Comments By Drew D.

Thanks! Any recommendations on a decent wifi printer?

Crowsnest didn't seem that bad the last few times. I found driving up here significantly easier than running the length of I-80 in Wyoming. Just my experience with it anyway.

Crowsnest can be a challenge for even experienced winter drivers. It shouldn't be too bad for what's left of this winter but next winter may give you a few reasons to drive with your brown pants on. Check the weather before each trip and consider the US route (I-90 to I-15) - it's less than an hour more and the freeways are usually less of a winter wonderland.

You've got options for places to stop and fuel, but they're all Petro:

Petro 8317 20th Avenue Coleman, AB (24 hours)

Petro 8317 20th Avenue Sparwood, BC (24 hours)

Petro 1093 Main St Pincher Creek, AB (Only open 8-5)

Get a wi-fi printer.

More money, more home time.

My company put me on a dedicated load going from Richland, WA to Taber, AB Canada.

Couple questions for the seasoned elite.

Best way to streamline the PARS / PAPS or manifesto print out? My DM is currently faxing them to truck stops and it sucks. It takes forever and a horrific time sink. Customs on both sides don't like using your phone QR for those documents. They like a printed copy. Thinking about buying a wifi printer for the truck. Thoughts?

Also, best places to fuel or shower from Taber all the way west down through Kingsgate?

3 mile truck stop in Bonner's Ferry is decent but I spend alot of nights in Canada.

Any other general advice you can offer about trucking in Canada besides the obvious "mind your Ps and Qs" would be appreciated.

Also, this is all super exciting. Its been great driving the 3 through the mountains of B.C into Alberta.

Cheers all.

Just venting,

But I am getting worn out with Wyoming. Sat for 3 days without pay last week due to pile ups and winter conditions.

Now I am basically stuck for what looks like at least two days thanks to wind, and, by the time the 60 mph gusts are expected to lift, more snow!

I have been proactive with my DM about taking alternate routes down South and around as much as possible to complete negate Wyoming, but it is complete unavoidable as we operate out of eastern Idaho.

Whats funny is that my company can't understand why people don't want to run winter when they don't pay layover for longterm inclement weather issues.

Sorry, I just need to get this out somewhere. I am stuck @ Rawlins Flying J just playing the waiting game now seeing how many days of pay this is going to cost my household because I can't do my job. Screw Wyoming.

I appreciate the candid response.

I'll light up a cigar and try to relax.

Drew, you're making the classic decision making mistake. You're making a decision during a time of stress. You want to get home, but the weather isn't cooperating. You want to be compensated for not working, but the company isn't cooperating. Now you made a decision to not go home, and that's irritating you.

Any fool could make the decision to move to greener pastures under those circumstances. A wise trucker keeps the bigger picture in focus. He makes that decision a few weeks or months later when things are going well for him. Don't let the temporary problems we all face in this business dictate your decision making process.

Well, I am stuck in Bethoud, CO and have been for almost 3 days waiting for Wyoming to stop being Wyoming. This load was supposed to get me home for a couple days of hometime in Boise. Due to weather, I haven't been able to move. Just found out this morning they have no intention of paying layover for being stuck here. This will result in me forgoing hometime and staying out for at least 4 more weeks to compensate for the loss. Also, I have realized that .41 cents a mile, even with per diem, is slave wage. Couldn't possibly be more disappointed with my company. If I learned one truth about trucking, it is that "we treat you like family not a number" is the biggest lie in trucking. If someone tells you that in their pitch, run.

Not that it should come as a surprise,

But there was two separate pile ups on I-80 yesterday. If you are planning on going through Wyoming, you will likely be sitting. I am currently at the Love's in Berthoud,CO south of Cheyenne waiting for this to clear. Just a heads up. They are expecting 20 hours minimum and it is still snowing there.

Yeah its a head scratcher but I think I'm going to settle and see how things pan out over time. I'm still relatively new all things considered. And the worst that can happen is I end up with a 2-3 year work history when and if I branch off.

This is all good input and I appreciate the time.

Also, I am out of Caldwell, ID but my company is out of Idaho Falls, ID.

I also average around 11k per month.

I'm not unsatisfied with my pay, but I didn't want to undercut myself either.

But having said that, after much thought, I will stick with these guys out of respect. They did go out of their way to get me in the door and get me moving on my first solo job. The least I can do is show the same respect for time invested and see where it goes.

Thank you for all the great advice as always. :)

Just finished my 1 year solo mark and have been thinking about the same thing nonstop the past couple weeks, stay here longer (currently at .46 cpm otr) or find something local/regional for more home time and potential pay increase.

Gotten a few approvals from different companies but it’s been such a headache trying to decide what to do, so I think like you I will just stay put for now. I like this company for the most part, I know how they operate, and I know what I can do better to make more $ weekly, but I do not know these things about the other companies except from reading mixed reviews.

I know that facility well. My company is always making drops there. I always see the Crete trucks. Not sure if they would let me operate out of Boise, but it is something to think about down the line if things don't pan out where I am at.

I'll tell you one you could check that is fairly close for you. Check out Crete, specifically the Walmart dedicated account out of the Cheyenne DC. I made a lot of money there in 2021, only leaving because I wanted a return to OTR driving again.

This is all good input and I appreciate the time.

Also, I am out of Caldwell, ID but my company is out of Idaho Falls, ID.

I also average around 11k per month.

I'm not unsatisfied with my pay, but I didn't want to undercut myself either.

But having said that, after much thought, I will stick with these guys out of respect. They did go out of their way to get me in the door and get me moving on my first solo job. The least I can do is show the same respect for time invested and see where it goes.

Thank you for all the great advice as always. :)