by wtfcanada2015@gmail.com | Dec 3, 2016 | BLOG
Ted Light wrote his own version of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.
It was a touching account of a trucker trying to make it home to his family on Christmas Eve.
It’s been 10 years but this month, I thought I’d share this special Christmas poem:
‘Twas the run before Christmas, in the cab of my truck, A hundred miles from home, I’m in need of some luck.
The kids hung their stockings, but are feeling quite sad, They must go to bed now, and they wonder, “Where’s Dad?”
With a kiss and a hug, all will be right, But alone in the kitchen, Mom grows more uptight.
Earlier that day, the children were grinning, As they speckled the tree, with bright balls and trimming.
Then sipping hot chocolate, and playing Christmas songs, And talking about Daddy, who’s been gone too long.
And now I can see her, her brow creased with fret, As the children start dreaming, there’s no presents yet.
Curled on the couch, running a hand through her hair, In the glow of the tree lights, hoping I’ll be there.
Then I imagine the morning, with my love at my side, In tumbling our children. I must finish this ride.
Howling winds, blowing snow, and ahead all is white, Doubts creeping in. Will I make it tonight?
Beside me in the cab, with the wind unforgiving, Pretty packages sit waiting, for sweet Christmas giving.
I’ve a truckload of wishes, and I must deliver, But the storm keeps on roaring, as my old engine shivers.
It’s hardy and stubborn, and it’s taken me miles, And I’ll need it tonight, to see my kids’ smiles.
Rolling over the drifts, rubber gripping the snow, My big rig keeps moving, but ever so slow.
I’m gripping the wheel, and grinding her gears, And that fierce wind’s just whistling, and I can’t hardly steer.
And great gusts are blowing me, to the side of the road, And I’m fighting my fear, as I steady my load.
What was that I noticed, with a glance to the sky, Could the weather be clearing, did a star catch my eye?
And then, in a heartbeat, not a moment too soon, The night sky emerges, twinkling stars and bright moon.
With clear road ahead, I quickly arrive, The children peek from the window, as I pull in the drive.
I pat the door of my rig, as my feet touch the ground, For on this special night, it brought me home safe and sound.
With a heart full of joy, and a smile on my face, I open our door, to a loving embrace.
The gifts round the tree, make a beautiful sight, Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!
by wtfcanada2015@gmail.com | Nov 30, 2016 | BLOG
Becoming a Professional Driver isn’t an easy decision. Some have personal or financial issues to deal with to obtain their goal. They are often scared of the unknown , yet excited to start a new journey in life.
I’m going to share a recent email I received . I’m leaving out names to protect the identity of the sender.
I researched the Trucking Industry in Canada as a possible career choice, after about 10 years I decided that it was the right choice and fit for my current circumstances . Since I have no spouse ,children , or family commitments to impede on my ability to work long haul.
Since I graduated at the end of October with my full license , I have been in contact with many different Carriers via phone or email in the BC area. Many companies stated they required 1 to 2 yrs mountain experience . Sadly for an industry that is saying they have a driver’s shortage it’s a hard one to enter. Only 3 so far offer a training program for a Novice Driver . 1 stating they don’t train in the winter month’s but feel free to call back in the spring.
BC has some of the largest and steepest mountain highways , with bends and curves of the terrain . I feel this is the perfect training area for a Novice Driver to gain valuable skills and experience . If a Novice Driver can be trained with a trainer in the winter months ,they will gain improved skills prior to the following winter season . It is vital that Novice Drivers gain winter driving skills with a trainer as opposed to spring,summer or fall. Why complete training and send them out on their own with no winter experience.
It is the worst feeling for someone like myself to spend $8000 to $10,000 on training and been successful in obtaining my license . To ultimately get trapped in the never ending funnel of ” experience required “. Hearing this over and over again becomes very emotionally defeating experience to a Novice Driver . As a Novice Driver I believe that my skills as a driver will weaken over time as I wait to find someone to train me.
This is 1 of a few emails or phone calls we’ve received from new drivers. I decided to share this in hopes that we as a whole in the Trucking Industry can find a solution to this problem . This isn’t just a West coast problem, it’s across the country problem .
Drivers if your interested and willing to train please go to your company and let them know. Not sure how or what to teach ? Ask them to send you for a training seminar . Even if your company doesn’t have a program in place, go talk to them…you just maybe what they’ve been waiting for !!
Carriers have you asked your driver’s if their interested in training ? Are you offering a paid training course ? Have you gotten feedback from your driver’s on your training program ?
Some food for thought ….
I quite often hear we only put Women with Women and Men with Men. I know of 1 carrier who introduced the trainer/spouse to the trainee/spouse in an informal social setting a few times prior to the 1st trip. So they could talk and get to feel comfortable with each other . Another carrier puts the trainer in a hotel room and the trainee sleeps in the truck. Another asks the trainers spouse how they feel about it and answers any questions they may have.
This isn’t about pointing fingers , it’s about finding a solution to an area of concern within the Trucking Industry .
by wtfcanada2015@gmail.com | Nov 25, 2016 | BLOG, Uncategorized
An interview with Ruth Degen-Mackenzie, veteran driver
(By Michel Robichaud / “The Request Project”.)
Sunday 6:30 pm as I stop to park my vehicle in front of the ACS (Armour Courier service) building on Edinburg Dr. in Moncton, a sand colored GMC
pick up truck stops in a near distance. Realizing it’s the security guard, I decide to walk over to let him know about the purpose of my presence. Fifteen minutes later appears a white Freightliner Cascadia carrying a box trailer identified as SLH recognizable to its color scheme .
Ruth Degen-Mackenzie is pulling into the yard as the eighteen wheeler describes a wide loop in the middle of rising dust.
From the time she was dispatched and left with her load at Bridgewater Nova Scotia up in Moncton, less than five hours had passed. On schedule for our meeting, my camera focuses, already zooming on the motion sequence. Looking at the massive semi immobilized and introductions made, yet talking about all sorts and soon completing the photo shoot the ice would soon be broken!
But first things first, “there’s absolutely no lady thing” with Ruth and laughing about it, we then settle for “trucking gal” as her proper way to bring up our subject as far as introducing women in the trucking context.
Born on June 17, 1959 in Digby N.S. Ruth comes from a family whose grand father had been driving box trucks for local companies at one point in his life. Being a second generation driver by following those footsteps, one can surely testify that her fourteen years of experience behind the big wheel (including ten driving as team) runs in her blood. Currently working for SLH (Sears Long Haul) mostly running Canada/U.S. and travelling two main corridors; hauling basically tires from the Nova Scotia Michelin plant to South Carolina, Maryland, Alabama, Arkansas and Illinois states and delivering back to Canada. “We also haul tires from the province to Montreal QC and London ONT amongst other goods”. Finding her comfort zone with this company underlines all the importance and also the meaning of her past experiences. And yes, a million miller she is. Accumulating as well as logging in countless hours of operation is easier said than done she reminds us.
I asked Ruth what kept her there? “The respect and good treatment given to the drivers…” and adding “…It’s so great! The dispatchers have your back and do whatever they can to make things right… The runs are great also!” As I still listen, she replies “This company runs almost exclusive drop & hook, so not being stuck on a dock or unloading. If a tire load isn’t ready, then they will send you to pick up appliances or some other things that Sears sells. So there’s no sitting around; it is very, very rare to get a layover! They give you more than enough time to deliver. But should something happen, you just let them know and no questions asked. They only change the appointment time. If you get somewhere and there is no load ready, you still have driving time; they pay you for lost driving time.” In conclusion she mentions “I wish I had started there from the beginning.”
Trucking from Ruth’s perspective brings her back to her childhood memories when, at the young age of 13, she remembers pointing up at trucks passing by and telling to her friends “I’m going to drive those one of these days which would put them into hysterical laughter.” (I was so short…). And that resonating phrase “you won’t be able to reach the pedals!” surely made its effect; only in her mind it had a much different meaning. Thinking “Where do they go and what do they get to see!”.
Sure enough, her dream came to be, only much later in life after going on a trip in the U.S. with her eighteen year old sun who already had his class 1 driver’s license. She knew at this point in time what to aim for. E.I. (Employment Insurance) had given her the opportunity to join a local truck driving program. More determined than ever, Ruth had also convinced family and relatives of their full support and encouragement. No one, she says, was surprised about her decision. “My mom was proud of me doing it yet at the same time she worried. But she seemed to be a little more at ease as long as I ran team”.
Thereupon, Ruth is part of the growing presence of women whose contribution bring a whole new approach to this way of life as it does within the trucking industry. “Most people have no idea what this industry is about; but when I tell them I get paid to travel, you can see the light coming in their head so-to-speak.” The fact is that in a daily routine, drivers are bound to adapt themselves with numerous situations including driving time and in many cases long sleepless hours.
And the industry itself is in a constant changing mode. Finding your place and fitting in is a matter of three important elements in Ruth’s book: education, mentoring and security. Her advice to future generation who seek or ambition the specific profession would be the following recommendation: “…It would be nice to get the gals out there on career day, bring the truck and show things off, help them getting a good start on trucking life”.
A lot of drivers, such as Ruth Degen-Mackenzie, travel with a pet as companion. Mr. Chewie was seeking for a home and was offered as a gift to her husband as she states it: “This day I know because it was the hubby’s birthday gift…
Now this is the kicker, I’m getting a free Main coon cat, and his answer is no! (I never understood why he said that)”. As for me this cat made an impression on me just by its size. I never thought how big they could be.
Spending time on the road means making some for our interview when at a stop, at the end of the day (when extra energy can be spared) or on her days off. It made me realize that Facebook came in handy as more than half of our conversation was done over the keyboard.
A full working week has passed, crossing a long period of heavy rain stretching from Tennessee to Ohio state (640 miles) really puts you on your toes. Having logged in 3846 miles all combined and waiting for the next trip. As she recalls, the Freightliner is her rolling home; being away most of the time has develop Ruth’s sense of steady routine, particularly on well managed organisation around pre-trips. From home cooked meals to last minute verification’s of her truck prior to departure time.
On another note, Ruth describes herself as a ‘witch’ “To me a Witch is someone who listens to your feelings, pay attention to surroundings, learn to read and see the signs so to speak”; Being connected with life and people is a rule and fitting in a man’s world takes much determination even today; only in Ruth’s opinion it’s all in the mind and pretty simple: “If you want it bad enough you will become a trucker”… “We have more patience and we are more careful… I think the mother side of us really wants to make sure we don’t hurt anyone or anything”. In conclusion her professional background can be described as a hard one but well earned as far as experience is concerned.
Ruth Degen-Mackenzie to me is a living example for the younger generation although strength of character is definitely an asset . “… the fact we hit the road and live the excitement of travelling long distances is a great thing, but most importantly, I keep my beloved ones in mind…”
Interview realized in June of 2016 in Moncton N.B.
Photo credits: On Silver Wheels Photography.
Check out Michel’s Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/On-Silver-Wheels-Photography-783159908374048/
Email Michel Robichaud at michelrobichaud88@yahoo.ca
Website coming in 2017
by wtfcanada2015@gmail.com | Nov 24, 2016 | BLOG
TRUCKERS HELPING TRUCKING FAMILIES IN NEED AT CHRISTMAS
We are excited to announce that we are now a 501(c)(3) registered charity and gearing up for our 2016 fundraising drive.
As many of you know we have run this group under various organizations every year. In 2014 we were informed by our latest partner that we would need to go out on our own. By August 10th 2014 we had a corporation formed and bylaws in place. Now after months of government forms etc. we are now a fully registered 501(c)(3) charity.
What this means is that we can now collect money legally and properly, and in our own name. We can issue tax receipts to donors and our corporate sponsors. It also means that the money donated will now be non-taxable, none of us want your hard earned money going to taxes instead of the families. We wanted to set this up properly and by doing so we are now fully in control and will not have to rely on others anymore.
The core group of founders, Maggie, Eldon, Greg, as well as Mark, Mary and Kerry, and many long term volunteers are all involved in this venture and want this to be the best year yet. Everybody involved in this group is a volunteer and receives no renumeration for there work with the TruckersChristmasGroup. All monies raised go towards the families and minimal operating expenditures.
The Truckers Christmas group began in 2008 by Truckers who wanted to help Truckers and their families that have fallen on bad times, have a better Christmas.
Thanks to your help the Christmas Group has raised $66,000 and helped 112 trucking families in need over the last 7 years and we would love to help even more this year.
You can help us help others by checking out our Truckers Christmas Group Christmas Store where you can shop for all sorts of deals on amazing products that have been donated by our sponsors. All proceeds raised in the store go to the Christmas fund. 50/50 tickets
On November 24th 2016 we will strart accepting nominations for trucking families in need until a couple of weeks before Christmas. Applicants must be truck drivers to qualify for assistance. We will be dispersing funds to qualifying families in time for Christmas. Check back here soon for more information and be sure to visit and like our Facebook page at https://m.facebook.com/truckerschristmasgroup.org
Open to Canadian and American Drivers.
Please help the Women’s Trucking Federation Of Canada support this worthy cause.
by wtfcanada2015@gmail.com | Nov 23, 2016 | BLOG
Did you roll your eyes at that 350-pound man in front of you in the all-you-can-eat buffet line? Would you judge him a little differently if you learned that he has an inoperable brain tumor and needs to take steroids that blow up his size?
Remember the way you screamed and glared at that lady who started to drift into your lane? Would you have reacted any different if you knew that she was driving home from the hospital after her daughter just passed away?
Did you judge that guy who stood helplessly by, while the lady in front of him struggled to lift her heavy carry-on bag from the overhead bin? Would you think differently if you knew he was flying home from two spine surgeries and wasn’t allowed to raise his arms or lift anything more than five pounds?
Or maybe that guy you thought was rude, because he didn’t acknowledge your greeting in the elevator? Would you cut him a little more slack if you discovered that he just left his lawyer’s office making a bankruptcy filing for his business, and was thinking about how to tell his family?
You remember what you thought about that lady in front of you at the checkout, trying to sneak 11 items in then 10 or less line? Would it matter so much to you if she had a special needs child at home, or was a caretaker for an elderly parent, and she was desperate to get back to them quickly?
You know that new guy that seemed aloof to you? Would you have given him more of a chance if you found out he has social anxiety disorder and needs extra time to open up to people?
Did you think that guy on the subway was a jerk because he didn’t get up and offer his seat to that elderly lady? What if he’s a wounded warrior and under those slacks are two prosthetic legs that he’s still learning to balance on?
Maybe the better question is simply this…
Are we too quick to judge?
Author unknown
