My monthly trips to the truck stops to do the Truck Stop Question column have never ceased to be eye-opening experiences. Having never worked in the trucking industry prior to my appointment to Truck News, I found initially found the cornucopia of issues facing the average truck driver shocking. I truly had no idea what a trucker faces on a regular basis and the drivers I spoke with were quick to remind me: “My rates are too low,” “The roads are in terrible shape,” “I don’t see my family enough,” “_____ regulation is unfair/confusing/ridiculous,” “My company treats me like unfairly,” “Truckers don’t know how to driver anymore,” “Four-wheelers still don’t know how to drive.” The list has been endless.
But once the initial shock of how disgruntled so many of these drivers were wore off, I began to realize the problem was even more complicated. Despite these drivers having an overwhelming list of complaints – and most of them quite content in using as much of my time as needed to complain about them – about half of them still balk at the idea of having their names or pictures printed in the magazine.
For some reason I assumed – perhaps rather naively – that these truckers would welcome my presence and jump at the chance to have an outlet to voice their opinions. But month after month I have drivers who flit away as though I were a pursuing member of the paparazzi, waiting for that perfect moment to swoop in and ruin their lives. And it never ceases to annoy me.
The purpose of the Truck Stop Question is to get driver’s opinions on a topic related to trucking, not to pit drivers against each other or their employers. Believe it or not, our readers would actually like to hear what you have to say.
If you’re concerned your employer won’t like what you have to say, guess what? It’s time to get over it. Your opinion doesn’t reflect that of your trucking company and your boss should be swift enough to figure that out on their own. As long as your response to the question doesn’t include, “…and that’s why I hate my company and my boss,” I’m guessing you’ll be safe.
What irks me even more is when drivers will give a very non-controversial answer to the TSQ and still decide they don’t want their name used. I’m dying to know why. An opportunity is have your say is being handed to you on a silver platter and you still wish to remain anonymous, even though no one in their right mind would find your comments offensive. It’s mind-boggling.
For those drivers who do give their names, I still get about 50% of those who play camera shy as soon as a picture is mentioned. I had no idea truckers were so vain. If I worked for Chatelaine that would be one thing, but I’m pretty sure most Truck News readers will bite their tongues if you haven’t shaved in a couple of days or your hat is on crooked. Seriously, it’s okay.
The usual run-around I get doing my TSQ isn’t so much angering as it is disappointing. My respect and admiration of truck drivers has increased leaps and bounds since starting this job, but when I sometimes get shot down 10 to 15 times by rude and indignant drivers, my positive convictions begin to wane.
The bottom line: I want to paint a picture of truckers as they would like to be portrayed and the only way that can happen is if they act that way in the first place. Don’t make me lose my faith in truckers already. Last time I checked, truckers were real people with real emotions and real opinions, and the necessary chutzpah to back them up.
Cheers, to those of you on the road
