Owner-Operator, Company Driver, Dry Van, Reefer, Flat Bed, Tanker, Car Hauler, Livestock Hauler, Oversize, Specialized, Expedite, RV Transport, Boat Transport, Power Only...did I miss anyone? I am sure I did, and for that, I apologize. But all of these have one thing in common - they’re Professional Drivers.

It has been said, "if you bought it, a truck brought it" and that is very true. The economy would fail within a few weeks of all trucks shutting down. Truck drivers like us are an essential cog in a very large machine. We all serve a purpose.

While most people think of trucks delivering goods to their local stores, very little thought is actually given to all that we do. Not only do we deliver consumer goods, but we also deliver the products that make those goods. In fact, we deliver the raw materials that make the products that make the goods that we deliver to the stores. Let's face it, we are a pretty big deal!

I hear people respond to the question "What do you do for a living?" with, "Well, I'm just a truck driver." That bothers me. We aren't just truck drivers. We are vital to our society’s standard of living. We move this country. We bring materials to companies so people can go to their jobs and assemble those materials into the products we buy. We take food to grocery stores so people can eat. We haul beverages (adult and otherwise) so people can drink. We haul gas and diesel so people can drive their cars and trucks. We deliver boats and RVs so people can relax and unwind. We deliver medicine so people can get or stay healthy. I could go on and on, but I think you probably get the point.

I am proud of that. We should all be proud of that. No matter what you drive. No matter if you drive for yourself, or drive someone else's truck. No matter if you are local, or Over the Road (OTR). We are all needed, and I appreciate all of you.

So stand tall, throw your shoulders back and hold your head high. You are a Professional Driver, and you rock!

Comment (1)

Clark W Reed

Clark Reed of Roscoe, Illinois is an OTR company driver and trainer for Nussbaum Transportation based out of Hudson, Illinois. He has been driving since 2005 and has driven van, reefer, and tanker. He currently hauls dry van to all lower 48 states. Clark is passionate about MPGs and how driver habits influence them. The lifetime average of his 2018 Cascadia is 9.75 mpg, with eyes on 10. Clark, along with Henry Albert, was one of the seven drivers in 2017's "Run on Less" by NACFE, a road show, demonstrating what fuel efficiency can be obtained with existing technologies.

Read These Next...

BUSINESS Smart

Cover Story

June 15, 2015

BUSINESS Smart

BUSINESS Smart

Branded

October 11, 2015

 
 

Great article sir!

May 18, 2019 7:25:30 AM