Even on Thanksgiving, the Freight Still Moves

For John Mayo, an independent owner-operator from Orlando, Fla., the reason was purely economic.

For Jerome Ballard, driving for Werner Enterprises out of Beaumont, Texas, the reason was an error in scheduling.

For Michael Cameron, who works for D.T. Grantham out of Goldsboro, N.C., and lives in Dunn, N.C., his incentive was a free meal.

Regardless of the reasons, instead of sitting at the family dinner table partaking in the kind of feast much of the rest of the country enjoyed, these truckers were hauling America’s freight on Thanksgiving day.

At the Travel Centers of America truck stop in Jessup, Md., the parking lot, usually overflowing with 18-wheelers and teeming with activity, was about half full in the late afternoon. The sound of diesel engines, usually deafening, lilted gently in the background.

Inside, a smattering of drivers listened to the soft croon of country music piped into the restaurant. The gift shop was empty but ready for whatever Christmas rush would come its way. Shelves of “Rocking Santas,” Britney Spears dolls, plush bears and Christmas hats, along with radio-controlled trucks and “Sassy Baby” dolls, sat waiting for truckers to scoop them up and take them home for their loved ones.

For the full story, see the Dec. 4 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.