Question:
Ok, sorry to fire so many questions... But now that I am doing this for a living I gotta figure out how things work as best I can. My question this time is which side of the border pays better.
In Canada I imagine you are paid by the KM instead of Mile, and I have seen a lot of Canadian trucks already as far south as Mississippi which means their crossing the border and running lots of miles. The downside, of course, is that you get paid in funny money, which might not translate so well.
I am asking because, through no fualt of my own, I am a dual US and Canada citizen, so in theory I should be able to work on either side of the border.
If anyone has any tips on this it would really be appreciated.
Answer:
You have duel citizinship but you didn't say where you lived USA or Canada..
That would decide it for me.. Canada has all those taxes.. PST, GST ect.. (Also high utility bills in the north...) Alcohol, cigaretts, and beef are pricey in Canada..
Canada has a national health care system.. Guess you have to weigh your options.. I am biased I am an American, but used to work for a Canadian company when I was in NH. (I drove for Sunbury Amer. Inc)
I crossed over a LOT.... 3-5 times a week.... I felt we Americans had the better deal..(Oh and better trucks too)
Answer:
Gonzo has a few points....Yes the taxes are higher..6% GST +8% PST on purchases also Income taxes UI CPP etc etc( as a company driver making 60k before taxes)...you would take home apprx 38-42K) be an owner op...depends on what you can write off..to lessen the taxes
...although I really haven't seen much difference in trucks since all the trucks available in the USA are available in Canada...depends on what you want and how much $$ ...........very correct in the smoking and alcohol area...cheap smokes =$8-850a pack ..premium $11.50) 24 pack beer $30 and up
Actually all company's I have seen in Ontario and Alberta and such pay per Mile( have never seen one pay in cents per KM)....rates for drivers can range anywhere from .32cpm to as high as .45 depending on the company and what they haul.
Health care yes is covered by OHIP.....but it is far from anything to stand up and cheer over..
TO be perfect honest both country's have advantages verses the other but are still very much the same in many ways too...there is no doubt Canada is NOT CHEAP to live in ....
Ontario has a vast amount of companies seeking drivers......as well as Alberta..due to the Oil Fields( but you best love -40degress and colder in the winter trapping and chaining.in Northern Alberta...........this is before wind chill factored in ).....
Dont even get me started on driving on the Ice roads over the lakes....up there in the extreme North....hauling huge weight....on ice 5+ feet thick and hearing it cracking nothing can perpare you for that until you lived it ( HOS does not apply there....25mph tops, Speeding gets you fired instantly or killed when you go through the ice.....18hour days min..7 days a week driving through white out conditions all the time ....no days off due to the shortness of the season)
Best of Luck