MIKE'S JOLLY IN CANADA PART 2. Now Europe

England is so Boring

2011-03-30T12:35:00.000-07:00

Wow I am so fed up with boring England I wish I was back in Canada.

In Memory Of My Dad

2010-10-02T15:16:00.000-07:00

My Dad loved reading my blog

2010-10-02T14:45:00.001-07:00

R.I.P Dad

A couple of pics of my truck

2010-05-28T01:42:00.000-07:00

My last post on Canada and America

2010-05-28T01:26:00.001-07:00

This is my last post on this blog about Canada (I think lol). I tried Canada and America as much as I enjoyed my time out there, it is not a place my family want to move to at this moment in time (never say never). I will continue with my blog but this will be about my trips in Europe I will post more pics than chat its really so my dad can see what I have been up to as he really enjoyed reading my blog.I had some wonderful e-mails from people and met some great guys in Canada I still chat to some of the drivers who I met. If you are thinking of Canada and you are a single guy go for it what have you got to lose but if your a family guy then think very hard and do your home work there are a few company's in Canada that will wreck everything. I have been there and seen it for myself and still hear stories now about the way family's get treated there is a case going on at the moment that I can't say anything about because of legal reason's but it would make you think twice about going to H&R Transport. I can never understand why a company thrives in other peoples misery and you hear so many things going around like they get paid $5,000 per driver but that driver has to stay a year that is why they make your life hell after a year. When I first went there I was told everything will be Rosy for the first 12 months then they look at getting rid of drivers who dare say anything other than yes sir. In the year I was there over 600 drivers left so if the stories about payments from the government are true then H&R Transport got $3,000.000 yes 3 million dollars which would explain why they treat drivers so bad. There are a number of company's in Canada plenty that don't treat drivers family's like bits of shit. Its a really nice place to live full of great people and a much better life style for your family.

To Holland and back

2010-05-28T00:51:00.000-07:00

Just spent 2 days in Holland. I had to go to our yard in Venlo which is right on the border with Germany. One wrong turn and you end up in Germany oops guess who went to Germany as well lol....... I took out 10 pallets of iceberg lettuce and brought back 26 pallets of Cucumbers. We always cross from Dover to Dunkirk on the Norfolk lines ferry but on the way back I had to get the ostend to Ramsgate ferry don't know why? on this ferry you get a free meal and a cabin so hopefully I will get to use this ferry more often. I have been to Holland 4 times now I was hoping to do a bit more all over Europe but a job is a job, at the moment there is not much about. I am sat on a loading bay in Ramsgate when they get round to tipping me I have to go to the other end of the bays and get a load to Southampton (Where I live). At least I don't have to send a macro in for a cheque for lumper fees like you do in America.

What am I up to.

2010-05-23T13:41:00.000-07:00

I have had a few e-mails asking for an update so here goes. I had 6 months off work due to poor health but I have lost nearly 2 stone and feeling a lot better now. Dee would not let me go back to work until I got the all clear from the doctor. As soon as I was given the all clear I rang a company who run UK and Europe and within 5 hours they told me to start the next morning. I am driving a 480 Daf Super space cab and have been to Holland 3 times now its all fridge work and I have to unload 50% of the time it was hard pushing 1 ton pallets at first but its a lot better now. I am home every weekend and I even take the truck home the only downside is my car has been stuck in the yard for the last 8 weeks now and is covered in dust. I like my new job very much they never bother ringing me they just leave me to get on with the job and when I am tipped I ring in for my reload which they just text it to me. The only thing I wish was to get more trips to Europe I don't want the long trips but a trip every now and again I wouldn't mind a trip to Spain or Italy but its early days so who knows.

Another Driver leaves H&R

2010-05-23T12:46:00.000-07:00

I see another driver has put his notice in. Reading between the lines it seems H&R have yet again kept a married guy from his family instead of letting him reset his hours at home. Nice one H&R... when you going to be fair to the drivers and let them see there families?! They want families to move to Canada but will not let the drivers spend time with them. I have and still get many e-mails from drivers wanting to go to Canada I have even spoke to a number of guys on the phone because they want the great life out there but are unsure after reading all the bad bits about H&R. I tell them its a great life if you are single and live in the truck but forget it if you have a family because they will not let you reset at your home terminal. How many blogs does it take to get the message across to new drivers with families? The one thing with most of the drivers who have left is we all say the same thing they stitch you up and make you reset away from your home terminal, they do not care one bit that you have brought your family over to Canada. I had a big moan after 8 resets in Calgary and after speaking to a planner on the phone they found me a trailer to take to Lethbridge. When I got there I went in and spoke to the guy and said thanks, he told me he'd got told off for giving me that trailer. He couldn't understand why they couldn't find trailers for guys to come down to Lethbridge when there are plenty to bring down and give to the drivers who have just finished their resets. DUMBASS springs to mind.

The new English lottery

2010-04-02T14:39:00.000-07:00

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Pics of bracket and Wi-Fi booster

2010-03-11T03:32:00.000-08:00

Wi-Fi

2010-03-11T02:10:00.000-08:00

I was asked many times which was the best Wi-Fi to buy in America. I found the Wi-Fi from the Flying J to be the best. Not only did it cover the Flying J but it also covered a number of other truck stops as well. There are a number of Flying J truck stops in Canada now so you get a lot for your money. If you get the booklet from the flying J it will show you all the places you can get the Wi-fi from. I brought a small Wi-Fi booster from Best buy for $90 it was OK better than nothing it helped me out a few times but then I dropped it out of my window, when I got out to get it I stepped on it! I have since brought a new Wi-fi booster for when I am in Europe. You don't need a booster if you get to the truck stops early, but if your late and park down the back you might not get a signal. The booster I have brought I used it just the once from my house, when I searched for wi-fi I found 5 in my area then I plugged in this booster and found 22 with a few of them open so this booster is as good as they say it is. You have got to buy a marine bracket for the bottom they don't sell them but if you go to any web site that sells antennas for boats you will be OK I will publish a pic of mine after this post. The bracket I have brought will allow me to bolt it to my mirror arm or screw it to the back of my truck.

What things you need ?

2010-03-11T01:18:00.000-08:00

When I was in Canada doing my blog I had alot of e-mails from other guys asking me what equipment do you really need to do the job. There are a number of things that helped me out, a good laptop and good Sat Nav are the main 2 things you need to help you out. You will get the odd super trucker that says you don't need any of these and in a way he is right but like I said it helps you out. You go around the big ring roads in Tulsa Oklahoma with out a SatNav and you will take the wrong exit and as you are paid by the mile and not paid by the hour every minute counts. On your laptop you will need a program called Streets & Trips, in Europe its called Autoroute. Once you have installed Streets & Trips go to this web site www.poidirectory.com/poifiles/?list=united_states its a great site to get all of your poi's. You have every major truck stop and WiFi hot spots, everything you can think of. If you have a Garmin Sat Nav then your laughing because the Garmin and Streets & Trips use the same file I spent 4 days downloading all the poi's for Europe for my Autoroute and was very happy to find once I had done that all I had to do was load them into my Sat Nav. There are many types of Sat Nav's you can buy but the 2 top are Garmin and Tomtom its up to you what one you pick I own both of them and I know for a fact my Garmin wipes the floor with Tomtom but that's my opinion. I used my Garmin all over America and Canada with no problem at all the maps were a bit out of date but it got me to every place I needed to go at the time. I didn't know I could load my own poi's so when I got back home and looking for a job in Europe I decided to buy a top of the range Tomtom so I could program it myself it was then that I found out I could of programed my Garmin oh well to late lol. Me and Dee went away for a weekend to Cornwall so I used the Tomtom what a joke that was it took me well out of the way, off the main road around a few country lanes then back on to the same main road a mile down the road it was very tight in the car god knows what it would of been like in a truck in Europe! So the Tomtom is sat in my drawer and it will stay there. I went on the Garmin website to see how much it would cost to update my maps, it would cost 80 pound to update all of my maps or 122 pound to update them for life which I did. Now I can update my maps 4 times a year for the life of my Garmin but the best thing with a Garmin is the 2 screens the 1st screen shows you the roads you are taking and the 2nd screen shows you how long you have been driving what your average speed was and loads of useful info for a truck driver so the garmin is tops in my book.

Do you think this driver got there safety bonus

2010-03-01T06:10:00.001-08:00

Bitter and Twisted

2010-03-01T04:41:00.000-08:00

When you leave H&R for a good reason and you tell anyone they say you are bitter and twisted. I left because I was getting fed up at H&R with my wages being screwed with, the tripac keep packing up and ripped off with Layover's and no safety bonus. When Davie BOY Fodder said no to PR that really pissed me off and on my drive down to Texas I spoke to my wife and said I had enough so I gave my notice. Unlike some I worked my notice I even worked 1 day past it because it helped H&R out with my reload out of California. So if every week there is money missing from your wages what are you meant to do just let them get away with it? I was very polite to the lady who did my wages, now how many times do you go in with a smile on your face and speak to the same lady about the same thing week in week out before you start getting stroppy. After about 3 months of me keep asking why my wages was always short the lady left... did she leave or was she asked to leave?. Please tell me if I was wrong to have a go at H&R for non payment of layover as I honestly dont believe I was wrong. I was given a part loaded trailer out of Calgary to top up at Cargills at Highriver and then go to Montreal, when I got to Highriver I dropped the trailer at 5.30pm and I got a message from Debbie my dispatcher at the time saying my trailer would be ready at 2am in the morning did I want to wait for it or come down to Lethbridge for the night and go back in the early hours to pick up my trailer. I said I would wait for it and have my 8 hours off and then run to Montreal which she was fine with. We all know what its like when you get to cargills, they're in there own fucking world it took them 36 hours to top my trailer up! When I asked about a layover I was told no I wouldn't get one because I turned down work, What work? I was not happy because there was no work turned down so yes I did have a go at them on the phone and when Les saw the message's he agreed with me I was never offered work. I got 24 hours of the 36 hours paid but it took a row down the phone at them to pay up. I hate all the bullshit that goes on with wages if you do the job then you expect to get paid for it. The job was a great job I had a nice truck (dodgy tripac) I got to visit many States I had a wonderful time and I would of still been at H&R if they played fair with the layovers and paid you for everything you had done It's not as if I was asking for more money or better runs or even a new truck I just wanted what I had earned. I got on and done my job and if Davie boy was more honest then he would admit my moans and groans were justified he even said my work was not in question I worked hard and done the miles but I don't think they liked it because I was on top of my wages and every single time I asked about short money I was right. At Christmas time you get a bonus for working Christmas day and new years day they paid my bonus at the end of February because the lady said I had not put an envelope in but its funny coz Mick got paid the bonus and he was with me at the time on his mentor trip and I got paid for the trip but not the bonus! There was a couple of other things she forgot to pay, it came to over $700 short in my wages. When I told Dave Fodder he got in a mood and made a nasty comment about all of us European drivers always saying our wages are short. The truth of the matter is H&R are playing the average game with drivers wages if you don't understand what I mean by the average game its where they screw with 500 drivers wages and the law of averages says only 300-350 drivers will pick up on it so guess who makes loads of money out of the drivers....................

Update on the 2 companys

2010-02-28T06:55:00.000-08:00

You get paid every week with these 2 companys as long as you fax or e-mail your time sheet in. The last thing these companys want are there drivers familys to go with out while the driver is away.

Another company I looked at

2010-02-28T04:46:00.000-08:00

When I was in New Brunswick I went to Midland Transport which I found another very nice company. I passed the Interview with them but after chatting to Bob about the job I decide it was not for me, and the reason was they only do a 5 day triangle. One of the routes was to go down to New York then reload for Toronto then back to New Brunswick, I wanted to drive all over America. This company paid good money and you'd be home for 2 days every week, it would of been the ideal job if my family were with me. This is probably the best job I have seen for a family man. www.midlandtransport.com the number to ring from the UK is 001 506 858 5555. ask for BOB mention my name.

Truck driving jobs in Canada

2010-02-28T04:03:00.001-08:00

There are a number of companies in Canada looking for drivers. When I left H&R I went across to New Brunswick to a Company called Ayr Motors. The money per mile is slighty less than H&R but with H&R's rate you are getting 8 cents a mile from your own tax return so in the long run it works out more money per mile. In the interview they asked me what went wrong with H&R I was up front and told them the truth about me calling someone a dumbass and why (in Dave Fodders words) I had hissie fits. The guy was really shocked at the way H&R treat drivers we had a laugh about it and he said if I mucked up at AYR motors the owner would call me something a lot stronger than a dumbass but would forget about it 10 minutes later not hold it against me 5 months later. The cost of house's in New Brunswick are so much cheaper than Alberta just look on the Internet what can't speak can't lie. While speaking to a number of their drivers they all said the same thing there are plenty of miles sometimes there are more miles than some can handle but most of their drivers have been there for many years. They have also got a house with 4 bedrooms that you can stay in for free yes I did say for FREE it has FREE Wi-Fi FREE washing machine and FREE dryer and a FREE telephone for the drivers to use. I stayed in the house for 4 weeks for FREE but in the end I went home to wait for my LMO. I was rushed into hospital with blood clots on my lungs and it was at this time my wife and daughter asked me not to go back so I am about to drive for a company all over Europe at least I can see my wife and daughter every 2 weeks. So if there are drivers out there looking to go to Canada why not look at AYR MOTORS in New Brunswick they have not got a big turn over of drivers they buy new trucks to expand the size of the company. www.ayrmotor.com give them a ring and say you got their number from me lol, from the UK the number is 001 506 328 0444 ask for Ralph Boyd he is a nice guy.

I did it my way, lol

2009-09-29T19:33:00.000-07:00

Well folks time to update you on what I have been up to. I got to New Brunswick on Friday and went to Midland Transport for a job I did and passed all their tests but when it was time to sit down and chat about what I wanted and what they wanted it became clear to me at this point in my life Midland Transport was not for me don't get me wrong their pay deal was great everything about them was great but the 5 day week was not for me it is probably the best job in Canada for a family man but as my family are still in the UK I wanted more.

The big problem was I need to go home every 3 months for 2 weeks to see my family and that would of caused them problems. I have been in touch with a guy who reads my blog called Dave who went to AYR Motors at Woodstock New Brunswick he kept me informed about his job with them and when I finished with H&R he sent me an e-mail saying give AYR Motors a chance so they were number 2 on my list.

On Monday I called in to see the recruitment guy at AYR motors, we had a good chat, he asked me what I wanted and I told him. I said I would work hard for 3 months reset whereever they wanted me to but I wanted to go home for 2 weeks at the end of every 3 months which was not a problem so great, the money is slightly less than Midland but you can get a hell of a lot more miles plus you go to every state in America and the states I am missing are on the eastern seaboard and a few down south so with a bit of luck in the next year I will be able to visit every state in mainland America.

Some people might think I am silly by taking slightly less money but to me the whole picture is what I look at. I would get very bored doing the same 5 day run week in week out. At least this way I would get to see parts of America that I have never been to, and anyway all the readers of my blog know its not the money thing for me its the one big holiday lolol. BUT the money is building up very nicely in the bank. Over the years everyone who knows me well knows I like doing it my way when I die I think my wife will have on my headstone "Mike did it his way ok so he cocked it up a few times but still did it his way" lol.

For a few months I have to be the spare driver or what they call slip seat driver until I prove myself to them (which won't take me long). Then I will get my own truck. I have not got a problem with that, I spent 6 years working for agencies but it was nice when I went to H&R I had my own truck I just have to start again. I wasn't at H&R long before they trusted me with long runs and I never let them down so I am not going to start now. I am looking forward to some runs down to the Carolina's that's 2 states on my list to cover I will add another box on the side of my blog with the states I want to do and will add a tick every time I go into one then you can all see how many I have left.

Today (Tuesday) I did my road test, bloody hell I had to change gear lolol. (I have used automatic's for the last 10 years) it was a bit crunchy at first but by the time I was heading back to the yard it was coming back to me and the gears got easier its just a case of getting used to it but I won't stick my hand up for any trips to Vancouver just yet lol.

The yard at Woodstock is very big and the office building is fantastic. Its right on the main highway, its a stunning building inside and out you can tell the owner spent a bob or two there. They have a house in the town of Woodstock for the drivers to use, it saves them hotel bills it has 3 bedrooms upstairs and a number of bedrooms downstairs its got a washing machine and dryer fully fitted kitchen and free Wi-Fi for us geek drivers who want to keep in touch with our families. I am staying at the house until my work permit gets sorted and they are not charging me anything.

I spoke to a very nice lady today about PR she said when the time is right she will down load the paper work for me and help me fill it out and do what she can to help. The only cost is the fee's you have to pay to the government so I won't get a $2,500 bill at the end of it from her for helping me but she did say she liked chocolates lol.

When my work permit is swapped over I will go out with another driver on a trip to learn the paper work and computer they have in the truck. Then when that is done I will take whatever truck is free to use I will just have to leave my stuff in my car. Its a shame you don't get your own truck right from the start because I know a number of drivers who want a job. But who knows, if loads of readers ask for a job they might buy loads of trucks lol. If you are interested in a job here there is a web site, take a look at that and if you ring Ralph tell him you read my blog who knows I might get a free coffee lol.

House's around Moncton

2009-09-27T10:11:00.000-07:00

This is a very large shopping mall so big I only walked half way around with my bad ankle

A few pics on my way to New Brunswick

2009-09-27T09:30:00.000-07:00

Out and about

2009-09-27T09:17:00.000-07:00

I went out and about today just to take some pics and have a drive around. I saw a sign saying flee market open Sunday so I followed the sign. A flee market over here is a cross between a car boot sale and indoor market but sadly this was just rubbish being sold but the one thing that made me laugh was the burger van outside, anyone who has been to a car boot sale knows there is always a snack van selling coffee's and burgers but this van was just a van with a gas bar-b-q inside and a guy sat in a garden chair so I went back to my car and got my camera and took a pic sorry its not a good pic but I didn't want to get to close and upset anyone by taking a pic just in case they got funny with me.

Dee has asked me many times (because of Cassie) to ask a younster what sort of things are available for the kids over here. There is an 18 year old working on the front desk so I just asked her what there is to do in Moncton for girls around her age. First of all the age limit for drinking is 19 in New Brunswick but she told me there are plenty of clubs and bars around here. There is also a large water park about 15 minutes drive from here there are plenty of shops the shopping mall is huge. There is a big place where there are 4 ice rinks where you can watch loads of ice hockey matches and plenty of other things to do, there are loads of lakes so plenty of water sports too.

Sunday and Feeling More Positive

2009-09-27T05:47:00.000-07:00

I woke up this morning feeling a lot happier just waiting for my washing to dry then I am going out for a look around and take some pics of the area. I have just looked at the property paper and my god what a difference in price's. There was a 3 bed fixer upper for $62,000 all the out side had been done, new roof windows siding's new electrics etc just needs finishing off inside but the best bit about it it sits on 25 acres.

Some of the other houses range from $70,000 up to $200,000 you can get brand new homes from $175,000. I saw a 5 bed executive house on acre for $144,000 I think it said the house was 5 years old! You could move to this area and have a very small mortgage instead of paying twice the amount for half the house over in Alberta. If i stay here for the 4 years and save my money the possibilities could be huge!

Its funny yesterday I was feeling down and today I see the money sign spinning in my mind and it makes me very happy lol

Maybe I've had enough of being away from home!!

2009-09-26T11:14:00.000-07:00

I am sat in a hotel about 4,000 miles from my family and I am so fed up now I could just drive to the airport and go home. It has always been a dream of mine to drive an American truck all over America. Well I have done that now and guess what.... the novelty has worn off. I do want to leave the UK and live somewhere nice and safe with my family but at what price! Being away from my wife is really hurting me and I hated driving off the other day and leaving her at the airport. We have had a chat she wants me to come home but not if I am going to sit on my butt so I am going to look for a job driving a truck all over Europe at least I will be home a lot more than I am now and I can get her cheap fags lolol.

We did have a week in Portugal a couple of years ago and really loved it so I am going to look on the Internet and see if there are any companies in Portugal looking for class 1 drivers that do trips to the UK. I can still live in the truck but see my family a lot more than I am now and if there is any one who reads this blog that knows of a job running out of the south of England or that do runs to the south of England please let me know.

I am not calling it a day because I have failed... far from it. When I first thought of coming to Canada I was only going to be away from my family for 1 year. Because we foster kids that has changed to 5 years and I am finding it very hard to cope without them so I know the next 4 years are going to be tough. In 4 years time when the boys have left us who knows what we will do but at least we can do it together.

Road Trip with Dee...The last bit.

2009-09-24T16:23:00.000-07:00

We looked around a few show homes including a couple of log homes and we both agree log homes are not for us. Then we made our way down to Niagara Falls but on the way we did a bit of shopping and found a Halloween shop which made Dee very happy because of a family Halloween party at the end of the month, she and Cassie are both going to look amazing, they want too, it cost me enough!!

As we got to Niagara Falls there was a big building saying tourist information. We went in and got conned out of $200 for a trip!!! Not knowing it at the time obviously. The lady told us we would save loads of money by doing her trip which included a trip up the tower. It was not until the next day we spoke to a local lady and was told that everything on the trip except the maid of the mist was free! Me and another couple demanded our money back, they said it will take a couple of days to put it back in my bank.

When we went up the tower for a good look around I spotted a restaurant about a mile away that my wife loves its called the Rainforest cafe. We went back to the hotel and got the car then drove down to the restaurant and had a great meal the whole area was amazing, loads of things to do. We had such a good time we stayed another night, the next day we went on the Maid of the Mist and under the falls, was a bit harsh on my ankle though, had to go back to the hotel for a few hours to rest it.

We went out for a lovely meal and a walk around the gift shops and brought loads of gifts for everyone at home we got an ice cream that cost $7 each mmmmmmmm it was nice lol. This time with Dee was great just the 2 of us, doing what we wanted. I've been twice before with my Dad and my brother-in-law but Dee had never seen the falls. They have a huge wheel there, it advertises 'the best way to view the falls'. Dee wanted to go on at night to see them lit up. We went up and a quarter of the way round I had to press the emergancy button, she thought she'd be ok but oh nooooo. She clung on the bench for dear life lololol. We had to get off rather than go round a second time, she don't do heights does she, she said she'd be fine, but wasn't. So she didn't actually see anything, she kept her eyes closed all the way round lololol.

We got up the next morning and Dee packed her stuff then we drove up to Toronto and stopped to see some more show homes and brought more Halloween stuff and more shopping then we made our way to the airport. We got there a bit early so we sat in the car and watched a couple of episodes of Two and a half men. We had something to eat in the airport then it was time to say goodbye. I have been over here a year and I thought it would get easier saying goodbye but it seems to get harder. After saying goodbye I drove for about 2 hours to a motel then had a shower and bed. When I woke up I went on line and rang Dee on skype and she had just got in from the airport.

Was probably the best week Dee and I have actually spent together, some real quality time. Who'd have thought a year ago we'd be driving across Canada together. Since coming over here we certainly have had some great experiences, something we'd have never done had I not of come over. Canada was never really a holiday destination for us back then but I've seen some amazing places and Dee and 2 of the kids have done and seen things we'd never imagined.

Video of Niagara Falls

2009-09-22T18:21:00.000-07:00

Video of Kakabeka Falls

2009-09-22T14:07:00.000-07:00

2009-09-20T21:30:00.000-07:00

Kakabeka falls on the way to Thunder bay

The dirt track we were told that would be a short cut lol

The Log Cabin near Bracebridge Ontario

Road trip with Dee Part 2

2009-09-20T19:13:00.000-07:00

We left Kenora Ontario and stopped at Nipigon for fuel and breakfast in the Esso garage then we went on a road I have always wanted to but was not allowed with the truck and boy was that a boring road! Never again, at one stage we nearly ran out of fuel and we travelled 50 miles on a dirt track because the lady in the garage told us it was a quicker way.

We stopped at Sudbury Ontario for the night and went to a British Pub. Funny but we were the only Brits in there and there was nothing british about it at all. We had fish & chips, took a couple of bites and that was enough there must of been about a litre of oil that came out of the fish when we cut it. We told them it was horrible but they still made us pay full price for it so we left and went to the Dairy Queen for a hot dog and peanut butter blizzard.

We went back to the hotel which was a bit run down but it was the best nights sleep I have had in a long time. We watched a couple of episodes of Two and a half men then went to sleep. We had our showers and then left about 9am we made our way to North Bay Ontario and headed south on the 11 because I could not remember where that log cabin was but we found it and went in and had a look it was nice but not what we want so we headed south to a place called Innisfil Ontario.

We got held up in a big traffic jam so numb nuts here thought I would look for a quick route on my sat nav around it and off we went down a few country lanes and around a few bends then found the front end of the traffic jam great.... nope..... it was the on-ramp that was the problem so we had to go back on the north side for 5ks right back to where we started from you should of heard the names I was calling myself dumbass came up a few times lolol.

By the time we got to Innisfil the show homes had closed but we did have a very quick look around a flea market before it closed. As we have made good time we decided to stop in Barrie for the night. We found a nice Travelodge and then asked the lady if she knew of a nice place to eat she told us about a place called Moose Winooski's wow the food was great but the place it self was amazing inside. It was so good they have one in Kitchener Ontario and as its a place I would like to live I will show Dee Kitchener and try that restaurant on Tuesday night.

The lady in the hotel also told us if we had nothing to do then there was a drive in movie about 10 miles up the road now this is something I have always wanted to do. It was great, when you get there you drive your car into the area you want to watch the film. There are 3 screens so we picked the movies we wanted then headed for screen 3, when you park your front wheels on a bit of a slope you tune your FM radio to the right channel then you listen to the movie through your car stereo. The whole lot was great me and Dee could talk eat do what we wanted and it would not affect anyone else its just a shame the girl who took our money didn't tell us it was a crap movie lol, and a shame we aren't teenagers, all Dee wanted was my coat to keep her warm lol.

But the night was great nothing could take that away, our first drive in movie wow why can't they do that sort of thing in the UK .

Road trip with Dee Part 1

2009-09-18T06:49:00.001-07:00

On Wednesday I got to the airport just in time for Dee to come through from arrivals it was great to see her. I know I saw here about 5 weeks ago but it was still nice. She was gagging for a coffee and smoke but I wanted to get out of Calgary before everyone left work so we drove to the Husky at Strathmore to use the bathroom and get a coffee. When we came out and got into the car an H&R truck pulled up at the lights it was 2 of my mates Dave & Jay the guys I brought back from Southampton with me I sounded the horn but they were to busy chatting to each other and never saw me.

We drove to Medicine Hat and stopped for something to eat by the time we had food it was still light so we decided to drive on for a couple of hours because the road to Ontario is flat open plain the scenery was a bit boring one field looks like the other we just wanted to get to Ontario as quick as we could. When you travel East it gets dark very quick and we were caught out a bit so we found this motel it was called Lazy Dee's at a place called Piapot Saskatchewan.

When it was time for bed we were both knackered and we went out like a light Dee woke up early because of her back she made a coffee and we both had a shower got dressed and headed east. We stopped at Swift Current for something to eat then we stopped at Regina for fuel and a walk around Wal-Mart for some bits to eat in the car, that saved us stopping for something to eat later.

I wanted to get to Kenora I know it was a long way (705 miles )but once we are there we can take it easy and enjoy the scenery and slow down a bit. We got to Kenora at 9pm local time (too bloody dark) we stopped in the Travel Lodge I asked the lady at the front desk would my car be safe she said yes there is only a black bear that walks around out the back in the early hours lololol we had some food from Mc d's then time for bed.

Dee has just had her shower while I am doing this so its my turn to jump in the shower while she edits this. Today we are going to slow down a bit and have a look in a few shops and just take in the pure beauty of this side of Canada. I am also going to keep all the fuel, hotel and food receipts, out of interest I want to see how much its going to cost travelling all this way.

Be nice to take it easy now and start taking some photos.

Good truck film

2009-09-14T21:17:00.000-07:00

I have just read the sad news about the death of Patrick Swayze the best truck film I have ever seen was called Black Dog with Patrick Swayze it is well worth watching

Who said there was no light at the end of the Tunnel lol

2009-09-13T13:46:00.000-07:00

Lethbridge Lodge

2009-09-12T12:34:00.000-07:00

I am just spending 4 days in the Lethbridge lodge hotel waiting for my wife Dee to fly over so we can drive across Canada together. At the end of the month its our wedding anniversary we have been together now 21 years but only been married for 3 years (well I had to make sure she was the right one lolol).

Last year on our anniversary I was on my mentor trip and forget to ring her so this year I was going to take her away for the weekend but now I am driving across Canada we can do it together. We are going to go from Calgary and take a steady drive across to Toronto on the way we will just stop whereever we feel like it.

When we get to Nipigon instead of going up route 11 (the way we had to go with the truck) I will just carry on on route 17 which will take us around the top of Lake Superior which I am really looking forward to. Then when we get back on the 400 south towards Toronto there are a number of show homes on the side of the road there is a really nice log home it looks nice and big you can see from the main road and has a large sign saying this home for $99,999 I have wanted to go and look at it for ages but I could not get close enough with the truck.

I will take plenty of pics of our trip and of the homes we see then we are going to stop in Niagara falls for a night or 2. I have been there a couple of times already but Dee has never been. They light up the falls at night time with loads of different coloured lights so when you look at the falls the water keeps changing colour its beautiful, cant wait :-)

My Last Post (with this company)

2009-09-10T16:43:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow 11th September I have been in Canada a whole year I have just looked back over my Logs I have done over 100,000 safe miles, no tickets no accidents.

When I tipped out in Manteca the American dispatch were a bit worried that I was finishing on Thursday and they could not get me loaded and back for Thursday. I told them not to worry because if I went over my finishing day then I would just finish when I am back which made them a lot happier. I said I would even take it to Edmonton to tip out and they said great so they planned me for Edmonton. Then when I loaded and was heading back towards Canada I asked them if they had a job so I could finish on Tuesday because Dee was flying over on Wednesday so we can drive across Canada together. I got a message.... drop the trailer in the yard Friday and get my stuff out because they needed my truck for a new guy.

I tipped out in Manteca California then my reload was over at Salinas. I had 3 collections, the first 2 where easy the booking time was 0800-2200 which was great there was a small bit of delay on the first one but nothing to worry about, the second pic was quick and easy and my last pic up was at 2am the next morning. I parked in their yard, had my 10 hours off and picked up my last collection which took them 3 hours to load 8 pallets. I pulled out of there and looked at my gauge on my dash it was showing only 50 psi so no need to weigh the trailer.

I went back to the Flying J at Lodi to get fuel it saves me stopping for fuel at the pilot at Fernley Nevada. I knew if I filled my tanks to the top then I will have enough to get me to the Flying J at Jerome Idaho.

A few months back I did a post about coming from California over Donna's pass and the narrow walls in the road works. This time coming over the pass a driver about 10 trucks ahead hit the wall and buggered up his front wheel it ripped it away from the truck he had no steering on the drivers side it was a real slow drive for all of us. His tyre was dragging sideways along the road you could see the tread. When he finally got out of the way we could see the damage he had done wow I bet that is going to cost!

Because I had started at 2am I was running out of time. I made it to the Flying J at winnemucca Nevada there was plenty of room to park because it was only 4pm. I went in for a shower, there was a bit of a queue because they never had a cleaner but once they were done the 6 of us waiting for showers all had one at the same time it was a mad dash lolol.

The next day (Thursday) when the alarm went off at 3am I could not be bothered so I just turned it off and went back to sleep. I got up at 7am and left at 7.45am the road was empty but loads of cones in the road they are resurfacing. I took some pics and a video of me going in to a tunnel I stopped to fax my notes and now I am going to call it a day at a truck stop called DADS, free showers for this company's drivers. I have met up with a couple of guys... Jim who I used to work with in Southampton and Andy another guy who I have run with a couple of times now.

I really wanted to finish the week off with a few nice words about the company. It has been good to me I have earned loads of money and had a great dispatch guy. There have been a few things I wrote on my blog which maybe I should of thought more about before I published them, but hey that's me! The damage is done now I feel sad that its my last day tomorrow and will miss the guys here. If I could turn back the clock before my interview... would I have still gone? You bet your arse I would of. I have had a fantastic time I have seen some great sights earned well and met some nice guys here.

So its time to get some sleep now and at least I will be running back with 2 other drivers tomorrow then get all my stuff out of the truck for the last time.

Muck up with planning lol

2009-09-08T07:57:00.000-07:00

Well we all make mistakes lol! I stopped at the Flying J at Billings Montana because I thought that was the only one along there before my turn off but if I checked my wi-fi book from the Flying J I would of seen another one right on the turning we take which was 150 miles away. Never mind it just made Sunday a long day and with the extra 50 miles because of the detour I had to drive my maxium hours and foot hard to the floor.

I left Billings at 4am and got down to Wells in Nevada by 415 pm. When I got there the place was empty of trucks, there was about 20 there so I could park close to the building and get the Wi-Fi so I just went in and had some food and a shower and an early night. I think I was in bed by 8pm. The Flying J at Wells is a big Casino and I thought I might get beggars or ladies of the night knock on my door but there was none so I had a good nights sleep. I went to sleep with the aircon on and when I woke in the morning it was cold so I got dressed real quick lol.

When I opened my curtains the place was packed with trucks so it pays to start early then at least when its time to stop you can get a parking space. I left the next morning at 4am and pulled into a place called Winnemucca Nevada for a coffee and a sausage and egg Mac muffin lol.

I went all the way to a place called Lodi California I wasn't booked in until the next morning so I thought I would try my luck and see if I could get tipped early but on the way down on the radio it said it was bank holiday Monday so there would be no chance and the trucks stops would be full of trucks waiting to tip out Tuesday. When I pulled in to the Flying J it was jam packed, there was about 8 spaces on the back fence and by about 1pm there was no spaces left.

I closed my curtains and laid on my bed watching TV. I had facebook on as well and a mate of mine who I have not seen for 9 years came on-line. He has been over in Canada now for a couple of years he drivers for Kindersley he was about to come and work here but I think he has changed his mind now....no idea why!! lolol.

We have tried to meet up but we never seem to be in the same place. I said hello to him and asked where he was he said California. Then I asked where and he said the flying J at Lodi I just said pi--off you lying git lolol but he was telling the truth he was parked about 20 trucks away from me, I just jumped off my bed put my shoes on and went and met him it was great to meet up with Paul again after so many years, we chatted for hours.

I got up early this morning because I had a 5am tip about 30 miles down the road but when I got there surprise surprise the place didn't even open until and hour later. I can never understand why we get lied too, I am tipped now and sat in the Flying J at Rippon waiting for my reload.

Off to sunny California

2009-09-05T16:38:00.000-07:00

First of all I would like to say to Wolf 'hey I thought you Scottish guys were rough and tough you're a light weight what was wrong mate the last few miles to tough for you' lolololol. Sadly I never got to see my mate Wolf but I am sure one day our paths will cross until then.... bud take care.

I left the Flying J at Winnipeg for a quick dash over to the Husky for fuel then up to the first set of lights to hang a left in to the truck wash. There was a truck getting washed and another waiting then a young lad came out who used his brains, the truck in front just wanted his cab washed so he told me to go round the front and back in and they washed my trailer and the other truck in the same wash bay now that's what you call using common sense.

Then off down to Brandon Manitoba to get loaded when I got to the meat plant I was told to drop my trailer and have a kip but they must of been short of work because my trailer was loaded in about 1 hour but I fell asleep and woke up 2 hours later! Never mind I could not get to meat inspection until 8am the next day and I needed that kip lolol.

I went across to the security hut and for the fist time there was 3 happy ladies in there. They were really nice, they loved my accent and just wanted me to talk to them lololol. I faxed my paper work to my dispatcher Wayne in less then 10 minutes my Ace and bar code was faxed back to me so I was good to go to the border, I made a quick call to my wife and off I went.

I had to go and cross at Portal North Dakota. I have been through this port a number of times but that was just north bound so this was my first south bound trip but it was quick and fast with out any hassle at all, they told me where meat inspection was so I parked on the door the night and I would be done first.

Most of the readers who read my blog know that when I park up I close my log down start my one for the next day and plan my route so I know where I am going to park up and fuel the next day. I have never had a full inspection in the year I have been here but for some funny unknown reason I thought I would get my first inspect because this was my last trip I don't like starting work late because you drive until late. I'm an early bird so I planned my trip for me to finish at billings which was 432 miles away, I know a short day, but if I did have a full inspect then I would get to Billings Montana about 5pm.

Guess what my funny feeling was spot on you should of seen my face when they said I had a full inspection, I looked like I sucked on a lemon lololol never mind. I went back out to my truck and had a bacon omelette and watched a couple of episodes of a new TV program called The Beast with Patrick Swayze, its good, worth watching. After 2 hours I had a knock on the door my first thought was, was it a lot lizard or a beggar but no this guy was waving a meat inspection certificate lolol.

So my planning was spot on and off I went to Billings Montana. The route I took was the quickest and emptiest, I must of seen about 50 cars all day.

When I got to Billings I had to fuel up I don't know how much fuel these tri-paks use but my gauge was reading empty so better safe than sorry at least I can get away in the morning without wasting time filling up. I am at the Flying J now so in a while I will go for a shower and then to bed. I am going to leave here at 3.30am and head for my next parking spot in the Flying J at Wells Nevada which is 616 miles from here. I could of gone on for another couple of hours but whats the point parking up in the middle of nowhere no shower or internet and probably no food!

Wow my last couple of trips

2009-09-03T11:44:00.000-07:00

I got a finishing date for next Thursday I wish it was Friday then it would of been a whole year with this company. I just got my pre-plan and what a great job to finish on a trip to Manteca California wow never been there.

I really thought they were going to be silly buggers with me in the last week as some companies do do that but they are acting like professionals which is great, I will also be the professional driver that I am and not let them down or myself down for that matter. If there is a reload out of California for Ontario that will take me over my ending date thats fine with me I don't mind, its not as if I have anything planned lol.

Its a shame the way its turned out because I do love it here its just the nasty bits that go with it that ruins it.

I am not going down the road of attacking the company I have said my bit so no more (unless they cancel this job lolololol) Joking.
I will keep my blog going all about my next trip and carry on as normal reporting where and what I have seen I won't be slagging anyone off that includes the drivers rep now I got to go and do my washing otherwise I will have to start turning things inside out lolololol.

At about 11pm-12am I will be getting a knock on my truck door it will be a tall blond who keeps pinching my nipples steady now calm down lolol it will be the 'Wolf-man' my friend Gid at least I get to say goodbyes to my friend.

Thank you H&R and goodbye

2009-09-02T17:52:00.000-07:00

After my meeting last week with Dave Foder at H&R I have decided to call it a day. I won't bother sending in my notice because unfortunetly they read our blogs a lot faster than they do our macro's lolol so by the time I tip out in Winnipeg tomorrow and then reload for Calgary and do a reset the week would of been up so I will empty out my truck and just go.

The reason I'm calling it a day is there is no chance of PR with this company, and because of the way they treat drivers. I have been driving a truck for over 20 years and I have never had to fight for money that is owed they tell you you can be paid layovers and you can reset in your home terminal but they don't tell you you have to fight like hell for them. Employees shouldn't have to do that, after all without an employee you haven't got a buisness!

I was told a few weeks back a layover would be paid for the time spent waiting for my truck to be fixed but it has not been paid and to be honest I can't be bothered to fight anymore.

So many drivers have left so I am not the only one who has had enough I was told from a friend in the office 60 drivers left last month and 15 drivers left last week and after speaking to a few other drivers I know there are another hand full about to leave.

When will these people learn you just can't keep treating drivers like this the endless queue of drivers coming into Canada from Europe will dry up one day and then where will they be. I see from 2 comments on my blog that 4 drivers are not bothering with interviews in Newcastle next month.

I will stand by everything I said on my blog I did get good miles and earn good money but I had to fight for everything. I could have said more I know I could have but the blog was intended for my family and I didn't want to tittle tattle about things that weren't important to me, maybe to other drivers some of those things would have been important but like I said it was meant for my family. This is not a bad company its just the don't give a toss attitude of the office staff and they don't care about drivers or their families, they say they do care but in my eyes action speak louder than words. If you say anything to the drivers rep he just says 'if you don't like it there's the door' what sort of attitude is that, he is as helpful as a chocolate teapot.

I wanted to stay with H&R for many years and I was hoping it would get better but after a year its got worse. The drivers rep is not interest in doing things for drivers as I found out a couple of months ago. I wanted a shower in the Husky in Mississauga but was told I had to buy fuel there and my ticket from the other Husky was no good I spoke to the owner about H&R drivers getting free showers because of the number of shunter trucks that use the place he said fine get someone from H&R to ring him. I told Lyndon about what was said I also said if he done it for the drivers it would be a feather in his cap he turned around and said he didn't give a f--k what the drivers thought, it was at this point my friendship with him finished this guy had a chance to do something for the drivers and turned his nose up WOW WHAT A GREAT REP.

I got a anonymous message from a guy saying about me going in the office, no chance, and I got another message from another guy I will copy his comment and see how true it really is...........................................

Anonymous said...

Hey Mike I have just caught up with your blog its a disgrace how this company treats its drivers. I agree with jim I have run with you a couple of times and its been a great laugh not many i would run with but anytime mate. there was another one said about you doin a better job in the office than the idiot thats here now. I have heard the things that you would do to make things better and i reakon you got a point and it would be better. But it aint goin to happen mate coz u gotta have 2 operations and you wouldnt have them done. firstly you would have to have your brain tweaked about a bit to make you forget where u come from and forget all about being a driver and the second op would be where they stick there hand up your arse and remove the lable that says truck driver and replace it with one that says office bitch then at the end your left with a big arsehole who forget where he came from lol. stay safe mike.

It's true though it really is a disgrace how us European drivers are treated, in our country it would never be allowed I know we are not in our country but it still should not be allowed I hope the guys in charge at H&R hang their heads in shame.

This could be a great company and I know this company has been going for 50 years but it don't mean its been run right. If they treated drivers better and worked with us instead of stitching the driver up each time things would run much better and there would be a queue at the door a mile long of drivers wanting jobs instead of a queue a mile long wanting tickets to fly home. I hear so many stories from the English guys over hear and I've tried to ignore them because experience has taught me that there's always 2 sides and sometimes as we all know you get the driver who wants everything for doing nothing. Now though I think surely ALL theses drivers can't be wrong. I've heard guys just can't afford to live anymore, can't afford to buy proper food because they're just not earning. I can't stand by anymore and ignore this and not support them. I've had loads of support of late and no I can't continue to work here knowing these guys are going through pure hell. The sickening thing is is that NONE of this needs to happen, not to me, other drivers or new drivers. It just needs a few guys in H&R to turn round and say 'right enough is enough, ALL these drivers can't be wrong, its about time we sit up, listen to them, and do something about it'. As my wife has always said 'I can't make much difference on my own but together we can move mountains' And do you know what H&R, you could do if you really wanted to but the golden rule to start is to listen to the drivers, you know them, the ones that make you who you are today!!!! Only yesterday a driver told me about something he mentioned in the office and not a thing has been done about it, he was livid, the guy just did not listen!

I will never get PR from this company and to me it makes no business sense at all. I work hard I drive safe I have done over 100,000 safe miles no tickets and given a lot of praise to the company on the net but because I said someone is a DUMBASS and got angry a couple of times out of frustration they said no sponsorship. Never mind, plenty more companies out there who want a hard working safe driver and believe me I WILL be letting other drivers know through this blog, word of mouth is a powerful thing and the internet is even more powerful.

There are a number of great people who work for H&R and I will miss them all but the guy I will miss the most is my dispatcher Wayne this guy really does understand how a driver feels and shows great respect to all his drivers that's why you never hear a driver say a bad word about him and Wayne if you ever read this in over 20 years as a driver you have got to be one of the best guys I have ever worked with thank you buddy for everything you've done for me.

I don't know where I am going yet or what I am going to do I have a lot of money in the bank so I am going to pack all my stuff into my car and head east I have heard they are looking for drivers in New Brunswick or Nova Scotia my dream of living in Canada is not over not by a long way and like Del-boy says he who dares wins lol. I didn't want it to turn out like this, I was happy with H&R I really was, but I think I'm kidding myself if I stay, all this has and will be my downfall with H&R, someone will be ready to get rid of me somehow, rather than listen its so much easier to get rid of!! Show you support my decission by adding yourself as a follower to my blog, I'm alone out here and right now I'm feeling it a bit and support keeps us all going. Wish me luck lol.....here goes!!

Leaving Texas

2009-09-01T17:44:00.000-07:00

The day in the Pilot truck stop will be one I will never forget there was so many beggars there I had to close the curtains just to stop them knocking on my door with the same old rubbish story.

I do my bit to help others, on the way down to Houston there was about 8 firemen in the road holding up a boot collecting for 'Jerry's kids'. I have a large tub full of American coins and as I got close I just emptied the tub in to his boot anything like this you don't mind helping but not to fund someones crack habit.

I left the truck stop about 7am I had to be in Freeport for 9am but just before you get there you have to ring an escort service. I got this nice lady calling herself Debbie she told me she had large breast and was wearing stockings it was at this point I realised I had rung the wrong 'escort' service lololol only joking!

The guy on the phone told me I was about 500 yards from the gate not bad I thought as the address I got never came up on my sat nav or streets and trips you see it does pay at times to use your own brains instead of relying on some other dumbass to help you out.

As I pulled in a guy was trying to get into my truck I thought bloody hell not another beggar lol. It was the escort he was there waiting for me we, drove over to the gate and then Hitlers son came out and wanted to see every bit of insurance, ownership papers, you name it he wanted it. Then he wanted to see in my truck I told him if he wants to see in the sleeper he has to take his shoes off lol, he just stood on the step. Then I had to open my side bins he looked for all of 5 seconds, he just wanted to get on my list of dumb arses and guess what? he made it on there!

I pulled over to the shed where you book in I was the only one there this lady asked me what my pick up number was I gave it to her and she could not understand proper English (another one my list) so I had to read it out slowly. She had a face like a smacked arse miserable cow anyway quick as I could we went around the corner to the loading bay as soon as the chock was in place the fork lift was inside the trailer he got to the front before I got back to the cab.

I sent in a request for an EFS cheque (I do like the lady that gives out these numbers she is very quick and nice to chat to, I have never met her but we have spoken a couple of times on the phone when my truck was getting fixed the other week) and as normal I got the numbers back in less than 5 minutes.

I was just filling out the cheque when there was a knock on my door (I thought no it can't be another beggar not in a port lol) it was the fork lift driver he told me to forkoff I pulled down the road and closed the doors put a padlock on then said my goodbyes to the escort.

On the way down to Freeport there was a traffic jam about 10 miles long going in to Houston. I was hoping this was just rush hour traffic and that it would of gone by the time I got back but I got loaded very quick but lucky me I had a green light all the way through back to the Flying J to fuel up. While I was there I grabbed a bite to eat, I didn't plan where I was going to stop for the night this is not how I work I have normally planned everything before I go to bed but I have had to many things on my mind this last week.

I have been having alot of headache's as well which is not like me I do suffer from migraine's but I am one of the lucky ones I only ever get one about every 3-4 years and I get a tale tale sign before the pain it must be all the stress lolol.

I got to a place called Ardmore in Oklahoma there was a Flying J there it was 6pm my time 7pm their time. I got a nice place to park had some food then a nice shower then bed early it meant I could start at 4am today which is the time I like to start then you can finish early. I have done 640 miles today which leaves me 572 miles to do tomorrow I will get to the Flying J in Winnipeg tomorrow about 4pm and my tip out is not until Thursday at 7am.

Wow its hot

2009-08-30T10:47:00.000-07:00

I got tipped out and my reload is not until tomorrow morning at a place called freeport about 50 miles south of Houston a load of Bananas for Winnipeg so I will be looking at my route on Streets & Trips Hopefully it will be a quick load and then I will have 3.5 days to get back to winny.

I am parked in a Pilot truck stop what a dump there have been so many beggars this morning a number of drivers have been in to complain and its all the same sob story.

There is a shopping mall not far from here I would of loved to walk around but its so hot out side its unreal so I will just sit in my truck update my blog and watch TV the air con is on so its very nice and cool in the truck.

On the way down I stopped in a rest area to use the restroom the whole place was so nice I went back and got my camera and took some pics I spoke to a lady that was there and she said there was 4 of these rest areas in Texas and the 4 cost $30 million and they had free Wi-Fi but no snack van lol.

Setting the record straight

2009-08-30T04:31:00.000-07:00

I was not going to bother with telling people why I removed my blog but so many keep asking so rather than a twisted untrue version being posted on the net by someone else I thought I would put the record straight. Also I've had a lot of support from some of you out there and its only fair to tell you exactly whats happened.

As you know about 3-4 months ago I posted a comment about my truck being cold I said someone in the office was a dumbass, I probably went over the top but I never named anyone. I was pulled into the office and spoken to and was asked to remove stuff from my blog which I did and I added an apology.

As most readers knew I was waiting for my wife to make up her mind about Canada before I asked for PR and everyone who reads my blog knew she was coming over to look with my 2 girls. The cost of the flight tickets was nearly $6,000 (she had premium seats the bitch lolol) plus just over $4,000 spent on hotels and fuel and trips out etc.

My wife loved Canada and wants to move over here and so do my girls. I went and saw the boss about PR but I was told I would never be offered PR with the company because of my outburst on my blog plus a couple of times on the macro.... which was an angry reaction due to the frustation we suffer from the company.

My frustration was because I asked for an address for a truck wash and it took them over 15 hours 2 messages and a nasty phone call from me before they gave me the address plus they would not reset me in my home terminal without a big fight or pay me my layover without another fight... why is it everytime you want something you have to fight for it ?

The reason most drivers leave is because of frustration caused by the office but I have got used to it. I have a great guy now who never lies to me, if the job goes tits up he is very honest with me which is how I want it, no bull, but its not the same for everyone.

I was at the drivers window on Wednesday with a friend of mine he was told by his dispatcher to wait for his load to be brought down from Highriver he waited from 9am until I saw him at the window at 5pm his dispatcher had gone home to her nice house with out a care in the world.

When he asked the manager where his load was they got the night guy to ring the driver who was bringing it down. The driver was in Calgary on a reset and his reset was up at 7pm and the trailer would be in the yard at 10.30-11pm and he had told the dispatcher this at 9am but she never told my mate. He had sat there from 9am and this dispatcher knew all the time that it would not be brought down until late that night, this is so unfair and causes frustration.

I understand a bit why they said no because of my outbursts but why didn't they tell me this before we spent over $10,000. I'm not angry, I'm upset and frustrated because this company has double standards. It's not ok for me to say someone is a dumbass with no names ever mentioned or have a couple of outburst when we get frustrated. Don't think I'm making myself out to be an angel here coz I'm not, I know I have gone over the top before but you can't tell me I'm the only one with a temper because as Dee always tells me 'you bleedin men are all the same' and 'you bleedin lorry drivers are in a league of you own' and she's always right (apparently) lol. Now this doesn't make the outburst right BUT myself and other guys have only lost it because of sheer frustration and when you're sat in the truck waiting and waiting and waiting believe me it feels like your goaded into it!
But hey, its ok for the drivers liason guy to go online and announce himself as the new drivers liason guy and recruiter then on behalf of the company slag drivers off and call people names so much so he has been banned from every truck drivers forum on the web.
He also tells confidental information to his mate in Manitoba because this guy went on line and said he knows alot more about us than we think and he said stuff about Mick that only the office knew so you work it out... where did he get the info from???????...not rocket science is it!!

The reason I am saying this on my blog is because I want the truth to be told before it gets twisted because about 6 months ago a driver was sacked for bad driving. I spoke to this driver and he said the driver liason guy never said a word in the office and the driver liason guy saw us talking. When I went inside he asked me what we were chatting about then he told me a different story than what the driver said. Then he made out he took him for the test drive and it was what he said to the boss in front of the driver that got the driver the sack. He made himself out to be bigger than he was but he never said a word in the meeting! Just like my 2 meetings the first meeting the boss asked if he had anything to say, he said about me not putting the names of companys on my blog. The next meeting the boss asked him if he had anything to add and he turned around and said 'nope you have covered everything'.

I have lost any chance of PR with this company but this office guy for the same company gives out confidental information on drivers or calls people names but he is allowed to get away with it its just not fair. I have not named the guy or my company so I feel I have done no wrong in putting the story straight before it gets twisted.

From now on there will be no mention of the company so I will be free to speak without fear of being sacked I will not mention the company's name and if you feel you want to comment feel free but no swearing just the first and last letter (dave lololol) and no mention of the company name otherwise I will not publish the comment....Thanks

Houston Texas

2009-08-28T19:15:00.000-07:00

I am on my way to Houston in Texas. The first day I had a great run and just got to Casper Wyoming. I stopped at the Flying J. There was no truck parking spaces left so I had a chat with the manager and he let me park right at the end of the scale beside the road.

I crossed into Colorado and just after the scale is a very large Wal-Mart with plenty of room for trucks so I popped in for a phone card for my Net10 Phone and a few bits to munch on. The food at Wal-Mart in Canada is rubbish but in America it is great and very cheap I had a look at food you can cook in a skillet there was loads to choose from I got a small bag of what looks like beef stew!!

I tried to make my way down to Amarillo in Texas but I have been over every scale and in a small bit of a traffic jam (2 trucks 3 cars lol) this route we take US 283 is not a bad route a bit boring in places but you go pass some nice little towns. Then I saw a sign for a town that made me laugh its a place called Dumas I was hoping to see a sign saying welcome to Dumas (I bet someone would of removed the to from the sign and put an extra S on the end) but when I got there it was dark so I am parked in Dumas Texas for the night lolol.

I have parked up now and can't be arsed to cook so I am next to a Mac Donald's and I am pinching there WI-FI so its only fair to go and get something healthy to eat lololol.

I have another 641 miles to go until I get to Houston. I will be there tomorrow night on their door step, hopefully I might get it tipped when I get there but if not I can sleep or watch TV.

My truck is running well now seeing as it had open heart surgery last week lol a new piston liner and a new head.

My New Blog

2009-08-27T20:45:00.000-07:00

I removed my last blog because of a few problems so I will get this blog up and running very soon thank you to the guys who sent me e-mails asking me to carry on with my blog.

The new blog will be about Driving a Truck in North America there will not be any pics of my Truck or any Mention of the company so I can't upset anyone then.