Driver Lifestyles
The Road Home For The Holidays
By Jeff Jensen, Editor
Dec 22, 2007 - 9:25:00 AM

The life of the professional driver is typically a lonely one, but come the holidays -  specifically on Thanksgiving and Christmas  that loneliness is magnified, especially if the driver is unable to make it back home to family and loved ones.

In fact, the longing for serious home time can begin well in advance of the actual holiday. Our consumer-oriented culture is deluged with Christmas advertising that begins shortly after Halloween and the constant reminders of home, hearth and the upcoming festive season can exacerbate the driver's sense of isolation.

For the general trucking company driver who must obey his company's orders to work through the holidays, it can be a depressing time.  If the driver wants to keep his job, he'll keep his wheels rolling, despite the company's advertising that "our drivers get plenty of home time."

For the owner-operators of expediting, it's time and distance that can pose difficulties for the driver trying to make it back to the house for the holidays.  If the expediter's last load leaves him 1,000 miles away from home and his carrier doesn't have a load taking him in that general direction, it means a deadhead at his expense. 

Most drivers however, will willingly accept that cost if it means being with the family on this important occasion.

Holiday dangers
It's important to be aware that danger on the road increases dramatically as untrained, harried four-wheelers try to make it over the hills and through the woods to grandma's house and various other destinations that they invariably have not allocated enough time for.  You can bet that they have not rested before getting on the road in record numbers. Watch out for them!

Get off the road the day before the major holidays if possible-and on the day before they are all due back at work!  Drive like you're on ice, because you are-thin ice!  Leave more room, drive slower, allow more time to get there, and relax.

Everyone is in  too much of a hurry, and far too many are hurrying to their funeral or a hospital bed.  Don't help them or join them.      

There's still time
The professional driver should keep in mind that if he doesn't make it home this year for the holidays, there is no rule that says he must celebrate on a given day. 

The expediter can always find the holiday spirit with his family before or after the traditional day on which it is celebrated. Every day is actually a good day to be thankful, especially a day when one is surrounded by family and loved ones.

What others are doing
We asked a few expediters about their plans for the holidays and if they planned to make it back home for Christmas.

Chet Merithew, straight truck driver
When we caught up with Chet, he was on his way to a Ft. Worth delivery before heading home (also in Texas) for the holidays. 

"I'm going to try to get as many truck-related chores done as I can over this "vacation" so I can be ready to go on January 2nd," he says. 

"I'm used to working and I love to drive so much that if I sit at home too long, I drive everyone there crazy!"

Bob Worthington, cargo van owner-operator
When we spoke to Bob, he was two miles from his Tennessee home, having returned from a run to Florida.

He tells us, "For the holidays, my wife and I are heading to Cleveland to spend Christmas with our three daughters and then head back home for New Years.  It's a lot of running around."

Greg Geronsin, cargo van owner-operator
"During my time in expedite," says Greg, "I've always made it home for both Thanksgiving and Christmas.  If I didn't, my family would kill me."

Greg says that he and his wife are expecting a crowd of around 25 people this year and that he and the missus will be doing the food preparation, including a large Honey-Baked ham.

Tom and Tina Evans, straight truck owner-operators
"We usually make it home by the 20th or 21st, but this year we came in a few days early.  We delivered on Saturday morning and a two and a half hour drive brought us home."

"Tina and I get in the holiday spirit by entertaining friends, family and business associates during an open house that we have the week before Christmas.  We make it a point to take around four weeks off at this time of year."

Lance and April Tyler, straight truck owner-operators
The couple was headed to Boston with a load when contacted, but

Lance says, "Dispatch promised to get us back home this coming Monday, so we'll see what happens.  Last year, we made it home for Christmas as we usually do, but we were back out on the 26th."
 
From:  Expediters Online

To: All of the hard-working men and women of the North American transportation industry:

If you won't be able to be with friends and family this holiday season, thank you for your dedication in keeping the wheels rolling and the freight moving. - Merry Christmas!

If you will be sharing this holiday with family and loved ones, we hope you will enjoy a warm and joyous celebration in the company of those special people.  - Merry Christmas!

To:  All of our military men and women in Iraq, Afghanistan and around the globe:  A heartfelt and grateful Thank You for your service, dedication and sacrifice in helping to maintain the freedoms and safety that we enjoy back home. 

You're in our thoughts and prayers and we hope you'll be with us again very soon.  A very Merry and Safe Christmas and Happy New Year!