Editorial: Recognizing People Behind the Wheel
This Editorial appears in the Sept. 19 print edition of Transport Topics. Click here to subscribe today.
To readers of Transport Topics, the plight of the industry’s truck drivers is well-known. It requires a unique commitment to be away from home and travel over congested highways while complying with more and more regulatory demands.
For citizens at large, though, trucking remains somewhat of a mystery. That is why an event such as National Truck Driver Appreciation Week is so important. The stirring efforts to recognize drivers can be seen by going online and seeing just how many positive stories and messages there are.
“You’re seeing an impressive truck driven by one of millions of professionals committed to safely sharing the road, delivering the products you need and Moving America Forward,” Kevin Burch, first vice chairman of American Trucking Associations and president of Jet Express, wrote in an op-ed published in a number of newspapers throughout the United States.
Likewise, the growth of social media offers a greater opportunity than ever to spread the message to people who otherwise would take for granted how their store shelves remain stocked.
But efforts to recognize those who make freight move should not be limited to people who are sitting behind the wheel of a truck today.
That is why we want to tip our hat to those who are in the process of becoming the truck drivers of tomorrow. Our “CDL or Bust” series has followed seven of them the past several weeks as they’ve worked to obtain commercial licenses. The journey resulted in four passing grades so far, and the three who didn’t make it aren’t quitting — they’ve scheduled themselves for retesting.
Regardless, all of their efforts should be commended, including their willingness to share with the public how challenging the process can be for newbies.
Of course, a part of being a successful driver is having a reliable truck.
It’s worth pointing out we are only days away from the fall meeting of the Technology & Maintenance Council of American Trucking Associations — a highlight of which is the SuperTech contest that brings together the industry’s top technicians to compete for an impressive array of prizes. There is also a student competition as part of the continuing effort to attract a new generation of talent.
To those already on the road, we thank you once again. We also salute the latest crop of CDL holders and everyone heading for Raleigh, North Carolina, to compete in SuperTech.
