Pro-Trucker Driver's Choice May-June 2020 ( Find Your Trucking Job)

2

www.driverschoice.ca

INSURANCE PREMIUMS INCREASING? We are Professionals with Tenacity & Integrity!

If you have any questions concerning a competitive quote on your transportation insurance, or would like to set up a fleet or prorate account, please contact our Commercial Division and speak with one of our transportation specialists.

604-449-3339

At B&W Insurance we are here to Serve and Protect!

www.bwinsurance.com

1-866-866-9780 Pro-Trucker Driver’s Choice Magazine

MAY / JUNE 2020

www.driverschoice.ca

3

HIRING

Company Drivers & Owner Operators

California terminal opening soon

1-800-507-6625

#201 - 8642 128 St, Surrey, BC

E: jobs@geti.ca I www.geti.ca

MAY / JUNE 2020

Pro-Trucker Driver’s Choice Magazine

4

www.driverschoice.ca

FIRST CLASS PAY • SAFETY • SUPPORT • EQUIPMENT

LIFESTYLE • TRAINING • THE COMPANY

DRIVING EXPERIENCE

NEW PAY PACKAGES

At Challenger, our drivers enjoy a new, leading pay package. We reward (from day one for experienced drivers), employee assistance plan and employee discounts. We welcome quality drivers from all walks of life and experience levels. Drivers also get paid for the driving experience they have, even if they drove for someone else before Challenger. Want to join drivers. Simply, we offer a rounded First Class experience at Challenger – starting with leading pay and compensation.

Hiring Professional Drivers!

We’re hiring AZ / Class 1 Drivers. Also seeking Owner Operators. Contact us today!

| recruiting@challenger.com | 1 800 334 5142

www.challenger.com Pro-Trucker Driver’s Choice Magazine

MAY / JUNE 2020

www.driverschoice.ca

MAY / JUNE 2020

5

Pro-Trucker Driver’s Choice Magazine

6

www.driverschoice.ca

AT B&W INSURANCE, TRUCKING IS OUR SPECIALTY. FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS, WE HAVE BEEN A LEADER IN THE TRANSPORTATION INSURANCE INDUSTRY.

Our dedicated transportation division ensures each client’s portfolio encompasses tailor-made coverages; from private auto, cargo and pollution to D&O, bonding and warehousing.

Our unique relationships with major transportation insurers, allows us to negotiate enhanced coverages at the most competitive rates available. Our in-house claims manager follows every claim along to a successful conclusion and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

If you have any questions concerning a competitive quote on your transportation insurance, or would like to set up a fleet or prorate account, please contact our Commercial Division and speak with one of our transportation specialists.

604-449-3339

Commercial Office LANGLEY 201-5735 – 203rd Street

ICBC & Prorate Office LANGLEY 19825 Fraser Highway

604-449-3339

604-530-9993

ABBOTSFORD

DELTA

SURREY

CLOVERDALE

#4-2054 Whatcom Rd.

#108-8434 120th St.

16007 Fraser Hwy.

306-18690 Fraser Hwy.

604-853-0077

604-591-7891

604-597-6555

604-575-8454

www.bwinsurance.com

Pro-Trucker Driver’s Choice Magazine

1-866-866-9780

MAY / JUNE 2020

www.driverschoice.ca

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

BY JOHN WHITE That was the term often used to describe truck drivers in the past, and it does the heart good to see that drivers are once again being recognized for who they are. But nothing has changed, drivers are doing what they have always done. True to form, they are ready, willing, and able to step up and help those in times of need. More often than not, drivers are the first on the scene of an accident, and if it means risking their lives to save someone in trouble, there are plenty of documented instances to show how willing drivers have always been to step forward.

Today, in this time of crisis, drivers are once again stepping up and putting themselves in danger to ensure the country has the necessities of life. We have almost worn the term out, but more than ever, the general population finally realizes what we have been saying all along, and that is, “If you got it a truck brought it.”

And it is not just in times such as these that drivers step up to the plate. No other industry raises more money for their communities than the trucking industry.

There are Lighted Truck Parades, Food Drives, Toy Runs, Golf Tournaments, and numerous truck shows that raise hundreds of thousands of dollars each year for their communities. Over the years, this has amounted to many millions of dollars that drivers and companies have paid forward.

What happened over the years that changed public opinion? Overcrowding, heavy traffic, impatient people who feel they are more important than the rest of us and therefore less considerate of others, has played a big part. And I’ve always thought that Hollywood did the industry a disservice when they put out horror movies about trucks. Movies like the road rage, “Dual,” where most of the movie showed a big rusty old 1960 Peterbilt 281 filling the rearview mirror and stalking Dennis Weaver’s diminutive Plymouth Valiant. Then there was, “Maximum Overdrive,” about a 1980 Western Star 4800, with a green goblin head on the grill that was trying to run everyone down. Other movies also fed on the fears of impressionable four-wheelers and demonized truck drivers in the minds of the meek. Somehow they forgot that our streets and highways are your workplaces and that truck drivers are fathers, mothers, sisters and brothers and that they, like everyone else in this world, just want to do their jobs and return home safely at the end of the day.

Speaking for everyone here at Pro-Trucker/Drivers Choice, I would personally like to thank all of you for your courage, sacrifice and generosity. Not only today but for what you have always done.

AB Big Rig Weekend July 11 & 12 at Blackjacks in Nisku, Alberta

Alberta Big Rig Weekend Cancelled due to COVID-19

Please Stay Safe MAY / JUNE 2020

7

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF John White: john@ptmag.ca PUBLISHER Coast2Coast Business Pages Ltd. ADVERTISING/MARKETING Tony Arora: tony@coast2coastpages.com John White: john@coast2coastpages.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Ben Proudley • Bill Weatherstone • Colin Black • Dave Madill • Ed Murdoch • Glen Mallard • Myrna Chartrand • Scott Casey • John Maywood • Ross Evison PHOTOGRAPHY Ben Proudley • Alicia Cornish David Benjatschek wowtrucks.com

COAST2COAST BUSINESS PAGES LTD.

HEAD OFFICE #235 - 8138 128th St. Surrey BC V3W1R1 P: 604-598-9222 | F: 604-598-9264 info@driverschoice.ca I www.driverschoice.ca

The contents of this publication may not be reproduced by any means, in whole or in part, without prior written consent of the publisher. The advertiser agrees to protect the publisher against legal action based upon libelous or inaccurate statements; the unauthorized use of materials or photographs; and/or any other errors or omissions in connection with advertisements placed in the Magazine.

The publisher can and will refuse any advertising which in his opinion is misleading or in poor taste. The publisher does not endorse or make claim or guarantee the validity or accuracy of any advertisement herein contained. All materials submitted for publication are subject to editing at the publisher’s discretion. The act of mailing or e-mailing material shall be considered an expressed warranty by the contributor that the material is original and in no way an infringement on the rights of others.

Publications Mail Agreement #42378023.

Return Undeliverable Canadian Address to: #235 - 8138 128th St. Surrey BC V3W1R1.

For Sales & Advertising, Call:

1.877.724.8976

Pro-Trucker Driver’s Choice Magazine

8

www.driverschoice.ca

From Zero to Hero to Zero I

’m sitting outside, sipping a piping hot cup of coffee on a dark cloudless night. As I write this, I reflect back to an article I wrote a number of years ago. That article spoke to the decline of standards. Not any one specific standard, but those of all society. How in general, there has been a steady downward trend in how people have allowed things in life, once held dear, to slip into an abyss of sorts.

It got me thinking about how essential services such as the military, police, firefighters, and paramedics are the quintessential services. When things go bad, they stay on shift to protect our society. I have never taken that service for granted. My thought that truck drivers should be considered an essential service in times of crisis has now become part of reality as they are keeping the country running at the bare minimum. The outcry from locals who understand that trucks are what keep essentials on shelves, i.e. food and medicine, has established that limited and - albeit temporary - protocol.

was noticed as businesses and rest areas that truckers find essential to them were closing or limiting access. Drive-thru service became the only access, and professional drivers were turned away because they weren’t in a vehicle. With these turns of events, people began to realize that our nation’s truckers were at risk of not being able to perform their jobs.

This meant that they wouldn’t get to spend hours in line-ups to purchase, the increasingly difficult to find, little white rolls of dignity. Those line-ups are just one example of that decline of standards I mentioned.

There is a disappointingly interesting point that most truck drivers are already privy too. But for those of you who aren’t privy, I’ll give you this tidbit.

For the most part, professional drivers are appreciated only when what they are carrying is needed. Otherwise, they are considered a hindrance to the Drivers 70-80 CENTS PER MILE! general population.

Always in the way, slowing down traffic, closing roads while they negotiate Super B & tridem step a difficult entrance 2 yrs exp & acceptable abstract to an offloading Western Canada & USA dock. You get the Some dedicated runs idea. A bunch of Zeroes

It wasn’t until the plight of drivers

Hiring Qualified O/Ops & Drivers

Call Al 604-882-7623

Pro-Trucker Driver’s Choice Magazine

By Scott Casey

Scott, our Rig of The Month for May 2003 has written “Ghostkeepers” a book about his years as a gun toting truck driver while serving as a Canadian Peacekeeper in the former Yugoslavia.

But for the past month, with the ridiculous Armageddon style onset of hoarding, truckers are being regarded as Heroes. And they, like the above mentioned first responders, are doing what they have always been doing serving the people of our communities - the same people who shunned their very existence only weeks before.

And this pandemic, like all pandemics preceding, will pass. Life will return to normal and good deeds done by those who sacrificed shall be forgotten by most. The highways will once again become the lonely ribbons of blacktop they were. And our recently acclaimed Heroes will be relegated to their former pandemic status of the Zero.

But alas, the spirit of the over the road trucker won’t be squashed by negativity because the professional driver has diesel coursing through their blood. And that bloodline has transcended generations. From the horse and mule teamsters of the 1800s to the present day driver in the cab of a conventional or cabover tractor trailer.

They will persevere through extreme heat, rain, sleet, hail, blizzards, global pandemics, and yes, being treated like cannon fodder by the masses.

MAY / JUNE 2020

www.driverschoice.ca

9

NOW OFFERING FRANCHISES IN

MOBILE SPECIALIZED REPAIR LASER ALIGNMENT

KING PIN

Ontario

AXLE REPAIR

mobalign.com LASER WHEEL ALIGNMENT • AXLE REPAIR TRAILER KING PIN REPAIR • MORE

Vancouver Island . Vancouver . North Van . Squamish Surrey . Delta . Vancouver . Burnaby . Coquitlam Abbotsford . Chilliwack . Langley . Surrey . Hope Okanagan . Interior Edmonton Calgary

250.268.2222 604.690.4002 604.376.0116 250.268.2222 780.233.6692 780.243.6692

Join our winning team. is HIRING Owner Operators • Fuel Cap of 47 cents per litre • Fuel performance pay program • Late model tractor • Direct deposit, paid twice monthly • Fast cards and passports preferred • No cost satellite communication system • Insurance/license subsidy is upto 50%,

To run Canada & USA

• Scales/tolls/faxes paid

Please call

• Group insurance Dina or Mark at • Fuel cards supplied 1-800-663-2339 • $500 sign on bonus or fax resumes to 1-866-492 -7644 • Home most weekends dinae@berryandsmith.com • Paid pick ups and drops • All miles paid/practical miles equal monthly payments, no interest • Stable company in business over 60 years • Safety bonus paid quarterly Good driving record • Good condition tractor • Cross border capability • Customer service focus MAY / JUNE 2020

Pro-Trucker Driver’s Choice Magazine

10

www.driverschoice.ca

RIG OF THE MONTH by Kelly Malanik

K

elly Malanik is our May/June Rig of the Month. She was nominated by our writer Myrna Chartrand. Kelly has a great attitude and is an excellent example of why women drivers are so valuable in our industry. This is her story: I’m not much for storytelling, but I can certainly tell you about trucking from a country girl, tomboyish kind of background. As a girl growing up in rural Manitoba, I played hockey, baseball, and track and field. I even played with the old metal Tonka toys in my mother’s garden.

I was born in Winnipeg, and we moved around a bit in my early years.

Dad went to University in Winnipeg to become a teacher and also drove truck on the side to help keep the family going. My mom was a secretary at the same trucking company, and she says that her boss used to let her take me to work with her. She says that all the truckers would stop by and make a big

Pro-Trucker Driver’s Choice Magazine

fuss over me when they got back to the yard. Mom said that was great because it made the babysitting a lot easier for her, and it made it a lot more fun for me.

When Dad graduated, the first job he got as a teacher was in a small town just south of Dauphin. Manitoba.

We lived there until just before I started kindergarten when we rented a farmhouse on an acreage outside Kelwood Manitoba. We had a big garden and no animals to speak of other than some chickens, but it was great, we had lots of room to build forts and even a creek to swim in.

I am the oldest of four kids. I have two younger brothers, the oldest, Cory, lives in Alberta, Drew, who is the youngest of the family, lives in Saskatchewan, and in the middle is my sister Carleigh, who lives in Ottawa.

I believe I became interested in big trucks as a pre-teen. Back in the day

when you lived in a small town (maybe 100 people total), it was safe for kids to go for a walk without parental supervision. I remember more than once taking my youngest two siblings for a walk near the highway. We would sit on the grass and pump our arms at every truck that went by. Every single one of them would lay on the horn and let the Jake go as they drove by us. I think they had as much fun as we did.

Doing that was always the highlight of my day, and to this day, I still love the deep throaty sound of a Jake Brake.

We lived in Kelwood until I was in grade eight. We moved because the school closed, so of course, my Dad had to find a new job. Our next home was in the town of Riding Mountain, Manitoba, where I stayed through the rest of my school years.

Besides doing all the sports that I could, I joined Air Cadets. Little did I know at the time what a big impact that decision would have on my future.

MAY / JUNE 2020

www.driverschoice.ca I loved the Air Cadets and stayed in for six and a half years. I also love music, and I was able to play in the Air Cadets band. I started out playing the Baritone Sax, but I can now play almost everything in the orchestra except for percussion and some string instruments. One of the highlights of my time in Air Cadets was when I was chosen to play in the Canadian Tri-Service Cadet Band. Its members are selected from all the Air, Sea, and Army Cadet bands across Canada. It is not something you can apply to join; you have to be nominated, and then after being evaluated, invited by the member’s committee.

As I mentioned, I have always been a bit of a tomboy, and when growing up, I couldn’t decide if I wanted to be a cop, fireman, or EMT. I think it had something to do with the uniforms and belonging to a group of people that had the common purpose of helping people.

Anyway, after six and a half years in Air Cadets, the army won out. It may be a bit presumptuous of me to assume that they won anything, but at eighteen years of age, I joined the army.

The military taught me how to drive a truck. When I became a Canadian Forces soldier, my trade was R935 or Mobile Support Equipment Operator (MSEOP). When I and my fellow recruits were first learning to drive, the most popular saying that got a chuckle out of everyone, except our instructors, was, “If you can’t find em’ grind ‘em.”

I took my six-week basic training at CFB Wainwright in Alberta. It was a gruelling 18-hour charter bus ride from Riding Mountain to Wainwright.

We arrived in Wainwright at about 1 am and were sent to the barracks right away for some much-needed sleep. Unfortunately, we found that we were the only ones who thought we needed to sleep because two and half hours later, we were rudely awakened by a dummy grenade going off in the barracks. Our drill instructors were just back from overseas and as tough as nails, but looking back, they gave us MAY / JUNE 2020

excellent training. I was in the reserves for nine years and have the equivalent of six years of total service.

While in the army, I hauled just about everything that a civilian driver hauls.

An army base is like a small town with all the same necessities of life. I drove truck trailers, mail trucks, ambulance, and also a bus over a standard route that went from Wainwright to Edmonton International, then to West Edmonton Mall, and over to Edmonton Base and then turn around and go back the same way. I would do the bus run for seven days and then go back to the other support vehicles. I also hauled a lot of military equipment from ammunition and guns – big and small - to LAV-3’s, and tanks. I also hauled other things that I probably shouldn’t mention here.

There are a number of people that I looked up to in the army like my basic training section commander, Master Corporal Menard. He pushed me hard, probably no more than he pushed anyone else, but his pushing made me set new limits for myself.

Sargent Murphy was another that I served under after basic training. He spent time with me when he never had to and was a life, as well as a military mentor for me. I used to babysit his kids when I worked on base, and we still keep in touch. He would give me crap when I deserved it and a shoulder when I needed that. He is the prime example of what a mentor should be.

No matter how tough it got, he would push me forward.

There were a few other people who had the patience to teach me to drive and help me get over my fears and frustrations. I am a bit of a perfectionist (or I quite possibly suffer from OCD).

Bill Eldy was one and then there was Dennis Thompson. Dennis was an old retired military guy that worked as a civilian for the army. Dennis treated me like one of his daughters, and always had my back. When I got out of the military, I too went back and worked as a civilian operator for the next three

11

years.

The first commercial company that I went to work for was Baseline out of Sherwood Park. After that, I wandered through a few companies looking for my perfect home. I have worked coast to coast in Canada from PEI to Vancouver. I even got fired from one company because I refused to break DOT regulations on hours of service.

There are a lot of companies to work for in Canada, and it seems everyone has their own idea of what a good company is and what a bad company is. In most instances, the company you finally settle down with really comes down to your personal preference of what they offer, how they pay, how they dispatch, and the type of service, attention and respect that you need as a driver.

I now work for Portage Transport out of Portage la Prairie Manitoba, and as a whole, I couldn’t be happier. I love working for these guys. I drive a 2019 Freightliner Cascadia and haul anything from meat to vegetables, fruit, dry van and hazmat. Most of my work is in the states, which I really like. I go coast to coast with them also, from Maryland to California. Some of my favourite spots so far have been P.E.I., Florida and Texas. One day I would love to go to Louisiana and reset during Mardi Gras.

I’ve discovered that my favourite truck to drive is the Kenworth T680, and my least favourite is the Peterbilt.

That’s right folks, sorry to hurt anyone’s feelings, but I am six feet tall and just not a fan of whacking my head on the mid-roof. I have a few people in the industry that I look up to - I like to call them the big brothers. As well as a

Pro-Trucker Driver’s Choice Magazine

12

www.driverschoice.ca

few women who’ve become all become “sisters”.

And then there is my dog Lexi who has various names depending on what she is doing at any given moment. It can be anything from Lexi to Momma to Sh#thead. I got her when she was nine weeks old, and she is now two and a half years old. She was initially being trained as a service dog but is now just my dog. She is great and I love her – most of the time. I take her everywhere I go, and she helps me keep my head on straight while on the road.

One of the worst roads I’ve driven was with a set of empty turnpikes on Highway 1, just east of the Portage overpass, out where it opens up with no wind protection. On one trip through there, the ice was so thick I couldn’t even see the road. That trip from Portage to the LCV yard, which normally would have taken me 45 minutes to an hour, ended up taking almost three hours. Every time I tried to get over fully into my lane on the road, my B-Box kept wanting to come around and wave hello at me. I ended up having to run the rumble strips the whole way back just to ensure I wouldn’t have an accident.

Like most other drivers, I have come across my share of wrecks, but the worst was almost two years ago in Chicago on the I-80 in the eastbound lane at the South Holland Oasis. A fellow truck driver had what looked like a heart attack at the time and ran into the guard rail right at the entrance to the Oasis.

As usual, traffic was slow because everyone was rubbernecking to see the accident. I used to be a registered EMT-I (a step below a Paramedic) as a side job when I was military, and I knew right away that something nasty was happening. The driver’s leg was hanging out the door spasming, and he wasn’t trying to get up. I parked in the right of the three lanes, so people couldn’t see what was going on, jumped out of my truck, and quickly introduced myself to the two women who saw the accident. I took over and told them to Pro-Trucker Driver’s Choice Magazine

call 911 and to help me get a door open on the man’s rig. I eventually had to get in on the driver’s side, climb over the man, and assess the situation from there. I made sure the truck was off and then focused on him.

His eyes were open, but he was not breathing, and he didn’t have a pulse. I started CPR then asked one of the girls to call 911 and pass me the phone, so I could give the pertinent information to the emergency operator so she, in turn, could let the paramedics know what to expect. When they arrived, I continued CPR until they were able to take over the scene entirely and got him loaded and on the way to the hospital.

Everyone, the cops, and paramedics included were saying that he wasn’t going to make it. I couldn’t sleep for about three days as the whole scene kept racing through my mind whenever I tried to close my eyes. I finally called the sheriff’s department to find out what happened to the man, as all I could think of was his eyes and spasms.

The sheriff wasn’t supposed to give out that information, but after I told him why I wanted to know, he took pity on me and told me that the man had survived. It was a great relief, and it put a smile on my face knowing that he had made it.

That night I was finally able to let the image go and get some proper sleep.

may be doing it more enthusiastically than others, but we all have bad days.

Giving them the benefit of the doubt without throwing fuel on the flames helps a lot. Everyone has a different background and history, so it is hard to judge them from one meeting. If I run into one that is having a bad day, I try to keep a smile on my face. That upsets some of them too, but it makes no sense to push back too hard because there are some fights you just can’t win, and that is more often than not the case when someone is wearing a badge.

All in all, this life has been good to me. It has taught me a lot about myself and to understand others that I’ve met along the way. Would I do anything differently? No, I don’t think so. Good or bad, I wouldn’t be who I am today without ALL of my experiences.

Let’s all respect each other and stay safe out there. We are all in this together!

I always try to remember, the DOT’s and police officers are just doing their jobs just like us. Some MAY / JUNE 2020

www.driverschoice.ca 13 up to

Summer Special

NOW OPEN 6 DAYS A WEEK!

A/C Recharge

on selected products

Monday - Saturday

SAME DAY A/C, Radiator & Heater Repairs and Installation

ALBERTA

HEAD OFFICE

BRITISH COLUMBIA

Parts and Services

Parts Only

604-852-5848

604-852-6066 778-394-2665

1-855-662-4353

#100-663 Sumas Way Abbotsford, BC MAY / JUNE 2020

Pro-Trucker Driver’s Choice Magazine

14

www.driverschoice.ca

Contact: Jason

800-514-3350 604-850-3350

Company Drivers / Owner Operators Expedited Services in Reefer & Vans for Canada & USA

Our dedicated runs: AB - CA - AB, SK - CA - SK, BC - AB, BC - CA - AB - BC WE PROVIDE: • Year-Round Work • Courteous Dispatch • Extended Medical Benefits • Excellent Home Time • Safety Bonus

OUR REQUIREMENTS: • Positive Attitude • Responsible Individuals • 1 Year Experience LONG HAUL Single Driver (gross mile) = $0.45 - $0.52/mile Team Driver (gross mile) = $0.55 - $0.62/mile

Office: 1930 Queen St. Abbotsford BC V2T 6J1 Mailing: Box 502, STN A, Abbotsford BC V2T 6Z7 Yard: 1930 Queen St. Abbotsford BC V2T 6J1

E: nctruck@telus.net F: 604-850-3370

Pro-Trucker Driver’s Choice Magazine

Apply Now at:

www.nctruck.ca

MAY / JUNE 2020

www.driverschoice.ca 15

Letters to the Editor Hi John, I never thought I would live to see it but we have now gone full circle. Back in my day, truckers were well-respected and often referred to as the White Knights of the Highway. Many times we were the first on the scene ignoring the danger and helping people in accidents, and we never passed a stranded vehicle no matter how late we were or what the weather was like. I can’t count the number cars I pulled out of snowbanks, helped get going again or the number of stranded people I helped over my 42 years of driving. But over time things changed and we suddenly became the Terror of the Highway and more of a hindrance than a help.

My how things change when you have a pandemic! People are so thankful that drivers are doing the same job they always did by bringing them all the necessities of life only now they are risking their own health to do it. Even the politicians, who have been putting us down for years and have never done more than pay lip service to our safety are jumping on the bandwagon and thanking drivers. I hope this attitude stays long after the virus is gone.

Tom Spencer (retired) Editors note: Yes Tom, it is kind of like that old bumper sticker from the 60’s that said, “If you don’t like Cops then next time you need help call a Hippy.” The average 4 wheeler does not stop to think that when you are on the road, you are in your workplace. That is until they run out of toilet paper.

Hello John, Just a quick update on BC’s MELT program. The Provincial Government has recently said that they are turning the whole project, including the standards and training, over to ICBC our provincial insurance agency. For some unknown reason, they did not know that it has always been ICBC’s responsibility to set training standards for driver licencing in the Province.

Here we are, it is over two years since the Humboldt tragedy and BC, with the most dangerous roads in the country, is the only Province in Western and Central Canada that does not have a Melt Program in place. On top of that they have not even started on one. Even though they announced over six months ago that they were going to begin holding meetings with the stakeholders – sometime in the future. Hopefully, the overpaid and overstaffed ICBC management team will be able to get their act together during the pandemic. It is called conference calls, working from home, and above all, doing your job to keep us safe.

MAY / JUNE 2020

cker azine Pro-Tru Choice Mag s Driver’

Editor’s note: The MELT program in BC has been passed back and forth so many times that it is like watching a volley ball game. The Provincial Government originally announced that the BC Trucking Association was going to put together a program and then they said they would do it themselves, next it went to ICBC then back to the Government and now it is back in ICBC’s hands. Don’t be surprised if it suddenly is the responsibility of the Province again. That is guaranteed to happen as soon as a Cabinet Minister or the Premier want another photoshoot to show voters how concerned they are.

Let’s go BC you have been sitting on the Pilot Car project for over 6 years now while all the other partners in the Western Partnership have long ago come to an agreement and implemented the necessary changes. Don’t make us wait another four years or for another tragedy to happen before you to get your act together and put a decent MELT program in place.

Hello John, A few issues back, you invited us readers to submit any funny or interesting stories for possible publication in your magazine.

I don’t know if this fits the bill, but here it goes.

David Sova Editor’s note: Thank you Dennis, that is a great story that many drivers can relate to. Our readers can find it on page ___.

For our readers - If you have an interesting story, send it in, and you may find it adorning our pages in the future.

Pro-Trucker Driver’s Choice Magazine

16

www.driverschoice.ca

BC: 604-888-1883 ON: 905-564-3000 HEAVY DUTY TRUCK

LED HEADLIGHTS ON PROMOTION

CASCADIA LED 08-17 VOLVO VN, VNL LED 15-17 AFTER MARKET, LIMITED QUANTITY, PICTURES MAY DIFFER FROM ACTUAL PRODUCTS.

CASCADIA 2018 LED #3 20085 100A Ave, Langley, V1M3G4, BC. Canada | www.chtp.ca | 604-888-1883 #17 1707 Sismet Rd. Mississauga, L5T1X6, ON. Canada | www.chtp.ca | 905-564-3000 Pro-Trucker Driver’s Choice Magazine

MAY / JUNE 2020

www.driverschoice.ca 17

The team you can trust.

Now Hiring for

AUTO-HUAL DIVISION SHERGILL’S LATEST SERVICE

www.shergilltransport.com

COMPANY DRIVERS

OWNER/OPERATOR

• Late Model Equipment • Paid Twice a Month • Part and Full Time Positions • No Experience Required • Safety Bonus • Extended Health Benefits • Satellite Dispatch • Must Have a Professional Attitude

• 85% of Revenue (with own trailer) • 75% of Revenue (with company trailer) • Owner/operator Plates & Insurance Financed • Fuel Cards Supplied • POs Supplied for Repairs • Extended Health Benefits • Satellite Dispatch • Must Have a Professional Attitude

• Super-B up to .60c/mi.

• Tandem Flatbed up to 0.55c/mi.

• Dry Van up to .50c/mi.

Extra Picks, Drops & Tarps Paid

AB-CA-AB

I

AB-TEXAS-AB

I

BC-AB

I

BC -CA-AB-BC

“REQUIRED SALES PERSON FOR ALBERTA OFFICE”

HEAD OFFICE: Surrey, BC

Calgary, AB

Contact: RAJ GILL C: 604.562.8500 T: 604.543.3221 F: 604.543.3239 E: raj@shergilltransport.com jobs@shergilltransport.com

Contact: TERRY SHERGILL C: 403.796.9008 T: 403.453.5544 F: 403.453.5545 E: terry@shergilltransport.com jobs@shergilltransport.com

A: 12320 Old Yale Rd, Surrey, BC MAY / JUNE 2020

A: 4852 50TH Avenue NE Suite 3 Calgary, AB

Pro-Trucker Driver’s Choice Magazine

18

www.driverschoice.ca

Fuel Tanks

By Dave Madill Dave Madill was Pro-Trucker Magazine’s Rig of the Month in June of 2001 and he has been entertaining us with his poetry ever since. Dave has published three books of poems that are available by special order through Chapters Book Stores.

I

unloaded a load of machinery in Edmonton and phoned home to see If Dad had found me a load home, and he told me about this great “light” load up in Cold Lake at the airbase that was going back to Trenton. It seems they had a bunch of drop tanks off RCAF Mosquitos that were being shipped back to Trenton to be sold off. Well, that was not very far away, and being a Government load, it paid well and was under no rush. Off to Cold Lake I went and the next day showed up at the gate late in the day. I was told that it was too late to load so I got to spend a night at the transient barracks and grabbed a couple of meals at the Officers Mess.

After a great breakfast the next morning, I was off to the loading area, and let me tell you there was a pile of these tanks sitting there of all different sizes. Since they were all packed on cradles, we put three across the front of the trailer then packed two on the next tier and a single on top. The airmen there banded them up well, and I threw a couple of cables over and tightened them down. There was another row the same as the first, and then there were some bigger ones. The

Open 6:00 am to 7:30 pm Mon to Fri 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Saturdays

CANYON CABLE 1988 LTD. 930-6th Ave., Hope, BC 604-869-9036 Toll Free 1-800-588-8868

larger ones were not exactly the same.

They were grey while the rest had been painted camo. I was told that they were just from a different Squadron and not to worry. We placed the larger ones two across with one on top and again banded them down. We then finished off the load with more small tanks, signed the bills, and away I went.

I knew it was going to happen, and sure enough, the first open scale I hit (Lloydminister), I got the red light, and they wanted to know what in the heck I was hauling. I told them they were guided missiles and then laughed and handed them my papers, and I was soon back on the road. After that every open scale just had to pull me in. I was thinking that maybe I should have tarped the load, but everything was fine, and I finally made it home.

I stopped at the house for a couple of days and then headed down to Trenton to unload.

I pulled into RCAF Trenton, handed in my papers at the gate and was directed to a hanger where I would be unloaded. I pulled in and parked where directed and proceeded to remove all

my cables and get everything ready for the crew to unload. The crew was led by an older Flight Sargent, and when he saw my load, he just about dropped his drawers. He asked me how much the large tanks weighed and when I told him I didn’t know, but they were heavy, he called security and fire and bomb disposal. It seems that what I had been told were fuel tanks were actually 1000lb Napalm bombs without detonators or tail fins.

Well, it took two days to unload what we had loaded in twenty minutes, and I was a guest of the Government in their Crowbar Hotel until the mix up was straightened out. I believe it was fortunate that I was ex-RCAF because if I had not served, I do believe I may have been handled a little rougher.

It scares me to think what might have happened if I had an accident with 3000lbs of Napalm behind me, but I guess all’s well that ends well.

Apparently, the shipper up in Cold Lake got to take the blame for not checking part numbers, and I went back out on the highway no worse for wear.

Difference between Complete And Finished When you marry the right woman, you are COMPLETE. When you marry the wrong woman, you are FINISHED. When the right one catches you with the wrong one, you are COMPLETELY FINISHED!!!

Pro-Trucker Driver’s Choice Magazine

MAY / JUNE 2020

www.driverschoice.ca 19

Owner Operators & Drivers SUPER B

•

FLATBED

•

QUAD AXLE

•

TANDEM AXLE

•

STEP DECK

•

TRI AXLE

( WESTERN CANADA / US ) WE OFFER -

WE REQUIRE

Health Benefits Competitive Salary Late Model Equipment Tarping Paid Fuel Program

-

1-2 year’s Experience Mountain Driving Experience Clean Current Abstract Ability to Cross Border is an Asset

US and Canadian Customs Bonded

P: 604-859-4551 F: 1-888-791-1586 dispatch@jeenterprises.ca w w w. j a g g e d e d g e. c a MAY / JUNE 2020

Pro-Trucker Driver’s Choice Magazine

20

www.driverschoice.ca

APPLY FOR OUR OWNER-OPERATOR PROGRAM TODAY!

We have wholesale prices on trucks with great finance rates & various job opportunities.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES Long Haul • Short Haul • Dump • Dry Van • Reefer • Flat Deck •

OUR SPECIALTY

1.844.834.6262

Transportation Construction • Manufacturing • Industrial • Agricultural • Forestry • Automotive • Office • •

8430 128 Street #20, Surrey, BC tonyb@bcefinance.ca

COVERAGE

Accident Downtime • Mechanical Downtime • Write-off Protection • Business Overhead Expense • Deductible Buydown for as low as $20 a month •

www.bcefinance.ca Pro-Trucker Driver’s Choice Magazine

bcequipmentfinance bcequipmentfinance

Let our professional and friendly advisor assist you today MAY / JUNE 2020

REQUIRES

www.driverschoice.ca 21

Company Drivers & Owner Operators

PREFERRED CARRIERS INC. A very busy flat and step deck carrier, running Canada to and from the U.S.A., are presently expanding the fleet in order to service our customers better.

LOCATED AT 80 DIAMOND AVENUE, SPRUCE GROVE, AB COMPANY DRIVERS: For late model Kenworth trucks.

10 Full-time Permanent Positions Available $26.50 Per Hour ($60,000 and $75,000 Annually, Based on Mileage Rate) Medical Benefits Provided Minimum of 1 Year of OTR Experience is Required Fluency in English Valid Passport and Willingness to Travel to the USA is Required Valid Class 1 Licence Passing Drug Test is Required

OWNER OPERATORS: With or without own trailer, able to carry 45,000 lbs. pay load, better than Average Revenue.

Contact SKEE or RAY for more information on these openings.

780-962-5801 skif@preferredcarriers.com

MAY / JUNE 2020

866-962-5801 rayf@preferredcarriers.com Pro-Trucker Driver’s Choice Magazine

22

www.driverschoice.ca

Pro-Trucker Driver’s Choice Magazine

MAY / JUNE 2020

www.driverschoice.ca 23

MAY / JUNE 2020

Pro-Trucker Driver’s Choice Magazine

24

www.driverschoice.ca

JOIN OUR TEAM 50

C A LG A R Y

E D M O N TO N

403.279.8365

780.969.1097

Pro-Trucker Driver’s Choice Magazine

MAY / JUNE 2020

hiring

www.driverschoice.ca 25

HEADLINE Owner Operators

BUSINESS FLAYER

No start up fee’s Health benefits Fuel cards supplied Flexible home time Lease to own options available

TRANSPORTATION GROUP

REGINA

LANGLEY

306.757.1448

604.888.2928

MAY / JUNE 2020

Pro-Trucker Driver’s Choice Magazine

www.driverschoice.ca

26

Winter Blues be a part of her entertainment, thus something for me to look forward to. I’m in a 30-day song challenge right now with a few friends. Each day there is a new theme; for example, pick a song that makes you want to dance. Everyone in the group picks a song, then we share it, and it really is quite fun because it brings up great memories if there is a story attached to that particular song.

One of the parts of this that I enjoy is that everyone in the group pretty much has sent in their song choice by 9 AM, if not sooner. So this means it’s one of the first things on our minds, and I’m not the only one who looks forward to this every day. Plus, selecting a song each day gives time for a bit of reflection on our choices.

By Myrna Chartrand Myrna was born and raised in Oak Point, Manitoba and was our April 2019 Rig of the Month driver.

T

wo months ago, I was already thinking about what my next article topic was going to be. I had no idea that my original thought of writing about trucker’s self-isolation was going to be directed towards much more of the population. I thought of myself as a social butterfly, but I’m starting to realize I’ve been much more selfisolated for the last ten years than I realized.

I have a question for everyone right now because of the uncertain times we are currently in. This question is very important and needs to be asked. The question is, “What do you look forward to?”

In the truck, I often look forward to my favourite customers that I’ll get to visit with and a visit with a trucker friend along my route or maybe sitdown dinner at my favourite restaurant.

This has more or less been taken from me right now, and I know I have to deal with it. So now this means I need to find new things to look forward to. In our current situation, I think it’s especially important to find something to look forward to even if things look bleak at the moment. Whether it be a phone call, a video call, playing a board game, etc.

My aunt looks forward to getting this magazine. She is in a nursing home and unable to receive visitors, so getting this magazine is one of her ways to pass the time. If she hasn’t gotten it in a timely fashion, she is quick to tell my dad or me that she would sure like a copy. I enjoy this because I get to

Pro-Trucker Driver’s Choice Magazine

I read somewhere the other day that once the wave of hoarding cleaning supplies, toilet paper and sanitizer starts to slow down a bit, the next thing is hair colour hoarding. I was proactive before all this went down, and I have three months of hair colour already set aside. For those worried about getting to the salon, I’ve already got myself covered, so I look forward to many more months of stylish hair. I even bought some scissors the other day and broke the first rule of self-isolation: do not cut your own hair!! I trimmed my own bangs, and I can easily see how this could go south really quickly!! I didn’t get in on the sanitizer hoarding but gosh darn it, I’m going to look good!! I do look forward though to the day I get to go back to the salon and leave it to the professionals. Plus, salon visits are always great gossip sessions!

I’m looking forward to visiting with my friends and family in person. Going out for dinner, drinks, or a movie.

Seeing their faces and being silly around one another. I’m looking forward to the days when I can shoot the breeze with

my friends at the truck shows. Setting up lawn chairs and coolers and looking at and talking about trucks. These days may or may not be right around the corner, but there is always something to look forward to if you think hard enough. They don’t have to be huge things, but it is important that we give it some thought.

I’m going to leave you with a bit of humour now. I took a flight to Toronto at the beginning of March. As I went through security at the Winnipeg airport, I was flagged for a pat-down.

My first thought was about how I got selected because I don’t even try to blend in. I was wearing leggings with pictures of French fries all over them, denim material shoes and my signature bright pink hair with a gold bow. Do I really look like the type that’s going to try to hide something? Or are they thinking, maybe she plans to stand out, so we don’t suspect her?

Anyhow, the lady takes me aside and asks if I am ok to have her do the patdown right there or would I prefer to have it done in a room. At this point, I’m thinking, “My goodness, how intimate is this pat-down going to be?”

I say that I’m fine to do it right where I’m standing. She proceeds to pat my arms, legs, checks the bun in my hair and then says she needs to check the waistband of my pants to make sure I’m not hiding anything. She reaches where my waistband should be, which naturally should be at your waist. Well, I tend to wear my leggings pulled high to help tuck in all my rolls, so as she’s lifting her hands to find the top of my waistband, she repeats, “Are you sure you don’t want a room?” At this point, I’m guessing she thinks if she has to reach any higher, the hem of my shirt will be up around my neck!! So mental note for anyone who wears highwaisted pants, it may be wise to avoid wearing those on airport days!!

MAY / JUNE 2020

www.driverschoice.ca 27

PEACE OF MIND

NEED IMMEDIATELY LEASE OPERATORS & COMPANY DRIVERS BC - Alberta / Southwest USA

www.keywestexpress.ca

CONTACT BILL:

604-539-1700 F: 604-539-1715 I E: bill@keywestexpress.ca 20795 Langley Bypass, Langley, BC V3A 5E8 MAY / JUNE 2020

Pro-Trucker Driver’s Choice Magazine

28

www.driverschoice.ca

You want me to go where?

A

round about 1972, I was working for W.B.Trailer in Saskatoon hauling cattle, road construction equipment, and anything else that needed hauling. Asphalt Services was one of the companies that W.B. worked for when a bid came in from the government to send a truck to Cluff lake in the winter to see if a truck could make it. Cluff Lake is 850 km northwest of Saskatoon, and they were building a mine for a new uranium strike found there. The strike was just across Athabasca Lake to the south of Uranium City.

The two trucking companies put their heads together, and they decided that they would use an older tractor with a long wheelbase and try to convince a newer, eager, gullible, driver to go. I fit the job to a T. I was in my middle 20’s and looking for adventure.

The truck was a conventional Western Star day cab from the late ’60s. It had a 220 Cummins with a 10-speed road ranger transmission and rubber block suspension. They took the 5th wheel off and built a deck on the frame to carry the freight of nails, cement bags and windows to build the first shop for the mine site.

There was no road into the site, so they had a Caterpillar bulldoze a trail through the bush by following survey ribbons from Meadow Lake straight north for 300 miles.

Pro-Trucker Driver’s Choice Magazine

By Glen Millard

Glen was born in Saskatchewan. He has driven trucks for 50 years, mostly long hauling. He’s now retired, that is until another adventure comes along.

Before I left, we put on the extra fuel tanks, and I added an axe, shovel, spare fan belt, extra clothes, tools and $150 worth of groceries. I was also given four bottles of whiskey for the surveyors that were camped there. We changed the engine fan to a two-blade and then installed a belly tarp that ran from the power divider to the front and then up over the radiator to keep the heat in. It was late February, and in northern Saskatchewan, it can drop to -50 degrees Fahrenheit.

well. I found a bulldozed trail, but there was no ribbon. I got out, dug around, and finally found it under a foot of snow. I had a nervous sweat on for the first hour, wondering if it really was the right road. At 2 pm I was out waiting for the plane, and it came 10 minutes late. I would have kissed the ground, but I didn’t want to be found dead with my lips froze to a rock. I waved both hands, and he dipped his wings up and down in recognition as I watched him fly out of site.

Of course, there were no cell phones so the deal was for me to stop at 2 pm every day, get out and wave both hands at the twin-engine airplane that would fly over. That way, they would know I was okay, and it made me feel better knowing there would be some contact.

There was no radio reception out there, but I did have an 8-track tape.

The result being, if anyone is ever foolish enough to ask, I can do a pretty good rendition of Johnny Cash singing, “I walk the line.”

When I headed out, the truck was loaded down and pulling heavy, but there were no scales where I was going. I drove 17 or 18 hours a day, and the complete round trip took a week and a half. I had my GPS (Got Picture Sketches) drawn on a piece of paper. It went like this: Go to Meadow Lake, turn right to Turner Lake. Just before you get there, you will see a road bulldozed off to your left. There should be a survey ribbon on a stick.

Turn left, “You can’t miss it.” (Every truck driver has heard that more than once.)

The trip to Meadow Lake was uneventful, cold and clear, but all was

I drove along gently bouncing because there was no grading to the road, and did I mention the rubber block suspension? It was a one-lane winding road with bush piled up on one side. At night I would stop, put the truck in neutral, and set the idle to 900 rpm. Then I would place a piece of plywood over the two seats for a bed.

The GPS also read, “When you get to Douglas River, you will find a caterpillar parked there. Start it up and push trees and rocks into the river to damn it off. Then take the bulldozer back to the south side. You should have about a half-hour to take the Cat back and still get the truck across.”

It also said that I would have a small lake to cross later. They said it would MAY / JUNE 2020

www.driverschoice.ca 29 be better to cross the lake at night because it is easier to see the opening in the bush on the other side.

I saw plenty of wildlife that had very little fear of me. If I sat very still, they would come right up to me. I hand fed rabbits, chipmunks and some type of ground squirrel that hadn’t hibernated.

There were also five Timberwolves that ran alongside the truck, just 10 or 15 feet off the trail, for about a day and a half.

When I got to Douglas River, I was happy to find the machine in the bush right where my primitive G.P.S. said it would be. That was the first time that I had seen a Komatsu bulldozer.

It had a Cummins engine, and the controls were somewhat different than a caterpillar, but I managed.

I walked it down to the river, which was frozen but shallow, and only about 75 feet across. Once I pushed the crossing in, I put the “Cat” on the south side and hopped in the truck. As I was slowly making my way across, I could hear water starting to wash through the damn that I had just made.

My next obstacle was Wasekamio lake. I came down the bank, and it seemed solid, so I climbed out onto the ice. Looking out across the lake, I could see the opening in the trees where the trail continued, so I headed for it. I drove very slowly so that I didn’t create a wave under the ice. I have never been a big fan of the polar bear swim. When I got to the middle of the lake, there was a loud cracking sound of the ice shifting, but I was prepared for it because I had met a native Indian fellow who gave me a crash course on how to travel on ice.

He told me to expect the crackling, and I was glad that I met him because I had only brought a minimal supply of underwear.

I made it across and up onto the “terra firma” again and carried on to

MAY / JUNE 2020

the Cluff Lake camp. When I arrived, I saw three or four shack tents that consisted of 4x8 plywood walls with roofs made of canvas, and nothing else.

The four surveyors that were there, laying out the boundaries for the mine and the town, were excited to see me.

They were even more excited when I gave them their bottles of whiskey.

We unloaded the truck by hand, putting most of the load in one shack tent, then set the remainder outside in a pile. I stayed in the tent that night with the truck running, parked back behind the shop tent. It was the best sleep I had in a while, as I could finally stretch

H E R E

F OR

T H E

out.

Before I left the next day, we built sides on the deck and then completely loaded it with empty 100-pound propane tanks. We finally got it all packed in tight, and I was on my way back to Saskatoon by noon. All in all, I didn’t do too bad for a newer, eager and gullible, driver that was looking for a bit of adventure.

I made one more trip into the mine after that, but the next time I led a convoy of three other trucks, and that trip is a story for another day.

L ON G

H A U L

To ALL the workers who are putting themselves out for us to keep Canada supplied

Transam Carriers Inc.

205 Doney Crescent, Concord, On L4K 1P6 Email: hr@transamcarriers.com HIRING COMPANY DRIVERS A-Z Telephone: 1-877-907-8101 www.transamcarriers.com @TransamCarriers

AND OWNER OPERATORS A-Z, D-Z

Pro-Trucker Driver’s Choice Magazine

30

www.driverschoice.ca

“Quality Service at Reasonable Rates” www.advancedfleet.ca FULL REPAIRS TO ALL COMMERCIAL TRUCKS, TRAILERS AND MOST EQUIPMENT Diagnostic Trouble shooting for Cummins, CAT, Detroit and Volvo Truck and Trailer Shuttle available as well as courtesy cars

Emergency Call out

4 Fully Equipped Service Trucks Licensed Commercial Inspection Facility – $160.00 per unit

Now

Hiring

Phone: 604-520-1502 Emergency: 604-970-1535 Pro-Trucker Driver’s Choice Magazine

Certified Commercial Transport Mechanics with Red Seal and Inspector Certification Good Wages and Benefits

9975 – 199B Street, Langley BC V1M 3G4 Monday – Friday 6:00 am – 6:00 pm Saturday: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm

MAY / JUNE 2020

www.driverschoice.ca 31

MAY / JUNE 2020

Pro-Trucker Driver’s Choice Magazine

32

www.driverschoice.ca

1-800-665-5779 www.toplineparts.ca

Specializing in Chrome Parts & Accessories for Trucks

Cab accessories

Grab handle

Fi�h wheel pullers

Custom bumpers

Fuel tank trim

One of the Largest Showrooms in Western Canada Custom made Stainless Bumpers, Cab & Sleeper Panels Massive Inventory of Aftermarket LED Lighting

604-852-1947

info@toplineparts.ca

Unit A - 1454 Riverside Rd, Abbotsford, BC Pro-Trucker Driver’s Choice Magazine

MAY / JUNE 2020

www.driverschoice.ca 33

The Virus T

he world is in turmoil at this time.

Deaths from the Corona Virus in the UK are at 18,100 and rising every day. Yet drivers are still being refused the use of toilet facilities at some of the big supermarket hubs and other large delivery points. Oh, yes, drivers are being hailed as heroes because they’re keeping the supply chains open, but some drivers are still met with excuses when they ask to use the toilet. That is even though the H.S.E. (Health and Safety Executive) have said it’s illegal to deny drivers access to these facilities. The excuses range from things like, “They’re out of order,” or “We’re waiting for them to be delivered.”

What they’re possibly awaiting delivery of, are the plastic boxes used at outdoor shows and music gigs.

Some firms have tried to get around the law by putting portaloo chemical toilets in the corner of the yard, but there is no hot water in these things, so they don’t meet the standards for washing your hands in this time of the pandemic. And any I’ve used when I maybe go to a classic truck show or weekend car boot sale are usually rancid inside anyway.

From comments I’ve read on drivers’ forums, it seems like some drivers go into their delivery point with an attitude of, now it’s illegal to refuse me access to the facilities, so if I can’t use the toilet, you don’t get your freight. That might be ok if you are paid by the hour, which most drivers over here are, and you have an agreement with your boss. But it does nothing for the regard, or lack of it, that some companies have for the drivers delivering to their premises.

Just like Canada, it’s also getting harder for drivers to find a warm meal out on the road. I have read on drivers’ forums that it’s the small truck stops, off the beaten track cafés and mobile food trucks that are stepping up to the plate. The small places that were the mainstay of basic transport catering in my young trucking days that provided everyday plain cooking that filled your belly.

The main A1 on the east side of this country was always geared up for the truck traffic. Before it was given a number, it was the Great North Road. At 410 miles long, it connected London in the south to Edinburgh in

By Colin Black Colin Black lives in Bellshill, Lanarkshire, Scotland and has been driving truck for over 40 years. His story shows us once again that the problems drivers face are universal.

the north and had truck stops, fuelling stations and small cafés in abundance.

Then it was upgraded and widened, and big truck stops were built right next to the new highway. Since it was easier for drivers to drive straight into the big truck stops by taking an off-ramp constructed to cater to these large truck stops, some of the bypassed small places lost most of their business and went bust. It seems ironic now that some of the little guys that dodged the bulldozers and managed to stay in business are once again feeding the UK truckers. There might be plenty of space to park in the big truck stops now, but being able to park wherever you like doesn’t do much good if drivers can’t get a decent meal because the multi-choice food mall is currently closed.

Older drivers might be tempted to go back to boiling a kettle in the cab on a single burner gas camping stove, but these things are frowned upon now as a health and safety risk. How did we ever manage in the past before health and safety? Cooking in the cab would undoubtedly keep us away from other possibly infected people.

The Blanket A man and a woman who have never met before, find themselves assigned to the same sleeping room on a transcontinental train. Although initially embarrassed and uneasy over sharing a room, the two are tired and fall asleep quickly he in the upper bunk and she in the lower.

At 2:00 a.m., he leans over and gently wakes the woman, saying, “Ma’am, I’m sorry to bother you, but would you be willing to reach into the closet to get me a second blanket? I’m awfully cold.”

“I have a better idea,” she replies. “Just for tonight, let’s pretend that we’re married.”

“Wow! That’s a great idea!!” he exclaims.

“Good,” she replies. “Get your own damn blanket.”

MAY / JUNE 2020

Pro-Trucker Driver’s Choice Magazine

34

www.driverschoice.ca

DEFEND YOUR DIESEL DIESEL DEFENDER

®

WITH

THOROUGHLY TESTED TO PROVIDE 2.5X MORE LUBRICITY & SUPERIOR CLEANING FOR UNRIVALED PERFORMANCE

ROBERT B. HOWES II Chief Testing Officer

CLEANS FUEL INJECTORS

ADDS 2.5X LUBRICITY

BOOSTS FUEL ECONOMY

REMOVES WATER

howesproducts.com/HOF Pro-Trucker Driver’s Choice Magazine

MAY / JUNE 2020

www.driverschoice.ca 35

HOWES 100 YEAR CELEBRATION: NOW OPEN, THE HOWES HALL OF FAME

Company debuts annual induction of people, places, and innovations as part of its 100 year celebration

HALL OF FAME North Kingstown, RI – 3/26/ 2020 – Howes, the leading developer of lubricants and additives, has announced the official opening of the Howes Hall of Fame; a virtual platform designed to honor the trucking and agriculture industries. With the goal of recognizing great achievements and contributions across a broad spectrum of categories, the Howes Hall of Fame can now be viewed on the company’s website.

“In honor of our centennial, we proudly opened the doors today to the Howes Hall of Fame,” declared Robert B. Howes II, Executive Vice President. “All those enshrined here represent industry excellence and tireless dedication to their professions.

The Hall of Fame inductees help keep our country thriving, and deserve to be recognized for those efforts.”

The Howes Hall of Fame will offer guests the chance to learn about inductees and their contributions to their respective industries, as well as the company’s 100 year history.

The institution will remain open indefinitely, with new inductees MAY / JUNE 2020

announced one to two times each year. This year, the first inductee will be revealed near the beginning of April, the second in May, and the third in June. In the future, Howes will look to enlist the community to provide nominations of their peers for consideration. They look forward to hearing from people working within the industries, and learning about who and what inspires them.

It is the intent of Howes that this platform serve as a vehicle to raise awareness of the inductees and all of their accomplishments.

This will be amplified by Howes as they acknowledge and celebrate honorees through media outreach.

Erika Howes, V.P. of Business Development explains “We see the Howes Hall of Fame as a way to honor the people, places, and innovations that have helped shaped the trucking and farming industries. We are proud to be a part of these industries ourselves, and are excited to be able to showcase those who play vital roles within them.

We want to share their stories and hope that they inspire others to be great as well.” To further celebrate their honor,

not only will all of the Hall of Fame inductees be forever enshrined in the hall, they will also receive a range of memorabilia for their enjoyment.

“The Howes Hall of Fame is meant to recognize the individual pieces that make up these great industries as a whole, knowing full well that we wouldn’t have reached our centennial milestone without them,” states President Rob Howes. “A big part of our 100 Year Celebration is to say ‘Thank You.’ This seemed like the perfect kickoff opportunity to do just that.”

Other portions of the celebration will be unveiled throughout the year, with Howes embracing the theme of Recognizing, Rewarding, and Giving Back. The Howes family guarantees that everyone will want to stay tuned, because there will be plenty of exciting things taking place.

For more information about the Howes Hall of Fame, and to learn all about Howes, please visit: www.howesproducts.com Pro-Trucker Driver’s Choice Magazine

36

www.driverschoice.ca

Food, Showers and Services for Truckers On the Road

A

s we have all seen, most restaurants have been closed with the exception of drive-thru access. Of course, truckers are unable to drive their truck/trailer combinations through drive-thrus, and most franchises do not allow for walk-up service at their drive-thrus, due to safety restrictions on their business licenses.

This has left professional drivers in the difficult position of trying to live on the road while continuing to deliver essential goods.

Enter Brad Wood, a moving and storage and records management owner from Kamloops who came up with the idea of feeding truckers with food trucks.

Brad reached out to Greg Munden of Munden Transport because of Greg’s business connections and his many roles with the BC Trucking Association.

Needing a place to start, Greg reached out to Chevron/Parkland, hoping they would make one of their Kamloops card lock sites available. Parkland Chevron’s responded with a quick and enthusiastic yes! They not only made room at their Kamloops West site, but they also volunteered their Chilliwack,

Prince George and Kelowna locations for food trucks as well as washrooms and free showers for truckers.

Greg, along with the BCTA, launched “Meals for Truck Drivers BC” to provide convenient, safe services for drivers.

They also launched a website, www. feedatrucker.ca, so that drivers could check ahead to find a truck friendly place along their route. At this time, most food trucks are in BC, but there is also one in Lethbridge, and I suspect more will quickly follow. The site also lists trucker friendly restaurants, drive-thrus with walk-up, washrooms, trucker friendly hotels and motels and card locks from BC to Montreal.

Sponsorship was the next consideration, and upon hearing about the project, Sid Keay, owner of Ocean Trailer, reached out to Greg right away.

He offered to sponsor more than $5,000 worth of meals for drivers at the first 2 locations, Kamloops and Chilliwack, as a thank you for continuing to provide their services despite the risks they face to their own health. After Sid’s donation, others soon joined in, and over $20,000

Phone: 403.278.1129 • Fax: 403.278.8307 Email: marilynt@diamondinsurance.ca www.diamondinsurance.ca

was donated for meals in just over two weeks, so you may even get a free meal at one of their sites.

They have now had requests for food trucks to be located in other parts of the province (and well beyond). They have several food trucks available and wanting to locate in the lower mainland, but need more food trucks for some of the rural, high-traffic routes that currently have limited services like Golden and Quesnel. Of course, they also need more sponsorships for the driver’s meals if anyone would like to say thanks to the drivers they can donate at www. feedatrucker.ca.

Other truck friendly sites are: Blackjacks Roadhouse in Nisku, providing Free Parking, 24-hour security, portable yard toilets and a free bag lunch with bottled water for those staying overnight.

Airways Country Inn, next door to Blackjacks, is offering 24-hour public washrooms and showers, a $39.00 trucker’s special room rate, short and long term truck parking and free coffee/ tea.

MARILYN TAYLOR IS OUR COMMERCIAL TRUCKING SPECIALIST!

Marilyn has over 30 years experience in providing insurance for Owner Operators operating in Canada & the U.S.A. Pro-Trucker Driver’s Choice Magazine

MAY / JUNE 2020

LOOKING FOR

www.driverschoice.ca 37

DRIVERS & OWNER OPERATORS

WE DELIVER SATISFACTION Dedicated Runs From TORONTO to: Michigan Indiana Tennessee Alabama Kansas

Ohio Kentucky Georgia Missouri Texas

WE DELIVER IN CANADA, US & MEXICO

MEXICO

Dedicated Runs and Dedicated Trucks New Equipment Paid tolls Plates Insurance Weekends off

T: 905.678.8700

Toll Free: 1.800.505.6634

F: 905.678.6363

7040 Financial Drive Mississauga, ON. L5N 7H5 MAY / JUNE 2020

Pro-Trucker Driver’s Choice Magazine

38

www.driverschoice.ca

T r uc k Wes t C ollisi on Head Office Langley 604-888-8788 9737-197B Street

Abbotsford 604-854-8779 #8-31059 Peardonville Road

ICBC Repairs • Sandblasting • Full Truck Collision Services Frame Straightening • Custom Painting • Painting EMAIL: truckwest@shaw.ca | truckwestcollision.com

Difference between Complete And Finished When you marry the right woman, you are COMPLETE. When you marry the wrong woman, you are FINISHED. When the right one catches you with the wrong one, you are COMPLETELY FINISHED!!!

Retired The 86 year old retired trucker, as he had done almost every day, hobbled down to the bar for a few beers with his friends. He was the talk of the town because he had recently married a lovely young lady that was many years his junior. Several of the boys bought the old man drinks in the hopes they could have some fun getting him to talk of his wedding night.

Sure enough, after he had had a few more than his quota, he talked frankly. “My youngest son carried me up the stairs and lifted me into bed with my bride,” the old trucker said. “The next morning, my three other sons carried me out of bed and downstairs.”

The friends, laughing, asked the old trucker why it took three of his sons to carry him out of bed when it only took one son to carry him up.

“I fought ‘em,” he replied.

Words of Wisdom My grandfather was a man of few words but he often spoke volumes in just a few short sentences. One time after listening to me in a long drawn out argument with a belligerent acquaintance he remarked, “Don’t argue with and idiot, people watching may not be able to tell the difference.”

Pro-Trucker Driver’s Choice Magazine

MAY / JUNE 2020

www.driverschoice.ca 39

MAY / JUNE 2020

Pro-Trucker Driver’s Choice Magazine

40

www.driverschoice.ca

We Exist to Assist

A

mid the chaos created by the lies and manipulations of those who would politicize every incident and event, positive or negative, stands a group taller than most other groups and generally known as double clutchers, asphalt engineers or superslab cowboys. Every semi you meet on the road or that rumbles by your domicile on the way to fill a void in the pandemic struggle is piloted by a genuine hero/heroine. Gear jammers don’t often wear logos that reflect their disposition however it is a given that each individual navigating a big rig over 12,000 lb. or 5,500 kg. in the current environment should have a great big SHAZAM emblazoned on his/her t-shirt, blouse, pearl-button shirt (or bare chest for the hardy) and ought to be treated with the same openmouthed admiration of one’s favourite cartoon super-hero. If you qualify, tuck in your cape, walk with your head held high and bathe in the respect you deserve!

municipal districts and communities and in doing so, there are many hazards that they are unwittingly but inexorably exposed to in the course of their workday. “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds,” is no longer a description of the work done just by the US Postal Service sidewalk engineers.

Long-distance truckers, log approx.

600 - 700 miles in a driving shift.

During that stretch, the driver may well have experienced several different environments producing a variety of airborne pollutants, including the dreaded but largely unknown COVID-19 virus. All this to bring essentials to their neighbourhood service station, supermarket, or convenience store. This is a normal state of affairs for our transportation crusaders in order that high priority commodities may be distributed as safely as possible under the 6 foot (2 meters) social distancing. All’s well and good - or is it?

Empty miles are making a big comeback during the Covid-19 scare as non-essential services are taking a big hit. When I was in the dispatcher’s chair 20 years ago, briefly thank goodness for everyone’s sake, I frequently received phone calls from clients asking for our “Lowest backhaul rate.”

I had to explain that backhaul rates are a figure in one’s dream and do not exist in reality. The same wear and tear occurs in both directions, fuel, driver’s wages and other fixed costs are the same both ways and are not reduced just because one is running MT miles.

Today there are fewer backloads and longer wait times away from home while your carrier fights for the best rate he/she can squeeze out of every load. Corporate belts are tightening,

In the course of a single week, our road knights must pass through many Pro-Trucker Driver’s Choice Magazine

A transportation carrier that does not value its employees as its greatest asset is missing the boat. These hardworking folk sometimes go months, even years, without contact with upper management. However, the times we are going through requires daily support. The daily phone call or computer contact with the company dispatcher or op manager is a critical protocol which ought to be viewed as vital to the operation. Sometimes it isn’t easy. It requires compassion and patience, characteristics not often ascribed to these corporate positions.

By Ed Murdoch

Ed has held a commercial drivers license for 65 years and has spent the better part of 50 years on the road. You can get Ed’s new book at www.drivingthroughmymemories.ca

revenue is suffering, and we all know that quite often, it is the company wagons that get the first available loads. Owner-operators always suffer first. It is not fair and not in the contract or company’s mission policy, but that is the way it is.

The trucking industry is already operating on narrow margins of profit, some smaller companies barely breaking even, but all in all, doing better than some service sectors. In 70 years of personal involvement pounding the asphalt as both a company driver and an owner-operator and warming a safety supervisor’s seat for 10 of them, there have been strikes and other business interruptions. Still, they were all pretty much of short duration so as not to hurt the economy too much. But I have never been an observer of this level of mystery and irresponsibility created by an invisible hazard to which no human has yet to define in terms of public acceptance and confidence. And we are not alone.

Do I possess a viable solution? The answer is an emphatic NO! Sorry, no magic bullet here. Cut expenses, stay home and be patient, get familiar with the contents of that job jar, hang, veg, make up inexpensive recipes.

Becoming angry does absolutely nothing to advance the cure of the malady or the consequences for which it has become infamous. Abhor the behaviour and not the persona who are endeavouring to mitigate those consequences for the universal good.

Above all keep smiling and perform a random act of kindness every day! You will feel better, and you will confirm to Jane & John Doe that we, the trucking brethren, exist to assist.

Be safe … 10-4!

MAY / JUNE 2020

www.driverschoice.ca 41

FIC INLAND I C PA New & Rebuilt Transmissions & Differentials In Stock

CLUTCHES • TRANSMISSIONS • DIFFERENTIALS • DRIVETRAIN REPAIR & REBUILDING 604-882-0526 or 604-882-0523 • 9755-197B Street in Langley, B.C.

DISCOUNT FUEL CARD FOR TRUCKERS Local and Highways Works over 150 locations across Canada.

Whether you have a small or medium fleet, your company is eligible.

604.724.8976 Truckers Together Fuel Services info@truckerstogether.ca

1.800.213.9820 MAY / JUNE 2020

Pro-Trucker Driver’s Choice Magazine

42

www.driverschoice.ca

 �

� �� ­ € ‚ � ƒ

Send resume to jstewart@wattstewart.com Pro-Trucker Driver’s Choice Magazine

MAY / JUNE 2020

www.driverschoice.ca 43

Distracted Driving A

few years ago, on a sunny summer Sunday, I left the company yard in Delta BC at dawn and headed east. As the old Gord Lightfoot song goes, I was, “Alberta Bound.” As a part-timer, I usually drove whatever moved, but today I was lucky – a well-kept Kenworth with a Cat engine and all the bells and whistles was mine. Mary Ann and Ben (not their real names) had to take some time off and were willing to lend their baby to a nonsmoking newbie.

It was still morning as I passed by Merritt and started the long and slow climb to Helmer Lake. The traffic was light, and I was in the slow lane, well out of everybody’s way, but frequently checking for any trouble catching up to me.

A shiny new black 4x4 pickup (of the make greatly favoured by those not known for their patience) appeared in my mirror. It was towing a matching toy hauler, and no licence plate adorned its front bumper. As it quickly caught up to me, I could see a clean-cut looking young couple inside.

“Probably some outdoor enthusiasts, getting an early start on the Sicamous – Calgary Sunday afternoon rush-hour,” I thought as I looked away, expecting them to fly by me any second.

Instead, as the pickup came abreast of me, slowed down, and began pacing me. “Something wrong with my trailer?” I wondered as I glanced down into the pickup. Looking back at me was a pretty young woman wearing dark sunglasses, and further investigation revealed that the shades

By Dennis Sova I was always interested in the big rigs, so when a chance to retire early from my lifetime career came up, I took the gold watch, got my class 1 and hit the road. For the next ten years, I hauled everything from potatoes to Zambonis in Western Canada and the U.S., acquiring many (mostly) happy memories along the way.

were all she was wearing! Now, I was brought up right, and my first reaction was to avert my eyes back to the road ahead. The pickup did not move. “Maybe I’m imagining things,” I thought, as I looked down again, but no, Lady Godiva was still there, staring up at me stone-faced, with not even a hint of a smile. Even my best imitation of the Alfred E. Neuman grin failed to budge her cold, somewhat disapproving look, making me feel like I was the one in the birthday suit…

The staring contest went on for a while longer, and then the pickup accelerated out of view, leaving me shaking my head. I could hardly wait to tell my better half as I reported my safe arrival in Calgary that evening!

If I was hoping to get a woman’s perspective on this strange encounter, I was disappointed. “Must be a full moon out there!” she giggled.

The return trip was scenic and uneventful. I arrived in the yard just after dark. Ben and Mary Ann were unloading their car, ready to take over.

“Everything’s good - but you won’t believe what happened,” I said, eager to tell them my story. I wasn’t even halfway through my tale when Ben’s mouth started breaking into a grin,

while Mary Anne’s decidedly moved in the opposite direction. “Hookers,” she growled, apparently not very fond of political correctness or the world’s oldest profession. She then explained how this brand of mobile advertising is relatively common in the Deep South.

The subject really got her going, and Ben and I had to take a step back as she started swinging an imaginary fish bonker through an imaginary window while yelling, “how would you like some of this over your head YOU HUSSY!” She must have been a frightening sight to anyone expecting to see a frisky lover boy behind the wheel of their rig.

Well, I admit that I felt a bit silly at missing the obvious, but given all the circumstances (and did I mention it was a Sunday!), I could see how I failed to connect all the dots. But as the saying goes, forewarned is forearmed, and the next miscreant was going to get a sardonic smile and a look of bored indifference - yep, I was ready!

But of course, nothing like this ever happened again. Maybe we’re more law-abiding, or it’s just too darn cold up here. But I still wonder what was in that toy hauler…

It is a 5-minute walk from my house to the pub. It is a 35-minute walk from the pub to my house. The difference is staggering.

MAY / JUNE 2020

Pro-Trucker Driver’s Choice Magazine

44

www.driverschoice.ca

INDEX ASL Global Logistics ........................................................................................ 45

TRUCKING SERVICES

Berry & Smith ..................................................................................................... 09 Centurion Trucking Inc. ......................................................................... 05

Advanced Fleet Maintenance Ltd. .................................................. 30

Challenger Motor Freight ........................................................................... 04

B & W insurance ............................................................................. 02 & 06

HWT Transport ................................................................................................. 46 Golden Express Trucking Inc. ............................................................... 03 Grant Transport Inc. .................................................................................... 08 Jagged Edge Enterprises Ltd. ..................................................................... 19

Blue Capital Equipment Finance ................................................... 20 Canyon Cable 1988 Ltd. ....................................................................... 18 Cool Heat Truck Parts .......................................................................... 16 Cool-It Highway Services .................................................................. 13 Diamond Insurance ............................................................................ 36

Key West Express Ltd. .................................................................................... 27

First Truck Centre ............................................................................. 22

Light Speed Logistics Inc. ........................................................................... 47

Gold Key Insurance ......................................................................... 23

New Malwa Express ....................................................................................... 37

Howes Lubricator ......................................................................... 34 & 35

North Coast Trucking Ltd. ........................................................................... 14

Mobalign Services Inc. ......................................................................... 09

Preferred Carriers Inc. ................................................................................... 21

Norris & Co. ............................................................................................... 12

Select Classic Carriers ..................................................................................... 39 Shadow Group of Companies ............................................................ 24 & 25 Shergill Transport Ltd. ................................................................................. 17 Transam Carriers Inc. .................................................................................... 29

Ocean Trailer ......................................................................................... 31 Pacific Inland Powertrain .................................................................... 41 Top Line Truck Parts ........................................................................... 32 Truckers Together Fuel Services ................................................... 41 Truck West Collision .............................................................................. 38

Watt & Stewart Trucking Inc. ........................................................................ 42

08

28

43

Scott Casey

Glen Millard

Dennis Sova

FROM ZERO TO HERO TO ZERO

18

33

Dave Madill

Colin Black

FUEL TANKS

26

WINTER BLUES Myrna Chartrand

THE VIRUS

10

40

WE EXIST TO ASSIST Ed Murdoch

Pro-Trucker Driver’s Choice Magazine

DISTRACTED DRIVING

YOU WANT ME TO GO WHERE?

RIG OF THE MONTH Kelly Malanik

MAY / JUNE 2020

www.driverschoice.ca 45

We’re HIRING!

Company Drivers & Owner Operators ASL Global Logistics, The Cooler Carrier invites you to join our organization.

Apply Now at:

www.aslgloballogistics.ca New Competitive Pay Packages Comprehensive Company Packages Dedicated New Freightliners 3000 Desirable Miles Weekly

No Touch Freight Steady Work Year Round & Quality Home Time Pay up to $1.75/ mile to Owner Operators Pay up to $0.65/ mile to Company Drivers

“Our Commitment to our Company Drivers and Owner Operators is to Reward you for your Hard Work Dedication & Commitment to the Industry”

27 Automatic Road, Brampton, ON L6S 5N8 Sonny Singh

O: 416-243-3010 Ext 261

C: 647-980-1384

E: sonnys@aslgloballogistics.com

MAY / JUNE 2020

Pro-Trucker Driver’s Choice Magazine

46

www.driverschoice.ca

take your career by the wheel Siemens Transportation Group Inc.

Hiring Class 1 A Drivers for our Open Dispatch Fleet Upgraded Fleet, Top Miles, and Great Pay! Contact us at 888-878-9585 or Email driver.recruitment@hwtransport.com

Pro-Trucker Driver’s Choice Magazine

MAY / JUNE 2020

MAY / JUNE 2020

NOW HIRING!

US Singles (Open Board).............$0.54 US Teams...................................$0.66 Canadian Teams.........................$0.62 Canadian Singles (AB to BC)........$0.59 Canadian Singles (Open Board)....$0.50 Hourly Waiting Pay Paid Meat Inspection

US Teams (Open Board)*................$1.62

US Singles (ON to Mid-West)*.........$1.59

US Singles (Open Board)*..............$1.52

Canadian Teams*..........................$1.55

Canadian Singles (Open Board)*....$1.45

Calgary Single (AB to BC)..............$1.75

Canadian Singles (AB to BC Heavy Loads)....$1.90**

** Heavy loads Gross Weight must Exceed 88000 Lbs

Canadian Singles (AB to BC Heavy Loads)**....$1.98

*Rates are based on the current fuel surcharge.

Paid Meat Inspection

Hourly Waiting Pay

US Singles (ON to Mid-West).......$0.66

COMPANY DRIVERS:

US Teams (ON to Mid-West)*..........$1.69

OWNER OPERATORS:

122 Carmek Blvd, Rocky View AB T1X 1X1

safedrivers@lslinc.com www.lslinc.com

DARYL: 403-483-2802 BOB: 403-875-5152

1-800-397-6009 (Press Option 3)

JAGGI DHILLON: 403-208-5441

CALL US OR DROP IN!

www.driverschoice.ca 47

Pro-Trucker Driver’s Choice Magazine

48

www.driverschoice.ca

Pro-Trucker Driver’s Choice Magazine

MAY / JUNE 2020