by Roddy J Dryer

Created on: June 18, 2008

While there is no question that being a trucker in today's world is a thankless job, I have to ask how many jobs give thanks in this thankless world. I dare say there aren't many jobs out there known for their rewarding qualities outside of the employee's passion for the work. Sure, if you're a musician or actor (successfully), the perks and thanks come at you like the wind, but that's where you need to be if you want some respect in a circle of people beyond, say, yourself.

During my time as a driver (I drove this fine US of A from 2004 to 2007, until I began piloting a desk and becoming known by drivers as The Travel Agent') I don't think I've been treated that badly by the people daily encountered since the days of boot camp. It's quite fair to say drivers, and when I say drivers, I mean drivers of big rigs, dump trucks, sand trucks, garbage trucks, buses, and anything else requiring some sort of CDL, are looked upon as unskilled, dirty labor. However, those that know the business and what it takes to be a driver, know a lot better. The average Joe doesn't understand that things are different on the road for the common motorist as opposed to the professional driver. They just think you sit and steer; they do not understand what you went through to earn that seat behind the wheel.

Even if they did have a better idea, would they really care? I doubt it, since the only time a fireman, police officer, or paramedic is thanked is after the fire is out, the guns are cooling down, or the patient's condition has been upgraded to stable. What about the guy working the counter at the convenience store? How about that nice lady who talks to you before you see the dentist? You can see where I'm going with this; most people who are in a working class' position are not in a position where thanks are among the job compensation package.

Since we can fairly establish that most jobs are thankless jobs, let's get down to the meat of it, which is the pay. Ah, now we're getting somewhere.
Is it not fair to say that out of the majority of working-class positions, the position of truck driver ranks among the higher percentages in terms of pay? I think it does, and for that, I am thankful. Let me put it this way: Before I stepped into the transportation industry, I worked in the tourism industry. I've been known for writing articles on Disney World and other Central Florida tourism destinations because I worked the industry for almost a dozen years, and I still have regular contact

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