Trucking Industry REVOLUTIONIZED By Dedication!

Nov 27, 2024

 Trucking Industry REVOLUTIONIZED By Dedication!

#truckingbusiness #IndustryChange #BusinessGrowth #TruckingCommunity

Truck drivers are transforming the trucking industry like never before! In this episode, we're shining a spotlight on the dedication that's revolutionizing the way things are done in the trucking world. From passionate individuals making a difference, we're exploring the changes that are taking the industry by storm. 

The trucking industry has changed ten fold since I entered the industry back in the early eighties. As I entered the industry deregulation was beginning and ease of entry was getting easier. Gone were the days of needing cartage licenses and Linehaul licenses to haul certain types of freight. Logbook regulations were just starting to be created in Canada started allowing drivers to drive on a Sunday which was not allowed at that time. Dangerous Goods Regulations became the new thing and it was said that in the near future there would only be five trucking companies in Canada. Trucking however was fun! There was lots of work, lots of jobs, and drivers would still wine and complain but it was about getting the job done. We just plodded along trying to grow in the industry. 

As a new driver in those days I didn’t understand the big issues. I was just trying to work for a better carrier than the last one. I started in the city and worked my way up to being on the highway working part time with weekend runs to Owen Sound and working local throughout the week for another carrier. I was just working my way up the ladder and keeping my nose clean. I enjoyed the industry so much that during my driving career I just enjoyed the driving, I didn’t think about bigger issues. 

Today drivers are different, they are getting involved in causes and fighting for what they see as wrong in the industry. Some of those causes are social and turn into industry causes and others are within industry and directly affect road users. Unfortunately when it is a driver initiating the cause it can be a long fight. Resources are low and the fight is high. It takes immense dedication to the cause to make the changes needed. Many drivers making that fight run out of juice long before reaching the final goal. The one thing about fighting for a cause no matter how long you continue the fight you are getting closer to your goal and you are making change. 

We recently lost Trucking for a Cure Organizer Joanne Millen Mackenzie. She tirelessly fought to bring awareness for breast cancer and the bigger cause of promoting women in the industry. While working for over a decade on these causes it was hard work every year Joanne may not have seen the changes she was making in the industry or how her work was changing how women are perceived in the industry. As we look back and reflect on her career we see the bigger picture and how much change she made in trucking. Women are more prominent and thriving in the industry due to much of the hard work Joanne put in over the years. She put the trucking industry on the map in the eyes of the Cancer Foundation that didn’t even realize there was a trucking industry until Joanne started winning awards for money raised for the cause. 

So if you are a dedicated to a cause keep going. You may not reach your final goal but you will be making change along the way. It will be hard work and there will be times when it feels like nothing is happening but it is working in the background. Keep going and good luck! 

About the Author

Bruce Outridge has been in the trucking industry for over 40 years. With 25 years behind the wheel across North America and now covering the industry through Lead Pedal Media he has many insights as to the state of today's trucking industry and offers tips through his podcast on how to have a good career in trucking. You can learn more about Bruce and his work at www.BruceOutridge.com 

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