The drivers have to drive in all kind of weather,ice,snow,rain weather
most people would not be caught out in,they are called names because
they may not drive that "big truck" just like someone thought they
should have.They deal with dead lines to meet,no matter the
conditions they face along the way.
They get the load there only to be told they have unload it.But then
they are told when its done,to wait be reloaded because there are no
loads to get,but not to sleep, because they have to call in to dispatch
every few min.to see if a load has come in.They spend long periods of
time away from home & family just to make our lives easier.
Their choice to do this you say? Maybe so,but this is the job they do
just like the job you do. A job they are best at.
In order to drive a family vehicle,all you have to do is go take 1 test of
knowledge,then prove you can drive around the block. A truck driver has
to take extensive test to get a CDL in order to drive a truck ,then has to
take a physical every 2 years.
Then once all this is done & they are on the road they are subject to
random drug test & to random inspections set up in unexpected places.
They can be given severe penalities,even shut down if they do not meet
Federal trucking rules & regulations.They can also be put out of service
for long periods of time,even loose the right to drive if certain defects are
found. They have to make pretrip inspections daily & after each trip.
As if all this was not enough,they have to keep a log book of every minute
they are in the truck.They are allowed to drive 10hrs, stop for 8hrs, which they
are "SUPPOSE" to sleep,then drive for another 10hrs. with a max of 15
on duty hrs in a 24 hr. day.Cannot log over 70hrs. in 8 working days. The
book has to stay current at all times.This is just part of what they have to keep
up with. If this book is not current stiff fines will be given or they can be shut
down. Any of the Federal rules broken can be severe to a driver.
I was on the road 10yrs, running team with my hubby.Three of those yrs.
I drove a truck by myself. The day I climbed into a truck
& became a trucker was one of the best things that ever happened to me.
The experience of a life time. Due to health reasons, I had to come off
the road,but I love the job & wish I could still be out there.
To me, truck driving is the most underated job there is.
It takes a special person to be a truck driver,especially one that does his job &
does it right. I think there is something everyone needs to realize.
Trucks are what makes America move & where would we be without them?
Land of the free
The struggle for understanding
by Henry A. Muller
Special kinds of people do this truck driving job,
we're can do people,not your ordinary slobs.
We do what it takes,we get the loads there on time
then for hours we wait,not making a dime.
Receivers complain bout how much work they all do,
yet at 5 they go home;they havent a clue!!
We often must choose between eat,sleep, or bathe,
so that the people,and the stores,get the goodies they crave.
They never see how it all came in on wheels,
how a driver sacrificed so theyd have hot meals.
They never see how,every thing that they use,
once rode in that truck, whose driver they abuse.
We have to go slower,and drive special lanes,
while driving 10 times the miles of the 4-wheelers who complain.
They're mad 'cause our trucks all seem so slow,
that we dont choose that speed, none of them know.
So many times i've heard people swear,
wishing the big trucks to be out of their hair.
We could just appease them,and all park for 2 weeks.
I'm sure that by then the store shelves would look bleak.
But maybe thats what it would take for the people to see,
that without truckers and trucks,there'd be no more land of the free.
*poor mans copyright 3/5/99 by henry a muller, a.k.a. caveman
Looking for a job? Maybe a different job?
Check the links out below for information
Truckers weatherWeigh Stations
Graphics I used on this page
Sassy
TrukArt
Sharonb
