Eskimo Sean

Hi, I'm trucker "Eskimo" sean. I've been driving professionaly for almost eight years now. The first four years I drove tour busses full of tourists and seniors all around the west coast of Canada and the U.S. When I had to take a layoff, I desided to upgrade my licence from a class 2 (busses) to a class 1 (everything but a motorcycle). With a little practice I learned the basic manuvering skills. I say it that way, because there is more to driving trucks than what you learn in a few thousand dollar coarse and a road tester that had a four wheeler licence.

 When I started driving semis, I found a company called Quik X. I was green with the big rigs but this is just what the O/O wanted. He ran a two truck, five man team. Two drivers were blood brothers, one was a brother in-law. The three were in their 20's - 30's. They ran for Bill for four to ten years. Kerry had ten years behind the wheel, Jeff seven, and Jason four. Then there was Pete. He was the seasoned driver, who also had another driving job plowing the highways in the interior of B.C. They wanted a young driver, who, wasn't seasoned and set in his ways of driving. When they heard mt experience level, they hired me. I was trainable to conform to the way they operated. And with time learned their combined knowlage of the road.

 Unfortunately, I could no longer handle driving team. They were great guys, however inside the truck I was feeling alittle taken for granted. I left abruptly. (I'm sure the have some not so nice words for and about me) I do miss the friendship we had, but I don't look back.

 I desided it was time to make the move to single driving. I worked for Bison Transportation as a lease op. This relationship lasted eight month. I won't dive into what happened there, however I will say I have learned from that experience.

 I then found a local company called Arrow Services. It was a jump for the fact I drove 53 foot vans, and Arrow hauled B trains. I ran the fraser Canyon daily hauling garbage to Cache Creek, and wood chips to the Lower mainland.  But that was repetitive. I needed the open road. I left Arrow to head to Challenger. All I will say is, Challenger made Bison look good!

 

After Challenger I worked for a local company running the B.C Alberta line. This was another mistake! I went to them with the intentions of hitting the ice roads up notrh this year, however, I was lured into them only to be let down. I would not hit the ice with them.

So for now, Im at that ice road company. Most of my time is at home. That's better than laying over on the road, however, I am a driver... not a sitter.

 

Eskimo



Well, I left you when I was at Trinity Transport.

I was at Trinity for a while. I tried everything, including team running with my friend. Nothing was working. There was one company in my first year that I ran one trip for, and up and left them. I was kicking myself for abandoning them. But I figured, after almost four years of thinking "no they wouldn't rehire me",

I was at my wits end. I gave them a call. I left a message for Mr. Hunt, and got a return call. Thinknig I would hear "NO", I was just calling them to know for sure. To my suprise they said they would love to rehire me. Within a week I had a truck, and was headed for Ontario to refresh the orientation. I left Trinity faster than a bolt of lightning! April 1 2008, almost four years to the day of leaving Trans Frt McNamara, I would embark on the BEST carreer move I ever made. I have had notihng but happy miles (12000 per month on average).

There was a hickup for a week or so... I told them about my videos on Youtube.com, and they did take a look at it. But one lousy day I got a quallcom (satellite) message telling me to call them. I thought it was about a collision that occurred a week before, but it was about my videos. My nderstanding is, they got an email complaining about something I did in a video. We had a few meeting, and agreed that my videos (involving Trans Frt equiptment)  would be removed. 

Durring this time of interupt with the videos, my wife and I were on the move to Indiana. She was going back, I was starting new. July 15th 2008 we landed at our house. I've been busy since then rolling off the miles, hardly home right now, but may take time off soon to take care of immigration. Right now we have it in mind that November 1st I will sit at home and wait for the papers to be filled.

But for now, life is good! 

Well well well, Looks like Eskimo's going to get a taste of eskimo weather! Back in September, I was chatting with a friendof mine that runs the ice roads. Infact he was in the reality" show, Ice Road Truckers on History Channel. Anyway, he gave me a name of a company up in Yellowknife. I called them up, and with in minutes was hired.  So in January at some point I will be flying north to shoot some video... oh and to drive on ice.

As for Trans Frt, I'm still happy with the company. Still getting the miles, respect I didn't think I'd ever find in a company! As well, I have seen home... being Indiana, Tho I haven't see home as often as I'd like, but when I'm not home I'm making money.

And speaking of Indiana, the plan is to either submit immigration papers when I go up to Yellowknife, or once I'm off the ice and taking atleast a month off, going down and submitting them then. We'll see..

The ice roads are fast approching. Gear is bought, phone calls are being made, and I'm getting restless!

Last heard the ice wasn't forming. December 1st was the last phone call, and tempratures were only -10c. However since then, the cold weather has dropped! In through Manatoba and down into North Dakota it has reached temps of -20 to -40f. With that, I'm thinkning up north should be nice and cold.

Videos have been posted on Youtube, username seansuth. Four teasers, and so far one Vlog with more to come. 

The days at Trans Frt Mcnamara are numbered now as well. As I type this, I sit in Indiana on my last night home. After the pick up in the morning, I will be headed out, probably not to return here untill after the ice. All I know at this point is I will be flowen from British Columbia to Yellowknife, so I will head west from here and stay around that area. Once I get word of the flight date, Trans Frt will be no longer.

They have been a good company, tho I have had some problems here in the recent past  If I were staying in Canada, I would return to them, however once the ice season is over I will procceed with immigration. Durring the proccess I'm sitting on my rump!  Planning to take a few months of to recoup, and deside what I want to do once I'm working again.

 

 Eskimo

  As most of you know, the ice roads were a no go for me last winter. Turned out there were less loads than anticipated. However a few weeks into the season I received a call from the local in YellowKnife. They needed a driver ASAP. To bad I stayed loyal to Trans Frt McNamara. I told them I had a load leaving in two hours heading to California. That would have been too long of a trip for them, so they found another available driver. But with that, gave hope for next season. Dj told me he would move me up the list to the number four position.

So I know what I'll be doing in the begining of next year. But in the mean time, I have to survive.

As of January 24th 2009, I removed myself from Trans Frt McNamara as a LOA. Kelly had to have a surgery to remove a tumor. There was slight complications. Wrap that up with fighting with the company to get me here the day before the surgery, but showing up twelve hours after the inital cut, I was shaken to say the least! 
The surgery went well. However the news post surgery, was not great. The Pathologist had found cancer outside the tumor. That's when I desided I needed to leave the truck. I was in no shape to drive, but more so counting the days left with my life long partner! They agreed to come and pick up the truck, and for me to take the time needed.
We went to some doctor appointment here and there, then no news. Well finally we got information. The Oncologist had looked at the slides, and wanted a second (or in this case, third) opinion, and sent the slides to a couple of universities. Turned out noone saw cancer. Now, the oncologist wants a follow up. (still hasn't called for the appointment, no new is good news right?) So we are not saying everything is hunky dory. He did mention pre cancer is a possibillity before. But he said that would be very treatable, with medication.

Well, that's some good news. But I guess every up, has a down.
Now is a good time to mention, a good freind on Youtube had posted a video of our situation asking for financial help. My freinds and family on Youtube followed threw. With their help and Kelly going back to work (way to early, but with my help) we survived the burrdens of bills! But that only could go so far.

I had gotten a phone call from Jason Hunt at Trans Frt McNamara. he said I owed them money for odds and ends and was going to send the papers. He also asked if I wanted to return. I told him yes, I would call in about a month. And so I did.

On the phone with jason, I told him I was ready to get back to work, but needed to figure out how to get there. (oh, did I mention my drivers license expires three weeks from this phone call? yes... yes  it does) He told me he had to talk to Greg and Ward, the owners and would call me back. About three days later, he DID call back. He said they talked it over, and they clame the truck was "to dirty, and wouldn't take me back". To dirty?? I would think, first, A legitamit reason to not let me back would be, technically I abandoned the truck! Second, they charged me $350 to clean the truck (oh there's a back story to that, but I'll just say FALSIFIED DOCUMENT)... If I pay to clean it, does it matter if I left it a natural desaster? Any one who saw my rig, knows I keep it clean. Winter it gets a bit dirty but still better than the average company driver.

So now I'm with out a job... and a license about to expire.
That's where Youtube freind number two comes in.

I vlogged the situation, right from January 24th. The last vlog told about Trans Frt McNamara and their backstabbing ways. In short we talked abit. He's offered to pick me up, take me to BC, and back to get everything done. On top of that, he's contacted a buddy, former employer (he's an o/o now) and quite possibly has a job lined up for me when everytihng is done. Now he (we) have been delayed due to mechanical problems with his truck, so I had to get an extention on my license. I legally can not drive, but it's still valid to the point, I wont have to retest when we arrive.

Let's hope for some good news in the next few weeks!

 Eskimo