Underappreciation

O.K . How's this ?
1. I feel under appreciated but it doesn't bother me . We can't expect people that haven't done the job to appreciate it . There's probably people doing other jobs that don't get the appreciation they deserve either . If your get self satisfaction with the job you're doing accept that .
2 . I don't take ignorant moves by other drivers personally . They're just demonstrating a lack of proper upbringing .
3 . Dealing with ignorant drivers , poor service at some shops , poor attitudes by truckstop employees . (Like the ones that don't bother to clean showers so they are available to drivers ) But for the most part I have a better job than most . There's a lot more bad than good .
4.I'm not wasting my time making suggestions . People are pretty well set in their ways and won't listen anyway .
5.Actually I get a lot . I drive for a fleet owner that has driven a lot of miles . He's a rare type of employer . He's more concerned about the welfare of drivers than making maximum profit . Customers are also appreciate and overall working conditions are very good .
Now , I've been driving a lot of years and have been through times many other drivers are experiencing . You can't change people . Just hang in there and try to find good people to work with .

 

His name is SONY PRUITT....HE FORGOT TO MENTION HIS NAME...He is a friend of RUBBER DUCKY AND BIG BEN

 

Nobody in high school knows who Sonny is . Guess I have to show him .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pX127VE9vVs

 

Well lets see if I can help the kid. Don't hold your breath, I'm in a pretty good mood today compared to yesterday.

1. I drive for myself and I always appreciate myself and what I do but....what probably ticks most drivers off is that the American public is pretty dang clueless on how things get from one side the country to the other...it isn't on rail cars either. It takes a few days for things to get to the store John Q public needs to remember without us hauling goods to the stores you'd be naked and hungry. We cannot get things to you overnight especially when you think we should drive less and less hours .... plan ahead, if you run out it's not our fault the shipment wasn't there when you were....okay maybe we shouldn't go any further on this subject.

2. John Q public mistreats me when they keep changing my HOS rules. Since you don't have a clue...mind your own business. I'm only allowed to drive so many hours a day but why after 10 hours of work can you get in your personal vehicle and drive another 8 to 10 hours on vacation. What is good for one should be good for the other. Cut off, glared at, honked at (I can't hear your horn all the way up here by the way), one finger salute, etc.....all day long...stop bothering me a long time ago. I just don't understand why they pass me then brake in front of me....excuse me I can't stop on a dime but I can hit my jake and make you believe that you'd best move out of my way.

3. Doesn't really pertain to me...being doing it since dirt and I love what I do. I don't mind being gone from home 8 weeks or more, no one is home at my place, my immediate family is dead not missing much when holidays roll around. I'm happy with my life, I chose my profession and I'm good at it, it's a part of me.

4. Actually I think before anyone is issued a license in any state they spend at least two days in a truck so they can experience real life with what we deal with everyday. I really think this is the only way most people will understand what they do and wonder how they are still alive.

5. I pull for a couple of cold storage places....my appreciation comes by a phone call of some other driver quitting and now we have a hot load. They call me....I can get it there for a price and I get my price. I'm an O/O and since I'm my own company I appreciate my life and what I have done daily. As far as the outside world....I'd really like to have "travel plazas" (used to be truckstops) go back to a few things. I'd like to have free good coffee again and I would like to be seated a section that is only for drivers. I think we deserve the best service that can be offered. I'd also like John Q public to remember that the "travel plazas" use to be OUR oasis away from them....you are the outsiders not us.

Really kid if you want to know what drivers think you might venture to your closest truck stop and ask a couple in person....really we don't bite and I'm sure there are drivers that would love to give you their opinion. Don't have a truck stop close then try a trucking terminal or ask one that is delivering somewhere close to where you live. Of course if you get one on a bad day well ......

 

1. Have you felt under appreciated and why
I have never appreciated a Garbage truck driver until he went on strike..... I think that Society would be the same with Long haulers. You don't appreciate what you have till its gone.
2. Are there specific instances when you felt that society was mistreating you (IE how many times you get cut off each day, if you get honked at, glared at, etc)
I think that society under estimates us. and that they do not understand just how dangerous that 80,000 lb torpedo is. They just don't understand that it takes time to get up to speed and to slow down. If they knew more of the ins and outs, They wouln't be so ready to be upset with us.
3. What are some of the downsides to your job
Long hours that are not reimbursed. But then again. I like my Job. Not seeing the Family. Low Pay. But I like the Freedom more than the downsides.
4. What do you suggest people do to change their ways
Every DOT officer should be required to Drive over the road 1 year before being a Officer. Every Dispatcher should be required to ride with a trainer for 3 months. Every Shipper and Receiver should have to spend 3 weeks out on the road with a driver. WOW....
5. How much appreciation do you really get?
I keep Clean and fit. Shave at least every other day, Wear Clean Cloths and After shave. I do my best to be on time and be up beat. I don't verbally abuse anyone, even when they are. And because of it, I tend to be treated with more respect. I have even wore a Shirt and Tie at some of the nicer places that I have delivered to. And it has helped me to be respected and taken care of.

 

First off, I want to thank you for thinking about using this subject for a speech. Any time this industry gets someone to look at it objectively, it is a good thing.

You have received some very good answers, as well as some ribbing in this thread. Don't sweat the ribbing!

I really don't have anything more to add, as far as answering your questions. But I would like to point out that the questions you ask, could pretty well be asked of just about any industry.

Yeah, I'm sure that some of us feel like we are always being "picked on." In fact, in a lot of cases, we are. But then so are folks in just about any other job. . .

Again, thanks for your interest!

 

Read the text of this hearing and see how the CEO of Schneider National regards drivers . To him the cost of driver wages is an expense that needs to be kept to a minimum . He would prefer to use thousands of low paid immigrants . Schneider recruits worldwide and uses the maximum number of immigrants current immigration laws allow .
http://bulk.resource.org/gpo.gov/hearings/109h/30664.txt

 

Before I became a driver,myself (which I no longer am, but I am the wife of a driver), I was one of those impatient, rude, and ignorant "4-wheelers".

I would give the 1 finger salute to a driver for taking too long to get up to speed...
take up a parking spot designated for a big rig , because it was closer to where I wanted to be...
had this REALLY stupid impression that all truckers were lazy, fat slobs, who didn't shower, shave, or do much of anything besides sit on their butts behind the wheel.

After being a driver, and then traveling with husband, I've come to see how truly IGNORANT I was, as are most people, to all that entails being a truck driver.

YES, they are under-appreciated, but, as others have pointed out, so are most professions, especially by those who haven't had to DO that job.
The significant part of a truckers' job, though, can affect nearly every single person out there...
If the goods don't get delivered, John Q. Public won't have food on the table, clothes on their backs,books for education/entertainment,electronics to run the TV's, computers, phones...etc. et al
The list can go on, but I figure you know what I'm getting at.

Good luck with your speech, kiddo!!!

Sincerely,
simplyred1962