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Lighter Load: Trucking industry’s image starts and ends with you

Truck drivers used to be thought of as the knights of the road, but it seems that over the years that image has changed, and not in a good way.

When I go out to a local truck stop a couple of times a month looking for drivers to interview I see all shapes, sizes, races and genders of drivers, and all styles of fashion.

Since the truck stop has a full-service restaurant there are oftentimes people there, as I’m sure is the case with most truck stops, who are not truckers.

As I have stopped people to ask if they are truck drivers, I’ve gotten responses like: “Do I look like a truck driver?” And let me say when I get that type of response it’s usually said with a derogatory tone.

Just what does a truck driver look like anyway?

When you think of an airline pilot, what image pops into your head? For me it’s a man or woman in uniform, one which identifies them as a member of the crew. Flight attendants also wear uniforms. It’s unlikely that you’d step onto a commercial plane and not be able to identify who is working there.

Pilots don’t seem to have the same image problems as truckers. Pilots and truckers are drug tested. Both must follow strict regulations in order to go about their business. All have the responsibility to operate their machinery safely in order to not harm themselves or others. Yet, truck drivers just don’t command the respect that pilots do.

I don’t think it’s just the uniforms that make the difference.

Maybe truckers get a bad rap. It only takes one bad apple to spoil the whole bunch and once somebody has an encounter with a truck driver that is not pleasant, the image of the industry is tarnished — maybe forever.

It starts with each individual in the industry.

Do you take pride in how you look? In order to appear professional — and truck drivers are professionals — what do you think it takes?

If you step out of your cab and head into the truck stop after sleeping in your bunk for eight hours, do you think it matters if you comb your hair or not? What about what you are wearing?

When someone is in a truck stop, they don’t know if you just woke up from your sleeper-berth time or if you have been out driving for hours. The image of trucking starts with you and how you appear wherever you are when you are on the job.

And image isn’t just based on physical appearance.

Are you polite when you’re out on the road, or do you cut other drivers off, shoot the finger every chance you get, or throw urine bombs and other trash out of your truck onto parking lots or on the shoulders of the road?

Your actions affect the reputation of other truck drivers and of the industry as a whole. It doesn’t matter how much positive reinforcement is pumped into society about trucking by the American Trucking Associations, the Truckload Carriers Association, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, or publications like The Trucker. What people think of the industry is very much based upon their experiences with those who are driving the trucks.

Your 80,000-pound-rig demands respect, but that is often more fear-based than anything. Respect of the profession of trucking is earned or taken away one driver at a time.

Most of us were taught to respect our elders. We’re told to respect those in authority. And we usually do respect the position, but that doesn’t mean we respect the person. A person’s integrity, behavior, and yes, even their appearance is what earns our respect.

So it is with trucking.

Take a moment to dress yourself appropriately before stepping out of your truck.

Shower as often as you can when you are out on the road for weeks at a time.

Comb your hair and brush your teeth.

Wear clean clothes that are the appropriate size for your body and cover what they are supposed to cover. It doesn’t take a business suit to be appropriately dressed. Clean, unwrinkled clothes that fit say a lot about a person.

Always throw your trash in the appropriate place.

Be polite when driving, when you stop at shippers and receivers, and any other time when you are on the job representing the industry.

Use the CB appropriately.

Keep your truck as clean as you can.

Drive the speed limit.

Respect your own industry by refraining from bad mouthing it to others.

Obey trucking regulations, including keeping an accurate logbook, and don’t brag to others about cheating if you do break the rules.

Take pride in your job.

It’s up to you to do the right thing even if you feel it’s a losing battle since there are millions of truckers out there and some may not do right. It’s your choice: you can do what’s right and help to turn the image of truckers around, or you can be a bad apple that spoils it for everybody else.         

Barb Kampbell of The Trucker staff can be reached for comment at [email protected] .