HGV DRIVER IN UK LOOKING AT CANADA
 

Allow me to introduce myself, my names Reverend Pickles.
Before we get started i'd like you all to keep your guns where i can see them and we will get along just fine...

Been a HGV Driver in the UK for over 12 years now, ran over a dog once but it wasn't my fault, he wasn't looking where i was going...

Part from that ive got a clean licence, i can drive almost anything, Mrs Pickles says i drive her crazy most of the time which is why i'm hear i guess, hope i came to the right place.

I grew up in the Steel City Sheffield, once the back bone of British Steel, now a thriving un-flushed toilet full of nasty things that i don't even wanna talk about.

Mrs Pickles is a Graphic Designer by trade, she works on Apple macs and has a great future anywhere in the world, she ain't like me, she's like an angel, shes real smart too...

Little Miss Pickles is only two, shes a great dancer and shes better than me at Hide and seek.
Little pickles junior is just like me, 4 years old and he can shoot a fly out the sky with a pea shooter, he's as sharp as a razor too.


We have this idea in our heads that somewhere out there we might find Quality of life, we certainly don't have it hear in England.
Were both hard working people but as the years go by we seem to be taking more steps back, when we should be going forward.

Personally i think England is Finished, and it's not coming back.

I like shooting, Fishing, Poker and Whiskey, play a mean guitar too, but there just my hobbies, my priority are my family they come first.

I want good schools for my Children, not too bothered about a huge house, just something that's in a nice area that i can plant a tree and call home.

Mrs Pickles wants to work Part time (in between pre-school times) she loves her Job and intends to get a full time job again when the kids are at school full time (that's only 18 months away now) then she intends to set back up in Packaging artwork or design.

As for me, i'm a HGV driver but unlike most i want to be home every night, i don't want to sleep in the dam thing, i want to work hard, don't mind long hours, but at night i want to be home with my family.
Some guys like to spend all week away, well not for me, i like to come home, drive the kids crazy and go hunting on the odd weekend (but i don't mind working weekends now and again)

We sold our house two years ago, used quite a bit of our savings just raising the children, it's been hard with one wage but we manage.

We have £26,000 cash that we don't touch for a deposit on a home and 10 ounces of Gold Bullion, and that's about it.

We love the look of British Columbia, the climate looks roughly the same as England, but the winters look much colder, we don't mind that, we love snow and like building fires.


Reason i am hear is i'd like a few questions answering, my family are really liking the idea of moving far away from hear but is a Job like mine in demand in Canada?

If it is what kind of work am i likely to be realistically offered?

Does HGV driving in Canada mean you leave your home on Monday and not see your family until Christmas-because if that's the case, that's not quality of life for me.

What are the Schools like in BC, and what are the 'BEST' schools in BC

any advice would be good really, guess the best advice i can give my self right now is to come and see Canada for my self before i jump into anything, but before i do i'd like to hear what you guys have to say.

Thanks for listening anyhow.

You Stay Lucky

REV.I.Pickles

Re: HGV DRIVER IN UK LOOKING AT CANADA
 

Welcome to the BE Forum.

Start by going here its everything you need about the moving over part first. Make sure you qualify http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=238703

Also everything you need to know about Truck driver http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Truck_Driving_in_Canada

Any questions people would be happy to answer as im no expert on Truck driving :)

Good Luck

Re: HGV DRIVER IN UK LOOKING AT CANADA
 

when you read the "truck driving in Canada requirements" and u read the part that says.....Two to three years' experience as a truck driver...that does not mean anywhere in the world......that means here in Canada....having said that....there are company's that will give u a chance, but this country is very seniority based, new employees get the worst runs, some friends of ours came over 3 years ago, he drove a truck in the UK for a living, he had to spend $6,000 to take a test and get a Cdn truck driving license....once he did that, he spent 6 months hitting a brick wall, he couldn't find one company that would give him a chance as he hadn't got 2 years driving experience in Canada, then one day a company called Moe's transport gave him a chance.....he worked hard but his health and family did suffer a little....he had to drive nights, and drove very long hours to earn anything decent, we kept telling him to stick it out because once he had the experience he could change. I am assuming that this info goes for all provinces, I am in Ont, near Windsor where we have amazing summers, and chilly winters, not too much snow and real estate is very cheap here!!

Re: HGV DRIVER IN UK LOOKING AT CANADA
 

Good advice there, I agree as with most things when your new its hard and you get the blunt end of the stick. Yes you may have to work away or work really long hours to get your 2 years experience but just think after those 2 years you have a better chance of getting what you want so don't be put off use it as a goal line :)

Re: HGV DRIVER IN UK LOOKING AT CANADA
 

Gold eh? Smart move.
Telling everyone how much you've got? Not so smart.

Canada is a big country. I have no idea about trucking here - but wouldn't they have to be away at night simply due to the vast distances involved?

Re: HGV DRIVER IN UK LOOKING AT CANADA
 

not always, there are nice short runs too!!

Re: HGV DRIVER IN UK LOOKING AT CANADA
 

You might want to look at the semi skilled pilot projects for PNP too - although BC's ends this august.

http://www.welcomebc.ca/wbc/immigrat...level/who.page

http://www.albertacanada.com/immigra...-criteria.aspx

Of course I realise you will still have to get here and get a work permit first, but truck driving being on the shortage lists may make it easier. http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/workplace...lowskill.shtml

http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/cgi-b...emp5512&ln=eng

http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/workplace...emp5415e.shtml

Good luck!

:)

Re: HGV DRIVER IN UK LOOKING AT CANADA
 

Ever thought of living somewhere else in England?..the grass isnt always greener in another country..and for me England isnt finished and will come back.

im even tempted to come back home to help make sure it does:thumbup:

Re: HGV DRIVER IN UK LOOKING AT CANADA
 

No because this place is a crap hole and moving from one part of the England to another doesn't help because your still in England. I tried that and didn't work so off to Canada for me as its far away from here :)

Re: HGV DRIVER IN UK LOOKING AT CANADA
 

good for u......we have a new bridge and new road construction starting soon here, so soon there will be loads of jobs in all sorts of fields!!!

Re: HGV DRIVER IN UK LOOKING AT CANADA
 

You're right. Chav's and peado's on every street corner; teenagers in hoodies looking scary; crime soaring - you just aren't safe there anymore; too many immigrants coming in droves. It all adds up to the UK being crap. I'm glad I don't live there anymore - what a dump.

Re: HGV DRIVER IN UK LOOKING AT CANADA
 

Well what a Negative Nancy you are :thumbdown:

Re: HGV DRIVER IN UK LOOKING AT CANADA
 

:rofl::rofl:

Re: HGV DRIVER IN UK LOOKING AT CANADA
 

Again, I can't imagine why anyone would want to leave Cambridge to live in Alberta. If you think the UK is a crap hole.....

Re: HGV DRIVER IN UK LOOKING AT CANADA
 

i've done long distance 'over the road driving' in the US and I'm glad I'm away from it. You have family values and you need to change to following the big buck that seems to be the culture in N. America. When you have been out of work with no money coming in you start to think that money is the only thing.
N. America is not England and I'm thinking that were you are now you have a safety net.
I came over and walked the streets looking for work and I was very discouraged. I should have gone back right away.
A friend of mine who retired from the RAF (no pension, how could that happen?) told me his brother drove long distance with a truck and worked for Walmart and made a very good living. He told me how much but I wouldn't tell you because it may cloud your thinking.
You put a value on your family, you can be admired for that, so stay in England so you have better control of your life.
I know another fellow who got his 'commercial' license and went to work for a nationally know trucking company and the only way he could get home was by quitting the job.
It is hard for me to list why you shouldn't make this move but you are like many of us and think you know better go ahead and do it if that's what you want.

Re: HGV DRIVER IN UK LOOKING AT CANADA
 

I was a truck driver in the Uk and home every night. I came to Canada in 2007 and they dont transfer your C+E licence, you have to pay to retake the test (although not as hard here). Most truck driving jobs require you be on the road for 2-3 weeks at a time home for 2 days and out again, I have young kids and dont want it although I did do the test. There are some day run jobs but are few and far between and the pay is not great (well in ontario at least!)
In canada you only get 2 weeks holiday a year as well!
I am not trying to put you off but think about it and do lots of research before you book a flight and think about a career change if you dont want to be away from home because the cost to get the AZ licence is not cheep and it is hard to find day run jobs.
:huh:

Re: HGV DRIVER IN UK LOOKING AT CANADA
 

Hello pickles family,

well, were in the process of going to strathmore alberta.
My hubby is a hgv driver and me hairdresser, hubby will be working for westcan and will be away 6 day and home for 3. Not what we wanted really as we have 2 kids 9/13.
Our friends have been out there 3yrs and have been through this already, even though he's still doing it. He worked for heyl/jd knoll and can be away anything upto 3wks at a time!!!
Dont think there is many day jobs for immigrants doing hgv as they give them to the canadians unless you've got your citizenship.
Were only looking to be doing this until we get out citizenship which i think can take anything from a year to 2 years to get then he will try for a day job. Anything for a better life away from this hell whole thats waiting to cave in!!!
We also have friend here in the uk who are doing this process with us and he will be working with my hubby at westcan as well.
We have spoken to people that live in bc and they all love it.
Hope this helps in anyway and good luck.:thumbsup:
Mrs Ivory.

Re: HGV DRIVER IN UK LOOKING AT CANADA
 

I think people tell you one thing and then tell their coworkers something else.
It is wonderful if they really think they are much better off than they were.

I see some trucks running up and down the interstate in the US who are from Canada and I think they are bringing produce from California up to Canada. I may be wrong on that because Canada has its own produce I would think. Anyhow I do see trucks from BC here in California and Nevada.
Good luck.

Remember the grass is greener on the other side.

I might ask why do you see so many Expats in Canada are returning to the UK?

Those people you mention that you talk to in BC that love it, are they from the UK?

What am I saying? I love it when I visit Victoria and I'm going there in 4 weeks for the first in 15 years. When I get there I don't want to leave.

Now is this a confusing post or what?

Cheers!

Re: HGV DRIVER IN UK LOOKING AT CANADA
 

Hi,

Yes the people we have spoken to are from the uk and one couple have been there over 30 years.
People come back to england for all sorts of reasons, main one being home sick, missing family and friends because they cant fit in with canadian life.
Each to there own, can't please everybody.

Re: HGV DRIVER IN UK LOOKING AT CANADA
 

My neighbour in the country was a truck driver. For a long time had a regular run from Barrie ON to SLC UT. Eventually he packed that in for a day run from Alliston ON to Chicago IL because the latter allowed him to be home every weekend. That proved a mixed blessing.

He said that in terms of hours worked, pay and sleep the long run was better. The short run meant lots of, unpaid, waiting for loading and unloading and the timing, always needing to deliver at the start of the workday, meant naps rather than whole nights' sleep. A three day run allowed him freedom to organize his time whereas short runs meant that every time he stopped someone watching the GPS would want to know why.

Re: HGV DRIVER IN UK LOOKING AT CANADA
 

6000$ CDN for a test is b/s.Paid less than 600 for mine,took me 3 1/2 days start to finish.
Canada want longhaul truck drivers,we all want local runs and home everynight but have had to do the longhaul stuff first to gain residency,no pain no gain etc.
If you can do however long it takes on the highway to obtain your landed status it's well worth the effort,the time scale seems dependent on Province.There are lots of us out here reaping the rewards now,but we all had to sacrifice a bit of home time to get where we are now.Best of luck,check out the trucking section in working abroad for more of us moaning drivers,:D.

Re: HGV DRIVER IN UK LOOKING AT CANADA
 

A lot of mis information on this thread, enough to put the most determined would be immigrant off:thumbdown:
Oh and for the guy that was surprised Canada gets its produce from Cali & AZ its about 100 truck loads a day 365 a year thats all.:p
In short if you need to know about trucking in Canada/USA come to the trucking section of BE, where experieced truckers willl gladly help you out. If you need to know where to buy Marmite and get english bacon then stay here:eek:

Re: HGV DRIVER IN UK LOOKING AT CANADA
 

Gremmie, I live in Yuma, AZ in the winter which, because it is an oasis in the middle of the desert, is the salad green capital of the world and I can tell you that it isn't 100 truckloads a day. No where like !
At peak times they say as many as 1,200, yes 1,200, reefer trucks a day leave the packing sheds on Gela Ridge Road for points all over the north american continent. I understand it's the same kind of traffic at El Centro, CA too. Having been caught up in the truck traffic I'd say that one rig a minute, 24/7, leaving there is about right.
They say that they grow about 160 different types of produce around the area. It is by far the biggest industry around there.

Re: HGV DRIVER IN UK LOOKING AT CANADA
 

Well good for you living in Yuma...
I said 100 trucks a day from both AZ & CA coming to Canada through out the year, not just Yuma arround december/January at its peak season, of those 1200 trucks only about 3% come to Canada the rest is domestic and other exports. And its Gila Ridge Road. I run a trucking company that specializes in produce transport from AZ & CA.

Re: HGV DRIVER IN UK LOOKING AT CANADA
 

When is the uk goverment going to see what is happening ,the good are going and it worries me with what is left .

Re: HGV DRIVER IN UK LOOKING AT CANADA
 

So where do you live :confused::confused:

Re: HGV DRIVER IN UK LOOKING AT CANADA
 

I know nothing about truck driving but you're post did give me a giggle Mr Pickles :rofl:

Re: HGV DRIVER IN UK LOOKING AT CANADA
 

Thanks for all your replies friends-sorry i didn't get back sooner, we have just been camping up in Scotland for a couple of weeks and little pickles Junior caught the biggest fish i've ever seen.

Yeah i did hear i would have to retake my test-and i also know it ain't cheap, which made me wonder weather i would fit in better as a Welder or something in Canada.

I used to weld Pressure vessels in the 90's and i have my Lloyds Codings-just an option until i finally get citizenship then i think i'll run for Sheriff.

I like Trucking but i have never been one to Polish the dam thing and put my name on it-Jesus i'd rather be home with Mrs Pickles polishing her things if ya know what i mean.
Don't get me wrong-i ain't work shy, i can dig a hole faster than anyone, with my bare hands if i have too-i just like to be home at night with my family, play my Geetar, clean my rifles, teach the kids how to make lethal booby traps.

I'd like more honest views and opinions on HGV Canada-so keep em coming.

Thanks again

God Bless you all

REV.I.Pickles

Re: HGV DRIVER IN UK LOOKING AT CANADA
 

Sounds like Louisiana could be the place for you. Any good on a banjo?:rofl:

Re: HGV DRIVER IN UK LOOKING AT CANADA
 

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/

Check on the link above. There is a Canadian section in there.

Got to say though if you want to make good cash here in Canada welding is the game to be in.

Re: HGV DRIVER IN UK LOOKING AT CANADA
 

what you never see or hear is how many "good" people come back...a high % of people who leave the UK actually do come back..not everybody who leaves, leaves for good.

Re: HGV DRIVER IN UK LOOKING AT CANADA
 

I would have to disagree that "a lot" go back. Of those that came here in the past 5 years that I actually know, I would put the figure at about 8-10%, if that. and they were people who could not, or would not, adjust to the different way of life.

regarding lower wages for day work... Well sort of. If you do the flat 9 hours then you take a huge hit if you were productive on long haul. In my case, I went from a 13000 mile average to day work and the hit was about 35% of my bottom line, but if I do 10 hours overtime a week then I actually earn more.

I doubt very much that you would get day work straight away. It simply doesn't work like that.

Re: HGV DRIVER IN UK LOOKING AT CANADA
 

There's a guy who drives the fish van for the Lobster Man fishmongers on Granville Island in Vancouver and he goes home every night. It can be done.

Re: HGV DRIVER IN UK LOOKING AT CANADA
 

I walked past there the other day and they had a job vacancy sign up. Maybe the OP could apply?

I wonder if they get employee discounts? :thumbup:

Re: HGV DRIVER IN UK LOOKING AT CANADA
 

I'd wait until there's an 'R' in the month otherwise its probably not worth it.

Re: HGV DRIVER IN UK LOOKING AT CANADA
 

No LMO's for local fish deliveries only for long haul, thats why so many go back coz they cant handle the 2-3 years on long haul before getting PR.

Re: HGV DRIVER IN UK LOOKING AT CANADA
 

You'd think the extra time to murder prostitutes would be a plus.

Re: HGV DRIVER IN UK LOOKING AT CANADA
 

:confused::confused::confused: you are just weird

Re: HGV DRIVER IN UK LOOKING AT CANADA
 

Statistically it is somewhere between 30-40% that eventually return for whatever reason and it is something like 10% of UK immigration each year is made up of returning expats.

Re: HGV DRIVER IN UK LOOKING AT CANADA
 

Maybe it is that, statistically, but I can go only from that which I have seen and it is nowhere near that.

As for day work, I was long haul 5 years before going on day work, and it was only because I lost my wife that I did so.

In theory, once you are nominated, you could get a new WP for day work if the company you go to have long haul work. Ask any ex BFS driver and half of them were on day work even if it was called long haul!! :rofl::rofl::p