Lately there has been talk about how drivers are no longer considered the Knights of the Road. There are many reasons for that.  The attitudes of some drivers, tighter schedules, electronic logs, concern for liability, and load hi-jacking to name a few.  When we look at various social media outlets we can see many drivers complaining about how things have changed.  In their opinion it’s for the worse.
 
On occasion we see a bright spot.  A story about how a driver stops at the scene of an accident, someone who rushes to a burning vehicle to help those trapped inside. Other drivers may help at other minor accident, even if it is nothing more than a phone call to the authorities.  Yet others still show the brotherhood of driving, by getting out of their truck to help a driver back into a spot, or giving words of encouragement to those who are having a rough time.

knights of the road
 
The thing I have noticed is that many complain about the situation.  However, they are silent about how they are trying to fix it. Today, I stopped at a small diner that I try and visit at least once a week.  They‘re a small mom and pop type of restaurant.  Some might even call it a dive.  There is always a lot of friendly word and lots of banter back and forth with the staff.  The kind of place many of us reminisce about since they are on the decline.  As a result I try to stop by to give them my support by ordering a meal.
 
Upon entering I noticed they seemed busier than normal. The owner seemed more stressed than normal.  The restaurant was a bit chaotic and not as clean as normal.  The cook was slammed with orders, and the other waitress/dishwasher was missing.  While talking to the owner I learned they were low on eggs and she was waiting for some more.  So I ran to my truck and grabbed a dozen from my fridge to help her out.  Upon my return I learned that the missing waitress had a mini-stroke.  As a result they were understaffed and trying to make due.
 
Myself and another customer offered to help with the dishes to get them caught up. The owner insisted that they would manage.  After a few more moments we realized she would never admit to needing help.  When she turned her back we slipped into the dishwashing area and took charge.  In a matter of minutes dishes were being washed.  The wife and oldest daughter of the other customer were busy busing tables and drying dishes.  Over the course of an hour we took the large stack of dishes, and got them caught up.
 
We did this not expecting a reward or compensation.  We did it for friends.  While eating my breakfast I had a conversation with another customer, who was a former driver.  He asked me why I was helping.  My answer was I am a professional driver.  Part of the brotherhood of being a driver is helping when we can.
 
It was at that moment I realized something critical. The brotherhood of driving, the Knights of the Road, is still alive.  It may not be as visible as in the past.  It’s all about how we handle the situations we face.  It may be feeding a person who is hungry, helping another driver back in, or stopping to help a friend who is having a bad day by washing dishes.
 
The next time you begin to complain how the brotherhood is no longer there.  Ask yourself what have you done to help restart it?  Truckers were once known for their generosity in helping those in need. It is time we stop complaining about how drivers today are not the same as those in the past.  It is time we do something about it.  Today’s experience has reminded me that we often take for granted those who help us keep America Moving.  It has reminded me that without the waitresses, mechanics, and all the other support people that we take for granted.  Our jobs would be less pleasant, and far more difficult to do.
 
My challenge to you all is to do something nice for someone this week.  When asked why, the answer is simple, I am a professional driver and I help because it is what we do and who we are.
                                      
This article was originally featured on RoadTestedLiving.com.

Image Source - https://www.flickr.com/photos/rene-germany/

Comments (11)

Tom Kyrk

Tom has been in the trucking industry for over 9 years, working for a major over-the-road refrigerated carrier. He has done a little bit of everything – such as working as a police dispatcher, in retail electronics, and in restaurant kitchens. Out of all these jobs, he enjoys driving the most! Cooking is a close second though, as he is taking back his health with good choices and lifestyle changes. RoadTestedLiving.com chronicles his story, shares tips with drivers, and embodies the idea of learning to live well from life’s lessons on the road.

Read These Next...

BUSINESS Smart

BUSINESS Smart

BUSINESS Smart

Building Relationships

February 10, 2016

 
 

Way to go Tom! Great story.

March 07, 2015 9:02:02 AM

Great article Tom. Thanks for being one of the [many] Knights of the Road.

March 05, 2015 14:00:23 PM

Wonderful story, hope and wish to see more. Coming form those days of yesteryear, i can appreciate it and glad to see it again!

March 05, 2015 14:00:19 PM

Great article Tom. Thanks for being one of the [many] Knights of the Road.

March 05, 2015 14:00:14 PM

Wonderful story, hope and wish to see more. Coming form those days of yesteryear, i can appreciate it and glad to see it again!

March 05, 2015 14:00:10 PM

Great article Tom. Thanks for being one of the [many] Knights of the Road.

March 05, 2015 14:00:00 PM

Great story Tom. Your story is exactly how the Knights of the Road re*****tion gets restarted .

March 05, 2015 7:58:48 AM

Great story Tom. Your story is exactly how the Knights of the Road re*****tion gets restarted .

March 05, 2015 7:58:40 AM

Good piece, Tom, but I agree with Linda. They still exist. It can be doing something as simple as helping a driver spot a trailer into a tight spot.

March 05, 2015 5:40:12 AM

I have always believe that Knights of the Road still exist it is in a different form the same as with do not have Knights of the Round Table. It is alive and well and we see it often on Facebook and other forms of social media. We have recently changed companies and MANY drivers from our new company have reached out to us to help us acclimate quickly to our new company. Without them it would have been much rougher. Yes Knights of the Road are sill alive and well.

March 05, 2015 5:33:51 AM

This is an excellent article Tom and you and the others that stepped up to help deserve a lot of congratulations! Thank you for doing what you did and for taking the time to share it with all of us.

March 04, 2015 13:43:22 PM