Trucking Lessons from a truckers son

Trucking has changed for the better, When will the truck drivers narrative catch up?

Most truck drivers attempt to work their back end off running as many miles in their truck as they can so that they can get back home with money to pay the bills. Eat, sleep, shower, drive, repeat. a process done for weeks or months at time by most over the road truck drivers. This lifestyle can be full of lonesomeness, If you let it.

It is no surprise to me why most truck drivers wonder why they’re home sick, depressed and burnt out. Which ultimately leads to them leaving the trucking industry or looking  for “greener pastures” with a different trucking company.

Putting miles behind you and pounding the pavement is a great feeling for a driver. Believe when I tell you, “the road pounds back” not just physically but mentally. If you have spent anytime on the road I’m sure you have seen the road wear on a drivers body, which is usually followed up by his stories of “I hate trucking because…Or my company is a bunch of #%$@, etc”.  These trucking stories often being shared at many truck stop round tables and trucking company terminals.

Frustration is 99% of truckers sentiment it seems. The trucking industry is full of set backs, period. How you choose to handle those downsides will determine your success and stress on the road. A truck drivers list of complaints have changed very little, if at all, since the inception of the trucking industry.

• Cost of fuel is to high.
• Rates are not high enough (your rates should be set by your operating cost  + profit margins. You and only you will put yourself out of business hauling cheap freight. More on this at a later date.)
• Costumer delays shipment/receiving of freight .
• The company I work for is out to get me.
• will this construction zone ever end
• Were to heavily regulated, etc.
• I hate this traffic(from the me first trucker)
• Blah,blah, more whining and crying blah, blah,blah
• rookie driver this and rookie driver that!

They drive by night

I’m a third generation truck driver myself and have heard every story, the stories never change. Have you ever seen the movie “They drive by night”? a 1940′s tale of the hardships of the trucking industry featuring Humphrey Bogart and Ida Lupino. One of the best trucking movies of all time,  hands down. For those that have seen it. Do you find it a coincidence that the same stories are shared today, the only thing changing is the faces telling the story?

The truth is,  the trucking industry has improved greatly however the drivers narrative has not.

My father who has been trucking now for nearly forty years once told me “Any driver who says back in the good old day of trucking, must of never drove back in the good old days. Often times no working  A/C or heat , leaf spring suspension, no air ride seats and roads so bad you would almost puke you got violently bounced around so hard. No power steering, no real jake break to speak of with road conditions most drivers today would not dare travel over with modern equipment… Yup those where the good old days.”

Drivers back in the day took a beating for their money and had to be highly skilled to drive, today we got it pretty good I would say. That doesn’t mean that I think we should give up pushing for a better tomorrow for all truckers. Sadly, drivers feel entitled, the industry owns you nothing. You get out of it what you put in, you should feel privileged to have such a great career.

It makes me sick to my stomach to see American truck drivers whine and complain about how bad they have it like a toddler who has not learned coping skills yet. The internet is so incredibly powerful and I love it for all that it is. I have been invited into the life’s of so many people around the world. I get many emails from drivers around the world who spend their entire life working towards the dream of driving the open road in America. The same exact career so many truck drivers just take for granted.

Staying positive, changing your outlook on the trucking industry.

So.. Have you heard the same old sad stories over and over from drivers in the trucking industry?  Want to change trucking for the better like I do?…. then GREAT! Lets do this one together.This is the most important lesson in trucking and in life that you will ever learn so pay close attention.

“The only thing in life you ever have control over is your own attitude. Don’t ever let anyone control your state of mind. Live for today, plan for tomorrow and let the world remember your past“. – Trucker Steve

Look, there is set backs in all things. When things go wrong (and they will) enjoy your downtime. Find what it is that makes you happy (a hobby) and make that your mission on the road, not the truck, not the miles. Learn  to love all the road provides, the road is also your home!

A lesson on being grateful from a truckers son.

Michael Garcia and Grand father passing out toys to truckers children who are less fortunate

Like I have said so many times in the past “the best part of trucking is outside of the truck, the people you meet along the way, the places it takes you.

I met Michael Garcia (grandson of Tony Garcia 30 year Utah state trooper now retired. Son of KTS Drivers Alicia and James Frear) at the flying j – Pilot truck stop in Tooele, Utah.

This Flying J – Pilot truck stop is a truck stop I rarely frequent because of the close proximity to May Trucking Companies terminal in Layton, Utah.

I’m so happy that I had stopped on this occasion however. In a time when so many people attempt to do things that count when their real intention is to stop and count those things, comes Michael Garcia and his grandfather Tony their act of pure kindness is one I will never forget!

I had just finished up my shower and started my walk back to the truck when I noticed a pick up truck making frequent stops at drivers doors. I was wondering “wait a minute what is this?” as I climb up in the cab of my truck and shut the door.

A minute passes and when I look out my passenger side door I see this little boy holding a stuffed animal with a smile so big he could make even the grumpiest of truckers happy. As I open the door he extended his hand to me, I reach out to shake his hand as he introduce himself  “Hi I’m Michael would you like a stuffed animal?” My heart nearly melted, Trucker Steve a man well known for being quick off the cuff was speechless as I stood in front of this little man while he shared the most valued lesson anyone could learn in their life, genuine kindness.

I accepted his gift and talked with him and his grandfather about how they spend their quality time together while mom and dad are on the road hauling freight for Kelle’s transport services. A fine gentlemen their raising for sure.

I snapped a picture then he waves goodbye as they pull off to meet the next trucker. The parking lot lit up with happy faces as I sat in amazement. I thought to myself happiness comes to those who appreciate what they already have and last time I checked we have it pretty good!

Related posts:

1. Truckers talk about truck stop acquisitions and the ATA’s push for longer and heavier trucks.
2. Running across America to help truckers.
3. PC Miler gps for truckers and ice road truckers too? WOW!
4. The Truth about trucking-Eskimo Sean
5. Dangerous truck drivers and horrible truck stops

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Category: Trucking in general