I love my family. And by family I mean my entire support system. I’m not related by blood to everyone I consider family, and that’s how it should be. I rarely talk about anyone in my family, other than my husband, because they’re sacred to me, and I haven’t gotten far enough in therapy to discuss them openly. Haha, kidding. I am incredibly lucky to have the friends and family I have to support me and I know how much easier they make this lifestyle. I would like to believe all professional drivers are lucky enough to have such a team behind them, but I know this isn’t true. Some people out there are doing it all by themselves, and I honestly don’t know how.
The beauty of a social website like CDLLife is the ability for drivers, wives and families of drivers and people who are interested in becoming professional drivers an opportunity to connect with others of the same and form their own support systems. It’s vital for human beings to connect with others, it’s what makes us human. Trucking is the only profession that requires intense, never ending hours in a confined space. Even when the long haul driver is sleeping, they are literally four feet from their job. A great majority of them are alone, and stay out for an average of three weeks of the month. It’s hard for them to not feel like a machine sometimes. If there was ever a solitary profession, this is certainly it.
I can’t figure out why any of you do it. You must have an intense love for your job that I respect deeply. I know since I’ve been out, I feel proud when I see people eating in a restaurant, because I think, ‘You’re welcome. My husband brought you those plates you’re eating off of and those glasses you’re drinking out of. His buddy Bob brought you food, and Ronnie delivered your liquor.’ I know my husband likes being able to say, ‘I probably delivered those,’ about any number of things we use on a daily basis. He’s right. He probably did, and I’m eternally thankful for it.
The profession deserves a hell of a lot more respect than it gets. On the other hand, respect is earned. We all know the puppy mill companies, who will turn absolutely anyone out on the road able to hold a steering wheel. They make an unfortunate stain on the reputation of all conscientious professionals by driving like complete assholes and acting like insane children in truck stop fuel islands. They make it hard on everyone who is actually taking this shit seriously and trying to make a living. Unfortunately, we can’t do anything about these people, beyond trying to educate them when we have an opportunity. The more pride you take in your profession, the more apt you are to extend a helping hand and help a fellow driver learn the ropes. About 90% of the jerks only last a few months, anyway.
I’m excited about the future of trucking, I believe the core community of the industry, the true professionals, will take advantage of social media and advances in technology to make their jobs more efficient, easier, and less lonely. There’s a thousand times more free education available to today’s driver than there was just ten years ago. The internet offers endless articles and videos pertaining to trucking, it’s a huge industry with a shit ton of money behind it. There’s no reason everyone out there shouldn’t be able to get a piece of it.
Truckers have a bad rap for being uneducated, unwashed steering wheel monkeys. Nothing could be further from the truth. Professionals, the people who are making a living and being successful at it, are doing everything the CEO of a giant corporation does, without the giant staff. They rely on their wits, experience, and a little luck to keep that truck rolling and make the most money they can. We support you, we thank you and we are completely dependent upon you. Be safe out there.