Trucking Life

RAYVILLE, La. — A rest area near the Missouri/Arkansas state line is where The Trucker first encountered John and Georgie Peavy of Rayville, Louisiana. The couple parked their truck and opened the doors. Most would expect that a driver — maybe also a passenger or another driver — would emerge from the truck, but that wasn’t the case. A little furry head popped out from around the seat and a fluffy brown Pomeranian bounced down the steps of the cab. “Aww, that’s cute! They have a puppy!” was the initial reaction from this writer; but then something else happened. Another Pomeranian crawled down the steps. Then another did the same. Then another. Four Pomeranians just bebopped out of the truck and out into the grass. Shortly after, John and Georgie climbed out of the cab and followed the pups. “We don’t have dogs; they’ve got people,” John said in an interview after the couple and their dogs were at home on their ranch in Rayville. While on a break from the road, John was excited to talk about not only the Pomeranians that currently travel with him and his wife but also the many others the couple have had in years past. “You mean you want to talk about our mutts?” John said with a laugh. “They’re not really mutts — but they kind of are.” The four dogs that had jumped from the truck were Pretty Girl, a 13-year-old brown Pom; Zane, a white Pom about 2 years old; 8-year-old Rowan; and 4-year-old Tucker. The first and oldest, Pretty Girl, is from a litter of previous Pomeranians the couple owned. Georgie said she helped the mom to give birth and care for the pups in their first few days. John said those litters of puppies were “accidents.” The couple couldn’t logically keep all of them, so they sold them. However, Pretty Girl, who was a gift for the buyers’ grandmother, wasn’t a good fit for the family. The buyers called Georgie to let her know that the pup was headed to a shelter. John was not OK with that. “I told Georgie, ‘No, you buy that baby back and tell them to bring her home,’” John said. “We’ve had her ever since. I looked at her and said, ‘She’s a pretty girl,’ so that’s what we named her.” Having Pomeranian pets in the truck started years ago for the couple, when the two were still driving separately. “We drove single for many years,” John said. “She had her truck, and I had mine.” In the beginning, the couple had a combined total of six Pomeranians. John said he had two boys in his truck, and Georgie had the four girls. While John loved dogs, he had never had a pet in his truck until Georgie talked him into trying it, he said. When he got his first Pom, Jericho, the puppy was so small that John could tuck him into his pocket and take him into the truck stop. Jericho lived to be about 14 years old. “About 15 years ago was when [Georgie] talked me into getting my first one,” John said. “I love having them. Maybe some are (a hassle), but ours are no trouble.” After Jericho died, the pair decided to drive as a team with their five remaining Pomeranians. The couple have been on the road, hauling general freight across the country in the same truck for about three and a half years. “When we drove single, we went separate ways and worked — and then one day we looked at each other and said, ‘What are we doing?’ Even when we’re home, we’re never together. I’m out in the pasture and she’s out running errands or something and we’re just letting our time waste. So, we teamed up.” Although Pretty Girl came from a litter of the couple’s earlier Pomeranians, each of the other three pups they now travel with has a unique story of coming into the Peavys’ care. Tucker was given to John and Georgie by a single woman who was taking a new job and couldn’t spend enough time with him. Zane is a true rescue pup that came to the couple from a puppy mill that was shut down in Missouri. Rowan was adopted from a shelter, and even though he had health complications, the couple wanted him to have a home. John said that over the years of owning Pomeranians they have seen their share of heartbreak as the dogs have died. The couple have a cemetery at their home that is in the shape of a dog bone, and each grave has its own engraved granite headstone. “They go to the vet on time, and we give them everything they need,” John said. “They’re just like people — when their time runs out, you can give them all of the medicine and care, but there is just nothing you can do.” As Pretty Girl gets older, the couple is trying to strike a balance between keeping her happy and healthy but not allowing her to suffer. Unfortunately, John said she is experiencing kidney failure. They are working with the vet for the best treatment plan, but the couple knows the inevitable is around the corner. “We give them everything they want and need, but nature just doesn’t let them live that long,” John said. For now, though, all four of the pups are just enjoying life on the road with John and Georgie. The couple have made plenty of accommodations for their pups in the truck, including a three-step staircase so the small dogs don’t have to jump up and down off the bed in the sleeper. The dogs also enjoy “fighting” over which one gets to be under the driver’s seat while Georgie is driving, since they can’t be in her lap. John said there’s only room for one under the seat, and the others are forced onto the bed; but as soon as the they switch drivers, the pups are all over “their mom.” The smallest of the pups, Zane, can sit on an armrest and look out the window while they go down the road since he weighs only about 4 pounds. “They love being in the truck,” John said. “They own it. They’re more loyal to us than our kids are — and we’ve never had one of them walk up to us and hold out their hand saying, ‘Hey Daddy, we need a car.’ These dogs have never asked for a car yet.” After a decision is made about Pretty Girl, John said, the jury is still out on whether the couple will add a another Pomeranian to their group. “I told Georgie the other day that we probably don’t want any more, but we won’t stick to that,” John said. “I don’t know, it is kind of like when you lose one your heart says ‘no more,’ but we will until we die because we love them, and we’ll rescue another one or two. I say no — but I know better.” Since this article was written, Georgie has already picked up two more Pomeranian pups.

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IRVING, Texas — National Carriers Inc. (NCI) has named Billy Gilbert as Driver of the Month for January 2020. Gilbert has run with NCI’s Hide division for six years and has shown himself to be a mainstay in all aspects of his work. But at first, Gilbert said, he wasn’t sure he’d be able to stick with the job. “I thought a dedicated route would be boring,” he said. “But a friend of mine in the Hide division had recommended the job, and I figured I’d give it a try. As time went by, I got to know the people on my route and the folks I worked with. The scenery constantly changes, and frequently I notice new landscapes for the first time. It’s not boring at all.” Gilbert also credits his decision to stay to his dispatcher, Phil Eade. “He’s the best driver manager I’ve ever had,” Gilbert said. “Phil is dedicated to his drivers and will bend over backwards to help us,” Gilbert continued. “What I appreciate most about him is the fact that he has always been truthful with me.” Outside of NCI, Gilbert serves as a staff sergeant in the Kansas Army Reserve, where he’s scheduled to retire this summer — but he has no plans to leave trucking anytime soon. In addition to earning $1,000 as Driver of the Month, Gilbert is now in the running for Driver of the Year and the accompanying $10,000 prize.

Many drivers work hard to project a professional image, but there aren’t many who have a brand. Jacinda Duran, the Women In Trucking February 2020 Member of the Month, is acutely aware of hers. She takes her mission of inspiration, encouragement and motivation seriously, regularly posting her thoughts and activities for thousands of followers on multiple social-media platforms under the name “Jacinda Lady Truck’n.” She maintains her own website at jacindaladytruckn.com and is registered as her own Limited Liability Corporation in Arizona. “I have this special gift of connecting with people, and I thank God for it,” she told The Trucker while taking a rest break in Elkton, Maryland. “I’m just chillin’ in my big bunk, playing with my dog and watching Netflix,” she added. Her big bunk is attached to a Kenworth T680 tractor and pulls an enclosed auto-transport trailer for Plycar Transportation Group, a family-owned third-generation carrier. Duran runs out of the company’s Torrance, California, facility. The dog is “Miles,” a female lab-retriever mix adopted from Mutts4Truckers, a group that matches pets needing a home with drivers who need furry companionship. Duran recorded a publicity video for the group. Duran has been with Plycar for a little over a year now and couldn’t be happier. “By far, what I’m doing now is my favorite,” she said. “Plycar is so good to me!” Like many of her friendships, her relationship with Plycar began through social media. A grandson of the late Arthur Pliaconis, who founded the company, contacted her on Instagram, telling her that her outgoing personality and mastery of social media would make her an excellent representative for the company. They met in person in Denver, which led to Duran’s hiring as the first solo female enclosed car hauler for Plycar. Duran’s involvement with trucking came early. Both parents drove trucks, as did two grandparents. She often accompanied her mother on runs. Still, her driving career had multiple stops before she finally went to the big trucks. “I came from trucking and logistics, but I never planned to drive a truck,” she said. “I started as a courier for FedEx, and I also drove limousines and buses once I got my Class B license.” Those busses included charter buses and a “party bus” from one provider. “That’s where the money is,” Duran related, “but you see some strange things!” As often happens in trucking, Duran’s step up to Class A came from other women in the industry. “At FedEx, some of the women who drove line-haul would ask me, ‘J, why aren’t you driving a truck?’” She went to school and earned her Class A CDL through FedEx Ground, and still stays in contact with her trainers there. Duran spends a great deal of time sharing her experiences with other drivers through the posting of videos, written blogs and general comments. “I think it inspires people to see that someone like me is successful and enjoying life,” she said. The catchphrase she often uses to introduce her videos is “Lady Truck’n coming at you.” She’s incredibly positive and exudes an energy few can match. Her communications aren’t over-produced, and there’s never a script. “I just share things I like doing,” she explained. “The only editing I do is for length.” When meeting her, people are often surprised that she is the same in person as she appears in her videos. Her ability to connect helps with her driving, too. “I love getting to know people,” she said. “By the time I get to some of my deliveries, they know me so well that I get a big hug when I arrive, and they invite me in.” Those relationships, however, often begin with surprise that the person hauling their expensive automobile is a woman. “Sometimes when I go to places, people look for my partner,” she explained. “It’s like they’re expecting a man to get out of the truck to handle the real work of loading or unloading.” Duran smiles and lets them know she has it all under control. One thing she loves about her job with Plycar is that she gets to see places that many other drivers don’t. “Drivers kind of joke about seeing the world as driver,” she said, “but I really do. I’m not just on the interstate; we go to less-traveled areas. I’m in people’s neighborhoods.” Another perk of her job is the beautiful automobiles she sometimes hauls. “I see some amazing cars,” she said. “My first favorite was a late ‘50s Corvette convertible. The sound of the engine was just incredible!” Many of the automobiles she hauls are electric vehicles. Duran said that while some look amazing, “ I want to hear that roar!” Duran’s two children are grown and beginning careers of their own. “My girl is in nursing school and will be graduating soon,” she said. “My son is a cadet at the Air Force Academy, and he’ll be an officer in four years.” Although she’s happy they have chosen professions, she knows there is something more important. “They’re good people, and that’s more important to me than what they do for a career. I’m very proud of both of them.” Faith plays a large role in Duran’s daily activities. Although she doesn’t regularly attend any specific church, she said, “My faith is growing. I’ve always been spiritual. I have like seven bibles in my bunk.” She shares her faith with other drivers as the opportunity arises. “I connect with others on so many levels; that’s such a blessing for me,” she said. “If someone wants to discuss my faith, I’m happy to share, but we can talk about other things, too.” As for the future, Duran said she’d like to own her own truck and maybe even her own company someday, but she’s in no hurry. “I want to keep building my brand,” she said. She recently became a representative for Trucker Tools, a load matching and tracking app. She’ll be representing the company at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Kentucky, this year. She’ll consider other opportunities for representation, writing or other ways to continue encouraging other in the trucking industry. “Embrace every day,” she said. “It’s a brand-new start.”

To celebrate the modern-day achievements of African Americans in the trucking industry, Trucking Moves America Forward (TMAF) has selected four drivers who exemplify excellence in trucking. They were selected because of their professionalism and dedication to their jobs, commitment to safety and continuous efforts to move America forward every day. The drivers are being featured on TMAF’s blog and social media pages throughout the month of February as well as on The Trucker.com. The stories highlight the drivers’ accomplishments and safety records and share the personal story of each driver. This is the fourth of four features in the series. Moving America forward: Sammy Brewster is dedicated to safety Sammy Brewster, a professional truck driver for ABF Freight for the past 12 years, has been a truck driver for 29 years. He resides in Powder Springs, Georgia. Brewster, is a second-generation truck driver. During an interview with TMAF, Sammy said, “I got my start at an early age by driving for my father. He also ran a small family logging business.” When asked what Brewster loves most about trucking, he told TMAF that he loves the free feeling of being out on the open road and the opportunity to travel and see different parts of the country. Most importantly, Brewster said, it has been a great support system to raise his family. Brewster’s son, who just got his trucking license last year, is continuing in his father and grandfather’s footsteps as a third-generation truck driver. Prior to joining the trucking industry, Brewster served in the U.S. Army. Brewster said that dedication to safety is one of the lessons instilled in him during his service. He carries that lesson into his job as a truck driver. Prioritizing and promoting safety are essential for Brewster while on and off the road. Because of his strong safety record, Brewster has received many safe driving awards, including the 11-year safe driving certificate and the 10-year Safety Performance Award from ABF Freight. Brewster was appointed as a member of ATA’s 2019–2020 America’s Road Team. He also serves as member of ATA’s Share the Road highway safety program, helping to educate motorists about road safety during heavy traffic weekends, such as Memorial Day.

Photos of a Peterbilt with solar panels on top and a Batman logo on the side of the sleeper have made their rounds online with sightings and posts from Pennsylvania to Arizona. Social media trucking groups are buzzing as many wonder “who’s truck is that?” and “how do you put solar panels on a truck?” Well, The Trucker tracked down the owner of this striking Peterbilt and luckily, he was willing to share the details of what he says is “just a work truck.” First things first, what’s up with those solar panels? “That’s what everyone talks about  —those panels,” Chad Fowler, a native of Conway, Arkansas, said with a smile. He suggested making a small sign with all the details and standing it in front of the truck while he is parked at the truck stop. He gets lots of questions. “When I was a kid, we would get these magazines that always had things in the back for sale, and I always saw these solar panels and I thought ‘why isn’t everybody doing that?’” Fowler said. “It is free energy.” As he got older, solar panels became more common and more affordable. After a long career as a diesel mechanic, Fowler was ready for a change and decided to buy a truck and go over the road. He purchased a 1996 379 Peterbilt with a simple black and chrome design, but only a couple of years after he bought the truck, it was hit in a truck stop parking lot. He took the downtime for repairs as an opportunity to design a truck that would be as cool as it is comfortable. And he remembered that “free energy” he had seen advertised. “Everybody said ‘you can’t put solar panels on a truck,’” Fowler said. “To my knowledge, I’m one of the first ones to do that.” Fowler debunked that myth quickly with the help of a few friends who were up for a challenge. Within 90 days, a damaged 1996 Peterbilt was transformed into the striking, energy-efficient truck that is catching eyes all over the country. Simply put, the panels funnel energy into a charge controller underneath the sleeper that charges a battery bank. When the batteries are fully charged, the controller shuts the panels off. That means Fowler doesn’t have to idle when he isn’t on the road — at least not for about 10 hours. The energy banked from the solar panels is enough to power everything in his sleeper, including a television, cooking equipment and even the air conditioning system. Fowler said he also saves fuel. How much fuel? Fowler said in the first year the energy from his solar panels kept nearly $20,000 in his pocket. After the accident but before the work got started, Fowler took to Texas where the company he is leased to, Generic Trucking, is based. He found the owner had recently purchased two trucks with 110-inch double eagle sleepers. He asked to have one, and that sleeper now dons a large Batman logo as a tribute to his ex-wife’s son who passed away. The truck’s 255-inch wheelbase is stock, but with a sleeper that size it should be somewhere around 270-inch, so Fowler said someday he would like to stretch it. To accommodate the sleeper now, he had to move his fifth wheel all the way to the end of the frame, which has yet to cause any problems. Seemingly Fowler’s favorite part of the truck is the hood. He is sure to use the proper voice inflation to stress that it is a SHORT hood Peterbilt, but with a few adjustments. “We took the hood apart and redid it because on a short-hood Peterbilt, the hood is sloped,” Fowler said. “We got some extended Peterbilt hood panels and cut them down to fit my front end and took all of the slope out of it. There’s only a couple of guys who have ever walked up to it and said ‘man, that’s a short hood.’ It’s just one of the subtle details.” The EKG design that runs along the hood is an actual heartbeat pattern, and placed on the hood for a good reason. Fowler said, “It represents the power under the hood — that’s the heartbeat.” The heartbeat Fowler refers to is a 700 horsepower 3406E model Caterpillar engine with a 13-speed transmission. It averages 8.4 miles per gallon. All in all, Fowler said his truck is a “brand new 1996 Peterbilt,” which has served him well as he spends most of the year on the road hauling trade show equipment from coast to coast. Next question: “Why pink?” The answer will surprise some: “Pink is my favorite color,” Fowler said. “It’s different.” He admits that he’s often gotten some comments about pink being his favorite color, but he’s been told it sets off the color of his eyes. The speed with which Fowler and his crew completed the transformation of what he calls his “solar Peterbilt” was in hopes of completing the job in time to show it to his dad. Unfortunately, his dad passed away before the truck was completed. “[My dad] saw it originally when it was black and silver and he loved it,” Fowler said. “I talked to him on the phone and he said, ‘you’re where you belong’ because my dad was a worker and he said, ‘get the truck done, get back on the road and get to work.’ So, that is what I did.” Even though Fowler didn’t initially jump right into truck driving, he and his brother basically grew up in the cab of a Kenworth as his dad hauled chickens for 47 years. He held back tears as he fondly remembered being raised by a single truck driver. During the school year, he and his brother stayed with their grandmother, but when school was out, they were right there in the truck with their dad. “I don’t see how he did it, because you know how toddlers are,” Fowler said. “You’ve got two kids in the cab of a little bitty truck, I don’t see how he didn’t kill us, but we made it work.” Fowler’s background as a trucker’s kid put a specific idea of a truck’s décor in his mind, so naturally there are hints of old-school trucking throughout his solar Peterbilt including chrome accents and lots of chicken lights. “I grew up on that stuff,” he said. Fowler didn’t skimp on the interior details, either. Inside the truck, the floors are real hardwood which Fowler installed himself for a lot less money than the $1,300 he was quoted for the job. “I was raised different than that, so I went down to Lowe’s and got ¾-inch solid wood floor, tongue and groove and made my own wood floor for a couple hundred bucks,” Fowler said. Unique but subtle is the overall look that Fowler sought, and he topped it off with a Batman emblem on the front of the truck where most feature a Peterbilt logo. The emblem was specifically designed for him and the “1 of 1” marking on the back ensures that the design will not be duplicated. The part of the truck that makes Fowler’s eyes light up the most is among the most common additions to any trucker’s rig — his CB handle on both sides of the hood. Fowler goes by Phantom 33, but his dad had the title first. “Someday I hope I’m half the man that he was,” Fowler said. The latest detail Fowler has added to his truck is a replica Rubber Duck hood ornament (from “Convoy,” of course), but even that purchase was one that Fowler thoroughly thought through. “I don’t shop like a lot of people. I pick stuff up and I look at it and then I put it back,” Fowler said. “It took a while to get the hood ornament, but that was the final touch to the outside.” As for the questions Fowler gets while he is one the road, he doesn’t mind too much. He does, however, get asked often if his truck is a show truck. He doesn’t have any immediate plans to go that route, but he does hope that he can help to show that everyone should take pride in their work. “I take a lot of pride in my ride; I take pride in everything I do,” Fowler said. “If I can inspire a few people or the next generation, I’ve done my job. I want people to get active in the trucking community again. Years ago, people out here would go out of their way to help one another. People would even tell their kids ‘if you have a problem out on the road, just flag down a trucker. They will help you.’ Somewhere along the way America has lost all of this.”

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