As some of you may know, 2 weeks ago my contract with Penner International was given the "30 day notice" and as of November 30th, I will no longer be in business with Penner International. Not here to discuss why(not enough miles apparently), I simply want to look forward.

I'm based out of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, and have 5.5 years of dry van experience. Currently own a 99 Volvo 770 that is paid off. It's a good truck, and I hope to keep it for a while.

My question for the collective minds of CAD, where should I be looking for a job? I want to get into stepdeck/flatdeck and eventually something specialized, heavy haul or OD.

I contacted Searcy trucking, a well known outfit. From what I hear, they're a good company, and do some specialized stuff. I know they are starting to get into the heavy haul. The problem is, without any experience, they're not even remotely interested. They also have a waiting list for owner operators. Unsure about their pay package, didn't really want to ask after being told "not interested".

DeckX is another local outfit, but without a good reputation at all. I know several people that tried them out, and lasted only weeks. They pay mileage. $1.10 or so, and pay 5-30 CPM for overdimensional(LOLOLOLOL). Even I know that's cheap. Not really considering them.

Mullen Trucking of course is the big kahuna up here. They pay 75% if you have your own trailer, 68% without, and do lots and lots of specialized oil field work. They're based out of Aldersyde, AB(about 850 miles west of Winnipeg), and I think I would have problems getting home as much as I want. Not too worried about that, however. I simply think they would not hire me. No experience. Eventually I think it would be a good goal to get on with them though.

Payne Transportation is a local outfit, and actually is owned by Mullen Income fund, which owns Mullen Trucking. I think they pay mileage or percentage. My dad currently works for them(dry van) and he's pretty happy. Currently I think they're my best option, they're local and I'm pretty sure they're hiring. Would have to buy my own trailer, but that's no problem. I sent them an email with a few questions, so there will be more details coming.

Any other Canadian companies that you folks can recommend I look into?

 

Except for some of the Canada based tanker companies, I don't have any info to pass on to you Allan. But knowing that your knowledgable, I am certain you will do ok. Doesn't Landstar have a Canada division? That would be a start into stepdeck, heavyhaul.

 

Do you have any experience pulling super-b's ? Does pulling pneumatic bulkers interest you ? You might want to contact Trimac. Also, may want to talk to WildKat about your situation. She knows her stuff.

 

What about short trips across the border and back with the dry van? I'm pretty un-knowldgeable about border crossing pay.... all I know is that it exists. Just a thought.

 

Yes Landstar does have a Canada division, but I spoke with some people that work with them, and they say there's never any freight out of Winnipeg.

I don't know if I could do super b's, don't think my truck could handle it at all. It's pretty gutless. I'd have to get a new truck, which is always an option I suppose.

I used to do short trips (to minnesota), actually it paid pretty good from all the drops. Problem is that market is pretty cornered. Dry van right now here absolutely sucks, the paper mill in Dryden closed (500 loads a month) and all the carriers that serviced the outbound loads are from Winnipeg. Then you have auto parts slowing down, which is a major customer of ours.

Flatdeck has so much more potential because of oil patch freight to Alberta. Then comes experience, and potential to move into something specialized. I know for a fact oil patch freight pays good, I know a few folks that do it regularly on percentage contracts and they're doing quite well. Some even deadhead out of Alberta regularly.

 

Alan, I don't know how much Canadian freight some of these carriers have, but they do flats and some do more specialized freight. Warren, Keene, Lone Star, Daily, Pacer, ATS (Anderson Trucking Service), Jones. I don't know if any of them have a training program for those without experience. I believe ATS may. I spoke with one inexperienced driver a couple of years ago who had an over sized load on. I was surprised they would have allowed him to haul an over sized load with his level of experience. Anderson is based in Minnesota so they may do more Canadian freight than some of the others. CRST Malone has a short training program for flats, but I am not sure how much Canadian freight they have.

 

Mullen Trucking would be a good bet for the kind of flat & step deck work, related to the oilpatch that you're looking for. Ofcourse, what you need to find out from them is how much they're willing to train you. I don't think it should be a big issue, since I work for the Mullen Group myself, though not for Mullen trucking. Another Alberta-based carrier doing specialised work, is Ray Paul Trucking ( or commonly known as Rape-All ). They do cross-border stuff, hauling specialised loads.

What about Big Freight ? Aren't they based out of Winnipeg ? Have you talked to them ? Also, for van-related work, you might want to look at Byers and Canadian Freightways. Ask WildKat about Byers...she pulls for them, after pulling for Grimshaw ( Mullen group company ) earlier. Another Mullen group company doing oilfield work is Pe Ben Oilfields ( not Pe Ben Bulk, which has been closed down, and whose trailers are lying in our yard ).

A suggestion though, for what it's worth.....for the kind of loads that all the afore-mentioned haul, you would definitely need lots of power in your truck. That would also give you the flexibility of pulling super b's, which are so very common out here in the west. Also, make sure you have good chains.

 

Yes big freight is another option, I think they pay mileage but not very good. They're based out of steinbach, actually right by penners main office.

GMAN, it's funny you mention ATS, because I have an American friend working there all he does is oilpatch freight, and usually deadheads back. He is making good money, running from st cloud to edmonton area. That is sort of what got the ball rolling. Unfortunately, they are not hiring Canadians right now, although they may in the future.

I'm going to make a bunch of calls tomorrow, and see what happens. I think Payne is at the top of my list, I'm pretty sure I can get in there and they're very local.

 

I want to add....

Dry van freight here is very cheap, and all tied up. Bison cuts the rates to the bone, and even loses money on many loads.

That's why I'm looking at something a little better paying, anything but dry van. Essentially, any oil patch freight bound for alberta that comes from eastern Canada or anywhere east of i-29 in the states could come through Winnipeg. This would allow me to have decent paying freight, yet still decent home time. Although I'd be more then willing to sacrifice home time.

Another potential option(well into the future) is that the Canadian government is going to massively increase infrastructure spending as a way to help the economy. Also, many wind farm projects are popping up in the Canadian prairies. I hear the trailers aren't cheap! I'd need a lot of experience hauling OD loads before even touching something like that however.

 

Allan you might want to check with Hiway 13 out of Camrose. They do piles of deck work, mostly out of the pipe mills in Camrose, but also around western Canada & the north. They also have the pipe contract for the bitumen upgrader & pipeline at Fort Mac. Not sure what their pay packages for o/o's are but my brother works there (mechanic) & he says they're very busy.

Another company is Continental Cartage. They do mostly deck freight & some specialized heavy haul.

As far as Grimshaw is concerned ... stay AWAY from them... the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing & drivers, owner/op's & office people are leaving in droves.

Byers on the other hand is pretty decent. I get good miles (average 15,000/month), decent pay & capped fuel. Plates are paid by the company, insurance is 0.05 cents/mile, decent benefits, union gig. No touch, pin to pin loads, but you'd have to get your LCV certification.