BACK TO THE BASICS
BY DRIVER & POET TREVOR HARDWICK
In case you didn’t already know, I will tell you. Truck drivers are plumb-full of (good?) advice. Man, woman, young or old – everybody has advice for someone else. But whether it is good or bad advice depends on a few variables like: 1) The amount of experience the advisor has on the particular subject; 2) His or her ability to articulate such advice into words that don’t further confuse the advisee; 3) The amount of experience the advisee has in direct relationship, or contrast to the experience of the advisor; and, finally, 4) The ability of the advisee to understand and apply the advice appropriately. Are you confused yet? Regardless of whether you’re new to the wonderful world of trucking or if you’re a seasoned veteran of relocating goods, let me share some advice with you. After all, I’m a truck driver, too - what did you expect? These bits of advice (or words of wisdom) are meant to be sarcastic and humorous, but they are also quite true, at least in my opinion. These are “The A-B-C’s of Trucking” in my world.
The A-B-C’s of Trucking
By Driver & Poet Trevor Hardwick
Always do your job with pride
Be alert – enjoy the ride
Check your mirrors from time to time
Don’t just drive to make a dime
Eat things that are good for you
Forgive the cars for what they do
Give a fair and honest bid
Honk your horn for little kids
In the cold and blowing snow
Just relax and take it slow
Know your route and run at night
Learn to run your log book right
Money’s always tight, it seems
Never compromise your dreams
Own up to your own mistakes
Parking lots are not for “jakes”
Question things that don’t make sense
Relax when driving gets too tense
Shower more than once a week
Tell the truth each time you speak
Understand your bottom line
Verify appointment times
Write down every penny spent
Xerox all your documents
Yelling’s always good for nothin’
Zip your lip and keep on truckin’