Overdrive

July 2014

Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info

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PULSE July 2014 | Overdrive | 5 By Max Heine Editorial director mheine@randallreilly.com If you had to give someone a quick indoctrination as to what trucking is like, you could do a lot worse than listening to the 32 entrants of the Overdrive Red-Eye Radio Trucker Talent Search. It's not that their chosen songs are directly about trucking, because most aren't. The revelation is more in the faces, the remarks they add, even the settings where they recorded their entries. About one in four performed in their truck, which says a lot about how the rig isn't just a workplace, but for many a second home. Home, incidentally, is a common theme. Jerry Andrews does the Simon and Garfun- kel hit "Homeward Bound," pining for the place "where my love lies waiting silently for me." "It's been a long journey home," sings Randy Bouwens. And Rick Adkins alludes to a final resting place: "If you're reading this, I'm already home." When it comes to trucking, home can add another layer to the most common lyrical theme: romance. Howard Salmon, in his own "These Trucks Are Made of Gold," sings, "I ain't been home in a month of Sun- days, ain't had a woman to hold." The texture of that layer is often rough for over-the-road drivers. Many would identify with the traveling rodeo cowboy, talking on the phone to his sweetheart, in the George Strait song "I Can Still Make Cheyenne." It's sung with sincerity by Woodrow Nowell: "She said, 'Don't bother coming home. By the time you get here, I'll be long gone. There's somebody new, and he sure ain't no rodeo man.' " The antidote for rejection? "Mental Re- venge," a Waylon Jennings song. "All in all, if the curtain should fall, well, I hope that it falls on you," sings Tom Swen. He's got an authentic Texas accent – and a T-shirt that says "Texas Prison Rodeo." The entries showcase orig- inal compositions, religious songs and some crazy fun. There's even a classic show tune, "Everything's Up to Date in Kansas City," from the Rodgers and Hammer- stein musical "Oklahoma." Bill Evans delivers it in a won- derful bass voice, complete with gestures, in front of a wall full of plaques and family photos. Just before the video ends, an off-camera woman says: "That was fabulous!" Indeed, he was. All the entrants, in fact, gave a fabu- lous glimpse of the pride, the pain and the diversity of lives worked largely in solitude and, because of that, connected even stronger with those they love and the homes they yearn for. Homeward bound More voices on Mandatory detention Justin scribner: If the shippers were forced to pay detention for the truck sitting there, then this would be a good deal, but all this will be is a financial burden upon the trucking companies themselves. Furthermore, there will be drivers who will figure out how to take advantage of this in one way or another. Hope eggersdorf: I work for a truly small company (two company drivers, two owner-operators), and we get detention of at least $30.00/hour after two hours. That is way better than minimum wage! If there are places that have long wait times, we don't go there. You make more money deadheading (but moving) than sitting at a dock waiting. If trucks refuse to pick up/ deliver the loads, the shippers/re- ceivers will have to fix their issues. david Brown: Name me a pro- fession besides transportation that gives you any free time? Should be mandatory $100 per hour [charged to the shipper], and see how fast they can load and unload you. Mike H.: I would not support mandated detention pay unless shippers and receivers paid us from the time the truck arrived until it left. Drivers would be happy with this, but the majority do not understand how hard it is already to even get detention pay from shippers/receivers. The industry has increased rates so heavy already just to keep up with emissions, fuel, parts, labor, etc. We all are paying at the stores for this already, if you have not paid attention. We need shippers and receivers to just do their job and start getting trucks in and out within a two-hour window and stop with the games. You can see the entrants' video entries on the 2014 Trucker Talent Search playlist on youtube.com/OverdriveMag. Three finalists will be announced in July. They will compete at the Great American Trucking Show in Dallas, Aug. 21-23, for the winning spot in the contest, brought to you by Chevron Delo. Voices_0714.indd 5 6/26/14 9:59 PM

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