Navigating the Challenges of the Trucking Market: Insights from Canadian Owner-Operator Samuel Bissonette

Freight Nation: A Trucking Podcast

In this episode of Freight Nation: A Trucking Podcast, host Brent Hutto is joined by Samuel Bissonnette, a Canadian owner-operator.

Join them as they discuss:

• Samuel’s journey in the trucking industry
• The significance of providing good service to brokers and customers
• The challenges faced in the current market
• Why passion for trucking is crucial for success in the industry
• Improvements in technology
• The heartwarming story of how he was reunited with his dog, Denver

Samuel Bissonnette is a Canadian truck driver who has been an owner-operator for around 13 years. He hit the news recently after losing then finding his dog, Denver, in the Virginian town of Blacksburg.

Episode Highlights:

[22:08] Samuel says that with the advent of technology services and data services, he is able to run his business all by himself. For instance, technology has allowed him to meet the conditions of the broker that needs him to inform them on what's going on. Samuel also says that better technology has allowed him to deal with the broker the way he wants to deal with the broker, which is different to the experience of working for a bigger company.

[26:18] Samuel offers three pieces of advice to those looking to become an owner-operator. Firstly he says that commitment to the lifestyle is important, since being an owner-operator is a lot more work than just being an employee. The next piece of advice relates to learning and understanding the costs involved. Samuel says that being an owner-operator depends on being aware of the financial costs involved with a range of loads and distances. Lastly, Samuel says that while one owner-operator will never be able to give the service of multiple trucks, the best thing you can do is give great service.

[30:26] One unique aspect of Samuel's trucking operation is that he travels with his two dogs, Dallas and Denver. He shares the story of how Denver got lost while chasing a deer. Despite his efforts to find Denver, he had to continue with his job and eventually hired a professional pet tracker to help locate him. Sam recounts how he had to drive a long distance from Maryland to help him, and upon arriving at the location, he had difficulty finding the exact spot where Denver was last seen. Upon returning to Blacksburg, he received sightings of Denver in the same area he was situated in. With the hope of attracting Denver, Sam barbecued ground beef in his truck in the mountains. After hours of barbecuing, he heard something approaching his truck and saw Denver. He credits this success with the willingness of the local community to help him find the dog.

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