Canada Canadian newb

Teager · Nov 10, 2014

Good Day,

I'm a newb that has applied to Thompson in Ontario. I've spent the last 10 years in the military and am now being medically released. I have tried to read as much as possible about being a Sprinter o/o. I've also read through some of the newbie threads here.

If there are any tips or advice anyone can give me that would be great. I find it tough finding information on the Canadian experience of an o/o. I know what you can make can vary but does anyway know what can be somewhat expected on average with Thompson either monthly or weekly?

I am also on the hunt for a Sprinter. If anyone wants to give there opinion on must have equipment please feel free.

Thanks,

Teager

DST001 · Nov 10, 2014

Hello Teager I would advise you to stay away from the sprinters they cost a crap ton of money when they break and if you break down in the middle of BFI it will cost you a pretty penny to get it towed to the nearest sprinter dealer.I know this from experience I had a sprinter your regular backyard mechanic will not even touch them you might try looking for a Dodge Protester it's the same thing as a sprinter length and height wise and a lot cheaper on maintenance I hope this helps DST001

Teager · Nov 10, 2014

Thanks DST001. Did you mean the Dodge Promaster? I am open to any van I've also looked at the Ford Transit but don't know much about them yet since there brand new.

DST001 · Nov 11, 2014

Yes the Dodge Promaster and Ford Transit or even look at a Gm Chevy single rear wheel cutaway 12 footer that's what I have cheap to repair and parts are available hope this helps

westmicher · Nov 11, 2014

DST001 said:
Yes the Dodge Promaster and Ford Transit or even look at a Gm Chevy single rear wheel cutaway 12 footer that's what I have cheap to repair and parts are available hope this helps

It's actually a RAM Promaster... RAM is Chrysler's commercial division.

DST001 · Nov 12, 2014

Sorry your are correct Ram Promaster my bad

awdsubaru · Dec 27, 2014

Teager...

I am in the same boat... Just doing lots of research and asking questions. I too have spoken with Thompson and a few others.

I am also quite busy with researching the sprinter and the ProMaster. I have gone to MB and looked at it and priced it out. I have read a lot about the promaster on the promaster forum. The diesel 2500 dodge seems to getting regularly 25mpg and up to 28mpg, which is quite a bit better then the sprinter( 20-22mpg). These numbers are based on actual trip reports from the other forum. And in the states, you never know just how far away you might be from a MB dealer.. and does that MB dealer work on sprinters? There certainly are lots of Dodge dealers everywhere.

Best of luck, and please let us know where you end up working, and what your driving!

Teager · Dec 29, 2014

awdsubaru said:
Teager...

I am in the same boat... Just doing lots of research and asking questions. I too have spoken with Thompson and a few others.

I am also quite busy with researching the sprinter and the ProMaster. I have gone to MB and looked at it and priced it out. I have read a lot about the promaster on the promaster forum. The diesel 2500 dodge seems to getting regularly 25mpg and up to 28mpg, which is quite a bit better then the sprinter( 20-22mpg). These numbers are based on actual trip reports from the other forum. And in the states, you never know just how far away you might be from a MB dealer.. and does that MB dealer work on sprinters? There certainly are lots of Dodge dealers everywhere.

Best of luck, and please let us know where you end up working, and what your driving!

Unfortunately for me I have applied to Thompson, Pival, and Walter Macdougall and was turned down by all. I"m having a bit of trouble understanding why maybe it's because I live outside of Toronto an hour away or has something to do with my military career(was injured overseas) but still good to drive (cleared by the doctor with medical). If anyone has any other suggestions or companies that are hiring let me know. I know there is still TST and RJR is out of the question. Thanks for everyone's info and help thus far.

Teager

awdsubaru · Dec 30, 2014

Teager said:
Unfortunately for me I have applied to Thompson, Pival, and Walter Macdougall and was turned down by all. I"m having a bit of trouble understanding why maybe it's because I live outside of Toronto an hour away or has something to do with my military career(was injured overseas) but still good to drive (cleared by the doctor with medical). If anyone has any other suggestions or companies that are hiring let me know. I know there is still TST and RJR is out of the question. Thanks for everyone's info and help thus far.

Teager

Wow... Sorry to hear you were turned away... I wonder why. I have spoken to all of those companies as well, they certainly give the impression that if you have a fast card, and a clean driving record, you would be good to go, no issues. I would hate to buy a truck to only find out no one will hire me!

Why did you say RJR is out of the question? I havent spoken to them yet, I have left a message for there recruiter.

Best of luck in your search!

Treadmill · Dec 30, 2014

awdsubaru said:
Wow... Sorry to hear you were turned away... I wonder why. I have spoken to all of those companies as well, they certainly give the impression that if you have a fast card, and a clean driving record, you would be good to go, no issues. I would hate to buy a truck to only find out no one will hire me!

Why did you say RJR is out of the question? I havent spoken to them yet, I have left a message for there recruiter.

Best of luck in your search!

Not very safety minded. They will run you into the ground and expect you to do another load with little as sleep as possible and I'm not talking short runs either. Usually Mi to Laredo or Canada to Laredo and then a return trip back to north. Not good my book.

awdsubaru · Dec 30, 2014

Laredo? As in Texas? Wow.. talk about a long haul in a sprinter! 2900 miles. Sweet Jesus.

Treadmill · Dec 30, 2014

awdsubaru said:
Laredo? As in Texas? Wow.. talk about a long haul in a sprinter! 2900 miles. Sweet Jesus.

Yea but they will expect you to do it over and over again without much sleep. Not very safety minded.

scottm4211 · Dec 30, 2014

Treadmill said:
Yea but they will expect you to do it over and over again without much sleep. Not very safety minded.

Also illegal if they're running Canadian drivers from Michigan to Texas.

highway star · Dec 30, 2014

awdsubaru said:
Laredo? As in Texas? Wow.. talk about a long haul in a sprinter! 2900 miles. Sweet Jesus.

That's clicks, not miles.

Teager · Dec 30, 2014

awdsubaru said:
Wow... Sorry to hear you were turned away... I wonder why. I have spoken to all of those companies as well, they certainly give the impression that if you have a fast card, and a clean driving record, you would be good to go, no issues. I would hate to buy a truck to only find out no one will hire me!

Why did you say RJR is out of the question? I havent spoken to them yet, I have left a message for there recruiter.

Best of luck in your search!

Yes, they all sound like its easy to get hired but I'm sure they all get numerous applicants and can only hire so many. I held off on buying a van since most say they will assist you in getting one once hired. If you do buy a van before hand and don't get employment thru one of the companies there is always local courier work in the GTA until you get something better. I got my FAST card beforehand and had a clean driving record but who knows why just not in the cards maybe.

I have heard of numerous issues with RJR as stated above so I would stay away from them.

Nurvus · Jan 6, 2015

Teager said:
Unfortunately for me I have applied to Thompson, Pival, and Walter Macdougall and was turned down by all. I"m having a bit of trouble understanding why maybe it's because I live outside of Toronto an hour away or has something to do with my military career(was injured overseas) but still good to drive (cleared by the doctor with medical). If anyone has any other suggestions or companies that are hiring let me know. I know there is still TST and RJR is out of the question. Thanks for everyone's info and help thus far.

Teager

Sorry to hear about your bad luck. This echoes my limited experience with Pival... they sounded very interested, like it was a done deal, just finish up the application process. Then I'm told "Sorry, we've decided to go with an experienced driver." But they still have their Kijiji Ad running to this day.

I've already spent about $100 and countless hours of my time getting ready to apply to the other companies, but still need to get my medical ($60-$100) and drive once more to CBP ($45 gas). Now I'm thinking I should cut my losses and forget about it (I have a minor medical issue, but will still pass my exam).

Just out of curiosities sake, I applied to some local van driving jobs and once they found out I had no experience, they lost interest. I don't understand why it's so hard to get a job driving a freaking van! lol.

Treadmill · Jan 9, 2015

Because they don't want to hold your hand while you are doing your job.

Teager · Jan 9, 2015

Treadmill said:
Because they don't want to hold your hand while you are doing your job.

I wouldn't expect that in any job. Considering my background and experience I honestly don"t believe the job is very difficult and I would not require any hand holding.

Nurvus · Jan 12, 2015

Treadmill said:
Because they don't want to hold your hand while you are doing your job.

Hand-holding?!? Seriously?!?

At least with expediting, maybe it's more that they don't want to waste time on someone who might end up hating the lifestyle and bailing out after a short period of time.