Trucker Radio News & Talk guests get testy
There were some strong opinions voiced on the current edition of Trucker Radio news & Talk, available for download or streaming now on TruckerRadioTalk.com.
Pro drivers Harry Rudolfs, Mark Lee and Alfy Meyer all had lots to say about the bitching and complaining they say has become too prevalent in the industry. They voiced strong opinions about the industry – including insights into why it’s really not a bad way to make a living.
Of course, some of those comments are sure to ruffle some feathers with listeners. Even host Stan Campbell got into it. Here’s an excerpt from his monologue:
“As the host of the Trucker Radio Show for the past nine years, I’ve been an outside observer and as such, I have heard a lot of opinions from all sides about poor driver pay and conditions, to the shortage of qualified drivers,” he said. “Each side has a legitimate beef but being that outside observer of the trucking industry, I feel like I am peering in a peephole at an exclusive private club…As a promotions and marketing guy…I see an industry that desperately needs to promote itself to the general public but especially the millenials.”
Campbell said this episode of Trucker Radio News & Talk is more provocative than past editions.
“I specifically asked our driver guests to offer their opinions and vent their frustrations simply to create some dialogue,” he said. “IF you are a driver or the head of a major carrier, I welcome your response.”
Also on this week’s show, James Menzies discusses the Freightliner Inspiration Truck. There are also the regular features such as news, events and the Dufus Driver story.
Listen here.
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The problem with driver attitude has always been the 2 different types of drivers in trucking. This is a very un natural way to make a living and requires certain disciplines on an on going 24 hrs a day routine. Wether it’s sleep, nutrition, or quality time. An honest balance needs to be maintained to enjoy a few decades at this job.
There is the driver who settles in to trucking by default, meaning that they consider it as “Just a job” or a burden instead of a sense of pride. A place where they ended up in as opposed to a chosen career path.
As a result, they find no value in a company that cannot or will not cater to them. They rest their own lifes mismanagements on the company and therefore are never happy.
Then there’s the driver who chose to be a trucker or settled in and learned how to find prosperity in trucking leading to happiness. They know where the land mines are and how negotiate them. They know how to ask the right questions from a perspective employer. If I may also interject the song lyrics from “The Gambler” – ” They know when to walk away and when to run.” These folks know how find the right companies and know how to keep life in balance.
It’s a sad thing to say, but some drivers don’t see retirement in trucking. They usually walk away from the business, are struck down with something, or even worse. I’ve lost more than just a few freinds in this field of work.
The difference from these 2 types of drivers is that one is committed to a sustainable manner of doing it right, and the other isn’t willing to make compromises to a more organized and disciplined approach. They’re afraid to turn the page and move on so they sit and stew.
This is a great sustainable business to be In because the driver doesn’t suffer the economic downturns when they happen.
Trucking is also a self correcting culture as is the case now in the driver shortage. The fact that drivers are hard to come by or are constantly on the move to greener pastures means that I can have faith that the experts will never figure out how to keep good drivers. A handful of companies are top notch, but you have to weave through a lot of thorns to get to them. Getting into the minutiae of why truckers are not happy is a toxic topic and someday when I don’t have to much skin in the game, I’ll give up my soul on the darker points.
I’ve been through about 18 companies in 32 years and found quite a few good ones. That being said, one should never be afraid of moving on and reinventing themselves. It is, in its essence, the only form of revolt that sends a clear message.