Wabasca World
Well I know it’s been a long while since I posted here at truckers lair and I’m sorry for that but I’ve been trying to sort some things out with my trucking career. I had worked up to October for the previous company and didn’t make enough money to tide me over until the start of next season in April, so I decided to try another path. I made the decision to go to the oil patch in northern Alberta to see if I could get some good pay for twelve months of the year with a regular work shift for me and my truck. I choose a company that is stationed in Wabasca, Alberta and in December I started my orientation in Edmonton, Alberta. In January I was told that production had been cut back and I wouldn’t be able to start work until March. Needless to say I was disappointed but what could I do? I had made my decision and would wait it out.
In the beginning of March I went out to Alberta to get all the necessary paperwork in order and it became a nightmare to say the least. I had to get another inspection on my truck even though I had just had one in BC completed. In Alberta it seems the rules are different as my brakes didn’t pass inspection although they had passed in BC. After getting my inspection certificate I next had to get registration for my truck which it turns out can only be done if you live in Alberta. Since I actually live in BC this became a problem that could only be resolved by my company transferring the title of the truck into my personal name and showing my resident address as the community where I would be working.
This community is called Wabasca, a small first nations community northeast of Slave Lake, Alberta. Once I got there I discovered that my workmans compensation coverage was no good in Alberta and I had to apply for Alberta coverage. Finally when I was able to actually start work, I was told that I was expected to ride along with another trucker for 8 days of training at my own expense. In other words for free.
On March 28 I was finally able to haul my first load of crude oil from the well tanks to the battery…unbelievable!! This had better be the good paying position that every other owner operator here is telling me or I can see myself only staying here for a few months to get my finances straight then its back to BC for me.
Oh did I mention that because it took so long to get to finally turn a wheel that I’m now learning all the roads during the break up which is when the permafrost starts to melt and turn into about 8 inches of mud. Oh well what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger right?
Bye for now, hope I can find the time to keep you posted here as to my progress and maybe take a few pictures as well. Wish me luck…