branstonboy

Just wondering if anyone has had more up to date dealings with Midland Transport, NS. Thinking of taking a scheduled team position with them and wondered if anyone had had dealings wth them lately? Thanks.

Simon Legree

No knowledge of direct dealings or how they treat their employees. However, Midland, actually based in Saint John, N.B. with depots around the Maritimes. It is owned by the Irving conglomerate. As such they are financially stable and are a big player in Maritime Canada and the north eastern US. They own Irving Oil, Sunbury Trucking and numerous other major companies.
I was also wondering about you alias. Are you into pickle or could it be that is where you are from ?

branstonboy

Thanks for the information, I didnt realise they are as big as you have indicated.

peterlee_flyer

Don't choose Midland if you want to travel the USA and Canada. 99% of the work is "running the triangle", from the NS, NB, or PEI to New York area, then to Toronto, then home again. This usually takes around 5 days, followed by 2 days off. Having talked to some drivers, I get the impression team is even worse - fixed runs, straight there and straight back, non-stop (and I mean non-stop - you sleep while the other guy drives). That's good if you want regular, predictable time at home. Pay is OK, and they pay all the little extras, like lay-overs, detention pay and breakdown pay.

However, I have also heard of conflict between the safety dept and the despatchers. They are said to be red-hot on hours compliance, yet under pressure to comlete runs that can't be done legally. If you bend the rules, you get a kicking from one side, if you don't get the job done, you get it from the other side.

branstonboy

Thanks for that insight. I'm not bothered about the team side of it, I did it for 18 months and actually enjoyed it. The scheduled part also appeals to me as I'm juggling a young family and the wife will appreciate it, although I think I might get a bit bored with it! Thanks again, I appreciate your thoughts and time.

Gremmie

Try sending a PM tp Loafy on here he drives for them

branstonboy

Thanks for that, I will do.

DAVIE_MAC

And as from today so do I.....

Now theres a surprise eh!!

Started orientation this week and will be on the road by the week end.

As far as the team driving goes haven spoken to the others they have never made a better decision...doubling the wages they were getting elsewhere.

You know when your going out, coming back, where your going... which suites me to a T....

If being highly proffesional not bending logbook rules is being over the top this also suites me and running team you should never be out of hours anyway.

DAVIE_MAC

One of the drivers summed it up today to me by saying:

As far as he believes in the Maritime region there is no better more professional company to work for anything else is a step downwards and backwards.

branstonboy

aha! Bob Curzon (?) said he'd had a Brit in his office yesterday when I spoke to him.

kb33

So C'mon Dave what was wrong with Bulk ... Spill the beans

ps : Good Luck with your new job Guess it must be easier to swap jobs in PEI than Alberta on a WP

Big Truck

That was quick!!!!

Are Bulk another one of those OTR "Meat in the seat" trucking companies who promise you the world but fail to deliver?

Gremmie

No but this is another of your 'Donkey following a carrot' posts, you realy should get a job as a " paparazi "

taff trucker

Davie,

Good luck in the new job, I held back from saying anything before as I wanted you to break your own news. I hope everything works out for you and look forward to catching up with you soon.

Steve

peterlee_flyer

That would really make your day, wouldn't it?

Why do you even care? Are you still pretending you'll ever have the courage to make the leap yourself?