Millis OTR journal

'Bout time you slacker

 

Here's a public service message for all the new guys. Something happened last night that really pissed me off. I have always hated the term "steering wheel holder". It annoys the ever-loving crap out of me. Older drivers use that term to put down a newer driver. The funny thing is, most of the people using that term have no idea what it actually means. So I'm going to tell you what it REALLY means. I watched some poor kid get chewed out by another driver because he was taking too long to park. I helped him finish so that he could relax and de-stress. I remember those days very well. The young guy drove for a mega, and he was a really nice dude. Very friendly and thankful. Here's the thing... the other dude was a company driver as well. Only difference is that he's been doing it longer. So, with that situation I have this to say. Call the young guy a rookie. Or a greenhorn. Truth is, that's exactly what he is. And who cares? We all had to start somewhere. We all had to be new. Only the tools out there will forget what it was like to be new. We all did it, we all messed up, we all got experienced. The term "steering wheel holder" isn't an insult. It's meant to describe any trucker who is a company driver. If your responsibilities for the day are to drive the truck to and from the locations you were given and you fuel where you're told and turn in BOLs, that's where the term comes from. It's not an insult. If it comes from the mouth of an ignorant person, it sounds like one. I wanted so badly to punch the jerk that said it. I asked the older guy who gives him his loads. "Duh, my dispatcher". Okay, who fixes your truck? "Duh, my company". Who decides how you run? "Duh, my company. Are you stupid?". No sir, you are. Until you know what real responsibilities are, leave that kid alone. You are no better than him. All you do all day long is hold the steering wheel. Try running a truck as a business and see how you do. Until then, don't be a dick. Help the new guys, because you were once new. Sorry, rant over. If someone ever calls you that name, ask them who they work for. If they don't own the truck they're driving, tell them to go screw themselves, because they are no better than you. They don't deserve the special treatment that they feel they're entitled to. And if you ever see me, I got your back. Ok, I'm officially done ranting. Have a fantastic evening y'all. Be safe out there and keep the rubber side down.

 

He was so unnecessarily disrespectful. That poor kid was so stressed out. I hope that none of y'all run into that in the concrete jungle, but you probably will. Keep your chin up, and your middle finger even higher up. You'll never be alone. It's a guarantee that there will always be someone there to back you up. REAL drivers remember.