Editorial: Millions of Jobs Well Done

A recent string of events leads to one large conclusion. We told you last month of truck drivers working diligently to get to Pittsburgh so they could compete for industry honors. Then there was Labor Day, followed quickly by National Truck Driver Appreciation Week.

Coming up this week is the SuperTech contest in Orlando, Florida, during the Technology & Maintenance Council’s fall meeting. That brings together people who understand today’s truck engines to compete to see who is best at keeping the massive, complicated beasts purring smoothly.

We try to write intelligently about trucking equipment but cannot claim to be able to fix something with selective catalytic reduction, air-ride suspension and telematics.

Given all this, we’d like to say, again, thank you.

Thank you to the 3.2 million drivers who sit in traffic, roll through snow, rain and ice, observe conditions carefully so as to avoid accidents, and sometimes risk their own lives pulling other motorists from burning cars.

Every trucking company owner and executive should be grateful for the work done not only by drivers but by technicians, safety directors, customer service representatives, dispatchers, technology staff and all the other employees.

Beyond that, Americans at large should spend some time thinking about these people.

Whether a smart phone, a bottle of fine wine, state-of-the-art medical equipment, a vial of insulin, pet food or back-to-school clothes — nearly all of it spent some time on a truck.

The truck was most likely maintained in optimal condition by a technician, operated safely by a driver with a commercial license, and scheduled, dispatched and monitored by people in a back office.

According to reports, trucking company management seems to have taken note. They hosted lunches, conducted prize raffles and distributed gift certificates.

“For too long, our millions of professional drivers have not been afforded the respect they deserve, and we hope this annual celebration of their dedication to safety and their essential role in our economy can help to change that,” said Philip Byrd Sr., chairman of American Trucking Associations.

Another peak shipping season is approaching, and the economy appears to be in solid shape. Therefore, much of the nation will soon move from busy to frantic.

All of those people in trucking will toil to make sure it happens as smoothly as possible.

Your neighbors would be amazed by what moves along the highways by the end of the year. Perhaps it will even be appreciated.