Comments By Decanuck

Ya mm = mile marker not millimeter and my trainer has over 20 yrs experience ....Id be scared of a trainer that had a very small amount of time behind the wheel....there's just so much to learn and know..... Got my FAST card while I was gone so now crossing will be even faster for certain loads

So first week otr with my small company and the trainer ( he has lots of experience) 3458 miles total ( I didnt drive all of them but most of them) ( no we didnt run team) From Ontario Canada down to Georgia and back up then a quick turn and burn down to Ohio and back ... from 20000lbs to 43780lbs in the box ( yep even had to scale that one) Toll roads, skinny roads ( got out of a back up in Ky by running 25w from mm25 to mm15) back roads and border crossings I'm exhausted and so happy to be out there..... now home for 36 and back out sunday and a new adventure.....Couldnt be happier with my choice to go with a small company.... If I had run the week as my own truck Id have taken home a great check.....My truck will be a couple more weeks away but I have my eyes on the prize.... Keep it shiny side up ;)

Being able to cross the border from here allows me to get paid more I dont know if it works in reverse but it would make sense that it does

Need sum help drivers. If I took the airbrake test to obtain my class A permit, will I have to also get an airbrake endorsement?

If you took the "written part " of the air brake endorsement ( called the "z" portion here in Canada) then you still need to complete the practical portion... From my understanding the states seem to role it all together although the tests remain the same and there is a written portion and a practical portion. Once both are completed you will have the "air brake" Endorsment on your CDL or Class 1 or "A" Licence

No not challenger or bison or muskoka (now titanium) but a great family company that has been around long enough to still be here and growing and also willing to give a newby a chance..totally looking forward to it..I'll keep ya posted

Had my interview this past Tuesday ( first one ever for a trucking company) I had been in contact with a smaller outfit family run here in Ontario 20ish trucks ..They were my first choice and I'm happy to report that they have hired me ..I should be going out with one of the experienced guys this next week if everything works out ...Time to be a sponge and learn how to really get this done at perhaps the worst time to start...of course you have to have your first winter at some point.. Keep It Shiny Side Up Happy Turkey day ( you know it was a month ago right??) to you Americans

Also depending on where you are there might be other qualifications you can look for, for the school... In Ontario the recognized schools are under the Ministry of Education and certificates to validate that ...they are also the only ones that will be able to provide a receipt for tax purposes

Take it a step further ask the companies that are on your list of potentials what schools they hire from and recruit from..Some schools might not give you an accurate list " well one time john got hired by "insert truck company name here" so we can say that they hire from us" When I was doing my homework on schools here some that were not on my radar at all were mentioned as the owners of the companies recommend them ....ultimately I went with the "best score" from my list of importance ,including cost, support, equipment, validity within the industry, proximity to me, communication of answers to my questions(how long ,how complete)

Thanks ... No Rob I went to Transport Training Centres Canada (TTCC) Barrie campus ...Humber has a great program ( and only place in Ontario with signing authority ) but it didn't work for my timeline and was a little more money.

Passed the "AZ" tests today ( Ontario Canada CDL or Class 1 license) practical and road tests ...all done 6 weeks finished and fast card interview on monday and interview and road test with potential employer on Tuesday.... Keep It Shiney Side Up Special thanks to all the helpful people here... Brett thank you for a great site and the personal attention when you saw I had stopped the High Road course ( a few subtle differences here in Canada .. just didnt want to be confused for my tests) I hope that I will be able to give back as well....