On the road again: night and day, truck drivers keep the country rolling

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Every day, more than 2.7 million trucks hit the road to pick up and deliver goods. If they suddenly stopped running, some people estimate, the United States would face critical food, fuel, and medical supply shortages within just 48 hours. That's a point of pride for many truck drivers, whether they run local routes in their hometowns or head out "over-the-road" for days at a time. By climbing behind the wheel, they're helping the country run smoothly.

Have you ever wondered what working--and living--out on the open road might be like? Career World asked four truck drivers what drew them to the job and what keeps them in the driver's seat.

Career World: Why did you decide to become a truck driver?

Day: It's been my dream since I was a boy. I'd go to the library and read every book about trucks from cover to cover.

Jensen: My father and grandfather both drove trucks, and I'd sometimes ride with them.

Smith: You know when you go on those family car trips, and you try to get the driver to honk the horn? I decided I wanted to be that driver!

Rodriguez: I used to work for the postal service in New York, but my daughter had asthma, so I tried to get a transfer to Texas. It didn't work out, so I started looking into truck driving.

CW: Do you have a regular route and schedule, or does it change every day?

Day: I do a local run from Georgia to Florida and back, so I'm home every day. I leave about 8 p.m. and it takes four hours and 45 minutes to get there. I unload my two trailers and then bring two more back home.

Smith: I drive over-the-road, so I'm usually out for four or five days at a time but home on weekends.

Rodriguez: I drive anywhere in the 48 states and Canada, and I'm home every other weekend. I like to start driving at 5 a.m. and then be done by 4 or 5 in the afternoon. Then I can eat, shower, relax, and just get ready for the next day.

Jensen: I drive a regular regional route, only about 250 miles. I usually get loaded up in the middle of the night and leave then.

CW: How do you handle being away from home for days at a time?

Rodriguez: My wife and kids look forward to me being home, and they're sad when I leave, but they're used to it. We talk on the phone every day, and if there's a special event I need to be home for, I can work it out.

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Smith: Sometimes just meeting other truckers who are friendly helps you take your mind off being away from home. I also have a TV in my truck, and I treat myself to a movie every now and then.

CW: What are some of the challenges of your job?

Smith: I used to be afraid of getting lost, but now I laugh that off!

Day: You have to be careful, and you have to be safe all the time. I drive more miles in one year than the average motorist does in 10. How can I expect them to be as good a driver as I am?

Jensen: The fact that the laws about driving change all the time. You have to keep on top of that and make sure you adhere to the law wherever you are. That's why I like driving a regular route: I know the routines, so it's simpler.

CW: What's your favorite part of the job?

Rodriguez: I call it a paid vacation! You get to travel all over the United States, and it's different every day. And you get paid pretty well.

Smith: The freedom of the road. It's your truck and you have a load that has to be at a certain place at a certain time. But how you get there and when you take a break are pretty much up to you.

Day: Even though I drive the same route, I see different people every night. There's never a dull moment!

CW: What personal traits do you think are important for a driver to have?

Jensen: Patience--nothing ever goes as scheduled, so you'd best just deal with it!

Smith: You also need to be able to relate to people--shippers, receivers--and treat them with respect. You never know where someone else is coming from.

Day: A great attitude would help tremendously. Being a person who enjoys travel, being out and about and not locked into one place.

Rodriguez: It comes down to understanding the job and what you have to do. I think anyone could be a truck driver if they put their mind to it.

CW: What do you do to pass the time when you're driving?

Day: I listen to satellite radio. A lot of the drivers wonder what we used to do before that! You'd lose reception on the radio station you were listening to as you drove out of range, but now you can listen to the same station from New Jersey to California!

CW: Finally, what we all want to know: What's it like sleeping on the bed in the cab of your truck?

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Rodriguez: It's a little difficult at first because of the outside noise at a truck stop. But it's OK.

Smith: It's comfortable, but it's one of those things you have to get used to--it's not going to come overnight. It's not like being at home.

Meet the Drivers

Shannon Smith, 33

Cleveland, Ohio

Company driver, Landstar

Years driving: nine

Luis Rodriguez, 35

Baytown, Texas