American Truckers - You bought it, they brought it

This is a little story I wanted to write about the American Trucker. Actually, it can be any trucker from any country. The drivers of these 18-wheelers need more respect on the road than what they are given. My hope is that through this short story more people will be aware of how important these blacktop coyboys and cowgirls are to any country.

When I moved to Nebraka I had the pleasure of going 'over the road' with a dear friend of mine who is a truck driver. I was amazed at how hard these men and women professional drivers work. Believe me, it is much more than 'putting the pedal to the metal', listening to the radio and cruizin down the road.

My friend, Ron, has been an over-the-road truck driver for 20+ years. Coming home only on the weekends (depending on winter weather), he has driven 10 hours a day for 6 days traveling through several states hauling iron. Pulling his flatbed loaded wih up to 80,000+ lbs of iron he drives through rain, snow, ice, rush hour traffic in Chicago, Detroit and several other major cities every week. This was my first time traveling in an 18 wheeler and of course was excited to be able to kick back and enjoy the ride seeing more of our beautiful country side.

To Ron, it was another day at work: Constantly on the lookout for other drivers, shifting up, shifting down (some tractors have up to 18 gears) changing lanes, check the mirrors to make sure the load is still secure, watch the traffic, shift up, shift down and maneuver a 48' trailer through small places; not to mention be able to back up the first time every time perfectly. Untarp his load, roll up the tarps, stow them away, get re-loaded, get out his tarps, tarp the load and make sure it's all secure before leaving for his next destination. He has a deadline to pick up and deliver his goods by a certain time then re-load and drive to another location being their on time as well. This he does all week in order to bring home a paycheck. Tractor trailer drivers can make from $600/week up to $1,200+/week depending on their experience, if they are owner-operators, what they are hauling and where are they hauling to and from.

When you hear an 18 wheeler slow down, you most always hear a loud rumbling sound, this is the Jake break. These large rigs slow mainly with air due to their size and weight. the Jake brake releases built-up air (compression) inside of the cylinders of the diesel engine slowing the engine down in turn slowing the tractor down.

Stopping at a truck stop to take a shower and get a good hot meal, there was close to 100 trucks parked in this parking lot. Perfectly lined up next to each other evenly spaced apart the only sound was the idleing of the diesel engines. There was everything from cattle, warehouse goods, food and even a 131 foot wind turbine blade. The truck stop was clean and quiet, there were handshakes and nods between drivers who have met here before, conversations in the restaurant sharing their stories and catching up on friendships. You could feel the respect for each other. It was a revolving door as wiery drivers came in to eat, shower and walk back to their tractors for some well deserved sleep, while still others were walking back to their trucks to get back on the road.

It may sound like a glorified job, but it is far from it. These truck drivers work hard everyday and as the general public doesn't believe - they are very safety conscience! Safety is number one for these blacktop cowboys and cowgirls. I was amazed at how most vehicle drivers (I'm talking cars here) are so insensitive to these trucks. I witnessed people pulling in and out of traffic and stopping right in front of us - are you crazy? These trucks can't stop on a dime. I was amazed at how many people would pass on the right side of the truck - again - do you have a death wish? Being a first hand witness at how the general public has no respect for these large trucks I was appalled and thought back to when I adjusted wrongful death claims for insurance carriers.....too many deaths caused by the vehicle driver and NOT the truck driver.

Trucks haul everything and anything. Look around your house, everything in your house from furniture to food is hauled by 18 wheelers. That's right, everything. Without these truckers you wouldn't be able to have that nice set of living room furniture, clothes on your back or food on the table. Having first hand experience riding with a trucker has opened my eyes and I am in hopes of opening the eyes of the general public. The truckers are not out to 'get you', they are delivering important goods and and equipment that keeps America and other countries going.

Without the truck driver, think of how expensive everything would be. Think about the furniture you wouldn't have or clothes to wear. Respect the 18 wheeler that you pass on the highway or small country roads. Give them plenty of room as believe me the last thing they want is to hurt someone.

The next time you see a truck on the road give them a wave, when they are passing you flash your lights so they know they are clear of your vehicle and can move back into the lane they want. Remember, if you can't see the trucks mirrors, they can't see you! Safety first and foremost, don't be a fool and try to 'beat' them through a right hand turn or through an intersection as you (in a car) are going to loose every time. It's not easy being a truck driver, these folks are doing their job just like you do your job everyday. Remember that the truckers office is on the road and they are looking out for you as every trucker that I met on the road was nice, courteous, and the last thing they want is an accident.

There was a time here in America where the government stuck their nose into the business and wanted to end these 18-wheeled bohemiths from traveling on the roads. (they ruin the blacktop was their excuse). Thankfully, this didn't work and our truckers are out 24/7 in any kind of weather you can imagine. Most have families and believe me, they are missing out on certain things, however, it is more important to a trucker to get their load to the destination in one piece so the general public can enjoy what they have hauled across the Country. At the end of a long hard week all they want is to go home to their families who are waiting on them with wide arms to give them a hug welcoming them home.