My 20 year old son is a trucker. He drives semi’s delivering lumber to jobsites for a lumberyard.
I told him that he’s got the most important job in the family right now. He’s keeping hundred’s of people employed and able to feed their families.
1. Can't make a wage commensurate with the sacrifice because the states keeping hitting the industry like a piñata with unreasonable fees and taxes. Yes, here's looking at YOU, City of Emporia, Virginia---you blood sucking parasites charging for permits in the I-95 corridor....and you didn't fund or build I-95..
2. Can't have 48 hours defined as a weekend break. It's 34 hours. 3. We are not reimbursed for reasonable expenses for the job: gloves, PPE, etc. In fact, my federally mandated CB radio is not reimbursable. Yes folks, federally mandated to haul oversized loads, and it is not reimbursed.
4. We do not get paid for actual miles driven. Practical miles rob truckers of pay.
5. Bring of unionizing....and you get IMMEDIATELY FIRED. 6. Traffic accidents are AUTOMATICALLY the trucker's fault. The attorneys know this. Look at all the billboards of ambulance chasers looking for big payouts from accidents with trucks. The trucking companies do NOT provide legal representation for the trucker. It comes out of his money. 7. Specialized driving doesn't pay significantly more than general cargo. Yet specialized requires more skill, and is a higher risk to kill/maim other travelers and pedestrians.
God bless him and keep him safe!
My grandson drives a cement truck, and helps to keep construction going.
My husband is a Tech II. Diagnoses all the issues with the tractors, trailers, refrigerated units, etc. and tells the young guys what needs to be fixed.
His toolbox is so big, it takes 3 men to move it (even on casters). He has thousands of dollars in tools to fix just about anything that hauls produce.
Unlike Cher, Babs, and Whoopie, he is essential.
My son was working part-time at Market Street when a customer, who was impressed with his performance and dedication, offered him a part-time position for an oil investment company. He liked going to work in a suit and making good money part-time, but when things started shutting down, the office closed and only the senior execs were able to work from home.
Now he’s back at the supermarket and they are thrilled to have him.
I manage a high rise condominium. I cannot work from home. My board considers me essential.
Thankfully, we are all still employed.