How Long Distance Moving Operates

Selecting a van line is one of the most important decisions you'll make.

Generally speaking, more than one moving branch is involved in an inter-provincial (from one province to another) move. While it might appear somewhat confusing to a newcomer, this very tightly and carefully coordinated branch network provides flexibility and efficiency to both the moving public and the moving industry.

To illustrate the moving process, let's take a look at a typical move. Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Smith are moving from Ottawa to Vancouver. More than likely they'll arrange the move through an Ottawa branch. This branch will be referred to as the "booking branch".

The booking branch registers the move with Fleet Management and assigns it to one of the company's professional van operators, and the van is dispatched in the direction of Mr. and Mrs. Smith's new home. That van is owned and operated by the mover and is considered part of the "hauling fleet" of one of the moving company's branches.

Once the Smith's possessions arrive in Vancouver, the local destination branch completes all the final details, including paperwork and, if ordered, unpacking and removal of the empty cartons and packing materials.

One more point: If the Smith's move was booked through a branch outside the Ottawa area (for example, by the employer's headquarters staff in a distant city), an Ottawa branch would be appointed as origin branch by the van line. This branch would handle estimates, and any special services required at the origin residence, such as packing.

These are expressions that you're likely to encounter during an inter-provincial move, and many of them are included in the glossary.