I wrote a recent post called Truck Driving: An Office With A View and that post had a lot of descriptions of the beauty this country holds. But out here on the road, our office doesn’t always have such a great view.
Places Your Mama Warned You About
As truck drivers, we are usually sent to the “other side of the tracks.” You know, the places you won’t ever find in a tourist pamphlet. The slums, the run down areas of the city, the industrial parks, and all of the filth that goes with it. In a way, I actually enjoy this. I get to see America for what it really is. Some parts are beautiful, and some parts are borderline scary. But I see this country without any filters. I see the good, the bad, and the ugly. It’s nice to see this country from all angles, and really understand what it’s made of.
But there are days like today when it can be a bit depressing. I’m going to pick on Cincinnati, OH for a moment, but Cincinnati is not unique when it comes to cities that have some rough areas – because they all do. I’m simply using it as an example because that’s where I happen to be today.
I had to make a pickup in an area that obviously isn’t one of the nicer parts of town. This particular customer had a satellite gravel parking lot where I was to drop my trailer. Upon backing into an open spot and getting out of my truck to unhook the trailer, I was immediately greeted by a very dirty looking female with all of her teeth missing. She asked me for money the best she could, but I said no. She then asked if I had anything cold she could have to drink, as she was very thirsty. If I did, I would have given it to her. But this was one very rare occasion that I didn’t have anything on the truck to drink other than a little bit of water that I had already drank out of. So I once again told her I couldn’t help. After she realized she wasn’t getting anything from me, she moved on to another truck driver in the area. It didn’t look like she had much success.
The Worst Wasn’t Over Just Yet
Once I disconnected from my trailer, I went a block down the road to hook up to my loaded trailer. As I was walking towards the back of my trailer with my load securing devices (called load locks), a male – in worse shape than the female I was talking to earlier – told me he could help me put the load locks in. I declined his help, but he was very persistent about helping. After giving him the cold shoulder and being pretty rude to him, which is hard for me to do, he just sort of stood around, pretending he was helping. When I was done securing the load, he asked if he could have some “gas money” as he was trying to get to Nashville. Basically, he made up a story that I’ve heard 100 times by now. I told him no and that I had a tight schedule and had to leave. He thanked me for my time, and left.
I couldn’t wait to get out of that place, so I hit the road. But I got to have the pleasure of driving through some downright slums before I could get to the expressway. The first intersection I came to, a young lady stepped right in front of my truck, forcing me to stop. I was already slowing down for a red light, so it wasn’t entirely dangerous, but still not something I’d ever do in front of a truck. Once again, it was somebody begging for money. This time, she needed money for the bus. I once again refused, and was on my way.
Wondering How It Could Get So Bad
It was then that I really started looking around. I don’t mean to offend anyone who grew up in low income areas, but I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. It was as if I was in a different country. Trash everywhere, buildings falling apart (literally), and just total poverty. I saw little kids walking with their mothers, wondering if they even stood a chance in this life. I saw elderly people trying to walk who should have been in wheelchairs, but could only afford a cane. I saw some very terrible conditions. And I began to get very angry that we spend so much money helping other countries, when parts of our own are so terrible. The poverty was sickening, and I actually began getting depressed. I don’t know if I should feel sorry for these people, or feel angry towards them. Why don’t they do something with their lives? Why not become truck drivers?? Do they not care about their neighborhoods? Their living situation? Their safety? Are they simply trying to get by on government dollars and don’t care about where they live, or are they people who simply have circumstances in their lives that I can never imagine, and they can’t change their situation, as hard as they might try? I don’t know….I just don’t know. But sometimes, these are the views we see outside our office. It’s not always mountains and sunsets.
I finally made it onto the expressway, and after I passed 2 or 3 hitch hikers, wound up in a truck stop about 60 miles north of Cincinnati. Upon walking towards the building, I hear that famous pan handle sound….”excuse me, sir?” Here we go again….
Wishing There Was More We Could Do
Truck driving gives a very unique view of the United States. Like I said, I actually enjoy seeing all aspects of this country – all cultures, all races, all classes, from all areas. I don’t want to go around with my rose colored glasses on all the time. I do want to see this country for what it is, both the good and bad. I’ve never seen so many people looking for handouts before in my life. The truck stops alone are constantly filled with people looking for rides and money. And each person has their own sob story to go along with it.
Today, I was on the other side of the tracks for a little while, and it really made me appreciate everything I have, where I grew up, and what my life is. I wish I could help those who have it much less fortunate than me, but I just can’t. Maybe someday they’ll cross the tracks too.
Until next time, drive safely!
TruckerMike
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TruckerMike —
Another very insightful article, and a great account of another life experience… Thanks!
Poor people… they have always been, and always will be. Some that we might “perceive” to be down and out wouldn’t want to live their lives any other way. Others find themselves in a sad situation, and can’t fathom how to get out of it for something more to their liking. Without getting close to them and asking about their life, we will never know what the case might be. Seeing their living conditions may repulse us, or it may make us feel guilty for the abundance that we believe we have, or even angry knowing that they could do better. Pan handling for many is their way of life… while others use pan handling merely as a way to get them to their next want for comfort. Unfortunately, as you reported, the innocence of children do often crushed as they are carried along into this way of life. While the vast majority of people are driven to be self-sustaining, others will always look for handouts and assistance from others and government aid.
Why, I bet you have come across people that “perceive” life can’t get much lower than that of a dirty, smelly, stupid, cursing, fat… Truck Driver! You may have met them at a pick-up or delivery dock, or while they were reluctantly filling-up their SUV up at a truck stop. Even though truck driving is a lifestyle you have chosen (notice I didn’t say “job”) you most likely wouldn’t want it any other way even if you were handed new opportunities. But, the perception of many people is that one becomes a truck driver for lack of not being capable of doing anything else. Oh…, if they only knew!
Negative perceptions and prejudice can also be had for the very wealthy… we may see them as shallow, self-serving, and living lives without real purpose. But…, since I consider myself to be open to challenges, I’ll play the lotto for an opportunity to test the waters of a wealthy man. Hey, I can always give it up to become a truck driver.
I guess WE ALL live on the “other side of the tracks” in some respect. Somewhere, wrapped up in the way we live our own lives, is a culture and heritage that we identify with to bring comfort with our surroundings. Others, living just a mile away, may surround themselves with their own identifying culture…, which might include different foods, language, religious beliefs, social values, etc., that would be objectionable to our own values of living and way of life.
As you drive down the road, you have the privilege to look out your office window to see the wondrous diversity that nature has to offer. You also have the opportunity to see an equal amount of diversity in the lifestyles that mankind has made for itself. Enjoy the experiences, … but don’t spend too much time sitting on the tracks!
–TruckerMikeDad–
Well put by both of you. For years I have wondered why we are so “eager” to help other countries while we ignore many here in the United States. There is no need to see these neighborhoods anywhere.
Sometimes all it takes is a person to reach out and say something positive to the ones living in the poverty areas and say I BELIVE YOU CAN DO IT.
Too much greed in this country and the pay raises by many in the State/County/City government is “wasted” as far as I am concerned. Those $$ could be going to the ones who need some help.
While the money would help some many of these people would buy the same stuff is you gave them $5 or $5,000. It’s the lifestyle they’ve chosen and they like it just the way you do yours. There are MANY in the local homeless shelters that get social security and still chose to live on the streets vs. finding a place they could call home,