On the road again, solo: a long-distance moving story

Long-distance moving in Western Canada is never just about mileage. It is about terrain, weather, timing, and the reality that once you leave a major urban centre like Vancouver, help is not always close at hand. For Sajan Preet, a mover with Two Small Men With Big Hearts, one long-haul move from the Lower Mainland to southern Alberta became a defining example of what adaptability and care really look like on the road.

Sajan works out of the Vancouver branch, a hub that regularly handles complex moves out of one of the busiest and most geographically challenging cities in the country. With dense neighbourhoods, narrow streets, condos, heritage homes, and constant traffic, Vancouver movers learn quickly how to plan ahead. By the time this particular job came up, Sajan had already built years of experience. “I guess for two years now… yeah, I’m not over two years, I’m almost four,” he says, reflecting on his time with Two Small Men.

The assignment was a true long-distance relocation from Vancouver to Lethbridge, Alberta. That route alone presents challenges, including winding mountain highways through British Columbia, long stretches of open road, and a major shift in landscape and climate. “So I had to travel from Vancouver,” Sajan explains, “and the job was from Lethbridge.” On a map, the drive does not look impossible, but anyone who has done it knows how demanding it can be. “If you go by map, it’s like 13 hours,” Sajan says.

That is 13 hours without factoring in traffic leaving the Lower Mainland, weather through the Rockies, or the fatigue that comes from driving a fully loaded moving truck. Sajan split the drive over two days, stopping overnight and passing through Calgary, a common waypoint for movers heading deeper into Alberta. Even before the move itself began, the job required patience and endurance.

What Sajan did not expect was to arrive and find himself alone. “When I got there,” he says, “the swamper who was supposed to help me, he called in sick.” Suddenly, the plan changed. In long-distance moving, delays can create ripple effects for customers who are counting on tight timelines. Sajan was faced with a decision. “The only option was to wait for the next day,” he explains, “but I decided to go there by myself.”

It was not an easy call. “No,” Sajan says when asked if he had ever done a full move solo before. “It was the first time I did.” Still, experience brings confidence. “I figured I could do it by myself,” he says. “So I started loading by myself, and eventually I did.”

The customer was an older woman preparing for a major life transition. Moves like these are common in cities like Lethbridge, where seniors often relocate to be closer to family, healthcare, or a quieter pace of life. “She was an old lady,” Sajan explains, “and she was really anxious to move out from there.” She had plans waiting at her destination and wanted the move completed without delay.

Seeing only one mover arrive naturally raised concerns. “Yeah, she was concerned,” Sajan admits. Handling an entire household alone is not typical, especially after a long drive. Reassurance became part of the job. “I assured her that I can do it by myself,” Sajan says. “And she said, ‘Okay, it’s fine then.’”

Working solo meant every step had to be intentional. Sajan adjusted his strategy immediately. “The strategy was simple,” he explains. “I loaded all the boxes first.” By starting with lighter items, he created space and kept momentum, reducing strain as the day went on. It is a method that reflects experience rather than brute strength.

For heavier items, Sajan relied on equipment rather than force. “There were a few furniture pieces that were heavy for me to lift by myself,” he says, “so I used my four-wheel equipment. I just put them on and rolled them into the truck.” Proper tools, careful loading, and smart sequencing made the difference.

Safety remained the priority throughout. “I didn’t try anything risky,” Sajan says. He evaluates each item carefully, checking whether it fits within a safe weight range before lifting. He also pays close attention to the layout of the home. “You check the customer’s place, like if it’s ground level or if there’s no stairs,” he explains. “Then I think I’d be safe there.”

By the end of the load, the atmosphere had changed. The anxiety that marked the beginning of the move gave way to relief. “Yeah, she was really impressed,” Sajan says. For customers, especially seniors, seeing a mover stay calm and capable when plans change can make all the difference. “I think it worked out good for her,” he reflects. “She was happy that I’m helping her.”

This was not the last time Sajan found himself working largely on his own. On another job, he picked up a load from Nanaimo, navigating ferry schedules and island logistics that are unique to the West Coast. “He was supposed to help me,” Sajan says of his swamper, “but he got stuck on the other job.” With no immediate backup, “I had to offload this stuff by myself.”

Even then, Sajan followed the same principles. “There were like two things heavy that I couldn’t,” he says, “so I waited for my swamper.” Everything else that could be handled safely was done solo. “The other stuff that I could manage alone, I did by myself.”

For Sajan, long-distance moving highlights what working with Two Small Men With Big Hearts is really about. It means adapting when plans change, prioritizing customer needs, and knowing when to push forward and when to wait. From Vancouver’s crowded streets to Alberta’s open highways, the work demands more than strength. It requires judgment, patience, and care.

Looking back on that move to Lethbridge, it stands out not because of the distance alone, but because of the responsibility involved. It was about making sure someone’s next chapter began smoothly, even when the road there was longer and more challenging than expected.

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