Appreciation Week Provides Industry Opportunity to Reward Truck Drivers

By Timothy Cama, Staff Reporter

This story appears in the Sept. 24 print edition of Transport Topics.

Trucking companies, associations, industry suppliers and other businesses took time out last week to recognize the 3.1 million men and women who drive trucks in the United States as part of National Truck Driver Appreciation Week.

Carriers, shippers, suppliers and other firms celebrated with free meals, giveaways, awards and wellness events.

“Professional truck drivers deliver our nation’s essential freight safely, every day,” Bill Graves, president of American Trucking Associations, said in a Sept. 17 statement. “As a result of this commitment, our nation’s highways are the safest they have ever been, and our grocery shelves are stocked. We as a nation owe a great deal to the truck drivers out on our nation’s roads, as well as the families of those behind the wheel.”

A common celebration event throughout NTDAW’s 24 years is for carriers to serve lunch to drivers and their families “because you have to appreciate the families,” Elisabeth Barna, vice president of outreach at ATA, told Transport Topics.

Refrigerated carrier Pride Transport, Salt Lake City, took that a step further, serving both breakfast and lunch to drivers throughout the week, ATA said. Pride also held daily raffles and gave each driver gift bags.

Keith Tuttle, president of Motor Carrier Services Inc., Toledo, Ohio, took NTDAW personally, refueling trucks and washing their windshields himself while drivers relaxed at the carrier’s headquarters.

“About every couple of minutes, I get called on the intercom that we’ve got another driver coming in, so I go down and fuel the truck and wash the windshield,” Tuttle said. “These are the guys that really work hard for us, so I’m glad to do that for them.”

Baylor Trucking, Milan, Ind., gave each of its drivers a gift card to truck stop chain Pilot Flying J, the carrier said in a statement. They also received shirts and were entered in a raffle for larger gift cards.

“National Truck Driver Appreciation Week gives us a chance to thank the professional truck drivers that deliver all the items we need daily,” President Bob Baylor said in the statement. “It is essential to explain how important truck drivers are.”

Baylor closed the week with a large birthday party for Chester Baylor, 93, the company’s founder and first driver.

Events honoring drivers were not confined to carriers, with shippers, truck stops and suppliers getting involved as well, Barna said.

“We’ve seen a huge increase in the number of shippers that have gotten involved,” Barna said, noting that many hold events at their facilities for the drivers who deliver to them.

Employees of truck stop Pilot Flying J, Knoxville, Tenn., made an effort to thank every truck driver who refueled at their locations, the company said. Jimmy Haslam, the company’s CEO, went to a truck stop to recognize drivers himself.

“This week is dedicated to professional drivers, and we’re excited to have this opportunity to celebrate them, thank them and get to know them better,” Haslam said in a statement.

TravelCenters of America, Westlake, Ohio, teamed up with the Truckload Carriers Association, Alexandria, Va., to emphasize driver health, hosting wellness events and health screenings at 12 of its TA and Petro Stopping Center locations.

TCA also encouraged truck drivers and others in the industry to “ditch the pack” and stop smoking Sept. 20, if only for one day.

“Most people want to make the healthy choice for themselves; they just need the right information and a way to do it that works. That’s where we come in,” said TCA Chairman Robert Low, president of Prime Inc., Springfield, Mo. Parts supplier Meritor Inc., Troy, Mich., bought radio advertisements throughout the week to thank truck drivers.

“These men and women literally keep the country moving,” Tim Bowes, president of Meritor’s commercial truck business, said in a statement.

The National Tank Truck Carriers, Arlington, Va., announced last week it will start presenting an annual award beginning in 2013 to recognize the best tank truck driver.

“This new program offers our membership an excellent forum to show our gratitude to the professional men and women in our tractors whose commitment to excellence contributes to the safety and well-being of our fellow co-workers, our customers and the general public at large,” NTTC Chairman John (Hans) Schaupp said in a statement.