Truckers Wearing Flip-flops: Why All The Hate?

Or a neatly pressed red button down, clean pants , unscuffed work boots, shaven and smelling fresh, cip board in hand and a smile, you know he works for Averitt.

It's not a "hate" thing. It's proper use for your equipment. Why, I even own a pair of flip-flops! (but I prefer my croc style!)

Is it somehow seen as unprofessional?

I've never seen the term flip flop and professional used in the same sentence. Selling corn dogs on the beach, maybe, otherwise, not so much.

I suppose. I'd definitely put on shoes at a customer. Then again, jeans aren't normally considered "professional" wear in most industries.

Really guys, no big deal.

I agree. I can't believe we are even discussing it.

Now what about someone clean shaven, hair combed, smelling fresh and clean, pressed work shirt and slacks, clipboard in hand, and... flip flops?

Now what about someone clean shaven, hair combed, smelling fresh and clean, pressed work shirt and slacks, clipboard in hand, and... flip flops?

He use to work for Averitt. The pink slip is on the clipboard.

Or a neatly pressed red button down, clean pants , unscuffed work boots, shaven and smelling fresh, cip board in hand and a smile, you know he works for Averitt.

Unscuffed boots? He must work in the office. Either that or he just pulled them out of the box 5 minutes ago. I bought a new pair of boots 3 months ago. Literally within the first trip in and out of the cab, there were scuff marks on the toes. Now, 3 months later, they look at least a year old.

So, how about this for a realistic scenario: Polo shirt, blue jeans (neither of which covered in nastiness or full of holes), boots, and a day or so of scruff and associated funk. Unfolded/unmangled bills in hand, smile on face, greets the clerk with "Good morning!" (Or afternoon, or whatever part of the day it is.)

I think the worst I've seen was the guy I passed in a truck stop yesterday. Too-small t-shirt with the lower third of his gut hanging out, sweatpants with stains all over them, hair that looked like it hadn't seen either a comb or a bottle of shampoo in weeks, and...you guessed it...flip flops.

Ahh. . . I think I'm starting to get it: flip-flops = lazy/sloppy. See, to me, flip-flops just mean summertime. I don't wear them because I'm too lazy to put on shoes, I wear them because it's HOT. Same reason I wear shorts.

I wouldn't dream of leaving my house in sweat pants or (shudder) pajama pants, not even to run to the mailbox. But if lazy/sloppy/sweatpants/flip flops all go together out there, well then I can understand the vitriol. That's exactly what I was wondering--not why I shouldn't wear them, but where all the anger was coming from. Got it.

Now I'm going to go find some you tube videos starring Averitt drivers

I drive in my socked feet. I take my shoes off and they stay right by the drivers door if I am driving or by the passenger door if my brother is driving. No outdoor shoes get worn in my truck.

I hate dirt and general mess that comes with it. I have a air blow line hooked to the driver seats air in every truck I have driven. I blow the front of the cab out everyday. And blow the bottom of my shoes off before getting into my truck.

It's my home and I keep it clean. Flip flops have one place in trucking. That's the shower.

When I see drivers walking across the parking lot or around in the truck stop or go forbid in the restaurant where everyone is eating I get a super strong urge to walk over and step on their toes.

Everyone forgot the one standout item and issue with flip flops. Aside from the unkempt, disheveled look and the smell that could knock a culture off of a rotting racoon, ,,,,,,, you forgot about the Fred Flintstone feet with toenails that resemble a hawks talons and haven't been clipped in a decade.

I am in my steel toed boots from the time I get up until I go to bed. I tried wearing tennis shoes but I have worn boots for so long that I just could not get the feel of the pedals.

Everyone forgot the one standout item and issue with flip flops. Aside from the unkempt, disheveled look and the smell that could knock a culture off of a rotting racoon, ,,,,,,, you forgot about the Fred Flintstone feet with toenails that resemble a hawks talons and haven't been clipped in a decade.

Fritos brand toenails...