SEAFOOD EXPRESS... By LOAFY & CHRIS12.
 

Well folks me and Chris 12 have been here at Seafood Express on Prince Edward Island Atlantic Canada for over a month now and have to say things are great and true to his word Robin Roach has been a star. Everything he has told me and others is what you get, no bull, he admits that they are not perfect all the time but do try to do their best to make life here and on the road an enjoyable experience.
They don't do all the bells and Whistles like the big firms but what you do get is a more formal relaxed feeling around the place making you feel at home from the start. You meet everyone their from Bill Keith the Boss and owner of Seafood express to the Despatchers and mechanics on a daily basis. Everyone here is friendly and genuinely pleased to see you and ask how you are doing and getting on.
You will more than likely be collected by Robin Roach at the airport who will then take you back to PEI.
On arrival at Halifax you apply for your 2 year work permit which is done within the hour and not on a PNP which you apply for at a later date.
It is best in my opinion that you get accommodation before you leave the UK which we did, Details of a very good Rental Company is available on request. We managed to secure a 2 bedroomed fully furnished apartment which is of very good spec including Electric, Hot Water,
Heating, Cable TV, and a Phone for local calls only all for $1180 a month which divided by the two of us is £295 a month. They do short rentals of six months at a time unless you require more.

This is a small company of 42 Trucks which range from the new fleet of 24 Peterbilts and a mix of Freightliners and the older stock of Volvo's which are being replaced by the Peterbilts. They change 10 trucks for new ones every year the oldest on the fleet being 3 years old.
You pay for your flight out but get that back after three months.

They mostly run down the eastern Seaboard to Delaware and back to PEI, and they do what they call the Triangle which is anything in or around that area and up to Toronto and then to Moncton and then home which is around a six day trip and the Delaware trip which should only take you around 3 1/2 days unless you catch a weekend.
They pay 32Cents a mile but considering the time that you are away on the short runs and if you take the mminimum of 36 off you could get 2 trips in 8 days. They pay a quarterly Bonus which is achievable and their is no pushing you to go out as soon as you can. Obviously you need to roll to earn the money but if it's time off you need they will accommodate The long haul trucks are for that purpose and dont slip seat those with anyone if their is a load needed to be delivered they have a fleet of local ones for that so when you get your own truck you can put what you want in and know that it will be their when you come back.

Things to do when you get here.

1. Bank Account.
2. UK car Licence change.
3. Apply for SIN Number (Takes all of ten mins )
4. Air Brake Test. ( Copy of Book Supplied by Robin )
5. Take Pre Check test and road test.

After you have a full class 1 Canadian Licence you then go out with another Seafood driver in separate trucks. No double manning here. Normally this is to guide you through Border crossings, Toll Booths, and general paperwork on the way plus orientation. This you can do until you are completely confident with the routine of things of driving OTR.

If you decide to come out to PEI and Seafood Express be prepared to bring enough money to last you for the minimum of 5 weeks and an average of 8, this is all dependant on when you can get your tests booked for both the Air Brake and Class 1 tests.
Me and Chris were both out earning 2 days after our test and we did it in just under a month.

So far things here have been great in and around the Island, everyone is friendly and helpful. As soon as they here your accent they want to talk to you but most think you are either from Australia or Ireland for some reason and Chris is a Brummie and im from Cardiff.
Bought a car and a house each with land all in this time which has not been a problem at all.
If you come accros problems your first port of call is robin who will answer if he can but if he doesn't he will find someone that does or at least a contact number were you might get help.

Robin Roach can be contacted at Seafood Express on
Tel: 001 902 892 0060
He will more than likely give you his MSN address which you can talk to him online about anything here.
Any concerns can be directed to me Loafy or Chris12 on here or direct to Robin Roach.

http://www.cbc.ca/mrl3/8752/news/fea...kers070820.wmv

Re: SEAFOOD EXPRESS... By LOAFY & CHRIS12.
 

Bloody hell Loafy thats a suprise!!!:blink:
From Trans-X to Yanke then H+R in the prairies and finally the other side of Canada to Sea-Food in PEI!!!!:thumbsup:
Everything sounds good apart from the 32c/mile,are you getting enough miles driving the triangle area and what is the pay for the "extra's"?:confused:
Also the fact that they only have 42 trucks yet every UK guy who applies gets a job,are there any natural Canadians driving for them on long haul at all?:confused:

Re: SEAFOOD EXPRESS... By LOAFY & CHRIS12.
 

Well i did my research and decided that this was the place for me after a long troll (no pun intended LOL ) across Canada as you point out.
The 32 cents a mile is ok as the cost of houses and land is at least three times less than over in the West. You can earn the money if you want to work hard or just do the smaller runs and still live very well from that.
They have loads of work here and have just secured a new contract of 770 loads a year on top of what they have already.
Not every UK driver gets a job here some are just plain rubbish and dont deserve one. There are more Canadian drivers here than UK and European ones as you are not away for that long so they dont mind doing the longer stuff. I cant give you specifics on what the actual money is yet as we have only just started earning but will keep you informed as time goes by.
This is actually a good place for you to come out to as you would not be away from the wife and kids to long and still get time to spend at home.
One UK driver just does the frozen cargo down to Delaware and Bananas back in three half days and then has three half days off normally every trip and says he can live off that no problem. He and his family are well settled here and want for nothing.
On most weekends we congregate at one persons house or another to have a few and mull things over, on the whole thou everyone is very pleased with the way things are going.
I have to say that most of this is possible because of Robin Roach from my experience so far, He is a hands on guy and enjoys doing his job and helping out where possible, i dont think this would be the case in other companies as they are mostly to big to accommodate that.

Ok just to clarify things here wages wise.
You actually get 33cents a mile which is based on an average of 130,000 miles per year.
Earnings Potential.
Bonus mileage of 2 1/2 cents per mile up to a possible $3250.00 per year. This is paid quarterly on safety, Drivers attitude, Completed driver logs,Etc.
Statutory holiday pay of $110.00 per day for 9 statutory holidays to equal a maximum of $990.00 per year. This starts after the initial three month probation period.
Four percent of your gross pay from 12 months will be paid to you as vacation pay. This is an average of $1716.00 per year.
Based on what info i have and how hard you want to work you should earn in the region of if not more than $46150.00 and does not include holiday or vacation pay.
After one year and based on safety bonus record their is a pay raise of one percent a mile which is achievable.

All the best to you and yours,

LOAFY...:thumbsup:

Re: SEAFOOD EXPRESS... By LOAFY & CHRIS12.
 

Great to hear you are doing well Loafy.I had an idea you were at Seafood as i see Jason from your old Ponty depot every night.I run out of aftersales on the Bovey change over.I was originally looking at PEI but then change to Moose jaw area but your post has changed my mind.The area looks very family "friendly".WE also wanted to be near the coast,but doesn't the temperature drop quite allot around there.Not worried about the snow,well at least my 4 kids don't.I know the housing is quite cheap but would a family of 6 survive on $46000,bearing in mind we like the basics as such;).Any other info you have would be great.:thumbsup:


Dean

(soon to be a Norbetts driver:blink:)

Re: SEAFOOD EXPRESS... By LOAFY & CHRIS12.
 

Hi deanos,
Well all i can say is give Robin a call and then chat to him online on MSN, he will give you his addy.
Yeah it gets cold here but no different to the rest of Canada and at this moment its still shining bright in the sky like a summers day and has been for most of the time we have been here. Houses range from a years salary back home to 200.000 plus but they are huge with loads of land.
Living out of town you will definitely get what you are looking for at the right price.
Most i have spoke to spend about $75 to $100 a week on shopping but they do what they call the saturday morning flyers were they sell bulk stuff cheap. I guess you might be spending a bit more than that as there is 6 of you.
You can get cheap good cars here, most have high mileage but they only go in a straight line most of the time and not much more than 90 to a 110 kmh,
This place is the dogs but i expect if i was somewhere else i might say the same but it really is a good place to live, park your car leave the doors undone, leave your house undone, just a real friendly place to live all in all. I guess that could change over the years but i think it will be a long time before that happens.
All the best,

LOAFY...:thumbsup:

Re: SEAFOOD EXPRESS... By LOAFY & CHRIS12.
 

Well hello finally xxxxxxxxxx

Re: SEAFOOD EXPRESS... By LOAFY & CHRIS12.
 

Nice to see your post, have been looking out for it.

You have finally confessed.

Behave yourself tomorrow with my hubby and we will have a few drinks at ours soon.

Can I have your autograph now, I think you became quite a celebrity with your disappearing act

Kerry.

xxxxxxxxxxxx

Re: SEAFOOD EXPRESS... By LOAFY & CHRIS12.
 

nice 1 Loafy and Chris, the maritimes are beautiful we can't wait to be there:thumbup:

Take care and good luck with everything

Re: SEAFOOD EXPRESS... By LOAFY & CHRIS12.
 

I looked into them a while ago, but read they require 10 years experience? So I automatically had to dismiss them.

Would this be correct ?

Re: SEAFOOD EXPRESS... By LOAFY & CHRIS12.
 

Hi curtnir.

The answer to your question is NO, you don't need ten years ex. But one thing i will say when you talk to Robin! do not under any circumstances feed him bull, because if you get here and his anti bull s==t radar clocks you, you'll be back on the plane quicker than you got off it. All he akes is a couple of years experience i think. Call him he will tell you himself.
Keep up the good reading.

Chris12.

Re: SEAFOOD EXPRESS... By LOAFY & CHRIS12.
 

Don't wory kerry. we'll look after him and make sure he's tucked up in bed at night:thumbsup::rofl:

Send me your email addy will ya.

Chris12. xx

Re: SEAFOOD EXPRESS... By LOAFY & CHRIS12.
 

Ah no prob Kerry we will show him how it's done LOL :rofl::rofl:
Thanks for the status you can have me anytime :eek:

LOAFY...xxxx...

Re: SEAFOOD EXPRESS... By LOAFY & CHRIS12.
 

Thanks for the luck, you will love this place it's just beauiful, rolling hills sea all around just great scenery full stop.

YEAH NOW THATS WHAT IM TALKING ABOUT:thumbsup:

LOAFY...:thumbsup:

Re: SEAFOOD EXPRESS... By LOAFY & CHRIS12.
 

So when do you get the new bike:p

Re: SEAFOOD EXPRESS... By LOAFY & CHRIS12.
 

Ah who knows when, tricky one that not sure if i will or not be a while i think thou.

LOAFY...:thumbsup:

Re: SEAFOOD EXPRESS... By LOAFY & CHRIS12.
 

GREAT PICS

Re: SEAFOOD EXPRESS... By LOAFY & CHRIS12.
 

makes you wonder at what point they simply can't hire anymore drivers? many including myself have all but decided on pei but no good if theres no jobs going!

Re: SEAFOOD EXPRESS... By LOAFY & CHRIS12.
 

:p:p I knew this long ago,but wasnt allowed to tell:o:o
Good luck to you both:thumbsup:

Re: SEAFOOD EXPRESS... By LOAFY & CHRIS12.
 

You are exactly correct there

Isn't this just like some of the other threads once someone decides to go some where EVERYONE IS GOING THERE !!!

Gremmie mentioned this in some of his posts its just like sheep....the last time I was on here when I get the chance to post with being away all the time the flavour of the month was RJ Hoffman because of BLAH BLAH BLAH :confused::confused:

What about all the other companies throughout Canada can no one think for themselves anymore....Winnipeg is an excellent city with excellent companies and affordable housing with massive facilities

As is Stienbach and all round that area.

If you want good trucking advice then you need to look at the trucking forums as Big Truck has mentioned. On there are Canadian truckers & Ex-Pats who have been there for years....Open your eyes guys try think for yourself, ask them questions they will be only too glad to help.

Similar cost of housing and diff in wages = 0.32 PEI ------ 0.40 / 0.42 Winnipeg.

Re: SEAFOOD EXPRESS... By LOAFY & CHRIS12.
 

Hi gremmie,

thanks for the good wishes, as you know only a selected few knew where we were. But i have to say i think some people on this thread already think this is a recruitment drive. IT'S NOT. The reason for this thread is to let people know what we're upto and how we are getting on. Loafy put in the details so if people want they can get in touch with us or seafood themselves to ask questions. Men on the ground so to speak. any how we're both out this afternoon on the way to Willmington in Delaware so we'll keep you all posted along the way.

Chris12.

Re: SEAFOOD EXPRESS... By LOAFY & CHRIS12.
 

Kerry,
I know you've been living in PEI for a while now,can I ask you how you've found the climate?
Its just reading the main PEI Gov webite/CIC climate reports for PEI it sounds as if there is no real Spring to talk of, really just a long winter but with a reasonably warm Summer and a wonderful Fall.
It also sounds as if the weather changes on the island more often than the UK if thats possible!!!:eek:
Do you reckon the weather in Nova Scotia would have the four seasons more defined although not as exteme in Winter/Summer as the prairie provinces?:confused:
Also is there much for the "wifey" to "content" herself with two toddlers while Hubby would be "munching" the miles for 4/5/6 days away?

Re: SEAFOOD EXPRESS... By LOAFY & CHRIS12.
 

Hi Paul,

Just to let you know there is a massive shortage of drivers across Canada. A lot of youngsters leave the island to go west for better money, Me and Loafy opted for seafood simply because of the personal touch ie msn anytime contact with Robin Any questions were answerd.:thumbsup::thumbup:and it's not so vast as the other provinces over here so the transition isn't so bad.. and i can't really see the point in being away from the wife and kids for 17 days or so when i can roughly earn the equivelant money over 5 to 6 days away. If you have any questions of concerns ring Robin at seafood he is quite approachable.:):):)

Chris12

Re: SEAFOOD EXPRESS... By LOAFY & CHRIS12.
 

THIS IS NOT A RECRUITMENT DRIVE....


All this thread is for is questions and answers and some personal experience of Canada. Thanks for reading it anyway......:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

Chris12

Re: SEAFOOD EXPRESS... By LOAFY & CHRIS12.
 

Hi Big Truck

We arrived on the 1st of June and it was straight into shorts and t-shirts. I don't know how long it had been warm for but it was defo summer at that point, the neighbours had a pool up and were using it all the time.

We have rain today and it looks set to stay, however this is the first day in about a month that it has been like this, I have no doubt it will get steadily worse but they are equipped to deal with the weather.

We were here in feb and it was cold but as soon as it snowed the roads and paths were clear. There were mounds of snow at the sides of the road but it was not a problem. The weather has only just turned , we had a bbq yesterday as it was so warm. I have now seen some of the winter, experienced the summer and fall and cannot decide which one I like most.

There will be plenty to keep your family busy, I have got the boys involved in ice skating at the local rink, there are toddler groups, indoor swimming pools, playcentres , cinemas and parks all over the place.

Hope this helps

Re: SEAFOOD EXPRESS... By LOAFY & CHRIS12.
 

Thank you very much,
yes it has.:thumbup:

Re: SEAFOOD EXPRESS... By LOAFY & CHRIS12.
 

QUOTE "You are exactly correct there

Isn't this just like some of the other threads once someone decides to go some where EVERYONE IS GOING THERE !!!

Gremmie mentioned this in some of his posts its just like sheep....the last time I was on here when I get the chance to post with being away all the time the flavour of the month was RJ Hoffman because of BLAH BLAH BLAH :confused::confused:

What about all the other companies throughout Canada can no one think for themselves anymore....Winnipeg is an excellent city with excellent companies and affordable housing with massive facilities

As is Stienbach and all round that area.

If you want good trucking advice then you need to look at the trucking forums as Big Truck has mentioned. On there are Canadian truckers & Ex-Pats who have been there for years....Open your eyes guys try think for yourself, ask them questions they will be only too glad to help.

Similar cost of housing and diff in wages = 0.32 PEI ------ 0.40 / 0.42 Winnipeg. " QUOTE






I think Chris and loafy just wanted to put a positive post on here. As you can see from previous threads they were missed and people were genuinely curious to know how they were doing.

Seafood do not need to recruit through this site and it is unfair to think that grown men can be manipulated into " selling" their new job to perspective employees.

At least they had the balls to come out and have a look , they are not passing judgement from their armchairs in the UK .












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Re: SEAFOOD EXPRESS... By LOAFY & CHRIS12.
 

:eek: my post wasn't meant as a pop at anybody, far from it! but the fact is if seafood only run 42 wagons then they surely can't be continually hiring drivers even if there is a shortage locally? not wanting to pee on anyones fire just trying to look at things logically thats all, my thoughts are based on what i know which is how things are in the uk not canada, here a company maybe wins a new contract and in turn needs, say twenty new drivers but once those positions are filled it's back to a case of one out, one in, maybe things are different over there and theres haulage that's simply going begging because no firm can cover the loads?
nothing to do with jumping on any bandwagon just purely an observation that some having made a choice on where they'd like to live maybe dissapointed to find that the job no longer exists, or at least not at a time they wont to go.

Re: SEAFOOD EXPRESS... By LOAFY & CHRIS12.
 

i've spoke to robin a few times and he comes across as a nice bloke that isn't trying to sell you something, merely "come and have a look and see what you think?" which at the end of the day is all you want.

Re: SEAFOOD EXPRESS... By LOAFY & CHRIS12.
 

No problem Paulburt, the response above from me was to the pervious poster (scott66)
I just think it is great to have positive posts on here.

Re: SEAFOOD EXPRESS... By LOAFY & CHRIS12.
 

OOOPS Sorry for the offence but you have to admit all depending on the flavour of the month is where BAA people on here tend to head for....these guys were going to Yanke....H&R and all over the gaff then end up on the other side of Canada.


I am sorry again but I really really can not see how you can live off these fig's.

That would mean he only works 16 days out of a 31 day month.

How many miles a day is that - even say at 600 that is 10hrs solid driving = approx $38.000 (£16.000) before Tax. Even at lower house prices I fail to see how single people let alone a family can live off that.
OK the houses are cheaper but you still have to stop converting into UK £ and the prices in Canada are more or less equal in $ to what we pay here in £ once you start earning $'s

Unless you go there & have no mortgage and a large savings account the fig's dont add up even the bloke in the TV trailer stated all the youngsters head off for better wages and the PEI immigration have put a bar on you applying for PNP for 6 months now because the majority of people are leaving once they get PR which they told me was because of the wages and PEI having one of the highest taxes in Canada they also told me when i saw them at the emmigrate expo that your partner CAN NOT work until you get PR so your are stuck on one wage until then which could take 12 months or more if things dont go smoothly.

What about:

Buying a car
White goods to replace
Shopping
Fuel - Household
Gas - Car = cheap $0.98 approx (yep give you that)
Health care insurance
Dental
clothing
House Hold Insurance
Electric
Car Insurance
Difficulty in gain proper credit (secure credit card but you still have to give them the money first)
Holidays (doubt it)
FLights back to UK in case of emergency
etc etc etc
Please don't take all the above the wrong way it is just what i have been told and found out.

& yes i have been out in Canada quite a few times travelling all over.

Re: SEAFOOD EXPRESS... By LOAFY & CHRIS12.
 

We are not rolling in money and yes it would be nice if seafood paid more but we want the quality of life more than cash in the bank . It stays relative across canada (earn more then the houses cost more ). I would never recommend somebody come here to live or work because you need to see it and experience it. However I do not know anybody that has come here and not fell in love with the place (including lots of family from the uk who did not want us to leave !)

Re: SEAFOOD EXPRESS... By LOAFY & CHRIS12.
 

The following is a post I "trolled" from the wages for truckers thread from an ex-SF driver:

(quote)
Start at Charlottetown terminal 18/04/07, go to Souris, PEI to collect load, 53.10 miles.
Take load to Sacramento, Pennsylvania, for delivery on 20/04/07, 1,051.00 miles.
Go to Richwood, New Jersey, pick up load, 162.00 miles.
Take load to Etobicoke, Ontario, for delivery on 22/04/07 514.60 miles.
Go to Cambridge, Ontario, pick up load on 23/04/07 56.00 miles.
Take load to Moncton, New Brunswick, for delivery on 25/04/07 1007.80 miles.
return to Charlottetown terminal on 25/04/07 113.80 miles.

Total miles 2,959.20, away from home for 8 days, Gross pay $976.53,
Take home pay $673.23, stoppages were, Tax $222.71, EI $17.58, CPP $45.01, Blue Cross $18.00. Approx $673.23 for 8 days away, is that good?
You work it out.

Bear in mind the miles they pay bears no relation to the miles you drive as they use a standard mileage chart for all trips, so if you get diverted or lost you don't get any extra. (unquote)

Is this the typical take home pay for 8 days away and can a family of 4 survive on this in PEI and have a decent "disposable income" without resorting to other savings if the wife can't work but we have no mortgage to pay?:confused:
Do Seafood Express pay for:
Border crossings
Meat inspections
Layovers
Live loading/unloading?

Re: SEAFOOD EXPRESS... By LOAFY & CHRIS12.
 

I have no idea but I can find out when hubby gets home.

Loafy and chris may know, I am sure they will be watching this thread.

The longer runs are there for the drivers if they want them, we don't at the minute. I acknowledge that this is due to us having a good deposit and low mortgage.

Re: SEAFOOD EXPRESS... By LOAFY & CHRIS12.
 

I can tell you that the last few runs he has done have typically been leave saturday night and back home tuesday night (if delayed wednesday morning.)

Once tax and such like are removed he brings home about $550 a week. Bonuses and holiday pay top it up but we are still getting our head round these

Kerry

Re: SEAFOOD EXPRESS... By LOAFY & CHRIS12.
 

what about the toll crossing to get off the island does sf give your oh funds upfront or have they got a prepay system cause it looks quite exspensive to tale truck off the island

Re: SEAFOOD EXPRESS... By LOAFY & CHRIS12.
 

I believe it is on a card/swipe system.

Re: SEAFOOD EXPRESS... By LOAFY & CHRIS12.
 

Are you able to get by alright on $550/week being brought into the house? sounds awfully low to me!!:eek:
You must have to really budget being at home?:huh:
I take it your only running one car?
Are you able to eat out much?
You are not "dipping into" other savings brought from the UK at all?
I suppose there are runs when you could do say 6 days one week and maybe 4 days the next in order to bring in a little bit more with the extra miles, are the dispatchers "flexible" this way?:unsure:

Can I ask a little favour and get your hubby to work out how much he is paid "hourly" as in the amount of time he's driving/loading/fuelling/cleaning etc ref his gross wages for the $550/week take home?
I have the feeling his "hourly" rate is going to scare the "Bejesus" out of me!!!!

Re: SEAFOOD EXPRESS... By LOAFY & CHRIS12.
 

The above in red is all they pay for. They also don't pay for breakdowns.

They also don't book any of your tests it's all up to you & if you aint got them sorted you aint gonna earn.

When I asked them about wages it was sort of side swiped by "Drivers can earn good money it's up to them" the above regarding Layovers etc had to be forced out of them when I enquired. Also when the tourists leave & the potatoe crops have been harvested there is a big slump in work where your earnings can virtually be halved which could last for up to 8 weeks.

So I have been told by other drivers there.

PS when the bridge is closed which has happened then your stuck and if your stuck you aint earning again.

Sorry but people did ask

Re: SEAFOOD EXPRESS... By LOAFY & CHRIS12.
 

I will have a word with robin from seafood to check some of these questions out . I dont want to guess and make a mistake.

We have always said the wages at seafood are not great. We have not really had a normal month of bills yet as we moved into the house in July and have had visitors ever since. We have been spending more money than we normally would. We are doing ok, if things get rough we can ask for more hours or I could look for a job.

When we were in the uk we earnt £60,000 a year between us, wanted for nothing and could do what we wanted when we wanted to. The question is are we better off here? I say without a shadow of a doubt yes.

I do work to a budget but I don't panic about it, we quite often go out or have people over

The 5th wheel, boat, truck etc will happen one day but until then we will have to be content.

I understand this is a huge decison and of course finances are paramount but nothing is forever, if seafood are not as good as other companies we can move , if PEI becomes a shit hole we can move.

Working out the hourly rate will make you weep, it doesn't work like that here.

Re: SEAFOOD EXPRESS... By LOAFY & CHRIS12.
 

All tolls and border crossings are coverd by sea food. via electronic tags but you don't pay to get over borders anyway.
Seafood gave us $200 $100 usa $100 can. watching threads.
be home soon to reply to all.:thumbup:

Go get em Kerry. x:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup: