For Dieter Blank, a regional and long-haul driver at Caron Transportation Systems, trucking is more than a job—it’s a career built on resilience, purpose, and pride. Based in Sherwood Park, Alberta, he left his IT job 11 years ago and found meaning behind the wheel. Today, he’s not only driving, but also training the next generation—and helping them feel seen and supported along the way.

From navigating Alberta’s icy highways to embracing new technology, Dieter shares how recognition, safety tools, and small gestures to recognize drivers can make a big difference on the road.

Q: What first drew you to the trucking industry?

A: My white collar job became very stressful. I always enjoyed taking road trips—I'd average 80,000 to 100,000 kilometres a year in my personal vehicle just driving around. So when I looked at a career change, I wanted something recession-proof that I genuinely enjoyed. Trucking checked all the boxes.

My teachers used to tell me I couldn’t just sit and daydream out the window—now I get to do it every day, and I love it. I’ve been with Caron for two of my 11 years in the industry, starting in road construction and working my way up. I also help train new drivers getting ready to hit the road.

Q: Alberta winters can be brutal. What challenges do you face on the road in extreme weather?

A: The weather is definitely one of our biggest challenges—especially in the winter. We haul products that freeze at relatively high temperatures. And then we’re also dealing with other drivers on slippery roads, and people sliding in front of us or rushing when they shouldn’t. In the summer, the heat can also get intense in Alberta as well, so staying hydrated and taking breaks is key. You have to respect the road in every season.

Q: How have you seen the role of technology evolve in trucking?

A: I personally love the fact that technology has become mainstream in the industry. Switching from paper logs to e-logs has been a huge improvement. You don’t have to do the math or track every minute of your day manually anymore, the system takes care of it. Then there’s safety tech—better steering, adaptive cruise control, blind spot assist. All of it helps us stay safer on the road and avoid accidents. If someone cuts you off or pulls up beside you when you're turning, those systems can make the difference.

Q: What was your initial reaction to dash cams?

A: I was a fan from the beginning. I liked the idea of having that extra set of eyes to promote safe driving. I actually had a personal dash camera in my truck before we went fleet-wide with the Samsara dash cam. But not everyone felt the same—especially some veteran drivers who had been with us 20+ years. I’d tell them, “If you’ve got nothing to hide, why worry?” Dash cams are there to help you. If you’re doing your job, the footage is just there to back you up. Personally, I think dash cams are one of the best ideas ever introduced into trucking.

Q: You’re also a trainer—how do new drivers feel about dash cams?

A: It depends on their background. Newer drivers who trained with dash cams are usually fine with them. They’re used to that environment. But drivers coming from areas like logging or off-highway work, where cams aren’t the norm, can be hesitant. That usually changes once they see how helpful the footage can be. If they hit black ice or get into a close call, the dash cam can prove what really happened. Once they see that it protects them, they become a lot more open to it.

Q: What makes you feel appreciated as a driver?

A: At Caron, we feel it—especially during Driver Appreciation Month in September. They’ll bring in pizza, or donuts, or coffee across multiple days to make sure everyone gets something, even if they’re not at the terminal every day. We got a camping chair as a gift one year which was a nice touch. But it’s more than that—they offer RRSPs, medical benefits, and make sure we're set up for the future. Not every company does that. It shows they’re thinking about us not just as drivers, but as people.

Q: What advice do you give to new drivers just starting out?

A: The first thing I tell them is: don’t rush. You’ll feel pressure—at a shipper, a receiver, even from other drivers. But take your time. You’re not going to know everything on day one. It takes time to get comfortable—whether it’s backing up, making turns, or doing product offloads. Patience and practice are everything. And stay connected to the people who matter. When you're on long hauls, it gets lonely. Make the phone calls. Keep in touch. And when you're home, be present.