Trucking is a Thankless Job
Truck driving can be a thankless job. Drivers are on the move constantly so they can get the load from point A to point B on time. There are quite a number of drivers to end up driving through holidays so that the job gets done. They miss time with their families for their job. They do all this and yet people still choose to be disrespectful and hateful to our drivers. Drivers are blamed for the costs of groceries and other products going up. It's not the drivers' fault they suffer from the rise in costs as much as anyone else if not more.
What really gets me is when a driver tells his dispatcher two weeks or more in advance that he needs to be home and maybe three weeks after that the driver gets some down time. Another thing is when a driver is headed home for some long needed time off and his load gets changed at the last minute sending him in the complete opposite direction. When a driver has been out for two months without going home I think the dispatcher should get him home when requested. Drivers may get to see the country while working but they still need a vacation from time to time.
I live in a small town with trucks passing through non-stop daily. I see people cutting trucks off and blocking trucks to where they can't leave a parking lot all the time. It amazes me how some people treat drivers. Note to readers, trucks make sharp turns so if you're at a red light and a truck is turning your way stay back. (Trust me, I know about this one first hand; big truck little car.) Drivers are just trying to do their job let's not make it any harder for them. The laws are stricter on trucks than on cars making it a tough job.
Drivers work hard to get a load to where it needs to be on time. Drivers can't and shouldn't be held responsible for being late due to weather, hazardous road conditions or alternate routes provided due to construction. I find it disrespectful to our drivers when they get to the receiver on time only to be told the appointment has been moved. Why not tell them in advance before they drove all that way for nothing.
There are a few shippers and receivers out there that are looking out for the good of the driver. I come from a long line of drivers in my family so I know that the good ones are hard to come by. At least there are some good people out there that say thank you to our drivers and ask how they are doing. These are the shippers and receivers that will always have business due to the way they treat the drivers that haul their product. I am thankful for those that are like that.
Truck driving can be a very thankless job, but there are those out there that do say thank you and show their appreciation.
