Now regarding the pay for such a glamorous career, I have only one thing to say for that…….it’s not what it should be for *job well done*. It’s sad when you work so hard & bust your humps for a corporation (or company) and “THEY” don’t even take the time to recognize that it’s the drivers who risk their lifes bringing in the “BIG BUCKS” for them while they sit in the cushy homes and live their regular 8 to 5 lives.
Regarding the “hubs” or “company yards” as they are called, that the drivers have to call their “home away from home” , they aren’t even adequate enough & some of the restrooms facilities in them (if they have them which some don’t)….well, let’s just say that I wouldn’t even let my pets use them, that’s how unsanitary they are. The driver’s lounges in some of these places aren’t large enough to capacitate all the truckers that are layed over waiting on freight.
What made me changed my mind & attitude about this lifestyle is what society, as a whole doesn’t know & that’s the “behind the scenes” of how they get to purchase everything from the toilet paper they use to the big screen T.V.’s they watch………from the food they eat to the food they feed their pets (and everything in between).
Now, you may be thinking to yourself that these men & women chose what they do for a living……I agree…………. but what they didn’t choose & can’t change (for the most part) is how they are being treated by the ones (the corporations & company’s) that should be giving them ample & adequate facilities to call their “home away from home” (if not just out of appreciation and nothing more for what the driver does do).
When it comes to the professional side of this business, where the administration and dispatchers are concerned…..here goes!!!!!
I feel that EVERY dispatcher (driver manager as some call them) should have been a driver for at least 1 year, and if not, they should have to go out in the truck with a driver for a least 2 weeks to a month (1 to 2 trips), live exactly the way the truck driver has to live while on the road, experience what ALL drivers go through so that they (the dispatchers) will know how to schedule the loads.
Concerning the “shirts”, “skirts” & “suits” (the administration), I think they should have to do the same as the dispatchers…..RIDE ALONG!!! Live out of the truck just as the driver does so that they can gain more respect for those that are bringing in the high dollars for their high priced vehicles, their kids college educations and those high mortgage payments because most drivers that I’ve talked with can’t send their kids to college, are having their homes forclosed, are going into bankruptcy and drive “beaters” that only get them from point A to point B.
To me, it’s heart~hardening to see someone work so hard and receive so little in return. Some drivers don’t even get “holiday pay” even though they’re gone for them away from their families, bonuses or even a pat on the back now & then just to hear a “thank you” for job well done.
What’s disturbing to me in my observations of all this is the difference between the office personnel & truck driver.
The driver will acknowledge everyone that’s within ear~shot, to give them a smile & say hello, to make idle conversation to pass the time…but the office staff will go out of their way to not have to associate with the truck driver….(as if they’re better than…) and the driver is just a low~life that is “nothing” in their eyes.
With everything I’ve written, I want you to know I’m not forgetting that this happens in quite a few professions. I’m not disregarding what others go through because I’ve experienced that in some of the jobs that I’ve had throughout my life (so some of this is coming from personal as well), I’m just expressing my observations, opinions & experiences.
I would like to inform you that what I’ve gone through, what I’ve seen & heard, while on the road with my husband, will FOREVER be engraved in my heart.
I’m sending each & every one of you long~haulers, day drivers, short timers and seasoned drivers (men & women) a HUGE HUG, a firm hand shake and a warm smile…….as well to let you ALL know…….
*** JOB WELL DONE !!! ***
YOU ARE IN MY THOUGHTS & PRAYERS ALWAYS.
THANK YOU and LOVE TO ALL,
KAREN SMITH
(IF YOU LIKE WHAT YOU’VE READ PLEASE CONTACT ME AT gbabiesgma@yahoo.com)
From Brett Aquila and all of us at TruckingTruth – thank you sooooo much, Karen. It’s a message that we wish more people would get. Nicely done!
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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.
That goes for anything other than a pick-up, motorcycle, or car. School Bus drivers are in the way, dump haulers, anything to an amateur driver. I’m only a class B driver right now. Am seeking a class A, and in time I will get it, but I just thought I would put in my 2 cents.
Well said!! Thanks for sharing!