Brian Zinchuk is editor and owner of Pipeline Online
Larry Day, dispatching on Aug. 19, 2011. On that day Fast trucking had six truck spreads moving nine rigs. One crew had its second rig finished its move before most people had their afternoon coffee. That map behind Larry’s desk has long been crucial in keeping track of rigs. Photo by Brian Zinchuk
REGINA – For decades Larry Day of Carnduff-based Fast Trucking Service was one of the first to wake up, one of the first to the office, in a company that routinely has workers heading out the door, and sometimes even on site, before 5 a.m.
The map behind his desk held stick pins with tiny flags, indicating the location of each drilling rig in the region. For several years there were over 60.
And when the oil boom was really cooking, Fast Trucking had seven truck spreads rolling, each moving up to two rigs a day, day in, day out. Each spread had numerous trucks of various sizes and capabilities, and each rig they serviced had particular needs, be they a jackknife or a teledouble.
The person who headed up the dispatch, keeping all those wheels rolling, was Larry Day.
On Oct. 20, Larry Day was awarded with the Saskatchewan Trucking Association “Dispatcher of the Year” award. The presentation was made at an awards gala ceremony at the Regina Delta Hotel.
Moving rigs is never easy. And someone has to make sure the right iron is there at the right time. Photo by Brian Zinchuk
Day literally grew up in the family trucking business, with family-owned and operated Fast Trucking having been been in operation for over 65 years. It was founded by his late father Tony and his wife Vi, who attended the presentation.
The award presenter said, “Tonight’s recipient of Dispatcher of the Year is not your typical nominee. He is a man of very few words, who quietly goes about his business, but his actions are a testament to his character and dedication. His devotion to creating a sense of unity and Joy among staff is exemplified by the annual Boxing Day tradition he started over 25 years ago called the ‘Fast Day Cup.’ This hockey game brings together boys and their families in a cherished tradition, fostering togetherness in the community. But his impact has not stopped there.
- 0072 Outlaw Buckers and Oil Kings 20240072 Outlaw Buckers and Oil Kings 2024
- 0069 Sask Oil Show 2024 banquet tickets0069 Sask Oil Show 2024 banquet tickets
- 0071 Pride Upkeep 2024 Packages0071 Pride Upkeep 2024 Packages
- 0070 Sask Oil Show 2024 pre-register0070 Sask Oil Show 2024 pre-register
- 0068 Sask Oil Show 2024 booth0068 Sask Oil Show 2024 booth
- 0067 PFM SaskWorks Payroll Investment Plan0067 PFM SaskWorks Payroll Investment Plan
- 0066 WBPC Promo video 30 seconds0066 WBPC Promo video 30 seconds
- 0065 Anova Resources field operator Oxbow0065 Anova Resources field operator Oxbow
- 0064 Estevan OTS0064 Estevan OTS
- 0063 Turnbull Excavating hiring crusher0063 Turnbull Excavating hiring crusher
- 0062 TED_EPAC_Technology_300062 TED_EPAC_Technology_30
- 0061 SIMSA 2024 For Sask Buy Sask0061 SIMSA 2024 For Sask Buy Sask
- 0060 Arizona Lithium Lease building0060 Arizona Lithium Lease building
- 0059 Southeast College Heavy Equipment Operator0059 Southeast College Heavy Equipment Operator
- 0058 Royal Helium Steveville opens anonymous rocket0058 Royal Helium Steveville opens anonymous rocket
- 0055 Smart Power Be Smart with your Power office0055 Smart Power Be Smart with your Power office
- 0053 Kingston Midstream Westspur Alameda Click Before You Dig large text0053 Kingston Midstream Westspur Alameda Click Before You Dig large text
- 0052 Predator Inspections0052 Predator Inspections
- 0051 JML Hiring Pumpjack assembly0051 JML Hiring Pumpjack assembly
- 0049 Scotsburn Dental soft guitar0049 Scotsburn Dental soft guitar
- 0046 City of Estevan This is Estevan0046 City of Estevan This is Estevan
- 0041 DEEP Since 2018 now we are going to build0041 DEEP Since 2018 now we are going to build
- 0032 IWS Summer hiring rock trailer music
- 0022 Grimes winter hiring
- 0021 OSY Rentals S8 Promo
- 0018 IWS Hiring Royal Summer
- 0015 Latus Viro0015 Latus Viro
- 0013 Panther Drilling PO ad 03 top drive rigs
- 0011
- 0006 JK Junior
- 0002 gilliss casing services0002 gilliss casing services
- 9002 Pipeline Online 30 sec EBEX9002 Pipeline Online 30 sec EBEX
- 9001
“What truly sets this gentleman apart is his relentless work ethic. While most of us are fast asleep in our bed, in the early hours of morning, he’s already at work. He’s often the last to leave his desk, and is a true 24-hours a day, seven days a week employee, dedicating himself to the success of the company and the safety of its employees.
“With over 26 years of dispatching experience, he’s a true veteran in his field, and has dedicated his life to ensuring the safe and efficient operation of his company. His measure of success is not defined by headlines or articles, but by longstanding employees who trust his leadership and knowledge,”
Vi and Larry Day at the Saskatchewan Trucking Association awards on Oct. 20. Photo submitted
With that, he called up Day. He responded by saying, “I guess if I didn’t learn from my mom and dad how the words will flow, standing up here. With their help, I’m sure I planned around 22,000 rig moves, which is close to a million loads that we’ve moved.
“I’d like to thank my mom, my sisters, brother and family for coming out this evening to see me get this award. I’m sure my nieces had something to do with me getting it. I’ll get even, for making me stand up here,” he said with a laugh. He joked, “They had to have the dispatcher first to tell the truck drivers where to come up to get their awards.”
Larry Day and family. Photo submitted
From back in 2011 – The operations team and senior management of Fast Trucking made sure the trucks know where they need to go. From left are Darwin Duncomb, Dennis Day, Tony Day, Larry Day and Laurie Connelly.
- 0072 Outlaw Buckers and Oil Kings 20240072 Outlaw Buckers and Oil Kings 2024
- 0069 Sask Oil Show 2024 banquet tickets0069 Sask Oil Show 2024 banquet tickets
- 0071 Pride Upkeep 2024 Packages0071 Pride Upkeep 2024 Packages
- 0070 Sask Oil Show 2024 pre-register0070 Sask Oil Show 2024 pre-register
- 0068 Sask Oil Show 2024 booth0068 Sask Oil Show 2024 booth
- 0067 PFM SaskWorks Payroll Investment Plan0067 PFM SaskWorks Payroll Investment Plan
- 0066 WBPC Promo video 30 seconds0066 WBPC Promo video 30 seconds
- 0065 Anova Resources field operator Oxbow0065 Anova Resources field operator Oxbow
- 0064 Estevan OTS0064 Estevan OTS
- 0063 Turnbull Excavating hiring crusher0063 Turnbull Excavating hiring crusher
- 0062 TED_EPAC_Technology_300062 TED_EPAC_Technology_30
- 0061 SIMSA 2024 For Sask Buy Sask0061 SIMSA 2024 For Sask Buy Sask
- 0060 Arizona Lithium Lease building0060 Arizona Lithium Lease building
- 0059 Southeast College Heavy Equipment Operator0059 Southeast College Heavy Equipment Operator
- 0058 Royal Helium Steveville opens anonymous rocket0058 Royal Helium Steveville opens anonymous rocket
- 0055 Smart Power Be Smart with your Power office0055 Smart Power Be Smart with your Power office
- 0053 Kingston Midstream Westspur Alameda Click Before You Dig large text0053 Kingston Midstream Westspur Alameda Click Before You Dig large text
- 0052 Predator Inspections0052 Predator Inspections
- 0051 JML Hiring Pumpjack assembly0051 JML Hiring Pumpjack assembly
- 0049 Scotsburn Dental soft guitar0049 Scotsburn Dental soft guitar
- 0046 City of Estevan This is Estevan0046 City of Estevan This is Estevan
- 0041 DEEP Since 2018 now we are going to build0041 DEEP Since 2018 now we are going to build
- 0032 IWS Summer hiring rock trailer music
- 0022 Grimes winter hiring
- 0021 OSY Rentals S8 Promo
- 0018 IWS Hiring Royal Summer
- 0015 Latus Viro0015 Latus Viro
- 0013 Panther Drilling PO ad 03 top drive rigs
- 0011
- 0006 JK Junior
- 0002 gilliss casing services0002 gilliss casing services
- 9002 Pipeline Online 30 sec EBEX9002 Pipeline Online 30 sec EBEX
- 9001