Trucking Life

Every day, when Raquel Sanchez climbs into the cab of her UPS truck, she knows she’s got big shoes to fill. Her driving partner, Lawrence “Jim” Sanchez is not just her father and mentor. He’s also recognized throughout the company for setting the bar high for all other UPS drivers because of his consistency behind the wheel. “He’s about to get that 40-year patch next year, and he didn’t get that from being lazy on the job,” Raquel said. “I want to make sure that I’m doing everything that I’m supposed to do. In that moment where I want to be a little lazy and maybe not do everything I was trained to do, I just tell myself, ‘No, I have eyes on me. Even if I can’t see them looking over at me, I know that I’m always being watched.’ “I do feel that pressure a little bit, but I just think to myself, ‘What would Dad do?’” she continued. Raquel is likely not the only person who invokes Jim’s name as the ideal driver at UPS. Jim, now 61, has achieved milestones during his career that nearly defy belief. He was awarded the National Safety Council’s prestigious Joseph M. Kaplan Safe Driver of the Year Award in recognition of 38 years of safe professional driving, 28 of them driving a tractor-trailer. He’s also chalked up 38 injury-free years on the job, including the 12 years he served in the labor-intensive role of delivery driver. “I attribute a lot of this to UPS because of the way they structure their safety programs. It flows over to my own personal lifestyle,” he said. “All throughout my career I had to keep myself safe; I had to keep myself healthy, because I was the only breadwinner at home. “I listened to the safety program UPS set in place to be injury-free and to drive safely because I couldn’t take time off for an injury or an accident because my family depended on me,” he continued. “That has pretty much stayed with me ever since I started.” Jim’s career with UPS began when he showed up for a job interview at age 19. UPS hired him on the spot. After working part time until he was 21, he got behind the wheel and has never looked back. “UPS put me through their own tractor-trailer training program,” he said. “I was in class for about two weeks. I (had) my permit already and they were able to test me. Then they passed me to get my Class A driver’s license.” During his remarkable tenure at UPS, Jim has enjoyed other notable accomplishments. When UPS launched its first four long-haul routes in 1992, he was on the first sleeper team to drive one out of Ontario, California. In 2013, he solidified his status as a “superman” by rescuing a woman from a burning vehicle, an act of heroism for which he received the Commissioner’s Award from the California Highway Patrol. He still vividly recalls the incident. “There was debris all over the freeway, and cars were starting to maneuver around the debris, but I was paying attention to the little truck that got hit and it started in flames,” he said. “Then I saw somebody get out of the car and I thought, ‘That gentleman got out safely, good.’ Then he went back, and it looked like he was pulling on something. I thought he was trying to pull something like luggage or his belongings. No, it was a girl.” The girl was surrounded by flames. “I got out of the truck and I started dodging the cars,” he continued. “I ran across the entire four-lane highway. By the time I got there, the heat was intense. I can still remember it. I had the fire extinguisher to put the flames out that were engulfing her. It was an emotional day for me after it happened. I still remember to this day how everything was very super-hot. And when I put her out all the flames went away. The guys went in there and they were able to pull her out and they had a medivac doctor fly in and take her away.” Yet for all the honors he’s received and that heroic rescue, Jim says the biggest thrill of his career was the chance to drive with his daughter, Raquel, who joined UPS in 2019. “I always knew UPS as a good company for what it did for our family,” she said. “So, I was like, let’s just go ahead and check this out for myself.” Raquel first got behind the wheel as a member of the Army National Guard, and she started with UPS as an unloader. When COVID-19 hit, the company had an increased need for drivers, so she started driving one of the delivery trucks before deciding to move over to the big rigs. When she joined forces with her dad, they were the first UPS father-daughter sleeper team on the West Coast. More than that, the milestone has been a rewarding personal and professional experience for both Jim and Raquel. “I think it actually just made our connection stronger,” she said. “He gives me all this information and tries to get me started on a successful career. He says I’m like a sponge, learning all of this knowledge. We do not have the kind of father-daughter relationship where we bicker at each other or anything. We have a really strong relationship. I feel lucky to have him there.” As he nears the home stretch of his time behind the wheel, Jim says that having the chance to drive the last few years into retirement with his daughter has been the highlight of his career. “I’ve got a lot of years of safety behind the wheel,” he said. “It doesn’t do me any good to not transfer some of this information to my daughter, who I love most, other than my wife. I want to make sure I hand the baton over to her and she’s very confident and knowing that she’ll be doing this job correctly because OF the experiences she had with her dad were very good. “I was very proud when she decided to go [into truck driving] in her career and I’m very proud to have her as my partner,” he said.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Three drivers have been named as this year’s Road Warriors by Pilot Flying J. The annual Road Warrior contest recognizes the hard work, dedication, commitment and sacrifice of professional truck drivers who go the extra mile to keep America moving. Don Crouse of Bruceville, Indiana, is the grand prize winner of $15,000; Robert Palm of Albuquerque, New Mexico, is the second-place winner of $10,000; and Angelique Temple of Ruther Glen, Virginia, is the third-place $5,000 winner. “It was inspiring to read the nominations celebrating professional drivers’ heroism, dedication, and selfless acts of kindness,” said Adrienne Ingoldt, vice president of brand marketing for Pilot Flying J. “At every turn and with each mile driven, these professional drivers go above and beyond to help people and communities along the way. Thank you, and congratulations to Don, Robert and Angelique on this well-deserved recognition of your contributions and many years of driving.” Don Crouse Grand prize winner Don Crouse has been a professional driver for more than 50 years. He currently drives for Boyd Grain of Washington, Indiana. As a mentor and advocate for the trucking industry, he has helped guide new drivers into careers over the road. For the past 15 years, he has dedicated time to serve as a volunteer with Wreaths Across America, delivering wreaths to veterans’ cemeteries in several states. He and his wife have started Wreaths Across America ceremonies in six locations across southwestern Indiana. “Besides being a great driver for over 50 years, Don has gone above and beyond supporting our nation’s veterans through Wreaths Across America, and it’s awesome to see a company like Pilot recognize him for all his selfless efforts. All of us at Boyd Grain are proud to work with Don,” said Logan Graber, co-owner of Boyd Grain. Robert Palm Robert Palm, a U.S. Army veteran, has been in the trucking industry for more than 40 years. Spurred by a passion for serving fellow drivers and their families, he founded Truckers Final Mile, an organization designed to reunite drivers and their families in times of crisis. In 2015, Palm and his wife created a new program to support children during their first Christmas after losing a truck driver parent on the highway. Angelique Temple With over 20 years behind the wheel, Angelique Temple continues to inspire women in the trucking industry, guide young drivers and dedicate countless hours to helping those in need in her community. Her expertise and commitment to trucking have earned her recognition as a panel member for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, as well as an induction into the Howes Hall of Fame. In 2023, Temple participated in the Make-A-Wish Mother’s Day Truck Convoy, contributing to the cause of granting more wishes to children with critical illnesses.

While working to ensure that loads arrive at their destination safely and promptly, drivers often experience hardships and loneliness. To combat this, some drivers choose to drive as a team, but close quarters for days on end can strain even the best relationship. Solo drivers struggle even more with the mental and physical battle and lack of self-care, often missing essential family moments — which leads to even more feelings of loneliness and isolation. Nowadays, many truckers are adding precious cargo to life both on and off the road. That precious cargo is pets. Case in point: Solo driver Eva “Driverette” Knelsen travels through life with a furry companion — Dixie, a Malachi Chihuahua. Knelsen, who drives for West Coast Transport, says she didn’t plan to take Dixie the first time she saw her. “The reason I chose her was because I always wanted a Malachi … but I never been a fan of Chihuahuas,” she said. “When I first saw her, she was the size of a Chihuahua but had the fur of a Malachi. I decided she would be perfect.” And the perfect match she was. Since that day, at the age of only 8 weeks, Dixie has been by Knelsen’s side. Knelsen says has enjoyed every moment with Dixie, and that the pup constantly reminds her the match was the perfect decision. “Dixie is definitely amazing to be with. She gets me out of the truck to exercise and relax my body after driving for a while,” Knelsen said. “Since being with me, Dixie has made me feel like I’m not alone.” Knelsen and Dixie are also well-known in the show truck circuit, along with Knelsen’s pink and white Kenworth, which is designed to bring awareness to breast cancer prevention and treatment, as well as to honor all cancer survivors. In fact, The Trucker team caught up with the pair just this summer during the 2023 Walcott Truckers Jamboree at the Iowa 80 Truckstop in Walcott, Iowa. Whether hauling freight or attending a show, traveling with a pet brings its own set of considerations. Even though issues don’t happen as often as they did when the pair first hit the road together, there are still times when Knelsen is faced with one when it comes to Dixie. “An issue I face on the road is finding a 24-hour veterinarian clinic,” Knelsen said. “Dixie got a kibble stuck in her throat one time. I had no idea what to do. I was in a strange place and had no idea if there was a veterinarian around. I was on the phone with a friend who suggested either taking the kibble out of her throat or pushing it down. We were able to finally get it down, and she started breathing again. She really freaked me out.” Some pet owners say having a pet is like having a child, in that planning and preparing entertainment is necessary. “I am always prepared for the road when it comes to Dixie,” Knelsen said. “I have a box of dog toys for her to play with in the truck, but she normally doesn’t play with them while I’m driving. I also bring her food and water on the truck.” Some drivers are bonded so closely with their pet they are always together. This is the case with Knelsen and Dixie. “Regardless of if we are in the truck or my car, Dixie is always with me. It is very rare for me to leave her with someone else,” Knelsen said. “When I so have to leave her with someone and I come back to get her, she gives me a side eye like she’s trying to tell me, ‘You left me!’ It is always so funny to see her do that.” Knelsen says Dixie is a fabulous dog with a dramatically funny personality, and there is never a day when the pup doesn’t put a smile on her face. “She definitely has her own personality and is very dramatic,” Knelsen said with a laugh. “At night, when we’re getting ready for bed, she will get in the middle of the bed and lay down. She takes up the whole bed and won’t even move. “She is also a weirdo,” she continued, still laughing. “When she finishes ‘doing her business,’ she will pounce and zoom around you over and over. I’ve had so many good times with Dixie.” While some drivers have multiple pets, other four-legged companions seem to have ‘only child’ syndrome, and adding another pet to the mix is challenging. “We have visited friends and family who have dogs, and Dixie plays with all of them — but she will give me this look like, ‘Don’t you dare get another dog,’ which I’m not,” Knelsen said. “It has been just me and Dixie for so long that I don’t think she will be able to adjust to having to share attention with another dog.” While Knelsen and Dixie may be the perfect traveling companions, there have been a few close calls. “A bad time I’ve had with Dixie was when we were parked at a rest area. I had taken my eyes off Dixie for a split second, and when I turned back around, Dixie was directly by the freeway. I panicked and took off, running towards her, yelling at her,” said Knelsen. Knelsen says even the smallest moments can mean everything. “When we are taking a break from the truck, I let Dixie run around and do her thing. But the moment I say, ‘Hammer down,’ she comes running to the truck in full business mode. It’s so cute to see,” she said. “Another good time is when it snows,” she continued. “Now, Dixie does not like the cold. She does love it when it’s warm out, but the snow hasn’t completely melted; then she loves to go out and play in the snow. When she’s finished, she looks like the Michelin man, just a big fluff cloud!” Knelsen says the opportunity to drive a big pink rig and gain a furry companion wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for the transportation company that gave a would-be driver her first chance. She says she’ll never forget the first company she drove a big rig for, Trailwood Transportation — and even more so, their recruiter, Norma Clark. “I owe everything I have in my career to them,” Knelsen said. “They gave me a shot when I didn’t have any experience. I wouldn’t have what I have now if they didn’t take that chance on me.”

Drivers often share how the trucking industry has changed their lives and provided career opportunities beyond hauling freight. This is certainly the case for Emily Plummer, a driver for Springfield, Missouri-based Prime Inc. Born and raised in a small Arkansas town, Plummer says she always knew small-town life was not for her. In high school, she participated in JROTC and hoped to enlist in the military after graduation, believing this to be her only ticket out of town. When high-school graduation came, Plummer found herself facing a roadblock in the form of parental consent. “(My mom told me, ‘If you want to go in the military, you will have to wait until you turn 18,’” she said. Well, 18 came and went, but by then, Plummer was working in a factory and making decent money. However, she was not content. “I didn’t want that. I didn’t want to be in a small town all my life,” she said. “There had to be more out there, I just knew it.” A year or so later, Plummer moved to Texas with her father, again finding herself in a small town. That’s where a life-changing experience literally parked itself next to her. She recalls a trucker pulling up next to her and her father’s vehicle to park — and was instantly hooked on trucks. She immediately asked the truck’s owner if she could take a look inside. “From that moment on, I knew what I wanted to do. I wanted to be a truck driver,” she told The Trucker. As if it was written in the stars, soon afterward she saw an advertisement from a recruiter who was looking for truck drivers for five different carriers. “I did the application, and four companies told me no. There weren’t many female drivers. If there were, they were with their husbands,” she said. “Thinking back, I could’ve gotten a no because I was a woman, but I can’t verify that.” Losing hope, Plummer says felt she was back at square one. She was 20 years old, with no idea what she wanted to do with her life. But then, the fifth company, Prime Inc., called and advised her to get her CDL. Plummer set out to do just that. She recalls her dad helping her train for pre-trip inspections using his old Cadillac. “It helped me get an idea of what I was going to do,” she said. Once Plummer had her CDL in hand, she said, Prime sent her a bus ticket to Springfield, Missouri, to go through the carrier’s driver training program. The rest, as they say, is history. June 18 marked her 28th anniversary as a driver for Prime. One thing that has stuck with Plummer since childhood is that it’s important to find a way to give back. “My mom instilled in us to give back,” she said. “The military was something I could do to give back to the country. I realized that driving a truck is another way to give back.” In addition to “giving back” as a vital part of the nation’s supply chain, Plummer gives back to their community. She and her husband sponsor her alma mater’s football team by providing food and refreshments for the players during the games. “I had one of the young men ask me, ‘Why did you come back to make sure we were fed at football games?’” she said. “I always tell them that I didn’t have that when I was growing up. It’s always good to return to your community. As long as you have touched one person, that’s all that matters. That’s it.” The young men now call Plummer “Aunt Emily,” she said with a smile. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, many businesses either shut down or arranged for employees to work remotely. This was not an option for trucking. As drivers continued to deliver food, merchandise, medical supplies and other necessities, a nation that had long scorned truckers suddenly saw the light. Truckers became celebrities, greeted with cheers, thank-you signs, and food for the road. “My husband and I knew this career came with being unappreciated, but we still wanted to do it. When COVID first hit, we knew that America needed us, so we couldn’t think about ourselves,” Plummer said. “I think the general public realized how important we are to them. We felt appreciated. We enjoyed all of the thank-yous we received on the road.” Unfortunately, the public’s celebration of truckers was short-lived. “Once COVID became unimportant to the public, things returned to what they were,” Plummer said. “They don’t understand the sacrifice that comes with being a trucker. We drive for five months at a time and see so many things that range from one extreme to another. They don’t see us missing the sporting events, birthdays, and graduations. They don’t see that we skip physical and mental health care.” Plummer says she and her husband have learned to cherish their downtime, trading the bunks of their Peterbilt for the comfort of their bed at home. The time is used to catch up on rest, family, friends, and as many doctor’s appointments as possible to make up for the lack of care on the road. When they have to be on the road, she uses FaceTime or Facebook Messenger to keep up to date with her family and friends. Even though she prefers to remain in the background to do her job — and do it well — Plummer’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. In the past year, she has found herself and her achievements in the spotlight not just once, but twice. Prime holds an annual Highway Diamond Gala for its women drivers and honors one driver as the company’s Highway Diva of the Year. As the presenter read the biography of the winner, Plummer says, she noticed it seemed strangely familiar — and then she heard her own name. Winning the Highway Diva of the Year award at Prime was the fuel that kept the truck rolling, so to speak. Plummer says she was asked to come in for a visit with one of the company’s media/marketing representatives. During that meeting, she was told the company planned to nominate her for TCA’s 2023 Professional Driver of the Year. She recalls being shocked and saying, “Why would you do that? I won’t win it.” Plummer knew that two Prime Inc. drivers had previously won the award — but they were both men, and both had more than 30 years of experience. Plummer says she didn’t believe the trucking industry was ready for a woman to win. She was wrong. One winter day, Plummer was navigating her way through a Nebraska snowstorm when she received a call from Prime. “He asked me what I was doing and told me I needed to pack my bags,” she said, adding that the caller told her she had won a spot as one of TCA’s Professional Drivers of the Year and would be traveling to Orlando, Florida, for the awards ceremony during the association’s 2023 convention. Shocked beyond words and emotional, Plummer could only say ‘Wow’ and start crying. That phone call made all the effort she put into both her career and her life feel worthwhile. But, she says, it didn’t feel real until she arrived at the Gaylord Palms Resort in Orlando back in March. “It was such an honor. I met the other four winners, who are all amazing people,” she said. “I know I work hard out there, but I just do my job. I don’t look for anything extra; I don’t go out of the way to put myself out there to be recognized. I just work.” Shocked beyond words and emotional, Plummer could only say ‘Wow’ and start crying. But it didn’t feel real until she arrived at the Gaylord Palms Resort in Orlando. “It was such an honor. I met the other four winners, who are all amazing people,” she said. “I know I work hard out there, but I just do my job. I don’t look for anything extra; I don’t go out of the way to put myself out there to be recognized. I just work.”