Men and Women of the Road: Our Commercial Truck Drivers
The nation’s highways are filled with commercial trucks that transport produce, meats, medical supplies, cars, cows, gasoline, lumber, chickens, manufactured houses and all sorts of products and necessities used by Americans every day.
Without the dedication of commercial trucker drivers who spend their lives on the road, grocery store shelves would become empty, gas stations would stop pumping gas and construction would come to a screeching halt.
We need our truckers — both local and long distance — to deliver the goods that sustain us, heal us, and enhance our lives in ways we rarely consider.
But who are these valiant men and women who travel the roads for our good?
They are moms and dads, married couples, high school graduates, college students, military veterans and a cornucopia of others. They represent a cross-section of America, hailing from almost every state and delivering our goods through all types of inclement weather — including rain, snow, sleet and hail. They heroically do for us what we cannot do for ourselves.
And how do truckers enter this professional driving career?
Many enroll in vocational or trade schools to learn how to maneuver commercial trucks, including tractor-trailers, over the most challenging road conditions and through the heaviest city traffic. They learn the fundamentals of light truck maintenance, how to insure the safety and integrity of their loads (and themselves), and all about the latest federal guidelines and laws concerning intrastate and interstate trucking.
Some commercial truckers own their own trucks. But most truck drivers use company big rigs and receive a salary that may be supplemented by overtime pay plus full benefits — including health and dental care, life insurance, pension, tuition reimbursement and more. Most trucking positions require applicants to be high school graduates who are over 21 years of age with clean driving records and no auto-related felonies.
Along the road, special gas stations and rest stops for truckers provide a host of amenities — including showers, hotels, grocery stores, medical clinics, health clubs restaurants, gift shops, WiFi and entertainment. Truckers are also perfect candidates for online degree programs, which they may complete while on the road. Online degrees give truckers the flexibility they need to earn their college diploma.
Commercial trucking is a noble profession with its share of perks and advantages, including the opportunity to travel around the beautiful United States with little supervision. But commercial truck drivers are strong, independent-minded self-starters with the skills to deliver what we need.
And we owe them a debt of gratitude for that.
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