Comments on: Alberta keen to attract new drivers amid shortage challenge

By: Stephen Webster

Stephen Webster — Mon, 24 Apr 2023 17:33:42 +0000

In reply to Pieter W De Vries. Bring in 1 hr of P C to find safe parking with a trailer hourly pay with overtime Provide proper disablity and sick pay not this garbage critical illiness insurance. Set a tiered pay scale like cops or nurses have based on yrs of safedriving

By: Tom Stogdale

Tom Stogdale — Fri, 21 Apr 2023 02:06:55 +0000

While I read of the “Shift in pay structures and schedules” the truthof the matter is that truck drivers’ pay has been decimated over the years and treatment of drivers as 3rd rate citizens by theemployers has shot the reputation of the industry to pieces. No half intelligent, young person would begin to consider truck driving as a career until compensation and schedules are back to where they should be. Not 60-70 hour weeks for $25/hour…

By: Joey Green

Joey Green — Fri, 21 Apr 2023 01:16:44 +0000

I Laugh every time I glance at “Driver Shortage”
Canadian Trucking is one of the most pathetic industries.
I retired from OTR hauling cuz I made a lot of money doing it. How So?
AMERICA. That’s correct, my truck and matching Trailer sported US tags. (License Plates).
When picking loads NO ONE told me what load/s I was to haul. Anything over 20,000 lbs never interested me.
Many times after delivery in BC or Alberta I would leave Empty. That’s right “EMPTY”.
Why?
Canadian loads are not worth the time to put in my trailer, POOR pay.
A few loads outta Richmond got my attention. From time to time a Canadian Carrier had a truck at a particular terminal, similar load similar destination.
Hard to believe, but, the driver was being paid $1500.00 less than me.; Cdn dollars, I was paid in US funds.
Received 50% of revenue up front, balance was paid 3 days after delivery.
Little wonder you can’t find drivers; your freight broker system is one of the most corrupt there is.
I got my 2 years safe driving record with Canadian Freigtways. Great Company, one of the best.
I was told the next time I refuse a load I would be terminated. I own my truck not the company. I simply don’t do Whitehorse, the pay sucked.
I Joined the American Trucking World. What an amazing experience. No more bully dispatch whining that I won’t work 70 hours a week.
I. Worked When I wanted and chose loads that paid the most and weighed the least.
The reason is fairly obvious you cannot hire drivers.
PAY them more
Forced Dispatch – Not for Me

By: Pieter W De Vries

Pieter W De Vries — Thu, 20 Apr 2023 21:32:53 +0000

The pay sucks, elogs suck, the lack of proper truckstops with decent shower facilities and parking sucks etc etc…. I could go on for days.

By: Gerald Antoniak

Gerald Antoniak — Thu, 20 Apr 2023 17:39:33 +0000

I long hauled for 14 years Canada to USA, West Coast to Ottawa and New York State. If you want to live like a hermit than Professional Driving is OK. The job presents very challenging risk levels of danger depending on the time of year. Summer driving vs Winter driving. I liked the job of driving, but the pay lacked severely.. For most drivers living on the road 25 days a month and being home only 1-2 days per month, (is the reality) driving legal weekly hours 60/70 (https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/hours-service/summary-hours-service-regulations ) . The industry is lacking drivers because they don’t pay an acceptable wage. As a transportation company I would never ask a person to spend the hours on the road this industry does for less than $250,000. Cdn per year. Than there would be many wanting to drive. In fact there would be so many, a driver could share the job and still provide for a family, although not full time driving. There is a lot of cherry picking with gender driving including only driving lanes and weather when it is safe. And then you have to deal with shippers/receivers whom for the most part need more sleep.
All the present aged drivers +50 have no pension, lack savings for years of under pay, will never be able to retire unless medically unfit to drive.