Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/718143
Spotlight 12 September 2016 BestDriverJOBS www.bestdriverjobs.com companies wouldn't give him credit for his military driving experience. Crete did, with the stipulation he go through eight weeks of training. "In the military, it was basically all heavy-haul, chain- ing and strapping and stuff like that," he says. "That's why I'm glad I got to go out on the road training, because haul- ing this 53-foot dry box was a whole new beast to me." Here's more of our conversation with Gordon: Q: Where are you from and where are you currently based? A: I'm from Hermitage, Missouri, and I'm currently in Garland, Texas. Q: Are you an over-the-road driver? A: Not anymore. I was for the first year I drove with Crete, and now I'm local. I'm on the Dallas local, home- daily fleet. I enjoy getting to see my family every day. Q: Tell us about your family. A: I've been married for eight years. My wife, Ashlyn, and I met in the mili- tary. She was in my platoon. We have two children together, and I have four children total. We're very close-knit, very outdoorsy and love fishing, boating and just having fun. Q: How did you get into trucking? A: I grew up on a farm, so ever since I was three feet tall, I was driving some- thing, learning how to back up some- thing. It was that kind of lifestyle like, 'Here's the keys to the truck, parallel park it between my two tractors and don't mess up anything.' It was great. My dad really set me up for success driving in the Army and, once I got out, driving for Crete. Q: What do you like about the trucking life? A: I was injured on my second deployment and wasn't able to drive trucks anymore. In the Army, you have to wear a helmet while driving a truck, and I could no longer wear my helmet. So I worked as a load planner and a dispatcher [in an office]. I love how freeing it is to be out on my own again and working with minimal supervision. Q: What advice would you give to someone just starting out? A: Find a good trainer and listen to everything they have to give. Take what you want and what will work for you, and then develop your own ways. I was lucky enough to have my dad as my trainer. He's been driving truck since 1972 and has driven for Crete Carriers for 18 years. I try to drive ex- actly like my dad drives so I don't have the bad habits from somebody maybe less experienced. Q: Do you have any safety advice? A: Once you're out on your own, there's not going to be anyone there to tell you when you're doing something wrong. Pay attention during training. Crete's orientation is very straightfor- ward and very informative on safety.