What Happens to Trucker Comrades When One of Their Own Participate in a Protest?

Hi and welcome back - we are now at episode 12 of our show Truckers Have Feelings. To date we are over 200 listens and a dozen shows which in the big picture and compared to other podcasts in the industry is really nothing to speak of , but for me I am very impressed and I appreciate everyone of you who listen. I had no idea what to expect when I first started this Podcast but my 2022 projections were definitely much lower to this point. Todays show I would like to talk about protests that truckers aren’t necessarily involved in and my intention is to not get into the vigilante views of these protests but more than anything to talk about how our truckers on all sides of the borders get painted with basically the same brush so to speak. Stories are starting to come to light as to how our truckers are viewed during and after protests involving trucks either intentionally or unintentionally - I know that sounds a bit undecided and maybe you are thinking pick a side man and go with it but here is the thing: I have said this in another episode when I spoke of suicide by trucker - the public doesn’t see a human being coming down the road behind the wheel of a semi truck - in fact, the public, all they really see is a machine hauling a load and they have expectations based on many factors - one of those influences is public opinion which is formed as a result of listening to news or listening to someone who seems to be an authority. I know this going to be a shock to most listeners but not only is Facebook not always right neither is the news. The news will take the worst situation of trucking - maybe it is a disgruntled trucker who couldn’t take it anymore and rammed into a barrier stopping him from getting to his delivery or got sick and tired of the public roads and ran someone off the road with no intention of hurting them but it ended up a very bad situation - the point here is these are very rare situations, not all truckers get to this point, in fact very few but those very few crazy stories are the ones all over the news for days upon days into the future. The guys and gals who are driving these rigs, who are just trying to earn a living, just trying to deliver the goods they are hauling safely and on time, just trying to do the right thing and looking for a small amount of respect for what they do, and just trying to get home safely to their families - these guys and gals are tired of being painted with the same brush so to speak. Like anything in this world all it takes is a few bad apples to spoil things for the good ones. When there was a protest taking place not so long ago, I remember a driver telling me “Here we go this is going to reflect on all truckers and we are all going to be put into the same circle” It is not right, there are some really good people behind the wheel of those rigs going up and down the roads, they are what I like to remind you - Human Beings who get affected by the dangers of the roads, the attacks from the public and they have to go home and pretend that it never happened just to survive. Just because these men and women chose trucking as a career does not mean they knew what they were getting into or that they take what comes their way or another one I heard lately they deserve what they get as they choose to drive truck. I know this is just a few and rare times these comments happen but since the pandemic things have become worse in some ways regarding truckers. Just remember without our truckers where would our economy be, how would you get your groceries, how would you be listening to this podcast on your iPhone,your computer or your iPad- you wouldn’t have the supply to choose from if it wasn’t for trucks because other modes of transportation for supplies are not as reliable and cost effective as transport trucks so remember that the next time you want to talk crap about a trucker or a better way to put it - A Trucker who is doing the right thing, a trucker who cares about you and your safety … think first before you judge! Well here we are, at the end of another show - if you have a story to share, contact me as I would love to hear from you and hear your story, but remember I don’t want to make this about our political climate, or better yet right or left wing views. I just want to keep it respectful to all. Talk to you next Sunday on this show Truckers Have Feelings - Keep safe and if you think of it buy a trucker a coffee sometime, I bet they would appreciate it. Over and Out.