Over the Road July 2020

FOR

TRUCKERS

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JOBS

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July 2020

Stay healthy, stay safe!

THE BEST IS THE LEAST WE CAN DO

Keep this magazine in your truck...you never know when you’ll need it! /OverTheRoadMagazine

/OverTheRoadMag

www.overtheroad.ca

H E R E

F O R

T H E

L O N G

H A U L

Together we'll make it through Transam Carriers team has been hard at work during COVID-19 pandemic.

While we have been providing essential services for the country, we have done all the necessary things to maintain a satisfied driver community.

Now, when the economy is gradually reopening for businesses, we look forward to offering even more opportunities to drivers.

If you are interested to work in our company as a COMPANY DRIVER A-Z or OWNER OPERATOR A-Z, D-Z, please, contact us today.

ALL JOB OPPORTUNITIES ARE

ON OUR WEBSITE transamcarriers.com/

careers

James Taylor: 416-907-8101 x5 Toll-Free: 877-907-8101 Address: 205 Doney Crescent, Concord, ON L4K 1P6 Email: hr@transamcarriers.com 2 www.transamcarriers.com • OVER THE ROAD

@TransamCarriers

@Transam_Carriers

July 2020

THE BEST IS THE LEAST WE CAN DO

IT’S TIME TO MAKE YOUR MOVE!

Driver planned home time | Full load dry van – No touch Freight Steady year-round miles | Group benefits and pension plan | Paid weekly Mostly warehouse and industrial area deliveries in US CTpat and FAST approved Carrier and Loads F E AT U R E D M I L L I O N M I L E D R I V E R

Randy started his trucking career in 1989. He came to AYR Motor April 19, 2010 and is a member of our Million Mile Safe Driving Club. “I like driving at AYR because of the steady miles every week, good pay, good home time, good equipment and the maintenance is second to none. All the people in dispatch, shop and safety departments are excellent people to work with. Weekly pay along with health/life plan, and company pension plan are all very attractive to the drivers. I would recommend AYR Motor to any one that was interested in working hard and making a good living in the trucking industry.”

Randy Rowsell, Truck #842

HIRING RECRUITING DEPARTMENT

July 2020

DARTMOUTH Yard MONCTON Yard

WOODSTOCK Head Office DORVAL Yard

BRAMPTON Terminal WINNIPEG Terminal

1-800-668-0099 | ayr.recruiting@ayrmotor.com

ayrmotor.ca

JOBS FOR TRUCKERS • 3

18 Parkglen Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K2G 3G9 1.800.416.8712 • 613.224.9947 Fax: 613.224.8825 Email: otr@otrgroup.ca 1189694 Ontario Ltd. C.O.B. as Over The Road

www.overtheroad.ca Publisher Peter Charboneau

Account Executive Earle Madden

General Manager Ed Novoa ed@otrgroup.ca

Graphic Design & Advertising LKDesign

Director of Operations & Editor-in-Chief Cathryn Charboneau

Controller Estela Navarrete

peter@otrgroup.ca

cathryn@otrgroup.ca

Account Executive Luke Zentil luke@otrgroup.ca

earle@otrgroup.ca

lennykuiper@gmail.com

estela@otrgroup.ca

Office Manager

Mary Charboneau mary@otrgroup.ca

All advertisements, and/or editorials are accepted and published by Over the Road on the representation that the advertiser, its advertising company, and/ or the supplier of the editorials are authorized to publish the entire contents and subject matter thereof. The advertiser, its advertising company, and/or the supplier of the editorials will defend, indemnify and hold Over the Road harmless from and against any loss, expense or other liability resulting from any claims or suits for libel, violation of privacy, plagiarism, copyright or trademark infringement and any other claims or suits that may rise out of publication of such advertisement and/ or editorials. Press releases are expressly covered within the definition of editorials.

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FLATBED DRIVERS WANTED FLATBED COMPANY DRIVERS US LONG HAUL

30+ Years Specialized Flatbed & Stepdeck Services Jan Bicz P 519-752-4999 E jan@bezco.ca 4 • OVER THE ROAD

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· 55 cents + per mile · Dedicated Trucks / Lease to Own · Weekly Direct Deposit · No Holdback · Benefits Day 1 · PAID Layovers / Tarping / Rack kit build up or tear down / Extra drops and picks / Vacations / Statutory Holidays

bezco.ca July 2020

July 2020

JOBS FOR TRUCKERS • 5

MAKING YOUR MILES COUNT Robert D. Scheper

Integrity During COVID-19 Living in Canada during the COVID-19 crisis has been mostly a positive experience. Though there are many areas of hardship and obstacles, our country has retained its civility through patience. As a country, we have pulled together to overcome several conflicts already this year (and we are only halfway through it). Maybe hindsight is not as desirable as we all once thought.

During this crisis, the trucking industry has proven to be more than just an essential service. It has shown itself to be comprised of many trustworthy and integrity filled members. Leaders in our industry cannot build great companies without embracing principles of honor.

While spending more time than normal at home, I have been doing a lot of research and reading. My primary focus has been on the relationship between business and character. I do not believe a successful business can be built and sustained without integrity. There definitely can be short term gains for the cheats and corner-cutters but they cannot be maintained... especially in 6 • OVER THE ROAD

today’s digital environment. The more digital a business becomes, the more its people become transparent.

Our futures are built on our ability to build trust in our products and services. If customers do not trust us, they will leave.

In the last couple of years many of our industry’s greatest men of integrity have passed on; men who started with one truck and a passion to please their customer. They sacrificed and served with integrity and honor. Their legacies glow in the carrier company they built.

They could not have built their business without a sound reputation for integrity and fairness. Without exception they all went through the furnaces of crisis, not knowing if they would or could survive.

When they did survive, they realized it was because of their employees and customers who trusted in them. All service businesses are built on people and people need to trust those around them. Our industry’s greatest men knew that integrity was the foundation of building a great company.

July 2020

Those who take over their work run on the fuel of those before them but sooner or later they need to prove their integrity too. If they know what they are doing (and most do), they will continue in the ways of their founder.

today, they will be beacons of wise direction for our industry’s future. It is amazing what a good crisis will do to an honest business and industry.

About the Author: Robert D. Scheper is a leading Accountant and Consultant to the Lease/ Owner operator industry in Canada.

His first book in the Making Your Miles Count series “taxes, taxes, taxes” was released in 2007. His firm exclusively serves Lease/Owner Operators across Canada. His second book “Choosing a Trucking company” is the most indepth analysis of the operator industry available today. He has a Master’s degree (MBA) in financial management and has been serving the industry since he and his wife came off the road in 1993. His dedication, commitment and strong opinions can be read and heard in many articles and seminars.

The challenges of 2020 may have been sinister to the economy but as I see it, it did not touch the resolve of our industry’s collective integrity.

I have spoken and counseled many individuals (operators) through a series of compounding crises this year and I have been encouraged tremendously that we have an overwhelming number of honest, hardworking people of integrity.

In my opinion, our future is not in question when we have so many members who have been tried by fire and come out clean in the end.

Those who have embraced integrity have an awesome future potential.

We are so lucky to work with and for them.

You can find him at www.making yourmilescount.com or 1-877-987-9787.

Though we may have said goodbye to some very influential and courageous talent in the last few years, I think we have a great future with some amazing industry leaders coming up the ladder of prominence. If they stay true to the values that are getting them ahead July 2020

JOBS FOR TRUCKERS • 7

Moving the industry forward.

One kilometre at a time.

Get on the road to success with the world’s largest retailer.

THANK YOU Walmart Canada would like to thank all our drivers, supply chain associates and store associates for such an incredible job during this pandemic.

We are proud of our associates for stepping up during this unprecedented time to make sure our communities have the necessary food, medication and personal supplies to keep people safe and healthy.

8 • OVER THE ROAD

July 2020

NOW HIRING for Full Time Local and Long Haul

Apply Today!

Send your resume, CVOR and Driver Abstract to careers@walmartfleet.ca

We offer * Competitive wages * Benefits including: Health & Dental, RSP, Company matched Pension Plan * Walmart discount program

Terminal Locations 261043 Range Road 292 Rocky View, AB July 2020

1505-7th Street Nisku, AB

6800 Maritz Drive & 1501 Industrial Park Drive 7295 West Credit Ave Cornwall, ON

JOBS FOR TRUCKERS • 9 Mississauga, ON

SPEAKING FROM EXPERIENCE Ray J. Haight

Dispatching– Five Golden Rules I thought I would focus this month on Dispatchers, the group of individuals who are either the most loved or the most despised in most trucking companies. I myself have been a dispatcher; anybody who starts a trucking company from the ground up, usually ends up performing almost all of the jobs in the company until some critical mass has been reached and you find that you are required to step back and play more of an administrative role. As with anything else in life, there were elements of the dispatcher’s job that I loved, there were parts I absolutely hated and there were ground rules that had to be followed.

I always believed that if you had 40 loads and 40 trucks to move in a day, and everything is in the right spot, it could be dispatched by anyone in the office. But if you have 50 loads and 40 trucks, you will need a good dispatcher.

It is an enormously gratifying feeling of accomplishment when confronted with copious amounts of freight to move, and a limited amount of trucks to move it on, that at the end of the day it is all covered and everyone and everything is under control. Trust me, it can be like a complicated game of chess.

The relationship between dispatcher and driver is as complicated as any relationship in this world. Dr. Phil would go nuts trying to get all the bugs out of this relationship as it is often a nonstop game of push and pull. The driver always wants to know three moves in advance where they are going to be sent and what the freight is. The dispatcher is trying to not say too much to the driver for fear that the next load falls through and they will be accused of diabolical gamesmanship, just to get the last load moved.

10 • OVER THE ROAD

This is a perfect example of being between a rock and a hard place. The good news is that there are some simple rules that, if followed, can make the relationship work for both party’s benefit.

Rule One is Support of the Dispatcher Whoever is doing the hiring must know that first and foremost the foundation of the driver/ dispatcher relationship must be solid. This is accomplished by knowing what each party’s expectations are of each other. If you are a company that specializes in 2-3,000 mile turns and the driver your company is hiring must be home every weekend to get their kids, guess what, this is not going to work. Spell out in writing exactly what you expect of the driver including: notice of time off needed, any particulars of the freight that needs to be discussed, check-in requirements, availability for work etc. Again, get it in writing; your dispatchers need this information to ensure there is a successful relationship!

Rule Two is Have the Driver Spell Out Exactly What Their Expectations Are The driver might need to have every weekend off for family issues, they might have an upcoming series of professional appointments that need to be made, they might suggest that they expect to be dealt with respect. They might say that they need to drive 10,000 miles a month to be successful. Whatever the individual’s expectations are, the dispatcher must review them and make sure that you can accommodate them, because, if the expectations of the individual cannot be met, you are going to have July 2020

constantly talked down to his drivers. I do not have a problem with a dispatcher who has not been on the road, but before you talk down to a driver, you need to walk a mile in their shoes.

I have a million safe miles under my belt, and I am proud of that fact. I also know that driving a truck can be a lonely lifestyle. I know what it’s like not to be available when things go sideways at home and you are two days away; to have just left a receiver who really didn’t want what you had to deliver and for some reason felt that it was his job to make you aware of his problems, and all you want to do is get to your backhaul and get home etc. So, then I talk to the dispatcher and this dispatcher is going to talk down to me? I do not think so, not this cat.

No how - no way. I am not taking that crap from anyone!

an ongoing issue with this person until they finally quit or you fire them. Get it in writing, signed off by both parties and review it each pay period!

Rule Three is to Be Honest, All the Time!

This might seem like a no brainer, but it is not for everyone. If you as a dispatcher decide it would be easier for you to B.S. a little to a driver to get an extra load covered, you are playing with fire and are likely to be looking for a new career shortly. Integrity and honesty must be the cornerstone of your relationship with your drivers and if you get caught just once in a little white lie, you are done. This information will fly though the driver fraternity quicker than grass through a goose. You will not be trusted from then on and when you do need that favor because you are really, really stuck to have a load delivered, forget it - I’m outta here!

At the end of the day, this is a pressure-packed business and unfortunately, people do not always show their best colors when they are under stress. Now add in the pressure of COVID-19 and quite often, emotions rather than common sense rule the day. Deep breaths and an empathetic approach to problem-solving are two qualities each side of this situation should practice and with great effort, all things will be successful.

Rule Four is Be Consistent with Everyone!

The last thing a dispatcher needs is for any of his drivers to think that the dispatcher is giving some other driver preferential treatment. Spread the sweet with the sour evenly throughout all your drivers. Do not favor any driver more than another on anything. If you do, this will cause dissension and mistrust and when you are called on it (and you probably will be), you are done.

Every driver or Owner Operator who has decided to spend their career at your company and ends up on your board deserves every opportunity you can grant them to be successful. Always remember this and you will be fine.

Safe trucking.

Ray J. Haight Ray Haight TCA Retention Coach ray@tcaingauge.com www.tcaingauge.com

Rule Five is Never Talk Down to a Driver or Coworker!

This one gets under my skin; everyone on this planet deserves the right to be dealt with respectfully. Period! I was at a company not long ago and they had a dispatcher that the drivers hated. All of them despise this person but the customers loved this individual. What a crock. This person, who has never driven before, July 2020

JOBS FOR TRUCKERS • 11

DRIVER TURNOVER IS A PROBLEM THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT YOU CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT Learn how to determine WHY your drivers are leaving.

Learn how to FIX these reasons.

ENGAGE your staff to follow the tried and tested DRIVER RETENTION PLAN.

Regular CONSULTATIONS to keep you on track.

FOR A FREE CONSULTATION rhaight10@gmail.com 12 Reach • OVERout THEto ROAD

and let’s discuss your options.

July 2020

• • • • • • •

4 • OVER THE ROAD

July 2020

Great Pay Package All Miles Paid Weekly Permits/Tolls/Heavy Tax Paid General Insurance Paid Fuel Cards & Border Cards Pick Up & Delivery $50 Flexible Fuel Surcharge

May 2020

JOBS FOR TRUCKERS • 13

Index AYR Motor Express . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Robert Scheper Article . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,7

Bezco . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Speaking from Experience . . . . . . . . . . 10,11

Chris Harris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16, 17

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

CNTL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

TransWest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Genesis Express . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Travelers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Infinit-i . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Trucker Buddy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Ray Haight Consulting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

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

NOW HIRING AZ DRIVERS & OWNER OPERATORS 1-800-265-8789

www.travelers.ca

Great work/home life balance Small family environment Pet/Passenger Program Health Dental Benefits Day 1 EZ Pass/Bridge cards/ Scanners in Truck

Over 7 Locations: Brampton* Midland* Wallaceburg* Prescott* Fergus* Hamilton* Carignan PQ A CANADIAN CARRIER SINCE 1985 14 • OVER THE ROAD

July 2020

Keep Your Drivers Safe with COVID-19 Safety Training During this crisis, it is our privilege to offer you free access to several of the coronavirus safety training videos produced by Infinit-I Workforce Solutions.

The following videos can be accessed by visiting www.infinitiworkforce.com/coronavirus-videos

CABIN SANITATION In a pandemic, it is vital to maintain and sanitize your equipment to protect both your drivers and your customers. This video covers acceptable disinfectants and effective ways of sanitizing a truck cabin during the COVID-19 pandemic.

GENERAL HEALTH TIPS Good hygiene is crucial to maintaining your health in the current crisis.

Learn how to practice good hygiene etiquette and do your part to stop the transmission of COVID-19.

GENERAL INFORMATION This video aims to present known facts about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) according to the CDC and World Health Organizations.

Symptoms, transmission facts, and prevention are covered.

ADDITIONAL COVID-19 CONTENT AVAILABLE ON INFINITI-I WORKFORCE: SELFASSESSMENT

CRISIS TRIP-PLANNING

FREIGHT MANAGEMENT

Learn what to look for when self-assessing symptoms for COVID-19 and what to do if you believe you may be infected.

Learn steps you can take to plan for life on the road during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This video briefly discusses how to protect freight during the COVID-19 pandemic and what to do if you get sick while hauling freight.

HOS EXEMPTION PDF Document (3-pages) Specific exceptions to hoursof-service regulations and related stipulations during the pandemic are covered in this Emergency Declaration issued by the FMCSA.

Let us support you in the effort to improve the health and safety of our industry during these difficult times. To help companies who are not currently Infinit-I Workforce Solutions customers, we are offering 30-day complimentary access to our system to assist them in maintaining driver safety training, including tracking and reporting. Please contact me to schedule a consultation at ed.novoa@verticalag.com or call me at 647.227.5966.

866-904-5087 July 2020

www.InfinitiWorkforce.com

JOBS FOR TRUCKERS • 15

SAFETY DAWG Chris Harris

The New Normal of Trucking?

The sun has risen, the fog is lifting, clouds are parting, the future looks bright. As I am writing this month’s article, the COVID-19 restrictions in North America are being lifted and some function of normalcy is returning. Gosh, trucking companies have even started hiring again. The headlines in the trucking publications have an upbeat tone to them. Finally!

Yes, our lives are returning to a new normal. I am not quite sure what that is yet, but it will be different. How will all of this affect us and specifically, affect trucking and hiring in particular?

Well, for sure, social distancing will be with us for a long time. For your good health and your family’s safety, keep two meters from people whenever possible.

The handshake is dead. The handshake death is a tough one for me and many of my peers to get used to. Being the old fart that I am, all sixty-some years of my life I have greeted other people with a handshake. And more recently, in the last ten years or so, with my very close friends, a hug and slap on the back. Now with social distancing, it will be a remote acknowledgment, perhaps a bow or touch of elbows and a smile. We must get used to the new greeting method.

16 • OVER THE ROAD

How does this translate to trucking and truck drivers?

No longer will the dispatcher shake the hand of a driver when they meet which I have often witnessed. I know that this goes against cultural traditions and norms, but this is the “new” normal.

Be gracious and smile but refuse to exchange a handshake as you owe it to your family; it is protecting not only you but them as well.

I know that I have failed on numerous occasions to remember to not shake a hand. It seems to be a part of who I am, and I must break this habit. We must all break the habit.

So, the handshake is dead. What else is changing for truck drivers?

This question got me thinking about driver recruiting for both today and in the future. Will interviews be conducted over Zoom or Facebook video or are companies performing them in person, at a socially distant space? I would love to know how companies are currently conducting interviews.

July 2020

I have difficulty getting used to the ones like the no handshake rule. What are your thoughts?

How about the road test? Are the driver and the evaluator wearing masks?

Are they expected to wear a mask? How about touching the inside of the truck?

You cannot drive a tractor-trailer without touching the inner components of the cab.

Was it disinfected before its use? If so, who witnessed the disinfection being done?

If it has not been done, is the applicant encouraged to wear gloves while driving or is the applicant offered a pair of gloves?

Truck drivers let me know about your jobhunting experience. How are you being recruited and are you comfortable with the method? What has changed and was the change for the good? I would appreciate hearing from you.

Chris Harris Top Dawg, Safety Dawg Inc. 905-973-7056 chris@safetydawg.com @safety_dawg (twitter)

Once the applicant has been interviewed and road-tested, the next step in the onboarding process is the “New Hire” orientation. How is this being conducted?

Is it still in the company boardroom? Is it socially distant? Or have they moved the orientation online? If it is online, is it instructor-led or pre-recorded? How did you find the experience? If you were in a classroom, were you comfortable? If it was conducted online, was the process easy or technically painful?

Then there is the typical facilities tour which for many companies, is the last step in hiring. Companies want to show the applicant the maintenance shop and discuss the process of how to get your unit repaired. Then they show the new applicant the dispatch office and who to speak to about payroll questions. Where do you deposit your paperwork? Is this whole process different because of COVID? This new normal has me asking many questions about how things may change and which of these changes will remain long term. Some changes are good, but

July 2020

JOBS FOR TRUCKERS • 17

CNTL HAS OPENINGS FOR TRUCK OWNER OPERATORS IN

Moncton, Montreal and Quebec City

If you are an Experienced, Safe, Owner Operator, now is the time to look at CNTL! CNTL is CN’s Trucking Subsidiary, the continuing growth of Intermodal freight means we always have the moves available that meet or exceed your revenue objectives.

Keep more of your earnings with your fuel price capped at 35 cents per litre. Take advantage of our Tire, Bunk and Engine Heater programs, and Group Truck Insurance.

Ask about our Safety Bonus, and Safety Awards!

If you would like to talk about joining our team please contact us Email cntljobs@cn.ca Fax 1-866-803-2702 18 • OVER THE ROAD

CNTL.ca

July 2020