me and when I get my visa it should be much better. So I am going to stop feeling sorry for myself (lol) and just join the rest of the big queue of drivers looking for work!!

Got my old truck back

I asked before I went home if I could have the same truck when I get back, and I was told I could, it was great when I got back it was sitting in the Lethbridge yard waiting for me but when I left it I made sure it was really clean inside for the next driver what a shame not all drivers think the same! It was a right mess inside so after putting all my stuff back I spent a couple of hours cleaning it up! The work is a bit slack at the moment and it was due a service at the end of the month so while I was waiting for a job I got it serviced saves doing it when the work picks up and losing more money. I drove this truck for 3 months with out any problems so I hope I can have another 3 months without hassle because a brake down costs you time and loss of wages.

A day for meeting friends

If you read my blog you will see a bit about 2 drivers I seem to meet up with a lot and they are 2 George's one of them you all know (The big trip) and another guy from Vancouver. Well every time I bump in to one I seem to bump into the other just afterwards its so weird. There are quite a few drivers at H&R but these 2 guys I seem to meet more than anyone else. The best thing about meeting them is you always get a smile and a firm handshake and a nice chat about how they are doing with out any moans about the job. I also bumped in to Mick & Cath in the Flying J at Calgary. I parked in the J but could not get internet so I was going to go back to the yard but just as I moved off I saw Mick & Cath so I stayed put and went and had my meal with them to catch up on what they have been up to since we last met.

Not alot of work at the moment

I am sat in the Lethbridge Lodge hotel at the moment my truck is in the workshop having a full service. I am restricted to Canada for a few weeks until I renew my b1/b2 visa otherwise I would of been on my way to California so I am a bit gutted that my visa had run out (I will get over it). Just like in Europe its a bit slow after Christmas so when my truck gets out of the workshop today I have a trailer to run to Calgary and the Calgary office have a job for me so I won't lose out to much.

I bumped into a new driver last night who has been hearing some bad stories about H&R and wanted my views. After we spoke for a while he was a lot happier its such a shame that drivers have to try and put new drivers off.

One size does not fit all just because there are a few drivers who are unhappy doesn't mean we all are, every driver is different. I hear some bad stories in the bar but just because it happened to that driver doesn't mean its going to happen to you. I came here with an open mind I get my job then get out of town asap then its just me and the open road.

Everyone who comes to work in Canada has their own reason for coming, my reason is like most of the Brit drivers just got fed up with the UK and want a better life for my family. I came here on my own to see if this is the place we could make as our new home and I love it here the people are nice the country is great and the views are out of this world.

There are days when things don't go to plan and jobs go wrong and your sat around for a few days doing nothing and getting no money but they have been few and far between for me so if you can take the rough with the smooth then there is no reason why you can't make it here.

There are many Brit drivers here with families that you don't even know of because they haven't got blogs you don't get to hear their side of the H&R story but if you spoke to them they would tell you the same as I have, just get on with the work and don't bother listening to the stories.

One family I can tell you about because when I tell you his name everyone will know who I am on about is Lyndon. Lyndon looked into coming to Canada with his family and came here with both eyes wide open he never came with a big pot of money but has worked hard since he got here he never bothered with the stories you hear he just got one with the job like so many other Brit drivers do(no point in telling you all their names you wouldn't know them). In the 2 years he has been here his family live in a 5 bedroom house they have 2 cars and are very happy here they have worked hard for what they have. He has spent many hours e-mailing drivers helping them out when he can and he has even taken a few of us to his house to meet his family and show you what hard work over here could get you. What I am trying to say is if you come here and work hard and just get on with it you will get your dream.

One driver I will mention is big Phil (hello love lol) he gets on with the job as well and works hard lol (saves you sending me a comment about you working hard as well lol). There are hundreds of drivers here who work hard and love it here and only a handful who don't like it here (why do they stay if is as bad as they say)!

Back to work now

Month over now its time for work. I have brought back 2 mates of mine ( Dave & Jason) so they can have interviews with H&R. They picked me up from my house saving my wife from taking me to the airport. It was upsetting saying goodbye to my wife and daughter again but something I have to get used to. The traffic going up the M3 was very bad, stop start most of the way but we very nearly didn't make it past Winchester thanks to a dipstick car driver not looking in the mirrors but luckily Jason was very quick in moving out the way. We got to Heathrow airport with about 2 hours to spare we just booked in and went to get something to eat (the meals are so small on the plane) The plane was on time no hold ups and we took off about 20 minutes late because of the big traffic jam on the runway there were planes everywhere. The flight was good, I watched 4 films and because we were sat at the back next to the flight attendants we were offered all the spare meals and ice cream (I had 3 ice creams mmmm lol) me and Dave had a spare seat between us and we stocked up on cans of coke at one time there was 6 cans there! It was the best flight I had been on (Air Canada). While on the plane we said about going to the flying J truck stop in Calgary for our evening meal Dave and Jay had never been to Canada or America so they were looking forward to going to the truck stop but by the time we landed and got our hire car it was still early and we were still stuffed by all the extra food we got so when we did get to the truck stop we weren't that hungry! The weather was a surprise it was hot and very sunny we left the UK with heavy rain. We drove down to the Sandman Hotel booked in and we just went to our rooms and that was it for the night. I have just woken up and had my shower so I am sat here drip drying while I am updating my blog. I spoke to Lyndon and he told me my truck was parked in the yard so hopefully I will get my old truck back and its 8.15 am now so I will ring H&R and see whats going to happen today.

Crap on the internet

There is so much crap on the web sites about drivers doing this and that... you are free to do what YOU want. No-one puts a ball and chain on your foot when you get here, you are asked if you can do the job if not don't do it. Some of the stories you read on drivers blogs are only a small fraction of the work force.

When I made up my mind to go and work for H&R I looked at the facts not the made up second hand stories you read on the web and thank god I didn't take notice of the stories. How many times have you read.....'this is what this driver said' what about the other 450 drivers you don't hear from!

Loads of comments I have read on the web about when a driver! gets his PNP then he can leave and do what he wants which is very true.

So if the bad stories you read about H&R are true why are there well over 100 drivers who have PNP status still working for H&R?

Just before I came over to the UK for my month off I spoke to a German driver who has been with H&R for 26 years we had a chat about the turn over of drivers and he said its because of the changes a driver has to do and some can't hack it. I for one found it hard to adapt to the Canadian way but I stayed and I am still learning, its not hard but when you have been used to driving a certain way for 20 years then it will take a bit of time to change but it will be worth it in the end.

All I can say to drivers thinking about driving in Canada is take the stories with a pinch of salt because most of the stories are second hand and we all know how a story changes by the time it gets to the end of the line and you only ever get one side of it anyway!

This bit I am going to tell you now is FACT. A driver who I knew in Southampton went to H&R 3 months before me all e-mails I got from him was moans about not getting what he wanted he didn't want to drive and be stuck in the truck he took his wife and 2 dogs with him the wife couldn't hack it in the truck so she got a place and the driver wanted to be home at the weekends and kept turning the jobs down that would keep him away from home he told the guys where he worked (in Southampton) all he was doing was California and back every week the married guys who do them runs have been with H&R for many years so he had to wait his turn but he couldn't and was in the office all the time asking why he couldn't have the good run.
When I met up with him he did nothing but moan about not getting the money and it turned out I earned $1000 more than him but I had been there less than 3 months. So if he put his bit on the internet telling new guys that he had only earned $19,000 in 6 months I guarantee he wouldn't tell you the reason why he didn't get the money so you only get one side of the story!

If you and your wife are not 100% in wanting this new life in Canada and If you want to chuck the towel in because you have read a story before you get there then forget it because the chances are you will want to go back to what you know in the UK.

There have been time's when I thought I couldn't hack this and do I need the hassle, but i'm still sticking with it and looking forward to going back (other than missing my family).

A funny video

I have had this video clip on my laptop for ages now and when ever I show it to people they think its very funny so I thought I would add it to my blog hope you like it.

My month off is nearly over

I am nearly at the end of my time off and what a great month I have had it was so nice cuddling up to my wife in bed after being away so long and even better spending time with my daughter. The first week I spent watching TV and chilling out, then I spent the next 3 weeks doing our en-suite which was our old bathroom (I didn't leave Dee with this mess when I went to Canada) We have a big bathroom which is what they were all using as the new en-suite was shut off. I took before and after pics so you can see that I have not been sitting on my fat arse, (well not all the time lol).

This pic is looking above the shower



This pic is just by the toilet


This pic is showing the new door going into our New bedroom


This pic is showing the bottom of the window