The American spirit

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Fleet Owner / November 5, 2015

When asking truckers why they do what they do, a common theme emerges

With all the changes in trucking regulations and their impact on small and micro-trucking companies, there are many pundits in the industry who are saying owner-operators and micro- and small trucking companies are coming to the end of their days.

That’s as far from happening as saying the squabbling and finger-pointing between political parties in Washington is going to come to an end. Both are solid American institutions from which the principles of this nation are derived. Any student of American history knows that it took the Founding Fathers nearly 10 years of arguing, pointing accusatory fingers, debate, discussion, and disagreement to reach a compromise we call our Constitution. Ironically, regardless of their political ideology, each of these founding individuals was the epitome of what America still stands for today: innovators, inventors, creative entrepreneurs in their given trades and professions.

Now, let’s jump ahead to 2015. As proof that the American entrepreneurial spirit is still alive and well, we just need to look at the small independent trucking business person. For a series of articles in Fleet Owner’s sister publication American Trucker, we asked several small independent truckers what they liked best about trucking. Here are some of their responses:

“I love this industry most because it’s an unspoken brother/sisterhood. The level of respect is at its highest OTR. I love the challenges this type of load presents, and there are always new challenges with just maneuvering roads and into job sites.”

—Rebekah Meadows, O/O for JGR Inc

“I enjoy meeting new customers, and being able to meet and exceed their expectations—and perform an excellent relocation for them.”

—Roy Richards, Farley Brothers of Lancaster

“It’s the freedom of hauling the loads I want, at the rate I need and the places I want to go.”

—Randy Bellrose, BellaRosa Transport

“It’s still about the people I meet. A lot of things have changed over the years; at one time, the camaraderie was disappearing, but it appears that it’s coming back. As with anything else, if you don’t have a solid foundation, you will not survive in my industry.”

—Gilbert Archuleta, Archuleta Transport

“I enjoy the customers and good old-school people with great values with which we deal.”

—Jeremy Jansen, Triple C Express

“The ability to get customers’ freight where and when they need it.”

—Thomas J. Sisson, EAS Trucking

“Household drivers deal with different customers every move, so it’s never the same job twice. Every move is unique in its own way, and you get to meet all kinds of wonderful people.”

—Bob Hirchak, Nor-Cal Moving Services

“I love the driving and being in a different place almost every day. Also, I enjoy meeting new people all the time.”

—Keith “Palerider” Lawson, O/O Central Hauling

“I feed America and keep her alive! There’s a sense of pride and accomplishment that goes along with that.”

—Ben Lujin, O/O Ankle Pik

Why do these people enjoy trucking? It’s about the people, the lifestyle and the service each of these professionals provide. It’s not about the money earned; it’s about providing a service that America needs. That’s never going away, as it is ingrained in the American Spirit that’s over 200 years old.