Trucking Life

MIAMI — Goodwill South Florida has converted a portion of its sewing operations to manufacture 20,000 masks for employees at Ryder System Inc. to wear as they support the flow of essential goods and services needed in the fight against COVID-19. “James Ryder was one of three founders of Goodwill some 60 years ago, so when we got the call from Ryder asking if we could help produce scarce personal protective equipment for their employees, we immediately sprang into action,” said David Landsberg, CEO of Goodwill South Florida. It’s also fitting because just last year, when Goodwill celebrated its 60th anniversary, the two partners announced a multiyear partnership and established the “Ryder Apparel Manufacturing Division” at Goodwill South Florida’s headquarters. Inside the facility, people with disabilities and other barriers to employment typically manufacture U.S. Army, Navy and Air Force uniforms, as well as interment flags for military veterans. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, most of the operations have been shuttered, but Goodwill recently opened a portion of its production capabilities to produce much-needed personal protective equipment (PPE) for local hospitals and front-line workers. The masks for Ryder are made with camouflage on the outside and a softer fabric on the inside, and have elastic ear loops. “The men and women of Ryder are working day and night to make sure the essential products and services get to where they need to be for all of us and our families during this challenging time,” said Heather Gatley, vice president and deputy general counsel for Ryder, and a member of the board of directors for Goodwill South Florida. “We are thankful for the expertise of Goodwill in being able to quickly ramp up their sewing operations to make face masks to further protect the health and safety of our truck drivers, warehouse workers, technicians in the shop, and rental-counter employees.” Goodwill South Florida is taking measures to ensure the safety of the employees who are working to produce personal protective equipment by having the facilities sanitized regularly, placing sewing machines at a distance of 6 feet apart and installing vinyl partitions between workstations. Also, staff nurses take daily temperatures and provide masks and hand sanitizers to each dedicated Goodwill employee entering the facility.

SAVANNAH, Ga. – As the nation faces concerns over COVID-19, Eric McCray realizes that the trucking community is the heartbeat of America, keeping the supply chain moving and store shelves stocked. “Our drivers are essential workers,” said McCray, director of human resources for TCW Inc., a trucking company who consistently hauls from the Port of Savannah. “We make sure everything runs like it’s supposed to.” McCray said precautions in place aim to make sure employees return safely home to their families. TCW and other trucking companies serving the Port of Savannah are transporting much-needed essentials such as medical supplies, food, and agricultural products day and night. “At the Georgia Ports Authority, we can’t say enough to thank our trucking community for their effort and dedication to serving the needs of our state and the nation,” said GPA Executive Director Griff Lynch. “Especially now, motor carriers are a vital link in the supply chain for frontline healthcare workers, and for the farmers who need to get their goods to market.” In addition to adhering to social distancing guidelines and frequent hand washing, McCray said some of the most effective strategies to minimize possible exposure include wiping down trucks before and after each shift and providing mailboxes through which drivers electronically receive dispatches on provided tablets. Having a safe working environment is also at the top of Crystal Foster’s list. Foster, a driver for the Hubach Group, makes frequent pick-ups and deliveries at Garden City Terminal. Foster said she’s noticed the community is doing as instructed and stepping up to make sure everyone is protected. Recent protocols included in Georgia Ports’ “Isolate and Operate” plan such as frequent cleaning of high-traffic areas and temporary suspension of biometric scanners have helped address drivers’ concerns. “It just makes drivers feel more comfortable,” Foster said. “We are doing what we have to do in order to get our job done.” McCray added that it’s important to let drivers working around the clock to ensure cargo fluidity know they’re appreciated. He also said his friends in the trucking community take great pride in what they do. “We consider ourselves fortunate to have the opportunity to help and get through this thing,” McCray said. [Photo courtesy of Georgia Ports Authority]

STRAFFORD, Mo. – In an effort to support truck drivers and give them a safe place to park overnight, Bob Mericle is offering free parking at his lot in Strafford, Missouri. “There is no charge whatsoever,” he said. “I just wanted a spot for drivers to come in and get some rest. I wanted to find a way to help drivers.” Mericle opened Bob’s Parking, which sits on a 15 acre lot, on Interstate 44 about three months ago. He said he had some extra spaces, so he decided to help and it has really blown up across social media. “We appreciate the word getting out about the lot,” he said. “Our drivers are cleaning up after themselves, throwing trash away and leaving it clean. They have been very good about it.” He said, under normal circumstances, he charges $10 a night for parking, which is a lot lower than the $18 that is charged at other locations. “My dad was a driver for like 40 years, and I started thinking what I could do during this mess,” he said. “We had some empty spaces and I wanted to do my part for drivers and allow them to come in and park overnight.” He said parking is a huge issue for drivers, saying that a lot of parking lots, reserved lots, and exit ramps are filled. He said drivers are parking on the outer roads and the police are hassling them about it. “One guy told me his tires got stolen while he was sleeping,” Mercile said. “There are a lot of people out of work right now and they are desperate. It is an also an issue … because cars are hitting trucks if they aren’t pulled over enough.” He said his lot has a high-tech security system and it is well lit and is not in a dangerous area. Mercile said during this time, he has met some really nice truck drivers. “They are just normal guys trying to make a living,” he said. “It is really gratifying too to see how much the drivers are appreciating it.” Mercile was in the restaurant business for more than 30 years, having owned eight Waffle House restaurants in southern Missouri. He was retired for about three weeks, before “I was about ready to go nuts.” “I saw there was a need for parking lots for drivers, and I started investigating it and saw just how big of a need there really was,” he said. “Our gates are all automated and usually, drivers can go to our website and reserve a space monthly or nightly and it will give them a gate code. “But right now, everybody is on the honor system.” Mercile said he invested about half a million dollars in the parking lot, saying it is more expensive than one might think. He said he does have some monthly spots that drivers are paying for, but it is not covering his expenses. He said offering the free spots is something he can handle financially for a while, because this is something he felt called to do. “It is costing me money, but I think I’m okay with it at this point,” Mercile said. “I just wanted to help out a little bit. We would all be better off if we all helped out.” For more information, visit the lot’s Facebook page, or the website, www.bobsparking.com. [Photo courtesy of Bob’s Parking]

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — The generosity of the community has been overwhelming for one trucking company in Idaho. “It took us by surprise,” said Whitney Polson, human-resource director for Super T Transport. “To see the outpouring of love and support for the drivers, and the outpouring from communities across the country, it has been a moving experience. This is hard for them too, and you don’t know until you are in the driver’s seat.” Recently Super T Transport held a canned-food donation drive. While Polson said she couldn’t say exactly how much was donated, she said they received enough food to fill 22 boxes and give away 1,300 goodie bags to local drivers. “That was all donations from the community,” she said. “All we had to do was organize it and put it in the care packages and distribute it to drivers at truck stops, just to give them something. There are some other drivers that are giving packages out as they were on the road.” Polson said there were quite a few things donated during the event, including canned-food items such as soup, granola bars, fruit cups and cookies. In addition, the community contributed personal items such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoos and small bottles of hand sanitizer. “There were all sorts of stuff donated,” she said. “It was very touching and heartwarming to see it come in and come in quickly.” One of the challenges for drivers right now, Polson said, is finding places to stop and eat, as well finding shower and laundry facilities. “It has become really difficult for them, but the community outreach has been wonderful,” she said. “The drivers are really appreciative. Some of them have taken pictures of their care packages and put little thank-you notes on Facebook. “Everyone is doing what they can to help so our drivers can continue to work,” she continued. “They are very much needed and essential, so it is nice for them to be acknowledged and know they are appreciated.” Polson said there was a “ton” of food donations, including a large pallet of instant potatoes and a full pallet of other food donations. Personal protective equipment has been tough to find because it is in such high demand, she said, adding that Northwest Cosmetics helped by donating about 14 liters of hand sanitizer. “There are quite a few people that are making homemade masks, and we are trying to get these masks out,” Polson said. “And we purchased some hand sanitizers for our drivers, along with some protective gloves. “What we are doing now is really focusing on PPE items and trying to get that out to drivers,” she said. “We need face masks and gloves and we need to get it to our drivers — that is our primary need. We should be getting some hand sanitizer soon and hope to get that out. These are necessities our drivers need to protect themselves on the road.” For more information or to offer help in any capacity, contact Super T Trucking at 208-754-7553.

Driving a truck for a living isn’t an easy job. Driving for a living AND making time to promote the industry and its drivers while encouraging others to make trucking a career? That’s an effort above and beyond. That’s Susie De Ridder. The Fredericton, New Brunswick-based driver for Amour Transportation Systems was Women in Trucking’s (WIT) choice as its very first Female Driver of the Year. Physical presentation of the award was scheduled for the organization’s “Salute to Women Behind the Wheel” at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Kentucky, but the event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “I’m disappointed,” said De Ridder, “but we have to think of the safety of everyone.” Instead, the award was presented through a video and press release from WIT on April 1. De Ridder was chosen from a group of three finalists that also included Carmen Anderson and Sarah Fiske, company drivers for America’s Service Line LLC and FedEx Freight, respectively. “I can’t wait to meet them,” De Ridder acknowledged. Still, she was elated at her achievement. “I’ve said it before, it was like winning the ‘Golden Globe’ of trucking,” she said. “I don’t think my feet have hit the ground yet.” Like many drivers, De Ridder came from a trucking family. “When I was young I’d go with my dad, and I noticed there were no women driving trucks,” she explained. “I think I’ve always wanted to be a truck driver.” With 40-years of driving under her belt, De Ridder has more than reached her dream of driving. She has, however, contributed much more to the industry than simply her ability to handle a truck. She’s been an ambassador for safety and especially to those who are considering a driving career. “I hope that other women can look at me and see that, yes, this is possible,” she said. To that end, she’s tireless in participating in events that present women, and truckers, in a positive light. “I love the ‘Girl Gala’ events,” she explained, referring to scheduled exhibitions at schools and other locations where she brings her truck. “It brightens my heart to pull in and see little girls —and little boys — waving and wanting me to blow the horn.” One item that’s always a hit is Claire, the WIT doll that rides on De Ridder’s dash as a part of the organization’s ‘Where’s Claire’ program. “I wish I could give every one of them a Claire of their own,” De Ridder said, “but I try to leave them with some kind of gift, like a hat or a scouting patch. My hope is that it reminds them of the woman trucker who visited them.” De Ridder loves to participate in charity events, too. She said she is a good friend of Jo-Anne Phillips, the WIT June 2019 Member of the Month and works with her on the Convoy for Hope, an annual fundraising parade to support cancer research and treatment. Another charity event was of De Ridder’s own creation. When the woman cleaning showers at a Nebraska truck stop told her of a group of feral cats living around the facility, De Ridder went into action. Working with others, she raised enough funding to have all the animals vaccinated and neutered. “If I had more time,” she said, “I’d be volunteering at shelters.” Regardless, she still found time to adopt two rescue cats, Downey and Spice. “I don’t take them on the road with me, but they’re well cared for at home,” she said. De Ridder has extensive experience serving women in the trucking industry. She served on the board for the Women’s Trucking Federation of Canada, resigning that position to devote more time to WIT, where she was named to the Image Team in 2018. She has served as a speaker and panelist at trucking events and conducted ride-alongs with lawmakers and others. Although she enjoyed all the official passengers, she said one stands out. “I had a police officer ride along on one trip,” she said. “We kind of hit it off, and it was interesting that each of us learned something from the other’s point of view.” De Ridder works a Tuesday-through-Saturday shift from Armour’s Moncton, New Brunswick, terminal. She’s “running wild” (anywhere in the system) until Friday; then she completes a scheduled grocery run. When she’s home, Susie helps care for her elderly mother, rests from her workweek and indulges in watching a NASCAR race when she can. “I usually try to catch a race on Sunday when I’m home,” she said. “Now that the NASCAR events are suspended, I still watch the simulated events.” De Ridder’s future plans include using her platform to encourage more women to enter the trucking industry. “Maybe I’ll have more opportunities to promote women,” she said, adding, “My father always said that the steering wheel doesn’t know who’s holding it.” Her message to women is a simple one: “It’s never too late to get behind the wheel,” she said. If Susie De Ridder has her way, more women will be holding that wheel in the future.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Val Fears, a veteran truck driver for Old Dominion Freight Line, couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride during one of his hauls last week. For the most part, Fears doesn’t concern himself with what’s on board as he and his driving partner, Greensboro’s Michael Greene, take their 18-wheeler up and down the East Coast. In this instance, however, he found out he had valuable protective masks that needed to be taken to Charlotte. “It felt good to know we were helping out folks, especially when you hear the masks are needed all around the country,” Fears said by phone from his home in Yadkinville. Fears and his wife, Erica, along with daughter, Neveah, an eighth grader, all realize that during the coronavirus pandemic, the role of a truck driver keeping supplies coming is even more important. “He did feel like a hero when he found out he was delivering masks,” Erica said, “but to us he’s always been a hero.” Fears, 45, has been a truck driver for 18 years, and for the last two years his normal route has been Greensboro to Brooklyn. He took that route again on April 8, a route that has been less strenuous. “The traffic is basically non-existent because everybody is at home and everybody is trying to do the right thing and stay safe,” said Fears, who has been sharing driving duties with Greene for about three years. “We can get to Brooklyn in about eight hours, which is a far cry from how long it took us a few weeks ago.” Old Dominion Freight Line, one of the biggest trucking companies in the United States with nearly 22,000 employees, is based in Thomasville. The company has nearly 6,000 trucks and owns nearly 23,000 trailers in the United States. Fears said that, for the most part, he has remained busy. “It’s slowed down a little but not much,” Fears said. “The other day we had a trip canceled, but that’s been about it as far as my team.” Fears said that at transfer stations for loading or unloading, most workers are wearing gloves and masks. While New York City has been hit hard with the pandemic, Fears said they don’t linger in Brooklyn. “We do what we need to do there at the transfer station, and then get back out on the road so we don’t come in contact with many folks,” Fears said. On April 6, Fears picked up a homemade mask from Laura Diaz, an LPGA Tour golfer who lives in Winston-Salem. Diaz, an All-America at Wake Forest, is a family friend and has turned her sewing machine into a mask-making machine. Diaz, who has family in New York, and her daughter, Lily, a fourth grader, have given out plenty of masks to family and friends. Diaz also sent a mask to a relative, Lisa Heese, a nurse at Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco, N.Y., about an hour north of New York City. Diaz also sent one to her sister, Kim Hesse, a nurse in upstate New York. This isn’t Fears’ first time working through a traumatic time in the United States. After Hurricane Katrina came ashore in 2005, Fears hauled gas and took his rig to the New Orleans area. “We filled up our trucks in the Charleston area then drove to New Orleans to help with the shortage,” Fears said. “When we showed up, people were applauding us as we unloaded the gas. That was a tough time for everybody when Hurricane Katrina hit.” Fears says his job has always been important to him, but he understands how it’s more important these days. “We are just trying to do our part,” he said.

As food options become scarce for truck drivers, many restaurants are looking to step up to the needs of those drivers. Quiznos stores across the country have committed to accommodate truckers with carry-out, call-in orders and online ordering for store pickup. “Truck drivers are an essential part of the fabric of our country,” said Mark Lohmann, chief brand officer of REGO Restaurant Group, which operates the Quiznos restaurant chain. “Quiznos is proud to go the extra mile for these hardworking men and women in a time when they are working harder than ever to ensure our communities have what they need.” To take advantage of semi-truck service at Quiznos, drivers should notate on their order that they are in a truck and ordering for pickup; calling ahead or ordering on the app is the best way to place an order. Quiznos also offers a loyalty program. Although not all Quiznos are located in an area that offers easy access for for a tractor-trailer, the restaurant chain has provided The Trucker with a map of the locations that have larger parking lots or easy on/off access, which will likely be preferable for truck drivers. Click here for a map of those locations. All Quiznos locations throughout the country are open and accepting carry-out orders.