Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/14583
DRIVER OF THE MONTH DEIRDRA DRINKARD 4 Million and Counting Truline driver Jack Fountaine has a long, safe career behind him It was then, at the suggestion of a neighbor, Fountaine stumbled into a career now 39 years long, during which he’s traveled more than 4 million accident-free miles At the time, Fountaine had no experience driving trucks, but he got a little old-fashioned training from the neighbor who prodded him into the driving role to begin with, “and I’ve been driving ever since,” he says. The 72-year-old company driver I for Truline hauls anything from construction supplies to beer around the Las Vegas area — Foun- taine’s hometown. These local routes give him the opportunity to come home and be with his wife. “If you have a good wife, either take her with you or get a local job,” Fountaine says. Fountaine enjoys trucking for Q&A Q: What is your favorite city you have traveled to? A: Upstate New York is my favorite place. Denver, Colo., is my second favorite. Q: My advice to other drivers is … A: Be nice to other people and pray to the man upstairs. Q: What is your favorite meal? A: Baked chicken. Q: What is one thing you always take with you on the road? A: I take a picture of my wife and my kids. 86 TRUCKERS NEWS AUGUST 2010 n 1971, Jack Fountaine was out of a job and looking for work. two main reasons — traveling and independence. While making cross-country hauls earlier in his career, Foun- taine says he saw every state but Alaska. “I got a chance to see a lot and do a lot,” he says. Driving a truck, he adds, is akin to being your own boss. “As long as you make pickup on time and deliver- ies on time, everything takes care of itself.” Fountaine’s 4 million accident- free miles have garnered several safety awards and multiple recogni- tions as Truline’s Company Driver of the Month. “He has the finest work ethic of anyone I know,” says Truline Recruiting Manager Kevin Cooper. “He’s the kind of guy that is will- ing to go the extra mile and show the younger drivers a better way or a safer way. Plus, he has a phenom- enal safety record.” Fountaine’s safety record has been recog- nized outside of his company as well. In 2008, the Nevada Motor Trans- port Association named Foun- taine its Driver of the Year. “I have been lucky,” Fountaine says. “The man upstairs has been looking out for me.” Fountaine attributes his safety record to patience.”It takes a strong-minded person to be a truck driver,” he says. “You have to be patient with the public.” Fountaine says he enjoys driv- ing for Truline because they treat drivers well. “They give you respect at Truline,” he says. “If you have a problem, you can always go to the front office and knock on the door. They’re always there for you.” James Jaillet contributed to this report. NOMINATE A DRIVER Truckers News and the Truckload Carriers Association are sponsoring the 2011 Company Driver of the Year contest. The winner will be presented at TCA’s annual convention, March 4-7, 2012, in Orlando, Fla. To nominate a driver for the award, visit www.truckload.org and click on the Contest & Awards tab. The nomi- nation deadline is Aug. 15. Overdrive and TCA are sponsoring the 2011 Owner-Operator of the Year award, which receives nominations at the same website address. Also, Truckers News will select a 2010 Company Driver of the Year, to be announced in early 2011, from our current Driver of the Month profiles. The winner of that contest will receive prizes from trucking industry vendors. COURTESY TRULINE