It's a Team's Life

Creed to live by

Expediting isn't just trucking, it's a lifestyle; 


Expediting isn't just a lifestyle, it's an adventure;


Expediting isn't just an adventure, it's a job;


Expediting isn't just a job, it's a business.

 

Years ago Terry O'Connell posted this saying on EO and I asked him if I could use it.   This has been our motto ever since and a creed we live by.   While driving this morning through the flat lands of Kansas I started thinking of what this really means to us.   I decided to take one line at a time and write down a few of my thoughts.  

The first line:

Expediting isn't just trucking, it's a lifestyle; 


We are in a 40' straight truck and governed by the same rules as T/T with one noticeable difference I thought of.   A straight truck such as ours, the driver at a minimum needs a class B license with an air brake endorsement.   Bob and I both have our Class A license with HAZMAT and tanker endorsements along with a few other letters.   We follow all of the same rules as a T/T without the inconvenience of a 53' trailer.   We are often referred to as the "short truck people" by some of our closest friends.

We are away from home close to three hundred days a year and the truck is basically our traveling home away from home.   Our truck is a warm or cool inviting sanctuary from the outside world and once we step inside we are at peace.   The Cascadia is easy to drive, is easy to maneuver and rides like a dream.   Both of us are at ease behind the wheel and find that driving is often a way to relax and enjoy our view.   Don't get me wrong at night when looking at my "view" and wondering if I am on black ice or approaching black ice, the wind is howling and pushing the truck, it is raining or hailing, or I am trying to see through the clouds while looking for a tornado I am not all relaxed and peaceful.   All of this is part of the lifestyle.

Another aspect of our lifestyle is waking up and wondering where we are, what state are we in, are we loaded, dispatched, or are we waiting for a load.   I often wake up in a state of confusion and take the first few minutes to get my bearings.   It is funny to watch team drivers such as myself circle the truck stop trying to figure out where in the world the exit has been placed.   This happens when I am asleep when Bob parks and I do not immediately have to get up and drive.

We have learned to give each other space inside a small box, which is not always easy.   Weekends, if not under a load, consist of us cleaning the truck inside and out, washing clothes, and restocking the refrigerator.   When the weather is good or at least not raining Bob is usually seen out on his rolly cart touching up the letters on the tires, with a polish rag in his hand, or looking under the hood of the truck making sure everything is ship shape and ready for another week.  

 

We do not have TV in the truck nor do we have TV at home as we do not have the time to watch.   The computer is used as a DVD player and when time permits we rent a movie and watch it before going to bed.  

The sleeper is set up so that I am able to cook about anything we like, the refrigerator is large enough to hold a weeks worth of groceries, and the storage has plenty of room for our food pantry.  

We are self-sufficient and are just as comfortable going down the road as we are parked for a weekend.   Our lifestyle is to enjoy each day as it comes working or sitting.