“Aunt Hazel”

Truck driving jobs allow drivers the time for a particular aspect in their life: “thinking.” Without a doubt, truck drivers have plenty of time to “think.” Countless hours and endless miles give drivers the opportunity to reflect on where their lives have been and where it is going. Perhaps the greatest reflections on their minds are those of family.

Over the road truck driving jobs take drivers away from family for months at a time. When things are down, one can always depend on this unity . . . family is always there. My most enjoyable moments on the road were when a family member was able to “ride along” and we shared the open road together. A few of my kids have tagged along and once I picked up my mother in Oklahoma and brought her to Florida for a visit. I remember a particular trip I was on when my Aunt Hazel decided to “tag” along.

Aunt Hazel was a kind and generous lady who was always giving of herself and never asking anything in return. Soft spoken and gentle, I had never heard her raise her voice to anyone. She was one of the most tender-hearted human beings I have ever known. On April 17th, 2006, my Aunt Hazel finally had the opportunity to ride along with me as I traveled through the state of West Virginia.

I had been running hard on that trip, making nearly impossible schedules, and had reached a point of exhaustion. It’s funny how the brain functions when one is so tired, yet keeps pushing themselves to go further. You tend to drift off to a place of peaceful memories, where life was joyful and you felt loved and safe. Thoughts of family and friends would enter my mind and I would find myself transferred back in time and I would remember.

At one point, I looked over to the passenger seat, and Aunt Hazel was sitting there with a very disgusted look on her face, unlike one I had ever seen. In her soft voice she said, “Aubrey, you need to pull over and shut down and get some sleep.” I explained that I knew there was a rest area several miles down the road and I would stop there. That seemed to satisfy her, although she kept that “annoyed” look on her face. I just chuckled to myself, because, after-all, I was a professional, and she could see what truck driving jobs were all about. I continued on, and shortly after that, I found myself lost in memory and the truck seemed to drive itself.

After what seemed like just a few minutes, I could hear Aunt Hazel softly speaking again, “Aubrey? ………Aubrey?……..Aubrey?……… I could hear her saying my name, but I was somewhere else, lost in thought within the past of my life. Suddenly, out of character for Aunt Hazel, she was only inches from my face and she did something I had NEVER seen or heard her do EVER . . . she ‘SCREAMED!’…….”AUBREY . . . WAKE UP!!”

Her scream jolted me out of unconsciousness. I HAD FALLEN ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL!! I looked up only seconds away from crashing head on into the concrete barrier of a bridge. Jerking the wheel to the left, the big rig rolled back onto the interstate, causing the trailer to swerve violently. The rear tandem of the 53-foot trailer caught the edge of the median, causing a wake of dirt, grass and gravel to fly into the air behind me. Seconds later, I saw the sign that read: Rest Area, 1 mile. I made it into the rest area, and feeling very sheepish, went straight to bed without saying a word. I immediately fell to sleep.

When I awoke, I instantly remembered the incident. Aunt Hazel, who I had never heard her raise her voice, had actually SCREAMED at me! Had she not, I would have hit that bridge head on, with the cruise control engaged at 70 MPH! It was an amazing incident. It is a day I will never forget . . . April 17th, 2006.

What makes this incident really amazing? Aunt Hazel passed away . . . November 11th, 1993.

In Loving Memory
Hazel Lee Price
Born : May 20th, 1938
Went Home: November 11th,1993

About the Author :

Aubrey “Allen” Smith is the author of the Truth About Trucking. He devotes his time in helping new drivers understand the inside secrets of truck driving jobs. To learn how to avoid the scams in the trucking industry, please visit http://www.truthabouttrucking.com today.

© 2007 – 2008, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.

: aubrey allen smith

Related posts

• Truck Drivers Need Fun Too; Take a Ride on a Harley (1)
• The “Strike” That Broke the Truckers Back (4)
• Talk Radio Show (0)
• Over the Road Trucking: Is it Worth it? (5)
• New Drivers : Beware and Prepare (1)

Trucking companies and those involved in professional truck driving, understand that they have a higher authority that they must answer to. You will find those individuals within the trucking industry that will continually complain about the wrongdoing of this authority figure. I have heard them referred to as the “dreaded” DOT.

The U.S. Department of Transportation was established by a Congressional Act on October 15th, 1966 and its first official opening day was on April 1st, 1967. According to their website, the mission of the department is to:

“Serve the United States by ensuring a fast, safe, efficient, accessible and convenient transportation system that meets our vital national interests and enhances the quality of life of the American people, today and into the future.”

When it comes to the world of truck driving, the key word in their mission, to me, is “safe.” In my 29 years involved within the trucking industry, I have heard countless complaints by drivers concerning the practices of the DOT. High fines and lengthy down times are the two most widely heard complaints. The DOT has “shut down” drivers for hours and hours due to a violation such as an illegal log book. You can hear about fines reaching into the thousands of dollars for a violation found on the truck or trailer. The DOT is always targeting the big rigs because that is “where the money is.”

I have had my share of experiences with the DOT: a $300.00 fine for being over gross weight; a $250.00 fine for a few brakes out of adjustment; shut down for ten hours due to being over on my hours of service, and a few more experiences during 21 years of over the road trucking. The DOT was out to get me and any truck driving individual that they could . . . there was no doubt about it!

But then, I noticed something. Something that I, as a driver, had not realized until I operated my own trucking company. Everything that the DOT found in violation was a “safety” issue. Not just safety for the general public, but my safety as well. When the Maryland DOT shut me down for being over on my hours, I was a little upset to say the least. I knew that I was not going to be able to deliver my load in time. When they directed me to the DOT “holding area” I drove there, let’s just say, “a little agitated.” Once I shut down and crawled into bed, it was then I realized just how tired I was, and I was in much need of rest. The next day I completed the delivery, received my next load from my employer, and was on my way again. It was as if nothing had ever happened.

Is the DOT after the truck driving professional? Are they after the trucking companies because they have deep pockets? Of course not. They are after “safety.” Plain and simple, their job is to insure that you, the driver, and the general public are safe. Without the DOT imagine the mess the roads would be in . . . imagine the dangers we all would face. All one has to do is travel to another country that has no DOT regulations and witness the chaos for themselves.

Looking back, I can honestly say that in all my years of driving I really never had any problems with the DOT. I have always been treated honestly and fairly by the state DOT agencies. When I recall the violations that they found against me, every single one was my fault! As a licensed airplane pilot, the pilot is referred to as the “PIC” . . . Pilot In Command. I use this ideology in relationship to truck driving as well. The driver is the Driver In Command. It is the driver’s responsibility to insure that the vehicle is in safe, working condition BEFORE he or she heads out on a trip. It is the Driver In Command responsibility to make certain that they are not over weight when they are loaded, and that the tires, brakes, etc., are all in safe, legal limits. The DOT is not at fault . . . the driver and/or company is at fault, depending on the circumstances.

Next time the DOT fines you for a violation, ask yourself, “who’s fault is it?” If you are totally honest with yourself, the answer will always be “I am.” As hard as that is to accept, it’s the truth. Is the DOT our friend or foe? I consider them a friend.

“The Act which I sign today is the most important transportation legislation of our lifetime . . . It is one of the essential building blocks in our preparation for the future . . . Transportation has truly emerged as a significant part of our national life. As a basic force in our society, its progress must be accelerated so that the quality of our life can be improved.”

President Lyndon Baines Johnson, signing the DOT Act, October 15, 1966.

About the author:

Aubrey Allen Smith authored the “Truth About Trucking.” He is an expert in the field of transportation and is an advocate for truck driving safety. To learn the inside secrets of the trucking industry, please visit http://www.truthabouttrucking.com today.

© 2007 – 2008, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.

: DOT, truck driving, truck driving safety, trucking companies, trucking company, trucking industry

Related posts

• Truth About Trucking: Watch Out for Copy Cats (0)
• Trucking Lease Scam Perfect for DAC Lies (5)
• Trucking Industry Covers Up Female Driver Trainees Harassment (7)
• Trucking Companies Responsibility for DAC Reporting – FCRA § 623(a) (11)
• Trucking Careers and the Economy (2)

Truck driving undoubtedly has its challenges here in the United States. Crowded highways, not enough parking areas and long hours are just a few of the problems drivers face on a daily basis. I was enjoying a meal at a Petro Truck Stop the other day when I heard another driver complaining about the food. It appeared that he felt that some of the items on the buffet were not hot enough. I agreed that some of the entrees could have been warmer, but I really didn’t care. I was just enjoying the meal.

This situation got me thinking about the complaints I hear from other truck drivers. Perhaps I’m just “different,” but I simply cannot relate to many of these problems that truck driving faces here at home. As I was completing my meal, another driver walked in and was upset because he had driven through the night and was still unable to get unloaded. He said the only thing left to do right then was getting something to eat, take a shower and go to bed. He ate his meal complaining the entire time about his run through the night. I thought about the truck drivers in Iraq.

The most dangerous job in the Middle East is truck driving. I wondered about certain correlations between truck driving here in the U.S. and truck driving in Iraq. I looked around and listened to more complaining by other drivers about their “hardships.” I took a hard look at myself. I thought about the good job I had and the ability to make a nice pay check. I looked at all the food on the buffet readily available for my taking. I knew that later that night I would be home and my wife would have the coffee ready and I could sit and relax in my favorite chair. I thought about my freedom. Hardships? What hardships? I decided to compare the complaints with the life of truck drivers in Iraq:

U.S. DRIVERS ————–TRUCK DRIVING IN IRAQ:

Waited 3 hours for tire repair ——–Had to change own tire
Complains about rough roads—— There are no roads
Truck A/C isn’t cold enough——–No A/C in 150 degree weather
Watch out for Pot Holes——Watch out for Land Mines
Had to drive all night——Drives with night vision goggles
Worries about missing schedules——Worries about snipers
Mattress is too hard——Sleeps with 50# of body armor
Fellow drivers can be rude—-Fellow drivers can be terrorists

Watches out for bad drivers——Watches out for mortar fire

Army Specialist Timothy Staddon with the 123rd Main Support Battalion under the First Armored Division, is a truck driver in Iraq. His job is to haul supplies, parts and food to the forward support battalions located right in the center of Baghdad. He has been shot at by unseen snipers and has to be on the look out for 155MM shells buried in the sand that explode when you drive by. This young man, and many more like him, are heros. Because of them, we remain free.

As of May, 2006 twenty-four American truck drivers have been killed while working in Iraq from shootings and road side bombs. Drivers in Iraq experience post-traumatic stress disorder just as our soldiers do. They form “shadow armies” in order to deliver food and supplies to the troops. One of the few women truck drivers in Iraq, convoy commander Cindy Morgan sums it up perfectly: “We live, we eat, we sleep, pretty much side by side with our troops. And we get shot at, we bleed and we die beside them.”

I know truck driving can be a rough life. However, as I sit in the comfort of my home or enjoy a meal out, and the only thing I have to do is fight a little traffic in order to have my evening out, I simply can’t justify any complaining. I look around and only see abundance. Because of our soldiers and the civilian workers who have chosen to risk their lives truck driving in Iraq . . . I look around and I only see freedom.

Here is one of “The Greats” visiting our Troops in Iraq…….Chuck Norris meets our troops

Thanks Chuck, you’re the best of the best

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-h1vgIPSCA

About the author:

Aubrey Allen Smith is a veteran driver and author of the Truth About Trucking. Exposing the scams of truck driving for new drivers, he is an expert in the field of transportation. Learn the TRUTH before you begin. Please visit http://www.truthabouttrucking.com today. We here at truthabouttrucking.com SUPPORT OUR TROOPS!

© 2007 – 2008, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.

: american troops, Iraq, truck drivers, truck driving

Related posts

• Trucking Careers and the Economy (2)
• The Brotherhood of Trucking (0)
• YOU Did It! Jason’s Law is Going to GATS (7)
• Winter Driving Tips (3)
• Will Sleep Apnea Test be New Regulation for Trucking? (25)