The sun was out the whole trip I made my way from Kitchener to Hearst when i got to Hearst I met big Andy there we had a chat for a while then I went and had a shower then time for my bed.
We left the next morning when we got to Nipigon we met up with Jim another English driver so we all ran together we stopped at a truck stop at Pass lake we had a bite to eat while I was there I chatted to Jim about me being forgetful by keep losing my sun glasses. (guess what I left behind lol).
We got as far as the husky truck stop at Dryden where Andy had run out of driving hours so me and Jim carried on to Winnipeg. It was a long drive but we got there the next morning we left for Saskatoon we ran together as we were both going to the same place. On the way we were chatting about places to go to when my family come over in August it seems there will be plenty to do.
Jim swapped trailers while I dropped off 17 pallets I never got tipped until about 11pm which was not a problem as I dropped the trailer on the bay and went to the Husky for the night. I had a shower and then went to sleep after nuking my tea in the microwave. This last week I have saved so much money I am going to look for a freezer that goes in the truck. I've have been told it will cost me about $700 but I will get that back nearly in 1 month you do the math each meal is about $15 with tip x 14 plus a subway each day 7 x $5 =$245 for a week this last week it has cost me less then $50 to eat!
I picked my trailer up and ran to Edmonton for my second tip I got there a couple of hours early so I just sat and watched tv. Once tipped I dropped trailer in Edmonton yard and picked up trailer to take to high river then I picked up my trailer for Toronto.
I stopped in the Lethbridge Lodge for the night will leave at 9am got 4 days to get there.
Sunday, 31 May 2009
Monday, 25 May 2009
The trip to Mississauga
The trip down to Mississauga was just like the rest of the trips really. I kept an eye open for that little black bear but he must of been on a tea break instead of entertaining the truck drivers lol.
On this trip I saw plenty of Moose. I took some pics of a pair eating grass at the side of the road but when I saw them and hit the brakes it spooked them and the pics were rubbish all I got was a pic of their butts as they ran into the trees lol.
When I got past New Liskeard in Ontario I saw for the very first time a male moose with the big horns or antlers (whatever you call them will someone please let me know what there called thanks lol).
We send in our daily macros to let H&R know what time we will be at our drops and I sent mine in hoping I would get rid of my trailer instead of delivering the load but no such luck this time around when my dispatcher told me to deliver it I had plenty of time so I slowed down.
There are 2 things I like doing one is driving and the other is looking around shops because I had plenty of time I have always wanted to look around a large shopping mall in North Bay Ontario so I pulled in and spent the next 2 hours just walking around the shops I did a bit of shopping in Wal-Mart. I went into the dollar store.... how come I only go in for one thing and come out with about $10 worth of crap lol.
A good friend told me I spend to much money on food but I don't like washing up (ask the wife lol). He said to get disposable plates, bowls and cutlery, why didn't I think of that!! I had a Lasagna last night that cost me $1.95 and it was bloody lovely I just nuked it in the microwave for 7 minutes and it filled me up so no more $15 meals from the truck stops.
I got down to my delivery point just after 5pm and backed on the bay it was not tipping until 9am Monday so I pulled the curtains and watched NCIS until I fell asleep. I was woken up the next day at 6 am all tipped. I sent in my empty trailer macro and in about a minute I got a another load so had to bob tail to Kitchener Ontario they are behind with loading so no probs. There is a very large shopping mall just up the road lol I am sat outside Best Buys using their wi-fi and after I have up dated my blog I am going to look around some more shops!
The sun is out and its very hot, I've got my air con on its ok until you get out of the truck lol.
When me and Dee looked into coming to Canada the only thing we could think of that would put Dee off was the cold weather and loads of snow (she don't do cold) well the most amazing thing about this last winter in my eyes was that Canada hardly had snow don't forget I have been running from Calgary to Montreal for the last 4 months and got held up once in the bad weather and that was a Day&Ross driver losing it on a bend. When I spoke to people in Lethbridge about the snow they said it was the most snow they have had in 18 years well bloody hell there wasn't that much.
I thought Canada was snowing from late October until the end of May but its not (maybe it is in some places) so I keep telling Dee there is nothing to worry about. Dee Cassie Jenny and the ol' bat sorry I meant Jean my mother-in-law (lol) are coming over in August for a week to have a look around Lethbridge to see for themselves what a nice place it is. I am going to take them to this place a driver told me about where we can see the wildlife up close.
On this trip I saw plenty of Moose. I took some pics of a pair eating grass at the side of the road but when I saw them and hit the brakes it spooked them and the pics were rubbish all I got was a pic of their butts as they ran into the trees lol.
When I got past New Liskeard in Ontario I saw for the very first time a male moose with the big horns or antlers (whatever you call them will someone please let me know what there called thanks lol).
We send in our daily macros to let H&R know what time we will be at our drops and I sent mine in hoping I would get rid of my trailer instead of delivering the load but no such luck this time around when my dispatcher told me to deliver it I had plenty of time so I slowed down.
There are 2 things I like doing one is driving and the other is looking around shops because I had plenty of time I have always wanted to look around a large shopping mall in North Bay Ontario so I pulled in and spent the next 2 hours just walking around the shops I did a bit of shopping in Wal-Mart. I went into the dollar store.... how come I only go in for one thing and come out with about $10 worth of crap lol.
A good friend told me I spend to much money on food but I don't like washing up (ask the wife lol). He said to get disposable plates, bowls and cutlery, why didn't I think of that!! I had a Lasagna last night that cost me $1.95 and it was bloody lovely I just nuked it in the microwave for 7 minutes and it filled me up so no more $15 meals from the truck stops.
I got down to my delivery point just after 5pm and backed on the bay it was not tipping until 9am Monday so I pulled the curtains and watched NCIS until I fell asleep. I was woken up the next day at 6 am all tipped. I sent in my empty trailer macro and in about a minute I got a another load so had to bob tail to Kitchener Ontario they are behind with loading so no probs. There is a very large shopping mall just up the road lol I am sat outside Best Buys using their wi-fi and after I have up dated my blog I am going to look around some more shops!
The sun is out and its very hot, I've got my air con on its ok until you get out of the truck lol.
When me and Dee looked into coming to Canada the only thing we could think of that would put Dee off was the cold weather and loads of snow (she don't do cold) well the most amazing thing about this last winter in my eyes was that Canada hardly had snow don't forget I have been running from Calgary to Montreal for the last 4 months and got held up once in the bad weather and that was a Day&Ross driver losing it on a bend. When I spoke to people in Lethbridge about the snow they said it was the most snow they have had in 18 years well bloody hell there wasn't that much.
I thought Canada was snowing from late October until the end of May but its not (maybe it is in some places) so I keep telling Dee there is nothing to worry about. Dee Cassie Jenny and the ol' bat sorry I meant Jean my mother-in-law (lol) are coming over in August for a week to have a look around Lethbridge to see for themselves what a nice place it is. I am going to take them to this place a driver told me about where we can see the wildlife up close.
On the new trailers
Has anyone other than an H&R driver ever seen this.
It keeps an eye on the pressure in the tyres and as soon as you push in the red button on the dash it puts air in to the trailer and will inflate the tyre if the pressure is low. There is also a warning light on the front of the trailer that will let you know if there is a problem with the tyres. It has loads of LED's in the warning light and it will tell you which tyre and which side... how cool is that.
Trip to Mississauga
Whenever I get back to Lethbridge I like to get my truck washed. I picked up my trailer from the yard and that had just been washed too. I pulled into Swift Current for a break and there was a family just about to get in their car. When they saw my truck they made a comment on how much my truck was shining in the sun.
It made me look at all the other trucks on the road for the rest of the trip and I noticed how tatty and dirty most of the trucks are.
I took a pic of it parked in Swift current but you can't really tell how good it looked in the sun.
Wednesday, 20 May 2009
I have got a job now
I will be picking my trailer up from Lethbridge yard to go to Toronto there are not to many places to get wi-fi so it should be a few days moan free from me lol.
I brought a trailer down from Highriver I got to the yard at 8.45pm so I jumped in my car and went to the Sandman for a drink and chat with some other drivers it was a nice night. I am back in my nice warm truck surfing the web from Safeway.
I will wake up at 7am and speak to my dispatch guy and find out what time my trailer will be in the yard if its there when I ring then I will grab it quick and get the hell out of there.
I would like to get to Winnipeg tomorrow night which is 731 miles away its the best bit of the trans canadian highway its 2073 miles to the Mississauga yard I like to do it in 3 days but once you get past Manitoba the road is a nightmare I have driven on smoother gravel roads!!
I brought a trailer down from Highriver I got to the yard at 8.45pm so I jumped in my car and went to the Sandman for a drink and chat with some other drivers it was a nice night. I am back in my nice warm truck surfing the web from Safeway.
I will wake up at 7am and speak to my dispatch guy and find out what time my trailer will be in the yard if its there when I ring then I will grab it quick and get the hell out of there.
I would like to get to Winnipeg tomorrow night which is 731 miles away its the best bit of the trans canadian highway its 2073 miles to the Mississauga yard I like to do it in 3 days but once you get past Manitoba the road is a nightmare I have driven on smoother gravel roads!!
Monday, 18 May 2009
I left Upsala in Ontario and drove to Ignace then I phoned on road repairs to sort out getting my truck fixed they told me to take it to TK in Winnipeg.
As I left Ignace there was a truck that went off the road on to the soft shoulder and sunk (I know the feeling lol) he was getting pulled out so the cops closed the road off for about 15 minutes. There was loads of chat on the CB about the drivers poor driving then I said 'how do you know its his fault he could of been run off the road it has happened to me a number of times' then everyone was blaming Trans X and other company's for all the poor driving lmao!
I chatted to a few guys on the CB they asked me where I was from and why I am driving a truck in Canada they were a nice bunch of guys they asked me what it was like working for H&R I told them it was great just problems with the tripak and the truck being cold when it packed up. They asked what we get paid per mile when I told them they thought it was good money even 2 owner drivers said they would sell up and get a job with H&R for that sort of money lol.
I drove with an owner driver called Mark we had a good laugh and chat right up to the Winnipeg ring road. I told him about the black bear and that I missed getting a picture of it. Well, it seems like this bear is in the same spot every day he got a good picture of it the last time he went past and he is going to send me it so i'll put it on here.
We stopped in the Petro pass fuel station just before Winnipeg for a bite to eat we had been chatting for the last few hours so it was nice to get out and meet each other then we both went our separate ways. I went off to get my tripak fixed it took them 5.5 hours to fix it then stopped to get fuel at Headingley. I drove on for a couple more hours, when I stopped I was so tired I was in bed less than 2 minutes after stopping!
I got to Saskatoon at 3.30pm I dropped the trailer and went around to the Husky truck stop. I went and had a shower then had something to eat with a guy named Adrian I have met this guy a couple of times he really is a nice guy he showed me pics of black bears that he had taken and told me a place to take my wife to see when she comes over.
Its time for bed now when I get up tomorrow I gotta do my washing (where's the wife when I need her lol) my trailer will not be ready until 2pm so I can have a lay in as well.
As I left Ignace there was a truck that went off the road on to the soft shoulder and sunk (I know the feeling lol) he was getting pulled out so the cops closed the road off for about 15 minutes. There was loads of chat on the CB about the drivers poor driving then I said 'how do you know its his fault he could of been run off the road it has happened to me a number of times' then everyone was blaming Trans X and other company's for all the poor driving lmao!
I chatted to a few guys on the CB they asked me where I was from and why I am driving a truck in Canada they were a nice bunch of guys they asked me what it was like working for H&R I told them it was great just problems with the tripak and the truck being cold when it packed up. They asked what we get paid per mile when I told them they thought it was good money even 2 owner drivers said they would sell up and get a job with H&R for that sort of money lol.
I drove with an owner driver called Mark we had a good laugh and chat right up to the Winnipeg ring road. I told him about the black bear and that I missed getting a picture of it. Well, it seems like this bear is in the same spot every day he got a good picture of it the last time he went past and he is going to send me it so i'll put it on here.
We stopped in the Petro pass fuel station just before Winnipeg for a bite to eat we had been chatting for the last few hours so it was nice to get out and meet each other then we both went our separate ways. I went off to get my tripak fixed it took them 5.5 hours to fix it then stopped to get fuel at Headingley. I drove on for a couple more hours, when I stopped I was so tired I was in bed less than 2 minutes after stopping!
I got to Saskatoon at 3.30pm I dropped the trailer and went around to the Husky truck stop. I went and had a shower then had something to eat with a guy named Adrian I have met this guy a couple of times he really is a nice guy he showed me pics of black bears that he had taken and told me a place to take my wife to see when she comes over.
Its time for bed now when I get up tomorrow I gotta do my washing (where's the wife when I need her lol) my trailer will not be ready until 2pm so I can have a lay in as well.
Truck fixed now
I got my truck fixed in Winnipeg it took them 5.5 hours to find a broken wire. My truck is nice and warm now :-)
I know I kicked off and threw my toys out of the pram again but I smashed my right foot in an accident, it was so bad they had one hell of a job to fix it and if it gets cold I am in a lot of pain for most of the day. I did explain this to the guy in the office the last time but he has since left H&R so I don't know if he explained to the guy in charge.
When I get back to Lethbridge I will go and see them and see what they have to say before I make up my mind about moving on. Anyway who says I won't get other problems else where at least I have a newish truck here and a great dispatcher and have earned loads of money in the last couple of days I have had a good think about the whole lot and other than the truck getting cold (sometimes) I have no other moans about my job or the company, and in the words of my wife....better the devil you know!!
I know I kicked off and threw my toys out of the pram again but I smashed my right foot in an accident, it was so bad they had one hell of a job to fix it and if it gets cold I am in a lot of pain for most of the day. I did explain this to the guy in the office the last time but he has since left H&R so I don't know if he explained to the guy in charge.
When I get back to Lethbridge I will go and see them and see what they have to say before I make up my mind about moving on. Anyway who says I won't get other problems else where at least I have a newish truck here and a great dispatcher and have earned loads of money in the last couple of days I have had a good think about the whole lot and other than the truck getting cold (sometimes) I have no other moans about my job or the company, and in the words of my wife....better the devil you know!!
Sunday, 17 May 2009
New update
I woke up this morning freezing cold and the batteries are flat so can't start the truck and the qualcom won't work and I have no phone so its a good job I can make phone calls from my laptop. What if I had no Internet and if it was -35 outside does the guy who put the ban back on think about that no.
I know we are not in the UK but this would never be allowed heath and safety would be all over H&R like a rash.
I know we are not in the UK but this would never be allowed heath and safety would be all over H&R like a rash.
Saturday, 16 May 2009
Pissed off driver!
Why is it that the people in charge at H&R go out of there way to piss drivers off. The very last thing I want to do is sleep in a truck while the engine is running.
When I joined H&R they gave me truck 3165 to drive which has been a good truck but from time to time the tripac has played up. This last week has been very hot I have been driving along with the aircon on.
When I woke up this morning it was raining heavy but the closer I got to Longlac the harder it snowed I am parked at a place called Upsala in Ontario and the tripac has packed up again! This means the night heater will not work... not a problem I can run the truck just for tonight then get it fixed tomorrow... no such luck I turned on the truck and the thing cut out again!! When I went home for 2 weeks they put the idol ban back on my truck which means I am in the middle of no where and going to freeze in my truck.
Last year a driver froze to death in his truck at the Husky in Swift Current, so surely to god they wouldn't want to risk that, would they??
The big shame of this all is I love working for this company but they have no idea on how to make a driver happy if the driver is happy then he will stay..... rant over..... gissa job someone lol
When I joined H&R they gave me truck 3165 to drive which has been a good truck but from time to time the tripac has played up. This last week has been very hot I have been driving along with the aircon on.
When I woke up this morning it was raining heavy but the closer I got to Longlac the harder it snowed I am parked at a place called Upsala in Ontario and the tripac has packed up again! This means the night heater will not work... not a problem I can run the truck just for tonight then get it fixed tomorrow... no such luck I turned on the truck and the thing cut out again!! When I went home for 2 weeks they put the idol ban back on my truck which means I am in the middle of no where and going to freeze in my truck.
Last year a driver froze to death in his truck at the Husky in Swift Current, so surely to god they wouldn't want to risk that, would they??
The big shame of this all is I love working for this company but they have no idea on how to make a driver happy if the driver is happy then he will stay..... rant over..... gissa job someone lol
Wednesday, 13 May 2009
One more trip to Montreal
When I got back On Friday I posted my passport to the American Embassy so when I get back from Montreal it should be waiting for me with a new visa so my next trip will be going south.
On the way to Montreal my truck had a small fault which I got fixed the first night I stayed at the husky in Regina after a shower it was time for bed I just went out like a light it must of been all the traveling I have done.
Then I got the truck fixed at Brandon then it was a nice drive to Winnipeg for fuel. I have done this trip about 12 times now and each time I see something different the sun was out the whole trip and I had the air con on all the way.
I got to the Manitoba and Ontario border when I heard a Canadian truck driver over the CB shout Canada sucks I said you should try Europe that really sucks lol he laughed and we chatted for the next few hours there was 4 of them carrying army trucks I said I used to do the same work in the UK and loved it.
When we got to Ignace for the night we all went in and had a bit to eat together (nice bunch of guys). I told him about the work I used to do in the UK and was offered a job there and then with more money. I am happy at H&R, like I said its not about the money for me I like my job here and my truck is set up how I want it and I have got a great dispatcher so why change (will keep his number just in case lol).
I think every driver out here is trying to recruit drivers. Just this trip alone I was given 2 other numbers to ring but I told the drivers I was happy here they both gave me a strange look lol.
I don't know what is going on with the work but the Trans Canadian Highway seemed very empty to me I saw plenty of H&R trucks about but not many other trucks I got into the husky at New Liskeard Ontario at 815pm local time (6.15pm my time) and the place was empty I could park anywhere I wanted it was great (no WI-FI). I went and had my shower, normally I am in and out pretty quick but the last couple of showers I've had I've been in there for ages just relaxing its been lovely.
I left New Liskeard at 4.30am after my pre trip then stopped at the Husky at North Bay for fuel I made sure my tanks were full right to the top then I have enough fuel to get me to Montreal and back to North Bay. Sometimes it to much hassle to get fuel in Montreal the last time they swapped it to a Esso which I didn't know where it was but I have just looked and its back to the Petro so I will fuel there and get a free shower.
I got to Montreal at 1pm no point in going to try and get this load off early (since when has a french man done an English man a favour) lol! I parked in my usual spot outside Mac Donald's and went window shopping in the big shopping mall.
I have a 3am delivery which is only 12 miles from here so will have a kip and start at 2am then once I am tipped I have got to have 24 hours off before I can run back to Calgary which is fine with me as I like looking around the shops here there are so many.
I have picked up another addiction whilst being in Canada and its a subway sandwich lol I have one every day and some of the Lady's at a couple of the places I stop at just ask me if I want my normal sandwich lol.
On the way to Montreal my truck had a small fault which I got fixed the first night I stayed at the husky in Regina after a shower it was time for bed I just went out like a light it must of been all the traveling I have done.
Then I got the truck fixed at Brandon then it was a nice drive to Winnipeg for fuel. I have done this trip about 12 times now and each time I see something different the sun was out the whole trip and I had the air con on all the way.
I got to the Manitoba and Ontario border when I heard a Canadian truck driver over the CB shout Canada sucks I said you should try Europe that really sucks lol he laughed and we chatted for the next few hours there was 4 of them carrying army trucks I said I used to do the same work in the UK and loved it.
When we got to Ignace for the night we all went in and had a bit to eat together (nice bunch of guys). I told him about the work I used to do in the UK and was offered a job there and then with more money. I am happy at H&R, like I said its not about the money for me I like my job here and my truck is set up how I want it and I have got a great dispatcher so why change (will keep his number just in case lol).
I think every driver out here is trying to recruit drivers. Just this trip alone I was given 2 other numbers to ring but I told the drivers I was happy here they both gave me a strange look lol.
I don't know what is going on with the work but the Trans Canadian Highway seemed very empty to me I saw plenty of H&R trucks about but not many other trucks I got into the husky at New Liskeard Ontario at 815pm local time (6.15pm my time) and the place was empty I could park anywhere I wanted it was great (no WI-FI). I went and had my shower, normally I am in and out pretty quick but the last couple of showers I've had I've been in there for ages just relaxing its been lovely.
I left New Liskeard at 4.30am after my pre trip then stopped at the Husky at North Bay for fuel I made sure my tanks were full right to the top then I have enough fuel to get me to Montreal and back to North Bay. Sometimes it to much hassle to get fuel in Montreal the last time they swapped it to a Esso which I didn't know where it was but I have just looked and its back to the Petro so I will fuel there and get a free shower.
I got to Montreal at 1pm no point in going to try and get this load off early (since when has a french man done an English man a favour) lol! I parked in my usual spot outside Mac Donald's and went window shopping in the big shopping mall.
I have a 3am delivery which is only 12 miles from here so will have a kip and start at 2am then once I am tipped I have got to have 24 hours off before I can run back to Calgary which is fine with me as I like looking around the shops here there are so many.
I have picked up another addiction whilst being in Canada and its a subway sandwich lol I have one every day and some of the Lady's at a couple of the places I stop at just ask me if I want my normal sandwich lol.
Bloody CB jargon
I was driving along between Longlac Ontario and Hearst Ontario when over the CB I heard a truck driver tell us to watch out for a Bear on the left he was sitting there watching the trucks go by, I thought to myself that's great we are over 100 km/h from the nearest town and a bloody cop is sat watching for trucks speeding in the middle of nowhere. For those that don't know the word 'bear' on the CB means 'cop'.
It wasn't until I got close that I saw a small black bear sitting about 50 feet from the road just watching the trucks go by!! As I approached he rolled over and started to rub his back on the ground with his paws in the air it was a lovely sight I couldn't get my camera ready in time to take a pic and there was a Day & Ross truck up my arse so couldn't slam the brakes on..... anyway it might of scared the bear off!
It was my first sighting of a bear in Canada and I hope to get to see many more, it was beautiful.
The same day I hit a fox I didn't mean too... it ran out in between me and another truck, I felt terrible after. I didn't kill it which made it worst I could see it in my mirror dragging its back end across the road when the shock sets in it would of died, poor thing. I also saw for the very first time (close up) 2 moose. At first I thought they looked like a horse until they turned around, from what I have been told they were female moose because they had no horns or antlers. Lovin it!!
It wasn't until I got close that I saw a small black bear sitting about 50 feet from the road just watching the trucks go by!! As I approached he rolled over and started to rub his back on the ground with his paws in the air it was a lovely sight I couldn't get my camera ready in time to take a pic and there was a Day & Ross truck up my arse so couldn't slam the brakes on..... anyway it might of scared the bear off!
It was my first sighting of a bear in Canada and I hope to get to see many more, it was beautiful.
The same day I hit a fox I didn't mean too... it ran out in between me and another truck, I felt terrible after. I didn't kill it which made it worst I could see it in my mirror dragging its back end across the road when the shock sets in it would of died, poor thing. I also saw for the very first time (close up) 2 moose. At first I thought they looked like a horse until they turned around, from what I have been told they were female moose because they had no horns or antlers. Lovin it!!
Problem with Truck, Spoke too Soon!
Me and my big mouth lol. I got as far as Medicine Hat when I lost power from the engine the 'check engine' warning light came on so I pulled over looked under the hood and yep the engine was still there lol.
There was no bangs or rattles no black smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe so I carried on, the only way to drive the truck after that was to change gear manually with max high revs and keep it in 11th gear. It was about 12pm Sunday so what could I do if I stopped wait until Monday to get it fixed ? then I would of lost so much time they might of given the load to a team it was no hassle just slow up the hills but thank god there are not many hills this side of Winnipeg.
I parked up for the night at the husky at Regina and left the next morning this time it took me 30 minutes to get past 45mph but once I got going down a hill there was no stopping me lol the plan was to drive to a Freightliner workshop at Brandon that way I still started at 4am and got 4 hours driving out the way. I made all the phone calls and was told to take it to the Freightliner at Brandon Manitoba (good job I was already there) after I had a bite to eat at the husky across the road I took it over.
When I got there I was told I had to wait until about 4pm I said 'your having a laugh forget it I will take it to Freightliner at Winnipeg' blimey it was only 830am I wasn't going to wait all day! Funny but they soon found someone to look at it for me once I said I will take it somewhere else!!
It only took 15-20 minutes to fix, it was the turbo boost valve I think the total time I lost from the first time I stopped until it was fixed including the slow speed was about an hour so I done the best thing by keep going until freightliner opened on Monday morning and I made up the time I lost because the truck pulls much better up hill than it used to.
There was no bangs or rattles no black smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe so I carried on, the only way to drive the truck after that was to change gear manually with max high revs and keep it in 11th gear. It was about 12pm Sunday so what could I do if I stopped wait until Monday to get it fixed ? then I would of lost so much time they might of given the load to a team it was no hassle just slow up the hills but thank god there are not many hills this side of Winnipeg.
I parked up for the night at the husky at Regina and left the next morning this time it took me 30 minutes to get past 45mph but once I got going down a hill there was no stopping me lol the plan was to drive to a Freightliner workshop at Brandon that way I still started at 4am and got 4 hours driving out the way. I made all the phone calls and was told to take it to the Freightliner at Brandon Manitoba (good job I was already there) after I had a bite to eat at the husky across the road I took it over.
When I got there I was told I had to wait until about 4pm I said 'your having a laugh forget it I will take it to Freightliner at Winnipeg' blimey it was only 830am I wasn't going to wait all day! Funny but they soon found someone to look at it for me once I said I will take it somewhere else!!
It only took 15-20 minutes to fix, it was the turbo boost valve I think the total time I lost from the first time I stopped until it was fixed including the slow speed was about an hour so I done the best thing by keep going until freightliner opened on Monday morning and I made up the time I lost because the truck pulls much better up hill than it used to.
Saturday, 9 May 2009
Back to work
The one thing all the drivers hate who work for H&R is taking our stuff out of the trucks and leaving them to be used by a dirty truck driver. I made sure mine was clean and tidy for the next driver to use for 2 weeks until I got back. I did leave my carpet and a few things inside like my printer and 2 of my surround sound speakers. I had thought to myself I should of taken out my carpet but couldn't be bothered as its a bit of a work up to do and was wondering what the state of the truck would be like when I got back.
My truck was left in the Calgary yard so I called in on the way from the airport to put all my stuff back in and I was very surprised when I opened my door the driver (a European driver)had left it really clean and tidy for me. He even left me a note saying sorry that he had bumped the front of the truck. It has a small crack on the hood which I am not going to get fixed, it can be done when they return it to Penski at the end of the 3 year contract which is the end of this year. To fix it they will have to have it in the workshop for a week or 2 and I would have to drive another one.... no thanks.
I hear so many drivers moaning about their trucks breaking down but I have had 3165 since last October and mine has never broken down. I keep a close eye on it and get any small job fixed when I get back to Lethbridge or fix it myself. I never let all the small jobs mount up, that's when you get problems and at the end of the day if the wheels aren't rollin then you don't get paid.
I had an airline split on me at North Bay as I was parking up for the night so I sent a macro telling the night shift I needed someone to come and fix it then I went to bed at 5am I got a reply from the night shift asking if I could wait until later to get it fixed. That really pissed me off. I was so angry I got out of bed got my tool box out and had a look at it myself, lucky it was right by the coupling I opened it up and fixed it myself good job I had my own tools otherwise I would of been waiting for a few more hours to get it sorted!
This is the one thing I do hate about H&R if you brake down you send in a macro but then you get told to ring Penski yourself (I don't have a phone) why does a driver have to sort it out. There is a guy in the office for that but instead of him ringing them the driver has to do it so why waste time in sending in a macro we might as well ring them direct then H&R can save money by getting rid of the guy in the office lol. This is the only company I've known in 21 years of driving that the driver has to sort out getting the truck fixed, that is why I keep a close eye on any repairs!
I spoke to my Dispatcher (Wayne) who sorted me a job to go to Montreal and for me to drive my car to Lethbridge and he will sort out a lift for me to go back to Calgary to pick up my truck and then over to Highriver to pick up my trailer. If I have to wait for my trailer at least I've got plenty of time to sort out the truck.
I got down to Lethbridge at 7pm and booked in to the Lethbridge lodge for the night I had a shower then went to bed I was knackered and I had a good sleep. I've just got up so I thought I would update the blog and then get breakfast. Then i'm off to H&R to get a lift back to Calgary.
My truck was left in the Calgary yard so I called in on the way from the airport to put all my stuff back in and I was very surprised when I opened my door the driver (a European driver)had left it really clean and tidy for me. He even left me a note saying sorry that he had bumped the front of the truck. It has a small crack on the hood which I am not going to get fixed, it can be done when they return it to Penski at the end of the 3 year contract which is the end of this year. To fix it they will have to have it in the workshop for a week or 2 and I would have to drive another one.... no thanks.
I hear so many drivers moaning about their trucks breaking down but I have had 3165 since last October and mine has never broken down. I keep a close eye on it and get any small job fixed when I get back to Lethbridge or fix it myself. I never let all the small jobs mount up, that's when you get problems and at the end of the day if the wheels aren't rollin then you don't get paid.
I had an airline split on me at North Bay as I was parking up for the night so I sent a macro telling the night shift I needed someone to come and fix it then I went to bed at 5am I got a reply from the night shift asking if I could wait until later to get it fixed. That really pissed me off. I was so angry I got out of bed got my tool box out and had a look at it myself, lucky it was right by the coupling I opened it up and fixed it myself good job I had my own tools otherwise I would of been waiting for a few more hours to get it sorted!
This is the one thing I do hate about H&R if you brake down you send in a macro but then you get told to ring Penski yourself (I don't have a phone) why does a driver have to sort it out. There is a guy in the office for that but instead of him ringing them the driver has to do it so why waste time in sending in a macro we might as well ring them direct then H&R can save money by getting rid of the guy in the office lol. This is the only company I've known in 21 years of driving that the driver has to sort out getting the truck fixed, that is why I keep a close eye on any repairs!
I spoke to my Dispatcher (Wayne) who sorted me a job to go to Montreal and for me to drive my car to Lethbridge and he will sort out a lift for me to go back to Calgary to pick up my truck and then over to Highriver to pick up my trailer. If I have to wait for my trailer at least I've got plenty of time to sort out the truck.
I got down to Lethbridge at 7pm and booked in to the Lethbridge lodge for the night I had a shower then went to bed I was knackered and I had a good sleep. I've just got up so I thought I would update the blog and then get breakfast. Then i'm off to H&R to get a lift back to Calgary.
Great 2 weeks at home
I had a great 2 weeks at home. On the Friday night I had to stay in a hotel so my daughter didn't know I was there, the look on her face when I walked around the corner with her birthday cake in my hands was well worth it. I can't believe my little girl is only 2 inch's shorter than me and 16 already, I remember feeding her 2 minutes after she was born, (bottle not breast lol).
I did a couple of small jobs around the house but most of the time I was just relaxing getting under my wife's feet! We went shopping I brought another electronic toy for my truck which was a 500 gig media player it saves me buying anymore DVDs from Walmart lol.
We went out for dinner a few times while I was home. The kids were at school so we had the days free which was good, plenty of time together mind you Dee did say I moaned a lot......as if!!!!
The night before I flew back to Canada my daughter came and gave me a big hug and kiss she was upset but she said she still wants me to stay working out here so when Dee is ready we can all live together again Cassie is really looking forward to moving over here.
I got up at 3am with Dee we packed my bag and Dee took me to the coach station its much easier to catch a coach than for Dee to drive to the airport because of the kids (got nothing to do with the fact that she'd get lost driving back to Southampton on her own lol). So we said our goodbyes in the car and off I went.... a long journey back to Canada.
I did a couple of small jobs around the house but most of the time I was just relaxing getting under my wife's feet! We went shopping I brought another electronic toy for my truck which was a 500 gig media player it saves me buying anymore DVDs from Walmart lol.
We went out for dinner a few times while I was home. The kids were at school so we had the days free which was good, plenty of time together mind you Dee did say I moaned a lot......as if!!!!
The night before I flew back to Canada my daughter came and gave me a big hug and kiss she was upset but she said she still wants me to stay working out here so when Dee is ready we can all live together again Cassie is really looking forward to moving over here.
I got up at 3am with Dee we packed my bag and Dee took me to the coach station its much easier to catch a coach than for Dee to drive to the airport because of the kids (got nothing to do with the fact that she'd get lost driving back to Southampton on her own lol). So we said our goodbyes in the car and off I went.... a long journey back to Canada.
Flight back to Canada
I got the coach at 4am up to Heathrow then I was meant to wait for 40 minutes for another coach to Gatwick but there was one going to Gatwick already at the bus station so I got that one which saved me sitting in the cold for 40 mins.
As I got off the coach I got bumped by a bus as I was crossing the road it was my fault I only looked one way (dumb ass), good job the driver saw me in time otherwise I might of missed my plane lol.
I found the check in place and there was another H&R driver so we booked in at the same time and sat together which made it go quicker we both went and had breakfast then to the shop to stock up on drinks for the flight.
How come every time I catch a plane I have to walk what seems like 20 bloody miles to the plane! It was one hell of a walk and then when we got off the other end it was another long walk.
The lady at check-in would not let me take my bag as carry on she said it was too big, it wasn't. I had a moan, told her what I thought of her and checked in my bag then when we got up to where our plane was you should of seen some of the carry on bags other people had it pissed me off. Mine was half the size of their's so I had a moan at the people on the gate which was a waste of time they did nothing! I made a comment as I got on the plane to a stewardess about my bag taken off of me he was a really nice guy and gave me free drinks on the flight lol.
I only book direct flights but for some reason the flight had to stop at Manchester and pick up more people which made it a very long flight. I sat next to a young couple who were hoping to move to Canada. The guy was a detective from Birmingham Police force he has got to do a weeks worth of tests to see if they want him or not he was telling me it has taken just over a year to get this far and about another year to get the lot sorted before then can move to Canada. I told him he should of been a truck driver it only took 6 weeks to get my work permit lol.
The other H&R driver was sat the other side of my with the isle between us so we were chatting alot too. He was catching a small plane to lethbridge it cost him about $60 more than me so the next time I fly home I will fly from lethbridge. it cost me more than that in fuel driving to and from the airport that's not including parking!
As I got off the coach I got bumped by a bus as I was crossing the road it was my fault I only looked one way (dumb ass), good job the driver saw me in time otherwise I might of missed my plane lol.
I found the check in place and there was another H&R driver so we booked in at the same time and sat together which made it go quicker we both went and had breakfast then to the shop to stock up on drinks for the flight.
How come every time I catch a plane I have to walk what seems like 20 bloody miles to the plane! It was one hell of a walk and then when we got off the other end it was another long walk.
The lady at check-in would not let me take my bag as carry on she said it was too big, it wasn't. I had a moan, told her what I thought of her and checked in my bag then when we got up to where our plane was you should of seen some of the carry on bags other people had it pissed me off. Mine was half the size of their's so I had a moan at the people on the gate which was a waste of time they did nothing! I made a comment as I got on the plane to a stewardess about my bag taken off of me he was a really nice guy and gave me free drinks on the flight lol.
I only book direct flights but for some reason the flight had to stop at Manchester and pick up more people which made it a very long flight. I sat next to a young couple who were hoping to move to Canada. The guy was a detective from Birmingham Police force he has got to do a weeks worth of tests to see if they want him or not he was telling me it has taken just over a year to get this far and about another year to get the lot sorted before then can move to Canada. I told him he should of been a truck driver it only took 6 weeks to get my work permit lol.
The other H&R driver was sat the other side of my with the isle between us so we were chatting alot too. He was catching a small plane to lethbridge it cost him about $60 more than me so the next time I fly home I will fly from lethbridge. it cost me more than that in fuel driving to and from the airport that's not including parking!
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