A Day in the Life of a Truck Driver

It’s been said that the best way to truly know someone is to walk a mile in their shoes. After 25 years in the trucking industry, I finally got the chance to do just that when I did a ride-along with my best friend, Barry, who has been an owner-operator for over 20 years. This experience has given me a renewed sense of appreciation for the collective job our nation’s professional truck drivers do every day.

Have you ever stopped to think that every item in the grocery store, every product sold at Walmart, and every ounce of medicine and piece of medical equipment in your local hospital was delivered by a truck? Someone once told me that there was only one thing in the world not delivered by a truck, babies!

Time to Get Rollin’

Our journey began in the wee hours of the morning because we had a pickup scheduled for 7:00 a.m. that was three hours away. Before we could start the actual driving, there were a number of things that needed to be done.

First, the truck had to be serviced and maintained and a pre-trip inspection conducted, in order to ensure safety.

Next, a trip to an intermodal yard was required to pick up an empty container and chassis.

Finally, we needed some diesel fuel, which we purchased using the TransConnect Fuel Card at 4:00 a.m. in West Memphis, AR.

West Memphis is located where I-55 and I-40 come together and was once recognized as the city that pumped the most diesel fuel in the country. Once fueled up, we set out for our destination in the pitch black darkness. Having someone to talk to while driving is a great way to combat loneliness and driver fatigue, which is one of the many benefits of having a CB radio I suppose. Nowadays, virtually every driver has a cell phone and some type of wireless headset, which allows them to be hands-free as they stay in touch with their dispatcher as well as friends and family while on the road.

Picking up the Freight

We arrived at our destination 25 minutes early, one of the reasons this particular shipper requested that Barry handle all of their pickups. It took about 25 minutes to get loaded, which is about as good as it gets, and after updating the driver logbook and getting the bill of lading, we headed back towards Memphis, 36,000 lbs. heavier than when we left (not counting the Chester’s chicken strips and biscuits we ate for breakfast).

The ride back was more difficult because of the added weight but was easier because it was daylight. I got dropped off at about 9:30 a.m. with almost a full day’s work under my belt and at a time of day when most people begin their workday. There are a lot of professions that we rely on every day but that in many cases are under-appreciated – such as teachers, law enforcement officers, and, yes, truckers – so on behalf of all of the employees at TransConnect, I say thank you to all of the dedicated, skilled, professional truck drivers that move America forward every day.

We’re dedicated to leveling the playing field by getting you additional fuel discounts typically only available to big fleets. To get the TransConnect Fuel Card and receive exceptional service along with the best fuel savings possible from the truck stops you visit most, call 844-827-7705 or sign up today!