Disclaimer: I have never been, nor do I intend to be, a truck driver.
Driving all hours of the day and night, never any kind of schedule. When dispatch beckons, you best be ready. And happy about it.
Eating PB&J every day for a week. Because eating out on the road is expensive, and you're not driving to fill your own belly, but the little ones at home.
Calling home at the least convenient times. You have no concept of the schedule in your own home. You're busy bringing home the bacon...following someone else's agenda.
Dealing with other drivers who have no sense of self-preservation. Knowing that if you lose focus for just a nanosecond, that guy reading the paper and swerving into your lane is toast. And it'll probably be labeled your fault.
Kids calling you, just to hear your voice. Being loved, and wishing you were home. Tucking them in over the phone, telling them to mind their Momma.
Giving up all of your time "off" to spend with your family. Daddy do this, Honey please...the list never ends. You don't get a rest.
A road warrior. Keeping the road as safe as you can, going out of your way to make it so. Every day, something unexpected, quite often dangerous. And no combat pay.
The life of a truck driver...is HARD.
If you know one, thank him or her. If you don't know one, please, please, please...be courteous to them on the road. Let them go first. Watch at corners and stay back if they're in process of turning. Don't pull back in front of them until you can see the grill of the truck in your rearview mirror. Don't hang out in blind spots or by the axles.
When you head to the store, or the pharmacy, or the drive-through...remember those who made it all possible. Your life of convenience is made possible by someone else's life of inconvenience. And they'll get up tomorrow and do it all again. Just doing their job, you know...
My bil and nephew are both truck drivers, and I worked with truck drivers for 15 years when I was in our shipping office. They are the most polite, wonderful people!!
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