Trucking Life

PATTERSON, Calif. — Javier Diaz went down the wrong path early in life. He used drugs, was involved in gang activity and got into trouble at school — he fit all the cliches that could be used to describe a textbook “bad boy.” Then, one day, things changed. Diaz decided to browse through his high school’s course list of electives and found Dave Dein’s name listed as the instructor of a truck-driving course. Diaz shrugged, but signed up for the class anyway. After all, what did he have to lose? “It saved me,” said Diaz, now 21. “I took that class, got my CDL and now I am driving a truck. Trucking really has changed my life.” Dein, 57, says students like Diaz are the reason he became a teacher, and why he created the truck-driving program at Patterson High School in Patterson, California, in 2017. He guides through the basics of trucking, industry news, regulations and even real-world scenarios using a simulator. He also has a real rig that students use for pre-trip checklist practice. “We aren’t a traditional trucking school,” Dein said. “I want my students to keep a pulse on the industry — where is it going? We also work to reduce workplace injuries through exercises. We do golf cart training, where we practice backing up with a utility trailer. It’s the same concept, just on a smaller scale.” Students can’t earn a CDL while in high school, but Dein has partnered with a local truck driving school to provide graduating seniors with that part of their training through the adult education program. The schooling comes at no cost to the students. “Usually, when they graduate here in May, by mid-summer, they can have their CDL,” Dein said. “We also have industry partners so they can get jobs.” Dein said that, above all, he is training his students to be well-educated, professional drivers. “There is not just a need for people in our industry; we need well-trained, younger people,” he said. Dein said he decided early in his teaching career to make a point of helping students like Diaz. He calls them “possibility kids.” “I began substitute teaching after a friend suggested it,” said Dein, who began his professional career as a race car driver; then became a trucker and teacher. “I saw a consistent theme on how the teachers were labeling kids, and it really pissed me off,” he recalled. “Their (substitute teaching) plans always had a list at the bottom that said ‘problem kids.’ I crossed that out with a red pen and wrote ‘possibility kids.’ When I was their age, I was probably on that ‘problem’ list, too.” Diego Estalera, 17, is one of Dein’s current students. A senior at Patterson High School, Estalera said he hopes to soon follow in his dad’s footsteps and become a trucker. But there are challenges along the way. “Backing up is hard,” he said. “But I feel like I can train enough to progress. My dad is happy about me wanting to follow in his footsteps.” Estalera said he doesn’t want to be a long-haul driver. Rather, he sees himself in the food delivery business, working in the Patterson area. “I am really excited about it,” Estalera said. Outside the classroom, Dein still drives big rigs from time to time. In fact, this summer he took a job with one of his former employers, Morning Star Farms, to help out during a shortage of agriculture drivers in California. Instead of keeping his hard-earned money, however, Dein invested in the future of the trucking industry. He gave the proceeds to a nonprofit, the Next Generation in Trucking Association (www.nextgentrucking.org/), that he serves as vice chairman. The association is designed to promote trucking as a positive career field for a new generation of drivers. “I had a blast out there driving, and it made some money for a good cause, too,” Dein said. “It is something great to be back on the road. I also got to drive newer trucks with new technology on board. Those are some things I can bring back and share with my students. We are always learning something new.”

“We all live a journey.” This is Dawson Taylor’s philosophy on life. Most people’s journeys do not shift quite as remarkably as Taylor’s. Along the way, trucking has made all the difference in his life. At 54, Taylor is an earnest man with a hearty laugh and a respectful demeanor. He tries to do the right thing — but this was not always the case. Taylor said he chose a rough path as a young adult and admittedly made ill-advised choices. He was into partying, and decided to drop out of high school. “I was just being stupid,” said Taylor of his behavior at the time. Taylor’s father, a recovering alcoholic himself, had been attempting to redirect his son’s path. Eventually, those efforts hit an impasse, and Taylor was kicked out of the family home. “I did things I’m not proud of,” said Taylor. “I wish I had listened to (my dad) more.” At one point, Taylor’s older brother, James H. “Jimmy” Taylor Jr., took him in. Jimmy was a trucker, and Dawson went everywhere Jimmy went. This meant joining Jimmy on his rig. “He wasn’t (just) my brother. He was my best friend” Dawson said, adding that he “sowed his wild oats” under Jimmy’s watchful eyes. “If it wasn’t for him doing what he was doing, I don’t know what I would be right now,” Dawson said. Dawson started out working with his brother as a “bedbugger” (a slang term for movers at the time). Things were still not tranquil for Dawson, but they were looking up, and he found joy in his new career. “We poked fun. We made jokes. One time, we rolled (Jimmy) up in a mattress and put furniture on top of him,” Dawson said with a chuckle. After three years of riding alongside Jimmy, Dawson got his own CDL. He also started taking his father’s advice. Dawson’s father recommended that he finish his education and find a career before getting married and having a family. “That was playtime. Now this is adult time,” said Dawson of the transition. Five years later, he progressed from working with his brother to driving solo over the road. That career has endured for 32 years, and Dawson says there’s no end in sight. Everything was rolling right along … then tragedy struck. Dawson lost Jimmy — his best friend and brother — about 15 years ago because of complications during open heart surgery. Dawson served as one of the pallbearers at Jimmy’s funeral. Later, Dawson’s father died. Despite these heartbreaking losses, Dawson continued his life’s journey as a trucker. About eight years ago, he started driving for Pro Transport, where he found a surrogate father. “He reminds me so much of my daddy, it’s almost like talking to (him),” Dawson explained, adding that he’s grateful to have found Pro Transport. “It’s a shame I didn’t find them earlier,” said Taylor. “I love where I work.” Dawson keeps a plaque in his rig dedicated to his father, his brother and his mentor at Pro Transport. “I honor them. I don’t forget them,” he said. Dawson leases his 2020 Freightliner Cascadia, nicknamed “Roll of the Dice,” from Pro Transport. In July 2021, Dawson drove the rig to the Walcott Truckers Jamboree at Iowa 80 in Walcott, Iowa. At one point in the competition, he shared, he began to feel discouraged. In his book, Freightliners typically don’t take home prizes. He almost left before the event ended. “I actually thought about packing up and leaving. I really did,” he said. He stayed, however, and that perseverance earned him three awards. “That just shows you: Don’t give up,” he said, adding that for him, the event was not about winning, and that the Truckers Jamboree was a great learning experience. Before he went out with his next load, he dropped off his awards for display at Pro Transport. “They’re just as much their trophies as they are mine,” Dawson noted. Though Dawson loves what he does, his greatest love is for his family. “I like to stay gone, but I like to go home,” he said. At one point, Dawson’s wife, Bobbie, joined him on the road after obtaining her CDL. “We ran teams for a little over a year,” he said, adding that Bobbie left trucking after an accident in Amarillo, Texas. “She got beat up pretty bad (in the accident) and has PTSD. (But) everything (happens) for a reason.” The couple’s life circumstances changed, and now Bobbie stays home, helping to raise their granddaughter, Kayleigh. “That’s more important right now than money,” said Dawson, noting that he couldn’t continue to drive if Bobbie wasn’t able to stay home with Kayleigh. Taylor returns his wife’s love and kindness with faithfulness. His “rough” days are behind him. “(I’ve been) married 25 years and have been faithful all 25 years,” he shared. Throughout his life’s journey, Taylor admits, he has made mistakes. However, he tries to use each misstep as learning experiences. “I don’t like the word ‘regret,’” he said. “‘Regret’ means you wish you didn’t do it. If you didn’t do it, you wouldn’t have learned from it.” This is one piece of advice that anyone can follow.

For many truckers, every day is “bring your pet to work day.” With all of the benefits pets provide, this is not surprising. Pets were providing humans with companionship long before the term “support animal” was coined. Animal companions have proven to be beneficial to sufferers of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other ailments. It wouldn’t be accurate to claim that all drivers suffer from PTSD — although some certainly may — but almost every driver who spends a lot of time away from family and friends has experienced feelings of loneliness and anxiety. Pets can help mitigate those feelings just by being there. The bond between human and an animal is often as strong as a family relationship. Indeed, many owners consider their pet a part of the family. If you’re an employee of a trucking company and want to take a pet along for the ride, make sure company rules don’t prohibit the practice. Some carriers prohibit pets on their trucks for insurance or maintenance reasons. Because some pets require periodic walks and potty breaks, the driver has a chance to get a bit of fresh air and exercise, when he or she would otherwise have spent a rest break sitting in the truck. The most popular highway pet is a dog, which comes with the added benefit of increasing security. Some dogs, of course, are large enough to provide protection from an intruder, but almost any dog can provide a warning if danger approaches. Many owners sleep better knowing Fido will alert them to anything resembling danger. In addition, the mere presence of a dog can deter would-be criminals, who would rather move on to easier prey. Dogs aren’t the only pet option for truck drivers. Cats are also popular, and birds, reptiles and rodents have been spotted in truck cabs as well. Some drivers prefer more interaction with their pets, such as petting or cuddling, while others are content just knowing their companion is there. Whatever pet you choose, it’s important to prepare for another creature in the truck. Stock up on supplies like food, bedding, litter or other needed products before a run begins. Choices will be limited on the road, especially at truck stops and convenience stores, and some products may not be available at all. Water quality can vary from state to state, so some drivers prefer to provide bottled water for their pets. This practice can get expensive on the road, however. Most grocery chains have a “value” brand of drinking water. If your pet is large, consider stocking up on gallon bottles rather than buying more expensive, smaller bottles on the road. While sharing human food with a pet may be a treat and can help animals stay happy until their regular diet can be resumed, it isn’t the healthiest option for the pet — and it can cause health issues. Every pet is different, of course, but it helps to know what diet is good for your pet, and plan for it. Medical care is important for traveling pets. It’s best to make sure each animal is up to date on vaccinations and prescription medications. Heartworm medication, for example, is crucial for dogs. Even over-the-counter medications like vitamins may be hard to find on the road. Just like the driver, traveling pets will need a periodic restroom break. Dogs and cats that aren’t trained to a litter box will need an area they can roam. Some truck stops and rest areas provide designated pet-walking areas for this purpose. When outside the truck, every animal should be on a leash. Even the most well-behaved pets can react to the presence of other animals or the odors those animals leave behind. High-traffic areas like truck stops can be deadly for loose animals, who may panic and be difficult to get under control. Flight is a natural response to fear. For dogs and cats, harnesses provide more control than collars. Some harnesses even come with built-in handles that can be used to pick up or control the animal if needed. As a bonus, some harnesses are trimmed with reflective tape that can help you (and others) spot the animal in poor lighting. Public pet-walking areas come with a danger that owners should be aware of: Pets can pick up the eggs and larvae of parasites like tapeworms on their feet as they walk through areas where an infected pet has been. These sometimes work their way into the pet’s body, either by penetrating the skin or by being ingested later as the animal cleans itself. If your pet uses these areas, it’s important that it be tested regularly for worms. You’ll need to submit a stool sample to your veterinarian for testing. You may be able to see some types of worms in the feces your dog or cat leaves behind, but many parasites are too small to see without a microscope. Have the testing done by a professional. If you suspect your pet has worms, your veterinarian can prescribe the right treatment. If your pet isn’t spayed or neutered, consider having this done. Unneutered pets can instinctively be territorial and can become aggressive towards other pets and even people. Additionally, unneutered cats can feel the urge to mark their territory by spraying urine deposits around their living area — in this case, the enclosed cabin of your rig. Those odors can be very difficult to get out of carpets and bedding. For caged pets such as birds, reptiles or rodents, a periodic change of bedding or litter is necessary to maintain good health and to keep the cab smelling fresh. You’ll want to bring a supply along. Finally, some safety rules are in order. Pets must never interfere with the safe operation of a vehicle. Holding a dog or cat in the driver’s lap while going down the road isn’t cute — it’s irresponsible. In addition, having a pet wandering on the floor around the driver’s feet can interfere with operation of the clutch, brake and throttle. Some pets are well-behaved and will stay in one area, such as the sleeper berth or the passenger seat; however, others need to be restrained in a carrier or crate when the truck is in motion. Make sure you have a means of restraining your pet if it becomes necessary. If you have a pet traveling over the road, enjoy the companionship — and make sure both you and your pet are safe and healthy.

Tim Olden’s savvy behind the wheel, even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, earned him the title of Owner-Operator of the Year for 2020 at Decker Truck Line in Fort Dodge, Iowa. This achievement, while largely based on financial indicators, also takes a great measure of skill — something Olden has in abundance. “It takes a qualified driver to run these things,” said Olden, who owns, drives and repairs his own rigs. Olden is not an overnight prodigy. His impressive skill set comes from spending the majority of the last 32 years out on the road. Because he typically drives between 160,000 and 180,000 miles each year, Olden says almost any place can feel like home. “Home is wherever I lay my head,” said Olden. During the warmer seasons of the year, Olden typically makes his home in what he calls his “summer truck,” a Peterbilt Model 386 that he’s transformed into a home on the road. He added several modifications, including antique birchwood flooring, to the rig. In the winter, he switches to his Model 389, because it has better ground clearance. “There’s only 6 inches of clearance (on the 386),” said Olden, who has no intentions of operating his rig as a makeshift snowplow. Transforming a truck into a home away from home is no small feat. It does seem apropos, however, given Olden’s early career interests: He originally wanted to become an architectural engineer, but found he wasn’t suited to an office job. “(Trucking is) freedom. It’s a lifestyle,” he said, explaining why he changed his life’s direction at age 18 and earned a chauffeur’s license and hitting the road. Three years later, when the CDL was introduced, he recertified, keeping up with the times. The early 1990s were sort of a “golden age” for Olden, who said he began to develop a skill for repairing rigs soon after hitting the road. A family mindset prevailed in the industry. Truckers often stopped to help other drivers, as well as the public, out with flat tires and minor repairs. “We used to help one another,” he recalled. Olden still carries a repair kit and spare parts in his trucks to assist others as needed. And of course, as in any good family, there was food everywhere within the trucking community. “We used to do cookouts in truck stops. We used to set up a couple of flatbeds with music,” he said. Such events were like a party in a parking lot. Today, however, the practice has been discontinued due to safety concerns. Many changes have been necessary over the years. Olden recalls keeping a roll of dimes and using pay phones to report his location to dispatch twice a day, once between 8:30 and 9 a.m. and again between 5 and 6 p.m. This system was all that was available in the days before cellphones and easily accessible computers, and it had its limitations. “A lot of my friends would actually pass away in the truck,” said Olden. “Nobody would have contact with them for a week.” If a driver didn’t complete an assigned run, police had to contact other drivers with the same company to piece together the missing driver’s routine in an attempt to find him or her. These days, electronic logging devices (ELDs) and other equipment transmit the locations of the trucks. Even though he understands the reservations some drivers have about ELDs, Olden says that to him the device is indispensable. During his years on the road, Olden periodically took breaks from his trucking career to work construction jobs for a few months at a time. “I (had) my ups and downs (with) trucking,” he said. It was during one of these “breaks” that Olden met his girlfriend of almost 13 years, Margaret “Peggy” Carstens. She would be instrumental in helping him through one of the most challenging times of his career. He began a partnership in the trucking industry, but it was short-lived. The owners parted ways over a disagreement, and Olden found himself driving for a different company. The financial difficulties caused by the dissolution of the partnership were major, but Olden says Carstens helped him through them. Today, as an owner-operator driving for Decker Truck Line, Olden says he’s been able to reclaim the family-oriented mindset he remembers from his early days in the trucking industry. In addition, he enjoys the freedom and respect the company affords him as an experienced truck owner. “I’m known by my name (at Decker),” Olden said, adding that his driving miles, which number over a million, have been recognized with commemorative rings, plaques and jackets. It appears that Olden has found his niche in the industry, and he said working as an owner-op for Decker has given him the right mix of independence and camaraderie. “I should have (gone) to Decker 20 years ago,” he said. Olden has weathered changes over the years, for the most part with a positive attitude. The open road has changed a lot during the last three decades, and Olden’s experience has morphed as well. However, gaining all that experience and being recognized as Owner-Operator of the Year hasn’t gone to his head. “I’ve watched this industry change,” he said. “I’m the same now as I’ve always been.”

KIRKLAND, Wash. — Ten military veterans have been named as finalists for the Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence award, a program dedicated to finding America’s top rookie military veteran driver. The program recognizes top drivers who have made the successful transition from active duty to driving for a commercial fleet. The winner of the award will receive a Kenworth T680 tractor with a 76-inch sleeper. The T680 features the complete PACCAR Powertrain with PACCAR MX-13 engine, PACCAR TX-12 automated transmission, and PACCAR DX-40 tandem rear axles. This is the sixth consecutive year that Kenworth has teamed with the FASTPORT Trucking Track Mentoring Program and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring our Heroes Program to support the program. “We have an impressive group of drivers selected as finalists in the Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence program,” said Genevieve Bekkerus, Kenworth marketing director. “Kenworth Truck Co. thanks them for their military service to the country and appreciates their dedication on the road in pursuit of their new profession as truck drivers.” The Top 10 drivers are: Steven Brown, EPES Transport System (U.S. Navy); Lacresha Daniels, Prime Inc. (U.S. Navy); Marcus Ellis, Stevens Transport (U.S. Air Force); William Gamez, Roehl Transport (U.S. Army, Army National Guard); Scott McFadden, Melton Truck Lines (U.S. Navy); Jimmy Reddell, Stevens Transport (U.S. Army, Army Reserves); James C. Rose, Prime Inc. (U.S. Marine Corps); Christopher Slindee, Knight Transportation (U.S. Army); Brad Stonebraker, Melton Truck Lines (U.S. Army); and Justin Utt, Swift Transportation (U.S. Marine Corps Reserve). “It was certainly a challenging task to reduce the list of our talented nominees down to the Top 10. Our finalists are outstanding examples of the over-the-road service that veterans can offer the trucking industry, and they represent a variety of military branches,” said FASTPORT President Brad Bentley. “It is important for organizations across the United States to especially reach out to our veterans to help them make a smooth transition back into civilian life.” Drivers were nominated by trucking companies that have made a hiring commitment and pledge to hire veterans on truckingtrack.org, members of the National Association of Publicly Funded Truck Driving Schools (NAPFTDS), or Commercial Vehicle Training Association (CVTA) member school. To qualify, drivers must: Have been active military or a member of the National Guard or Reserve; Graduated from a PTDI-certified, NAPFTDS or CVTA member driver training school and hold a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL); and Been first hired in a trucking position between Jan. 1, 2020, and July 31, 2021. The top three finalists will be announced Oct. 6 at the MHC Road Ready Center in Chillicothe, Ohio, following a recognition event and tour of the adjacent Kenworth Chillicothe manufacturing plant. The public can participate in a popular vote, conducted online from Oct. 28 through Nov. 11 (Veteran’s Day); the final winner will be determined by a selection committee. The winner will be announced Dec. 17 at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C. For more information about the Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence award program, click here.

Weighing in at just 4 pounds, Diego — a teacup applehead chihuahua — may be small in size, but the pup is a big deal to Marcus Reed, an over-the-road truck driver for 88M Transportation. “He’s very outgoing. (He) likes riding, likes to play, loves kids and loves his cheeseburgers and McDonald’s,” Reed said. “He gets McDoubles, plain with no bun.” Reed’s romantic partner, Kelly Webb, gifted Diego to Reed as a birthday present nearly 13 years ago. At the time, the black-tan-and-white pup was five weeks old and weighed 9 ounces. Reed named Diego after a character in “Dora the Explorer,” one of his granddaughter’s favorite shows. Although Reed was a farmhand back then, he said Diego has always had an interest in the open road. “If we said we were going to leave, he’d beat us to the vehicle, even as a puppy,” he said. “He’s always liked to ride.” Reed was driving tractors, hay trucks and other farm equipment when he got Diego; before that, he drove asphalt trucks with a chauffeur’s license in the 1990s. He earned his commercial driver’s license (CDL) and began driving with TransLand 10 years ago. He now drives for 88M Transportation. “I’d always wanted (drive a truck), so I finally said, ‘To heck with it,’ went out and got my CDL, and started driving,” he said, adding that being a trucker allows him to visit interesting places. “If you go on a trip, how often do you take the backroads? Enjoy life, you know. Take a back road or two. See the countryside.” At first, Reed wasn’t allowed to have a pet on his truck, but the company enacted a pet policy after Reed said he would pay $500 to take Diego along with him on runs. “It keeps him from being home alone,” Reed said, adding that chihuahuas are notorious for having separation anxiety. The owner of 88M Transportation has 14 dogs, so it was not a problem for Diego ride in the 2014 Freightliner Reed now drives, Reed said. Based in Springfield, Missouri, he hauls consumer goods between Texas and Missouri or Texas and Iowa. The tiny dog does not need much on the road, Reed said — just his food and water bowls and occasional breaks to use the bathroom and stretch his legs. At truck stops, passersby greet Diego with complements like, “Cute little dog!” Reed said, adding that children love to pet Diego. “(Chihuahuas are) one-person dogs, generally … but with Diego being a trucker dog, he meets a lot of people,” he said. “I think that’s probably what helps his disposition.” Some establishments do not allow dogs on the property, Reed said — a problem he frequently ran into at steel mills when he was driving in the flatbed division. He said he would decline to load in those cases, and the mills loaded him in spite of Diego’s presence. In other cases, workers have been so happy to see Diego that they were able to pull some strings and get him unloaded hours ahead of schedule, Reed added. “I’ve got to keep an eye on him. There’s places where you have to have him on a leash,” he said. “Other than that, he stays right next to me. He doesn’t wander off too far.” That’s not always been the case, however. Diego had the adventure of a lifetime seven years ago, when he was lost for about a week in Kansas City, Missouri. “They shut the lights out in the parking lot we were in. It just went black, and he took off running,” Reed said. “I was sick. I was worried about my dog, trying to find him. Didn’t sleep. Didn’t eat.” The folks at TransLand allowed Reed to go to the city every day to search for Diego. Finally, after canvassing the area with photos and calling every animal shelter in town, Reed received a call: Diego had been found in a lunchroom at a rock quarry just three blocks from the parking lot where he was lost. When Reed’s dispatcher was told Diego had been found, the dispatcher said, “Go get him. Drop your trailer and go.” Soon after, the pup was back in his rightful place — Reed’s arms. “People say dogs can’t understand you. That’s wrong,” Reed said. “When you say ‘McDonald’s,’ he knows that word. If you say ‘cheeseburger,’ he knows that word. Dogs are smarter than people let on to be. They’re pretty smart dogs — all breeds.” Reed says he would recommend that any driver get a dog, primarily because the animals provide companionship and help keep drivers calm. In addition, he said, Diego helps him stay active with walks. “I would highly recommend getting a dog or animal, something that will fit in the truck,” he said. “I’ve seen people with big dogs. I’ve seen people with small dogs, and small dogs seem to take it better.” While what breed to choose as a companion is ultimately up to the driver, dogs are sure to provide friendship for the long haul. “You have to pick the dog that’s right for you,” Reed said. “Just love them. Treat them like your kids — because he’s my furry kid.”

As anyone who’s ever driven for a living (or even just taken a road trip) knows, being a good driver means having a keen sense of direction. Knowing where you’re going — and what awaits you along the way — is a skill that long predates GPS and smartphones. However, as some old-timers will tell you, having a natural sense of direction is much more valuable than any technological gadget — especially, they’ll say, when you’ve gone down the wrong street and need to get back on route. Kierra Thomas and her fiance, Deon Smoots, are far cry from experienced truckers. Smoots has only been driving for three years, while Thomas has logged about eight months. But the team is already accomplishing their dream of owning a trucking company, thanks to the wisdom and grit that comes with reversing a wrong turn. “It wasn’t a walk in the park, at all,” said Thomas to describe the couple’s journey to ownership. “It was hard. I basically wanted to quit sometimes, but I knew that I had to keep going.” Thomas never envisioned herself behind the wheel growing up, although she did see herself as an entrepreneur. However, she always imagined her road to success would be in health care, where up until recently she was a certified nursing assistant and was working to continue her nursing education. “I was working at a mental hospital and in school working on being a registered nurse,” she said. “I had plans to earn the money to start up my own group home and maybe invest into other businesses. But when the pandemic hit, I was too scared to work at the hospital because nobody knew what to expect.” Because this, Thomas said she was unceremoniously fired from her job, a turn of events that caused her to take a hard look at her chosen field. “I told God to guide me in the right direction, in whatever way that was possible to still achieve my goals as a businesswoman. Basically, that meant giving up on the medical field altogether,” she said. “I had a talk with my future husband, and he was telling me about teaming and how much money they make. After I did my research, it sounded like a good idea.” Smoots also knows something about how hard it can be to reclaim a career, Thomas shared. Getting into the trucking business gave him his own chance at personal and professional redemption. “My fiance, he’s a felon. You know, a lot of good companies don’t accept felons, or they have to wait like, seven years. So being a felon and going through what he went through, basically he wanted to go ahead and have his own business,” she said. “And I agreed,” she continued. “(Deon’s) goal is to inspire more young men to strive for greatness and let them know there are many good ways to get money, even with being a felon. So, it was like, we went head-on with it and stayed focused. That was the goal.” The first step in the process was for Thomas to get her CDL; then the couple’s thoughts turned to buying their own truck. “We found an app and we were just looking on that app every day. We made a couple of bids and didn’t really go through with some of them because they were too high. It was like, nah,” she recalled. “Then, when we knew we had all the money for it, some kind of way we found this Mack truck. It was a 2015 and it just stuck with us.” After picking up the rig in Atlanta and driving it home to Alabama, Thomas said it took some time for the reality of what they had committed to sink in. “It didn’t hit me right then. It didn’t hit me until some days later,” she said with a laugh. “I mean, I was excited at the time. It was like, OK, we’re driving it home. But then you wake up and be like, ‘Yeah we really got this truck.’” The last step in the process was the stack of paperwork that came with forming the couple’s company, Southside Runners LLC. It was a process that taught the couple many things about entrepreneurship, things they are more than willing to share with other people looking to do the same thing. “My advice is, if you want to get into it you need to do all of your research before you jump into anything,” Thomas said. “Make sure it’s something that you want to do. You gotta have money saved up; that’s No. 1. Have money saved up for a breakdown and anything that can possibly happen. “After that, it’s a hustle thing,” she explained. “It’s hard work as far as making all the phone calls and making sure you know how to talk to people and making sure you know how to book your loads. When you’re driving for yourself, the money that you’re getting, that’s your money. You basically make how much you want to make on your own. So, you gotta know your calculations, as far as your gas and your mileage, everything is on you.” The couple’s homework and hard work paid off. After months of planning, the duo got its first load in July and have kept the momentum building — so much so, in fact, that they’ve shifted the next phase of their plans into high gear and planning to buy a second truck in January. Meanwhile, as they run routes across the lower 48, Thomas said they’re enjoying the ride, both on the road and in building a business. “As an owner, you don’t have anybody over you telling you what to do 24/7. Nobody really watching you,” she said. “These days, they tell you where to go and you just go there, and as long as you get there on time, everybody’s good. That’s the part I like the most.” Thomas believes the best is yet to come. “I’m very excited, and I think we have a real bright future ahead of us,” she said. “We basically live on the road. We stay on our truck; we don’t even have a house yet. We left my apartment and we stayed on the road. We’re all focus. This company is the only thing on our minds right now.”

Trucking can be a hazardous job, both on and off the road. Many drivers are exposed to dangers after they leave the cab. Drivers often have little control over where they are sent to pick up or deliver, and can easily find themselves driving, loading and unloading in high-crime areas. This doesn’t mean that drivers are destined to become victims of criminal activity. A few precautions can go a long way toward staying out of trouble. Whenever the subject of personal protection comes up, the discussion often turns to weapons. While traveling with a weapon of any sort is a personal choice for each driver — depending on company and state regulations — the use of a weapon should always be a last resort. In some jurisdictions, mere possession of a firearm can result in a jail term, and even defense items such as pepper spray can be classified as illegal weapons. The best defense is to avoid situations where a weapon might be used. That begins with awareness. First, forget about any perceptions of “good” or “bad” areas. Criminals can be anywhere. Places that attract a lot of truck traffic will attract both legal and illegal activities. Be on guard for trouble, no matter where you are. There are common-sense guidelines for crime prevention that anyone can follow. One is to choose well-lit areas after dark, both for parking and for walking to stores, showers and so forth. Criminals prefer darkness because it’s easier to approach a victim and to get away after an incident. The back row of the truck stop parking lot may be quieter — but it might also be darker, and your walk to and from the store is farther. Stay alert and aware when getting out of your truck. Always look around carefully, and check your mirrors, before unlocking the door. If you’re performing a pre-trip inspection or checking something on your vehicle, don’t get so absorbed that you don’t scan your surroundings. If you’re walking, scan the area as you go. Leave your cellphone in your pocket or, even better, set up a one-button call to 911 and be ready to use it. Wait to read any messages until you’re inside the store or back in your truck. Walk briskly, continually scanning the area. Choose the most direct route to your destination unless it takes you into a secluded area. Walking in the narrow area between trailers leaves you vulnerable, so choose more open areas if possible. Watch where you’re walking, too, so you aren’t tripped up by a hazard in your path. If you’re approached, don’t let your guard down, no matter how friendly or needy the person appears to be. Criminals often gain the confidence of their victims by pretending to be victims themselves. A plea for a few dollars can quickly turn into a demand for much more. Politely but firmly inform anyone who approaches that you don’t want to be talked to. If necessary, get loud. The attention you draw in a dangerous situation far outweighs the potential embarrassment of being wrong. To that effect, personal alarms can be an effective deterrent. If you have a “panic button” on your key fob, that’s another option. If anyone tries to assault or rob you, the more attention you draw from bystanders the better. Have a defensive plan in case you are attacked. Some people carry keys in their hand for use in scratching or cutting an attacker. Keychains are available with a kubotan (a pen-shaped device with a point on the end that can be used for stabbing) attached. Another version of this comes in the form of a “tactical pen,” a writing instrument that has a hardened case that can be used for defense. These devices sometimes include small divots that collect DNA evidence when a person is struck. Sometimes it’s better to give in to demands for money or possessions to avoid being hurt, or worse. No one wants to lose valuable property or cash, but loved ones would much rather have you home safely than see you harmed trying to protect a few dollars. One effective way to increase safety is to buddy up. Criminals often look for a lone person but will normally leave groups of two or more alone. Some truck stops will provide an escort to your truck if you ask. While inside your truck, make it a habit to keep the doors locked at all times. Some drivers use straps to tie the driver and passenger doors together in case the lock is defeated. Keep curtains closed so thieves can’t see in. If someone does attempt a break-in, you have options for defense. A blast of fire retardant from your extinguisher is a strong deterrent, and an air horn is loud enough to attract attention. A rap on the knuckles from a tire thumper or other tool encourages others to keep their hands outside. In some cases, thieves may be after your cargo rather than your personal belongings. If you think someone is breaking into your trailer, don’t walk back and confront them alone. You may be out of view for others who could help you, and you could be surprised by a group of criminals acting together. Call the police and use your air horn, if necessary, to attract the attention of others. No load of freight is worth your life, so think carefully before you confront thieves. Finally, if you’re the victim of a crime, every detail you can provide to the police will help their investigation. Try to remember details such as physical descriptions, clothing, shoes and so on. Photos of criminals, vehicles they used or other information could be very helpful. One of the great things about trucking is that there’s always something new over the next hill or around the next curve. It’s unfortunate that new situations sometimes connect us with people who have bad intentions. By staying alert and preparing for danger, you can help minimize the chances of finding yourself in a bad situation.

BROOKLET, Ga. — For some drivers, success in trucking is a dream they pursue. For others, trucking helps them realize other dreams. For Jill and Dean Coulter, it’s a little bit of both. The couple lives in the tiny Southeast Georgia hamlet of Brooklet — home of Uncle Shug’s Bar-B-Que Place — located about 35 miles from Savannah. The dream the two shared was sending their daughter to Bible college. “We needed more income to make it happen,” Jill explained. Around that time, Schneider National held a recruiting event in Savannah, and the Coulters checked it out. The job offered the kind of income they were seeking. “We learned about their CDL school and ended up going there to train,” Dean said. “We ran A-Team expedited freight to start.” The Coulters took to trucking right away, eventually pulling doubles terminal-to-terminal for a Schneider account. “We consistently ran 7,000 miles per week,” Dean noted. “We ran on the account for three years.” Along the way, the Coulters stayed in touch with another Schneider team that included Laura Duryea, a friendship that eventually led to the Coulters’ current job at Boyle Transportation. Duryea became the recruiting manager for Boyle and soon made a call to the Coulters. Four years later, Jill and Dean are still glad they made the change. “At Boyle, 3,000 miles a week is a good week,” Jill explained. “There are a lot of ‘truck watch’ and security duties, since we haul for the military.” According to its website, Boyle Transportation serves “select clients in the life sciences and government/defense sectors.” Hauling products that can range from military goods to pharmaceuticals shifts the driver’s priority from racking up miles to ensuring the security and safety of the cargo. Even getting hired at Boyle is a little different. The process does take time, but in the end, it is worth it, according to the Coulters. “They monitor the loads and know exactly where you are,” Jill explained. “My first time, I was so nervous that I missed my exit. I got a call right away, asking why I deviated from the planned route. “We have special regulations we must take into consideration for all of our loads. Routes are typically assigned but must be filed before the load is moved. Loads are routed away from population centers when possible, and there are restrictions about traveling through tunnels or across certain bridges.” Parking can be an issue as well. The couple can’t simply pull into a truck stop for a break. They can park on Boyle property, at the shipper or receiver, or at designated “safe havens.” Because of the extra work involved, teams like the Coulters don’t need to run as many miles to earn a good living at Boyle. The company has a $3,300 weekly guarantee per team, so slow freight isn’t a problem. The Coulters said they think very highly of the company and its owners. “Marc and Andrew (Boyle), the co-owners, put off their personal salaries for six months and divided that income among the drivers as an incentive during COVID,” Jill said. Like many teams that are also couples, the Coulters divide the non-driving duties. “She handles everything inside of the truck, including cooking and supply inventory,” Dean noted. “I handle everything outside, except we each handle fueling if it’s our turn to drive.” “I have little cooking machines and a microwave,” Jill said. “You eat better when you do your own cooking. I get tired of Wendy’s,” she added. Food and other supplies are picked up as loads permit. “Usually there are several places to shop near our customers, like Kroger or Walmart, never under a load, of course,” Jill explained. “If you’re shopping, they’ve always been very good about parking.” Depending on freight availability, the couple typically runs two- to three-week tours, followed by some time off. Being on the road, however, doesn’t always mean working for the Coulters. “We’re explorers. We take off and find museums or zoos,” Jill said. “One of my favorites is the Memphis Zoo.” “We try to find motels that have truck parking,” Dean said. “If we have a Saturday and Sunday, we’ll try to find a rental car and tour the area while we’re down.” “Once we toured Cape Cod, Gloucester, Lexington and Concord. We like getting local food, like lobster rolls in Maine,” Jill added. COVID-19 shutdowns and restrictions closed down many of the attractions the Coulters tried to visit, and they’re looking forward to many of them reopening. In the meantime, Jill’s reading habit also keeps them busy. “We finished up a little early at a customer in upstate New York and found several archaic bookstores nearby,” she said. “At one, we talked for hours.” When they get home, the couple is like most others. “We spend a lot of time puttering around the yard and with family,” Jill said. The couple has a son that works in Brooklet and five grandchildren ranging in age from 6 to 20. “I don’t care how old they get,” Jill said, “they’re still our grandbabies.” The Coulters also try to remain active in their local church, as their schedule permits. Although they didn’t start with a dream of teaming up on the road, the Coulters have found a career and a lifestyle that suits them well. “We’re each other’s best friends,” Jill noted. “That’s important, because this job gives us a lot more time with each other.” Whether transporting war munitions down the highway or eating lobster rolls in Maine, Jill and Dean Coulter intend to keep doing it together.  

Everything you need to know about the Mendez family’s business empire is just that: The Mendez family. Forget that Mendez Trucking of San Antonio is one of the largest independent trucking contractors in Texas. Put aside for a moment that Triple R Diesel, a retailer of custom semis, and Texas Chrome Shop, a thriving after-market retail store and service garage right next door to the dealership, both have a line of customers out the door. Heck, even for a moment, throw out the Mendez clan’s popular reality TV show, “Texas Trocas,” on Discovery en Español. Before all of this, there was family — for better or worse, in good times and in bad — starting with family patriarch Raul Mendez Sr. More than 40 years ago, Raul migrated to the U.S. from his hometown of Piedras Negras in Coahuila, Mexico. He had little more to his name than a dream and an uncompromising will to see that dream to fruition. Raul started out picking produce in South Texas; then he moved the family to San Antonio, where he started as a truck driver. Each mile driven brought him closer to his goal of owning his own truck and forming his namesake trucking company. “It’s a hard business, you know?” said Roland Mendez, Raul’s younger son. “Ninety-nine percent of the time, he was gone away from home. My dad instilled that if you want to make it in this business, you’ve got to make sacrifices.” Finally, with money he’d saved — and after selling nearly all of his personal belongings — Raul Sr. bought his first 18-wheeler. Eldest son Raul Jr. was his first employee, who was joined soon thereafter by Roland. “When I turned 18, they had me get my CDL and I started moving trucks in town for them. Then, a year after that, they became a dealer for a dry van trailer, which I would run to Laredo and back,” Roland remembered. “When my brother turned 21, my dad already had Mendez Trucking, and (my brother) went over the road. I followed when I turned 21. That’s kinda how we got started in the trucking industry.” Roland did not immediately discover a love for trucking. “I’ll be honest with you, man, initially, I didn’t like driving. We were 21 years old, and our friends were going on their spring break vacations and we were out there busting our butts through Michigan and Chicago and New York City. All our dedicated lanes were in the East Coast, so the winter was pretty hard, running through the ice. You know, we were not used to snow and ice and really cold weather. We’re southern boys from South Texas, and we didn’t know what ice was. We didn’t know what snow was.” Having built everything he had with his own two hands, Raul Sr. was a perfectionist. He spared no one from his iron-rod attitude toward work, especially his own sons. The family matriarch, Lupita, may have taken a different approach than her husband, but she was no less a stickler for what she saw as the important things in life. “Our mom kinda would be a referee. (She’d say,) ‘You know your dad’s like that because he wants you to be the best at what you do,’” Roland said. “At the same time, Mom was always telling us to save our money, always keep money in the bank. ‘Even if it’s a really good truck, the engine can go, and you’ve got to have the money to repair the motor. Don’t buy a sports car; save your money, save your money.’” As much as the boys may have chafed under what was expected of them, they couldn’t argue with success. Today, Mendez Trucking runs more than 85 trucks and employs dozens of drivers, per the company website. In addition, it’s given rise to several ancillary businesses, starting with Triple R Diesel, which has born out of adversity. “We’d grown to almost 100 units and we were running primarily automotive parts to the East Coast for General Motors. We were hauling for Ford and Chrysler, and it was a lot of fun doing that,” Roland said. “If you recall in 2005, 2006 and then the beginning part of 2007, General Motors went on strike and the fuel price doubled, tripled.” Mendez Trucking was having a hard time. “We finally had two options — either we file for Chapter 13 and go bankrupt, or downsize,” he continued. “We downsized probably at least three-quarters of the fleet, man, sold the majority of our units, and we said, ‘You know what? Let’s do something different. Let’s open up a shop among us three, maybe buy and sell trucks. Let’s see if we can sell a little bit of chrome.’ It was whatever we could do to survive.” That new venture became Triple R Diesel, a shop by truckers for truckers, parked right alongside the interstate. It was also a chance for Raul Sr. to prove he could still teach the next generation a thing or two about his instincts for the clientele. “Dad’s idea was to buy an old dump truck, fix it up and park it out front, and sell it,” Roland said. “Me and my brother we were like, “That ain’t gonna work.’ Man, he polished it up himself. He put on chrome. He put a new paint job on it. He detailed the inside. Mechanically, got it up to par running it through the shop. “He parks the truck in front of the interstate on a Saturday morning, and he literally had five people Monday morning fighting for that truck. The guy who bought it tells my dad, ‘Can you make two more like that?’ Now, me and my brother are like, ‘Wow, this is gonna work! Why don’t we just do the same thing?’ So, then we’re off.” Family pride being what it is, the three Mendez men turned the business into a competition to see who could outperform the other. “I’m building one, my brother is building, my dad’s building. We’re competing on pushing dump trucks out, and then it became something pretty big,” Roland said. “We had customers from Guam (who were) building the Naval base. We had a whole bunch of customers from California, Hawaii, Utah.” One truck was so swank it made it into an industry magazine and caught the eye of a prospective client who was looking to have a custom semi built for shows. Of course, the Mendez family took on the challenge. From that single truck came Texas Chrome Shop, and from the shop came the creations that would eventually attract the attention of reality TV show producers. In 2014, the Spanish-language “Texas Trocas” debuted on Discovery En Español, featuring the three Mendez men and their wives as they tackled one custom project after another. All in all, it’s been a wild ride for the Mendez family. Roland said everything that has come the family’s way has been rooted in the simple business philosophy of serving the customer fairly and delivering on promises. He points to one particular instance among many that highlights this most important Mendez family value, again, forged by his father. “This is a true story,” Roland said. “When Dad had five people fighting over that first dump truck, I remember the customer exactly who got it. He gave my dad a deposit and said, ‘Monday I’ll bring you a cashier’s check.’ So, another guy calls and he says, ‘I’ll give you $2,000 more.’ My dad says, ‘No. I shook the man’s hand. I’m going to honor what the man’s given me.’ “Then another guy calls and says, ‘I’ll give you $5,000 more,’” he continued. “And my dad says no. Then, like I said before, when the buyer came back that Monday, he ordered two more trucks.” Roland and Raul Jr. have learned from their father’s example. “You know, my father, he’s old school,” Roland explained. “He’s always been real hard on us, just pushing us and making us work. He’s the hardest boss you’ve ever had. ‘You ain’t doing this right. You gotta drive to perfection. You got to have the engine sound perfect.’ “But when I look back, I guess Mother and Father really do know best,” he said. “We’ve been very blessed to have them giving us advice throughout our lives and throughout our careers in our industry and our company.”

It’s hard to explain the bond a trucker feels with his or her rig to those who have never been over-the-road drivers. A rig is a means for making a living, yes — but more than that, a trucker’s semi is home away from home, and the mechanical companion in a life spent away from loved ones. For drivers who own their own truck — often the manifestation of a long-held dream — the bond runs even deeper. Such is the case with Robert and Kathy Cass of Crocker, Missouri, who recently attained their goal of truck ownership, the capstone to a trucking career that stretches back more than two decades. “Before we bought her, we were knocked down by companies and people who said we would never own our own truck,” Robert said with a ring of pride in his voice. “Well, we proved them all wrong. We worked and sacrificed more than anyone will ever know. That makes you feel good in the long run, to know what it took to get here.” Both Robert and Kathy have a long connection to the trucking business. Robert started in trucking pulling tankers before serving in the military. Then, after his hitch was up, he signed on with a string of trucking companies pulling refrigerated trailers, dry vans and tankers. Kathy was exposed to the trucking industry early in life, thanks to her father. “I have been around semis since I was a baby,” she said. “My dad used to be a truck driver, and my mom knew lots of drivers who would come visit and spoil us as kids. Trucking has always been in my blood, and I’ve always had a passion for trucks.” The desire to be an owner-operator was always part of the couple’s larger dream in trucking, but it was a process that suffered a couple of false starts. “One of the companies I worked for had a pretty good program where you could lease to own a company truck,” Robert said. “We got to a point in life where we thought it was something we wanted to do, so we gave it a good shot. Some personal things came up and we couldn’t do that any more, so we went back to a company. But that gave me the bug.” Another employer, Indiana-based CMT, had a similar driver-lease program that the couple tried. While it didn’t work out, it stoked Robert’s ambition to one day drive his own truck. Once the decision was made to start actively looking for a rig, the couple was all in. Kathy said being in agreement was an important part of the process, something she recommends to anyone else in the same situation. “If you’re married, you definitely want to make sure your spouse is involved, not just say, ‘I’m buying a truck,’ and go do your thing. It affects the whole family,” she said. “Make sure you have your spouse’s support. I’d go out with Robert every chance I got; we both have a good time, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. But not all wives feel the same way, so if a guy wants to buy a truck, he better talk to his wife about it first.” Gaining that agreement was only the first step in a long process of evaluating potential rigs, a process that finally came to a head in 2015. “We looked at Peterbilts, Kenworth, Freightliners,” Robert said. “I looked at so many, I could have had three fleets. It finally came down to the Kenworth and the Peterbilt. It was a hard thing, you know. You just want to make the two trucks one. Both of them have more of the old-school, classic truck feel, so you just have to take what your heart feels, more than anything else.” “The one we got just popped up one day and he said, ‘I’m gonna give it a try.’ Next thing we know they called and said we’re approved and we got a truck,” added Kathy. “I don’t know, it was one of those things like you go to the car lot, see that one and that’s it,” Robert explained. “That’s what I base this on; you search and search and then one jumps out, says. ‘Here I am,’ and it all falls together.” The couple brought home a 2006 Peterbilt 379 with an 18-speed transmission and a 280-inch wheelbase. The rig needed a little work, such as rebuilding the C15 CAT 625 engine and adding a new 14-inch bowtie visor, 8-inch straight stacks and a 22-inch bumper. Robert and Kathy’s goal was to make the ride, which they both agree has a feminine persona, as pretty as it was powerful. “I put chrome all around the gauges and inside,” Kathy said, delight evident in her voice. “I’m addicted to chrome! I’m worse in the chrome shop than he is. I can go in there and drop money like you wouldn’t believe. If I see it, I like it, so why not?” The finishing touch for the ruby-red girl was her name. They decided on Sweet Satisfaction, which described how the couple felt to have finally reached their goal. “I named her, and the name has a personal meaning to me,” Kathy said. “It took us five years and a lot of hard work, blood, sweat and tears to get her paid off. We sacrificed a lot — gave up family vacations and all kinds of things so we could get our own business going. But we did it. We built something we are proud of, and it gives us ‘sweet satisfaction’ to show people we could do it.” After paying off the note, the couple formed RKM transportation and put “Sweet” to work. Given that the rig is also a looker, the couple has entered her in numerous truck show where, Kathy notes with pride, she’s won a Best of Show and several first-place trophies in her class. Sweet is also a popular sight at the couple’s charity activities, which include Special Olympics and St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund. Looking back on the experience of finding the perfect truck and starting a business has left Robert philosophical when it comes to giving advice. “If you’ve got something in mind, keep it in mind, and keep your focus on what you’re doing,” he said. “Don’t get discouraged (about) the bad things that happen out there. That’s the biggest thing. If you’ve got a dream, stay with it. If your dream is there to make, it will be made. Don’t get to a point in your life where you don’t dream anymore.”