“Look around. Everything you see, everything you have, has spent time on a truck.
Your laptop, your pens – even that goofy koosh ball you keep on your desk. All these things were delivered to their retail destinations via trucks driven by truck drivers. So if you appreciate having the necessary (and unnecessary) possessions that fill your life, thank a truck driver.
This is National Truck Driver Appreciation Week (September 16 – 21). It doesn’t get a lot of press, Hallmark doesn’t offer a selection of greeting cards, but it’s important to recognize the role truck drivers play in our economy, in our lives.
There’s an estimated 3.5 million truck drivers in the U.S. and the American Trucking Associations (ATA) says they logged nearly 400 billion miles in 2011. That’s a lot of time spent on the road, in traffic, sleeping in truck cabins and most significantly, it’s a lot of time spent away from home. Long haul drivers can be on the road for more than a week at a time.
It’s not an easy job. In fact, truck and delivery workers are ninth on CNN Money’s list of Top 10 Most Dangerous Jobs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more truck drivers and delivery men die on the job than any other vocation. Truckers also report health issues such as high blood pressure, ulcers, and neck and back injuries. Sitting in an immobile position for hours on end isn’t easy.
The median annual salary is $35,000. Long haul drivers make a bit more, around $48,000. Being a truck driver is not the most glamorous job, but it’s an important one and we need more people to fill driver’s seats. According to Bob Costello of the ATA, the trucking industry is short 20,000 to 30,000 drivers. And as the economy improves and freight volumes rise, we could face a severe driver shortage in coming years.
So let’s start showing our appreciation now. Everything from medicine to koosh balls is delivered by a truck. If you see a driver today, say thank you.”
Author: Denny Schoemehl
2012
Logistics Management Solutions Blog
September 21, 2012
http://blog.lmslogistics.com/got-stuff-thank-a-truck-driver
Access Date: 6/12/2013