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          What is truck driving like?

There are two types of truck driver in Canada, a highway driver and a city driver.

A city driver is normally paid by the hour (approx. $15-20) and completes all of his work in the city loading, unloading and positioning trailers. He will not venture far outside city limits and be home every night.

Highway drivers are normally paid by the mile and venture all over Canada and the USA. They average 5000 + miles (earning between $700-$2000) in a two week trip. A highway driver will have either one or two drops on a trailer or drop it at a company deport, pick up a loaded trailer and return to the highway. Those wanting to come over to Canada are normally employed as highway drivers.

I am a highway driver working for a big Canadian company based in Saskatoon. I go all over Canada and the USA, picking up loaded trailers from depots and delivering direct to the customer. The time away is long but you see so many great sights and get around four days home when you get back.

All in all, driving in Canada is the same as the UK except the weather in the winter and you are paid slightly differently.

You get paid for everything you do. If you were to pick up an empty trailer in Saskatoon, load it at a customers premises  and deliver it in Calgary, the amount you would be paid breaks down as follows:
Paid for picking up the empty trailer.
Paid for loading the trailer.
Paid for the 385 miles to Calgary.
Paid for unloading the trailer at receiving customer.
The money works out about the same if not slightly more in Canada than the UK, with you working between 20 -24 days a month. Beware though, don’t come to Canada expecting to make your fortune, come to Canada for the lifestyle, as remember only one of you can work.

If you work for the right company they pay you for breakdowns because you are not turning any miles. They will even pay if you get a flat tyre! Its not a great deal but it still means your earning whilst you are waiting for assistance. If your breakdown is going to take longer than 24 hours to fix and you are not at your home depot, they will put you up in a hotel. The only time you lose out is if you breakdown at you home depot because you can go home, so you don’t get anything.

Garth Brooks