Bill Watt
Owner-operator
Valdese, N.C.
I like the freedom; I like being the boss.
Pat Haley
Owner-operator
Springfield, Mo.
The independence; you’re your own boss.
Paul Shumate
Faircloth Trucking Company
Welch, W.Va.
I’ve been driving 41 years, and I like being on the go and making a living.
Roy Brown
Owner-operator
Okeechobee, Fla.
I don’t have to punch a time clock and it takes care of my family.
Carolyn Valrie
Owner-operator
Dallas
I love seeing the country and I love my freedom. It’s not that old 9-to-5 routine.
Joe Mastriania
PYA Monarch
Enoree, S.C.
Seeing kids’ faces light up when they see my big rig. I also love traveling and meeting new people.
C. Richards
M & S Freight
Bangor, N.Y.
The money is good. Sometimes it doesn’t come your way and sometimes it does.
Allen Brunk
Owner-operator
Fayette, Ala.
I own my own truck, so I like being out there doing my own thing.
Will Hart
Lucky S Trucking
Golden Valley, Ariz.
The freedom. It’s a job I enjoy doing. I do get to see a lot of country, but it’s more than that – I like the feeling of being my own boss.
Sheldon Fair
J.B. Hartley
Mt. Crawford, Va.
I like serving
people. Without truckers you wouldn’t have anything. I appreciate that I can do something for someone else.
Michael Jackson
J.B. Hunt
Kilgore, Texas
It’s no doubt the money and the benefits. It’s hard to find a job paying what trucking pays.
Kenneth Hensz
Crete
San Antonio
Makes my mar-riage stronger. When I’m gone for three weeks and get home, it’s like a honeymoon every time.
Forrest Crawford
Atlas Carriers
St. Francis, Ark.
Economic necessity. Most factories are gone from my city, so it’s either farming or trucking. I chose trucking.
Nelson Cox
Crete
Munfordville, Ky.
I’m proud to be
able to perform a service for people. People need their products to be hauled.
Mike Chivers
PYA Monarch
Greenville, S.C.
I do it for the money.
Joe and Valerie Hartley
TR Trucking Company
Virginia Beach, Va.
I like the scenery. I’m a paid tourist.
Terrance Phillips
Owner-operator
Chattanooga, Tenn.
I’ve been doing this over 15 years and it has just gotten bad. Like anything else, it has to
hit rock bottom before it gets better. It’s very hard out there right now for a lot of people.