I received an email from the wife of a long haul driver and she writes:
I’m writing you to see if you will publish the document I’ve written below on your website. If you like what you’ve read you may contact me at the e-mail address listed on the bottom of this letter (story). I’ve written this because my eyes have been open since I’ve been out in the truck with my husband and I’m trying to get the message out that at least 1 person in this world recognizes that truck driving isn’t all glorious & site seeing; that it’s very hard work as well as tiring (mentally, physically & emotionally).
Sincerely,
Karen Smith
I’d be glad to! Here’s Karen’s letter:
*** LONG~HAULER’s RECOGNITION…***
This story is dedicated to EVERY long~haul truck driver out there, men & women alike!!!
My name is Karen Smith (yes….Smith….is my last name, I didn’t change it to protect the innocent). I am the wife of a long~haul driver and I’m writing this to give recognition to those where very little is given, which is very much needed.
Attention to ALL people that think truck driving is such a glamorous career…..THINK AGAIN!! I believe with everything that I am, anyone that is busting their…..(well, you know)…..ever hour on the road to get freight transported from one place to another, should be recognized & commended for what they do.
Sleeping in the trucks in extreme conditions (from life to weather), living out of public restrooms (some not as well kept as others) for personal hygiene, having to eat from what trucker’s call “roach coaches” & fast food places, not getting enough rest & having to BATTLE with idiot a**, disrespectful drivers in their cars that haven’t even got a clue, as well don’t care that those trucks & trailers are 80,000 lb killing machines. Then, on top of all that, drivers have to deal with, on a daily basis, their dispatcher & the lies that they tell.
Now I know that some of you who’ll read this will say “What about me, my job is just as important, don’t I get to be recognized?” I’m not discounting you in any way, shape or form as well as what you do for a living. The message that I want to send is in accordance to me being one of THOSE PEOPLE that had NO CLUE! I didn’t care & while driving my car, I thought that truck driving was a wonderful, easy job due to the fact that the person behind the wheel got to travel & see “the sights” of the world……WRONG!!!
After being with my husband out in the truck, I have to let you know that I have a totally different idea, opinion & attitude regarding the whole truckers lifestyle.
One example of a trip we took (which by the way was my very first trip out): Our day started out with us having to pick up our load which was 5 hours late & with that cutting into his drive time, didn’t give him much time from point A to point B of our destination (and for you who don’t know, they can only drive 11 hours in a 14 hour window).
When we finally got to our drop off destination (after living out of somewhat unsanitary conditions regarding public restrooms & staying at truck stops or sleeping in rest areas), we had to return to one more truck stop in Northern Fresno, California, just to sit for 4 days before we got another load to take us back to point A…..HOME……and with all that being said I’m here to inform you that getting the flu on top of everything didn’t make the trip much fun either.. I felt like Dorothy in Wizard of Oz on the return trip when she clicked her heals together and said “There’s no place like home, there’s no place like home……..”. I was never so happy to be home in all my life. continue to page 2 –>
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Yes, thank you, Karen! As I’ve said elsewhere, it would be ideal to have EVERYONE who gets a drivers license to ride along in a big rig for at least one or two weeks, to see what truck drivers have to deal with everyday. I am so glad to see that you are now on the “inside” scene, instead of outside and “looking in”!
Great letter!!! So glad you shared it with us. Yup, the 4-wheelers just do not understand. All they know is that we are in the way. Some of the trucking magazines even had articles about trucks delivering at night only because that would make the congestion/4-wheelers happy. Have not read much about that topic now for 3 years. Doubt it could ever happen as it would be a nightmare. Hope to hear back from you with more letters. Thanks again.
Well said!! Thanks for sharing!