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Lisa has contributed to 8 posts out of 3927 total posts
(0.20%) in 1,699 days (0.00 posts per day).
20 Most recent posts:
Thanks for the different perspective on how to get from point A to point B. I've been doing a lot of research on the different ways to get my licence and experience. I've got an appointment with the government rep to see if I will qualify for them to pay for my training. I've been paying into EI (employment insurance...used to be called Unemployment insurance) for 20 years and it would be nice for them to do something for me at this time.
I also went to a Career Job Fair at OTTA yesterday. This was the first time I have been able to sit down and listen to what a trucking company has to offer and what they are looking for. I was very impressed with the company's philosophy of teamwork, professionalism, customer service and accountability paired with independence. However, they only do long haul and that isn't going to work for me. (Kim...."Holt" might be a good one for you to look into....missed you at the seminar....ask Yvette about them) I was also pleased with how all the men in the room treated me. There were about 20 guys and although about half of them seemed to view me with curiosity when the presentation started, no one was rude or disrespectful. I was prepared for whispering and giggling......but these guys obviously graduated from high school a long time ago.
There is another fair with Schneiders in a week, and I'm really looking forward to that one. But I can't really start on anything until I get my "yea or nea" on the funding for the training. What is it they say? Patience is a virtue?? 
To bear failure with courage is the best proof of character that anyone can give.
Thank you, ladies for your information. As I said, I don't know this guy's character that well (a boyfriend of a friend) and I don't know if he exaggerates. He may have been being "Mr. Negative".
Thank you too for that link above. I have heard excellent things about many of the companies. I will make sure I check out the information.
For those of you in Canada....Happy Thanksgiving. For those of you in the States....happy weekend.
Lisa
To bear failure with courage is the best proof of character that anyone can give.
Hello everyone,
I hosted a party on the weekend and my friend's boyfriend is a trucker. So I thought this was a perfect time to grill him about the industry. I thought I would hear good things. But, I didn't. Here's the info he gave me: (keep in mind I don't know him very well at all, so I don't know if this is accurate info?)
He has an AZ licence (full tractor trailer licence), but drives a DZ garbage truck. He likes his job now. But, he first started driving long haul rigs. He told me stories about being told his last load would be on Friday at noon....then all of a sudden he was told to get up to Quebec City (8 hrs NE), pick up a load, take it to Montreal (4 hrs S), then to London (7 hrs W) then come back to Toronto (2 hrs E). If he argued with dispatch he was told "do it or lose your contract". He says he never was hired on as a full time driver, just a contractor through the company.
If he arrived at a location 5 minutes before lunch, everyone left for lunch and he could not pick up his load until they came back. This put him at least an hour behind schedule. The company would blame him.
He says that EVERYONE has 3 log books because you would be driving for SO long without rest that you had to fudge them so you weren't ticketed by the MTO!!!! OMG!! I couldn't believe this one!....could I?
He also says that some people will get a licence, put 4 of their family members in the rig, each taking a turn driving even though only ONE was ever trained and only ONE has a licence. They will drive straight for days because they all take turns. They don't even stop for a bathroom break!!
So, please tell me how much of this is true? All I want to do is an honest days' work. Get up, drive the truck from here to there, do my route, come home at night to be with my young family. Am I looking into the wrong industry? Or at least I'm at the wrong point in time (i.e. wait until my kids are teenagers?)
To bear failure with courage is the best proof of character that anyone can give.
I also am wondering the exact same thing. I live in Ontario. With our GM truck plant set to close in 6 months....myself with no experience and no licence yet....waiting to see if I will be approved for funding....wanting daily routes (city route)....2 young children and a mortgage to pay...........is this the right time? I know no one has a crystal ball, but I'm sure a lot of us are wondering the same things.......
Lisa
To bear failure with courage is the best proof of character that anyone can give.
Hello Etosha,
That sounds exactly like what I want to do. I hope I can find a company that has that sort of set up here. (I live in Oshawa, ON) Apparently a lot of food companies have that sort of arrangement.
I'm also very very glad to hear so many of you wonderful ladies saying you love your job!!
Lisa
To bear failure with courage is the best proof of character that anyone can give.
Hello Rosey
I am also making a big career switch from Boiler & Machinery Insurance to Trucking. I haven't got as far as you though. I am still looking into the funding for the education. Are you in the States or Canada? I totally agree that the trucking industry is a high demand industry. I also think that women have a lot to contribute...perhaps more than we realize ourselves. I have seen a great number of transports and other heavy equipment vehicles being operated by women in the last couple of years. I feel proud for them. I want to be part of that. I want to work in an industry where I can make a difference. Good luck to you!!
Lisa
To bear failure with courage is the best proof of character that anyone can give.
Hello everyone,
Kim, I sent you an email to your hotmail address. It is a bit long winded, sorry about that.
Wow...there is so much information on this site. I spent about an hour yesterday reading through some of the strings.
I have questions.......
1) Does anyone regret their decision to get into trucking? If so, why?
2) Are most of you long haul drivers? Does anyone do daily routes? Has anyone done both? How do they compare? (I have a young family to keep in mind)
To bear failure with courage is the best proof of character that anyone can give.
Hello Kim, .......and any other ladies who have knowledge of OTTA
I feel overwhelmed with information. I was laid off on Sept 8th. I have severence until November 4th.
My step-dad was a trucker, but I don't know that much about the industry. If I was a boy I would have been groomed to take over his business. Seems he and my mother thought I would be better behind a desk. But I feel this "urge" to get into trucking. I am more interested in the short haul, or local haul, as I have children and a partner at home.
Kim, what is OTTA like? Have you started? I've talked at length with Tanya and Yvette. I have a lot of info. Almost too much info.
Does anyone know anything about Adanac in Scarborough?
That's all for now. I have 5 hundred million questions running through my head (well, maybe 4 hundred million). I'm going to surf this site and these postings some more to get a better feel for what very well may become my new career.
Thanks for any info,
Lisa
To bear failure with courage is the best proof of character that anyone can give.
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