It’s true, there are things that people should never say to a trucker and sometimes when they do – they’re just asking for a bad outcome either now or in the future.
You see when folks say these things, they’re talking from a place of ignorance, often sounding like they’re in a position of authority getting the driver to try and explain to them their entire lack of intelligence – not good…
What do I mean?
Ok, here’s what not to say…
“What time do you call this”?
“Where the hell have you been”?
“You’re late”
“the other guy always arrives at XX:XX”
“What happened to you”?
These things are so common, drivers don’t even mention the crap they get off people anymore.
So why are all those things wrong?!
Firstly – Safety. Depending where a load has come from, the driver may have been so darn tired he or she might have needed a sleep and I don’t need to explain the consequences of a fatigued driver.
Secondly – The driver, drives…. Yes it’s that obvious, that is what this person lives for – Driving. They don’t like hanging about and most love speed. SO they’re not gonna be swanking about down at the local mall or taking in a movie, they ARE going to get to you in the shortest possible time!
Thirdly – (and as such) a delivery might be late but the Driver is NEVER LATE…. Not ever – think about
it!!
The time on the delivery note is a rough guess, it does not allow for Traffic Jams, Accidents, Blowouts, Breakdowns, Weather, Road Conditions, Problems at the point of dispatch, Finding you’re place, Illness, Injury, Pulled over by the Police, Securing a load or the Problems at the previous delivery point!
None of these things have anything to do with being late because the Driver is a professional!! He or She knows exactly what they’re doing, they know their business – you don’t!
If I’ve had a really bad day, the worse thing you can say to me is “What time do you call this” – especially if you have a watch on you’re wrist. Because the retort is going to be along the lines of if you’re bright or completely stupid!!
If you’re not sure about the time a delivery may or may not turn up, there is no better place than listening to traffic reports on the radio to have a real guess of the road situations.
The things that have been said to me, the shear bloody attitude I get from people is unreal. Heck I’ve offered several times to leave and on two occasions did.
I remember after witnessing a horrific fatal accident, receiving a full blown rant from a guy I was delivering to. People seem to forget that truckers see death and horror quite a lot.
And here’s another thing; if a delivery is of the sh*tty type – i.e. the Driver needs do a lot of manual work, in bad weather and then reload, DON’T offer them a hot drink as soon as they get there – but do offer them one at around the halfway point and take about 5 minutes to talk to them. You’ll soon get a good relationship with the drivers and you’ll get a good understanding of them.
But do remember, if they were late getting to you and have another three or more drops after – they’ll be getting the same grief you’ve given them again and again… And really, do you want to drive on the same road as a seriously pissed off trucker?
Some more stuff:
A trucker will drive in 6 months – more than most drive in a life time!! So maybe, just maybe they know a little bit about driving… they know how to read the road and in many instances rely upon you being switched on in you’re driving ability to make certain manoeuvres go smoothly. They have to contend with an advanced knowledge of rules, regulations and laws, they must know them thoroughly, even the Police don’t have the same knowledge and experience and are in many cases, not as qualified as the trucker.
They/We are not there to screw you’re day up. But sometimes the lack of given experience of some road users can screw up everyone’s day.
Nearly everything you own, wanna own, the clothes on you’re very back were and will be delivered by truck – don’t forget the food you eat as well.
Give us you’re patience and time – and we WILL give you everything you want, need and desire… Because that is what the men and women truck drivers around the whole world do.
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