I'm a Tattletale

I am a professional driver. (I know, “Way to state the obvious Jason.”) I don’t expect everyone that I share the road with to be one also. That is what makes me and other professionals, well, a professional. We know how to act and are prepared for the actions of others. Automobiles are often the worst offenders, but not to the extent some may think. We tend to remember the bad ones more. Unfortunately, I also observe a fair amount of tractor-trailers and buses exhibiting less than professional behavior. 

Almost daily, I see trucks doing outrageous things. Tailgating irks me the most, probably because it is so dangerous and intimidating. There have been numerous occasions where I have written down company names and equipment numbers with firm intentions to send the offender's employers a note.  The last time that happened was a few weeks ago. I was heading south on interstate 83 in Pennsylvania, heading to Maryland. A red truck, whose company name escapes me, went barreling by. The young fellow driving had on the weirdest of hats. It looked like something out of the 40s. He bobbed and weaved in and out of traffic, not once using a turn signal. When people were in his way, he came up on their bumper and let them know they were in fact holding him up. It was such a terrible thing to see that I wrote down his vitals and fully intended to see to it that he received a talking to. Sadly, at the end of the day, I let it go, as I did with all the other misbehaving drivers on the road. It’s a terrible excuse, but sometimes it is just easier to let it be than have to write something negative about somebody. I equate negativity with being mad, and I’m a happy kind of guy. Yes, I do realize that if one of these people ends up killing somebody, a whole lot of people would not only be angry; they will also be sad. I promise I will follow through in the future.

The scariest things that I see on the road are often buses. They go like the wind, and sometimes make lane changes swift enough to impress any Indy car captain. My driver friends and I refer to them as “Guided missiles.” What’s scarier is that they are often packed with people. (I know, “Really Jason, who would have guessed?”) It seems a few times a year, we open the paper and there is a picture of one rolled over, or all smashed up. In the worst stories, we have to read about fatalities. Not once am I surprised because of how many missiles I have seen blow by me like I’m standing still. I always shake my head and say, “You’ll never catch me on one of those things.” I mean it. I also won’t let any member of my family ride on one either. (Mom, when you retire and want to see the country, we will fly you there. If that’s not possible, I will drive you.  There will be no discussion; buses are out of the question.)

After the last three paragraphs of doom and gloom, I do have a more positive experience to share. Tonight I took a long westbound cruise down interstate 80, again in Pennsylvania. I enjoy that ride because it’s a smooth and straight road. It is perfect for taking naps behind the wheel. (Just kidding about snoozing, I just wanted to make sure you were paying attention.) As I went along, I found myself, through pure coincidence of the moment, driving along behind a bus. It was relaxing to the point that I felt compelled to share that experience with the good Captain’s employer, and I actually followed through this time. Here is the note that I sent to Anderson Coach and Travel:

To whom it may concern:

I have been a professional truck driver for over eight years. I have spent the last seven as a driver for Ashley Distribution Services. (That’s the delivery arm of Ashley Furniture Industries.) I have never been a fan of buses. I have witnessed many of them driving too fast, changing lanes without signaling and otherwise behaving badly. Tonight, I spent a hundred and some miles driving west on interstate 80 through Pennsylvania. Along the way, I began following one of your coaches. The number on the rear was #92. I must say it was a pleasure to share the road with your driver. I had my cruise set at 66mph and he (or she) wasn’t running much faster than me, if at all. Every lane change was signaled properly and in advance of moving in one direction or the other, and done very smoothly. I may not be a fan of the bus, but if I had to ride one, I would have no reservations hopping on board and going for a ride if it was on your equipment, piloted by one of your drivers. I may have only shared the road with the driver in question tonight for about 45 minutes, but it was such a refreshing thing to see that I felt compelled to write you. I would hope you would forward my compliments to the person behind the wheel who is responsible for such outstanding professionalism.

I do hope that whoever was driving that bus gets to hear about the relaxing time I had while sharing the road with them this evening. I found that it is easier to compliment someone rather than to scold them. I plan to do it again. I encourage you to do the same. You should definitely do it if you see something bad, but don’t shy away from giving praise where it is due. It tends to make everyone involved to feel happy, and who does not like that feeling? It also encourages those who are doing a good job being a professional to know that they are appreciated. That in turn will help the pride they already display to flourish even more. With a little luck, it will be contagious, and we can all enjoy a safer and more enjoyable road experience. One last thing: Mom, when you retire and absolutely have to go somewhere by bus, Anderson Coach and Travel is the only company I will allow you to travel with. End of story.