Comments on: A New Era For The Knights Of The Road

By: bosstrucker

bosstrucker — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 02:02:12 +0000

It is simply moments like this that I sit and ponder, I sit and i ask myself where is the accountability? we are simply our own worst enemy. You may say how? well first we air our dirty laundry on radio shows on blogs, we insist on doing alot of talking and I have met very few willing to police this industry. i hear alot of talk I see very few taking action, now if I were going to talk about my industry where the public could view it i would talk about the wonderful things we do, how we are family men and women who at the end of the day are trying to earn a living to support our families. i would tell the world about the millions raised for charity by truckers, about the truckers who sacrafice their own needs for those who are in need. i would never air our dirty laundry this is something we should be doing as an industry every time we see something wrong address the individual actions not your entire brotherhood. because if we start one driver at a time we can make a difference! I have earned the right to say these things as I’m one who has both publicly and privately tried to put a spot light on the good of our industry, so unless your one of the few who are willing to cause change and step up stop talking and start doing then maybe the knights of the road will slowly reemerge in each of us.

By: Brett Aquila

Brett Aquila — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:18:57 +0000

Outstanding Rick! Appreciate the feedback. You definitely nailed a few points that were not brought up in the original article, including the trash in the parking lots and the CB radio. I agree – our public perception does indeed lie in our own hands – and there is a ton of ways we can improve it. You’ve shown several more that really highlight just how far we have left to go.

By: Rick Huffman

Rick Huffman — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:59:02 +0000

Nowadays, the “Knights of the Road” image is tarnished at best, and there is no single answer to explain it. One explanation lies in the explosion of traffic volume in the last few years. It is impossible to know if someone really needs help when so many cars and trucks pull to the shoulder. In addition, insurance regulations that did not exist in the “glory days” now prevent truckers from picking up a motorist no matter what the circumstances. Truckers are dollar signs to lawyers, and if we pick someone up and then have an accident, our career and our freedom is over. It is a sad fact that being a Good Samaritan is often too great a risk to our own well being, and to the loads we are hauling that are often valued in excess of a million dollars.
There are also many ways that truckers exacerbate their own negative image. A lack of basic personal grooming is one of the worst culprits. No one expects a trucker to look like a CEO reporting for a business meeting, but it isn’t asking much to expect him to shower regularly, brush his teeth, and throw on a fresh pair of jeans and tee shirt every couple of days.
Turning on the CB radio is almost certain to formulate a negative image of truckers. The excessive use of profanity, threats, bigotry, gay bashing, womanizing, and general ignorance makes truckers appear as ill-bred knuckle-draggers.
The condition of many truck stops also illuminates truckers in a negative light. Some truck stops literally smell like a urinal. While a large part of truck stop cleanliness responsibility falls upon the facility management, drivers need to bear their share as well. There is no excuse for a driver haphazardly discarding trash and pee bottles at a truck stop. This is absolutely disgusting, and I make no excuse for the drivers who are too lazy to walk to a trashcan. I would like to see truck stops impose a stiff penalty to any driver caught throwing a pee bottle anywhere besides a waste receptacle. On the same note, truck stops need to be better about removing waste on a regular schedule. Nothing is more sickening than to walk across a parking lot when the wind wafts an odor of rotting food and urine directly into your face.
There are things that both truckers and the motoring public can do for an image makeover. Truckers should pay heed to personal hygiene and appearance. We don’t need to dress for an opera opening, but our appearance (and fragrance) should not be offensive.
We are the professional drivers, and we should act accordingly. Stop tailgating, stop speeding through construction zones, and do not “bully” four-wheelers. Those who are unable to share the road with professionalism and respect should not be behind the wheel of a 40-ton vehicle.
Finally, treating waitresses and cashiers with respect, presenting ourselves to customers and shippers in a professional manner, and cleaning up our filthy mouths on the CB would go a long way toward improving our image.
The motoring public could also use an education on sharing the road with trucks. A simple understanding of what trucks can and cannot do would alleviate plenty of road rage and middle fingers. Please remind yourself that the trucks annoying you are the main reason you enjoy the comfort and standard of living that you have. Point to anything you own, and know that a truck probably delivered it to the place you got it.

Trucks and truckers are here to stay. Our public perception lies largely in our own hands.