“Having your own truck comes with a lot of freedom,” Rankin, a Charlotte, NC resident, said. Before beginning her career in trucking, she studied criminal justice only to find few opportunities to apply her education. With options seemingly limited, she turned to substitute teaching where she was bringing in less than $2,000 per month – not exactly the financial goals she had in mind for herself and her family.

After encouragement from her husband, who previously drove a truck, she pivoted to the freight transportation industry and now hauls spot loads found on apps such as TruckLoads, running the Eastern Seaboard as far north as Massachusetts and as far south as Florida. This pivot has allowed her family to become financially comfortable while Clarissa enjoys tremendous work-life flexibility.

In 2021, she reportedly generated $144,000 in revenue from trucking, and took home $73,000 after expenses. In addition, she earned an additional $36,000 from TikTok.

While shaking things up in this predominantly male industry, she also acknowledges that she wasn’t immediately offered a suitable driving position after passing her CDL requirement.

Over the last 10 years, the number of women working in freight transportation has increased substantially at entry level; however, women currently only hold about 7% of truck driving jobs.

“I’m not, like, your everyday truck driver,” she says. “I’m so girly. I love to get that expression on people’s faces like, ‘Can you really drive that?’ and I’m like, ‘Yes, I got this, honey.’”

Truck Driving is considered one of the most secure careers due to the year-over-year shortage of active CDL professionals and organizations such as Women in Trucking have been strong advocates for building a gender-inclusive environment.

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WIT was created to focus on recruiting and retaining more women in the trucking industry. Their value to the industry as a whole has been proved to be paramount to companies achieving new levels of success. WIT is an organization committed to elevating the accomplishments of women in the industry and lessening the impact of the challenges put in their way.

Peterbilt recognized the need to spotlight and encourage women in the field. In 2016, they joined WIT to further their mission of being a work environment where women could feel support and safety. The company then took their efforts at increasing the diversity in their employees by creating a Diversity Council, also in 2016.

The council is dedicated to actively creating an inclusive environment where productivity, creativity, and mutual respect are prioritized. With these qualities at the core, everyone can thrive at Peterbilt.

The company’s Women Initiative Network (PBWIN) exists inside of their Diversity Council. The PBWIN has 100 members who continually work to empower women who have joined Peterbilt’s team. The network offers support, education, personal growth, networking opportunities, and avenues for development to women in the industry — all with the goal of elevating their chance at success.

With their dedication to helping women succeed in the trucking industry, it is no surprise that this is Peterbilt’s 5th time receiving the recognition as one of WIT’s Top Company for Women to Work For in Transportation.

Jason Skoog, Peterbilt’s general manager and Paccar vice president, spoke of his pride for the company.

“I’m very proud that Peterbilt has been recognized as a Top Company for Women to Work For in Transportation,” he said.” Our efforts to cultivate a diverse workforce and champion the development of women leaders within the organization remains a critical part of our success each year.”

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One in 10 military veterans have adopted truck driving careers after their service, according to the United States Census Bureau. The industry has been involved in several programs and events to honor and support veterans. Just recently, in recognition of Veterans Day, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) led Truckers for Troops and TravelCenters of America ran donations to veteran programs.

So, it’s no surprise that the industry has awarded a military veteran, now a truck driver, with a Freightliner and $50,000 to start his owner-operator business. Lt. Colonel James C. Rose served for 30 years in the U.S. Marine Corps. The truck and the donation were awarded through Progressive’s annual Key to Progress program.

“I knew that logistics was going to be a part of my career after retirement,” Rose said. I thought what better way of doing that than boots on the ground in a truck. I have several family members who are in the trucking industry. I have an uncle who drove for over 40 years, cousins, brothers, all the way down to myself who is now two years into the industry.”

To tie together his service in the U.S. Marine Corps and his generations-long investment in the trucking industry he had the outside of the truck customized. Across the hood of the rig is the slogan, “In the Air, on Land, and Sea,” the U.S. Marine Corps motto. And for that $50,000 to start his own trucking company? He plans to focus on hiring and supporting veterans.

“So, this blessing will not only just bless me, but it’s going to bless so, so many other people. It’s going to expedite and propel me forward building my fleet which is going to run under the company name of Pressing Forward Express LLC,” Rose said. “My plan is to hire veterans or veteran dependents to get them into the trucking industry as well as to continue to provide an essential service to our country, to our communities. I am just so thankful to be a part of that.”

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Lee was driving along I-95 North in Florida when his rig approached ample traffic which quickly revealed a multi-car accident as its impetus.

“The traffic started to part ways like the holy waters,” Lee said, “and when I got up there, I saw more and more of it.”

The cars involved in the accident had all swerved their vehicles to avoid colliding with one another; however in the chaos, the vehicles made contact and stopped mid-way along the busy highway. One of the cars was a white Buick.

“When I got up there, there’s a whole bunch of people around the white Buick involved in the accident,” Lee said. “The door was caved in, and I asked if the lady was trapped in there and they said, ‘Yes, she is.’”

Lee saw that immediate action needed to be taken to save the woman. He ran to his truck and grabbed his binder bar which he used in an attempt to free the woman, who was injured. He was unsuccessful in getting her out but, from his past service with the U.S. Air Force and local fire stations, he was able to accurately assess the situation.

“The best that I could do was just to try to keep her comfortable and keep her still,” he said. “I did what I could to keep her awake and calm until the paramedics and rescue arrived.”

When emergency personnel arrived, police officers asked Lee to use his CB radio to notify other truck drivers to allow room for emergency vehicles to pass through the traffic.

Three of the people involved in the crash were taken to the hospital. Everyone involved in the accident – including the woman trapped in the Buick – is expected to recover from their injuries, paramedics said.

Lee’s selfless actions aided in the survival of those involved, but he remains humble.

“I don’t feel like a hero mainly because that would entail being more involved in the process than what I was,” Lee said.

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The United States, Canada, and Mexico all participated in Brake Safety Week where 38,117 CMVs were inspected across the three countries. Out of that 38,117 only 5,059 were required to go out of service (OOS).

There were 34,402 U.S. CMVs inspected during Brake Safety Week, accounting for a majority of the total. From that five-digit number only 4,664, or 13.6%, had to be placed out of service. This follows slightly ahead of the 2021 percentage of 13.5%.

Comparatively, Canada saw a much more significant increase of their OOS violations. This year the country inspected 1,975 vehicles and defined 351, or 17.8%, as having OOS violations. In 2021, the country conducted 1,903 inspections with 15.4% of those vehicles having OOS violations.

Mexico saw the smallest number of vehicles with OOS violations. They inspected 1,740 CMVs and just 44, or 2.5%, had to be placed out of service. This rate is close to the one the country saw in 2021.

The focus for 2022’s Brake Safety Week was to crack down on brake hose/tube violations. There were 6,305 brake hose/tube violations identified and accounted for. There were prescribed levels for brake hose chafing, with two of those levels mandating OOS violations.

The week also saw 11 geographical areas host performance-based brake tests. Out of the 392 CMVs tested for braking performance, 29 failed the test with an out of service rate of 7%.

Drivers should expect 2023’s Brake Safety Week to happen from Aug. 20 to Aug. 26. Additionally, there will be one day of unannounced inspections that can happen at any time of the year.

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The Citizen Driver program first ran its course in 2013, making the 2023 nominees and winners a part of the 10^th consecutive celebration. The original intention was to identify and uplift drivers who have gone above and beyond in the industry. A lot goes into making the decision on who to nominate including the drivers’ background and involvement in initiatives that support their communities, contribute to safety, increase overall health and wellness, and demonstrate leadership qualities.

Once the winners are announced, recipients are able to leave their mark on the truck driving community. Winners are asked to select a Travel Centers of America, Petro, or Travel Centers of America Express location which will be dedicated to the recipient. A bronze marker with both the drivers’ image and truck driving story will be displayed on the front of the building.

The placement of the marker is followed by a special dedication ceremony where the truck driver being honored can invite their family and friends to join in the celebration.

Such a public display of recognition is both well deserved for the people who keep America running and spreads the word on how amazing truck drivers are. Each traveler that stops at the driver’s chosen Travel Centers of America location is able to see and read the driver’s story.

Two winners were selected from a pool of about 200 in the 2022 Citizen Driver contest. Susie De Ridder from Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada and Douglas Smith of Bountiful, Utah shared in the celebration of being chosen as 2022’s Citizen Drivers.

When it came to deciding which location to be dedicated under her name, De Ridder chose the Travel Center of America located in Barstow, California. Last year’s winners also received $2,500 to make in donation form to a place of their choice. De Ridder selected Truckers Final Mile.

Smith decided to dedicate the Travel Center of America in Tooele, Utah. He has plans to take his $2,500 donation and split it three ways. The St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund, Tunnel to Towers, and Truckers Final Mile will all receive a portion of the donation.

Your voice matters in this decision! If you want to participate in nominations, click here.

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The menu is expansive and has at least one option for everyone. The main course is a brown sugar-glazed ham with side options including creamy mashed sweet potatoes, crispy golden cornbread, and savory stuffing, according to Pilot Flying J news release.

“This hearty meal will be available at more than 150 participating Pilot and Flying J travel centers from Nov. 1 through December, while supplies last,” the news release said.

And it doesn’t stop with a warm Thanksgiving meal. Pilot Flying J is set to offer a 25% off deal for this meal just by downloading the myRewards Plus app. Using this application at any participating locations from Nov. 21 to Nov. 27, Thanksgiving week, will grant drivers 25% off their total.

“Nothing brings people together like food, and our first-ever Thanksgiving meal is one way we’re getting in the holiday spirit,” said Jason Nordin, Pilot Flying J’s chief operator. “For those looking to make the most of their holiday shopping and travels, Pilot Flying J is the ultimate on-the-go option to save on gas and gifts while treating yourself to a classic seasonal meal or coffee.”

There’s specialty seasonal coffee to wash down this inaugural Thanksgiving meal. Pilot Flying J is debuting a full-scope seasonal drink menu including Peppermint Mocha Creamer for your cup of coffee and White Chocolate Candy Cane Hot Chocolate.

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Ellis, the former 911 director for Lincoln County, North Carolina, moved his truck to the side of the road and instantaneously left his cab to check on the passengers of two of the cars involved in the accident. One of the cars had suffered such impact that it was 100 feet off the road, among some trees.

“I first checked on the car that was rear-ended, and that driver was OK,” Ellis said. “I saw others exiting their cars and approaching the vehicle that overturned, so I headed off to the woods to check on the truck.”

Ellis first thought the driver of the car in the woods was a fellow truck driver. He realized that it was a pickup truck hauling pallets on a tandem axel trailer. The driver of the car was upset but appeared to be OK physically.

“She was frantically trying to call her husband to let him know what had happened and even handed me the phone to tell him where she was,” Ellis said. “I couldn’t get her out of the vehicle because she (had) a chain link fence against the passenger door and a clump of trees at the driver’s door. I stayed with her until EMS arrived and took over patient care.”

Ellis was grateful to be one of the first people to arrive at the scene of the crash.

“Once a firefighter/EMT, always a firefighter/EMT,” he said. “I was a volunteer fireman for 12 years and in the 911 field for 15. It is a rare occasion that I would be able to be at a scene quick enough to offer any help that wouldn’t already be there.”

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“For too long trucking professionals have been receiving prestigious awards, only to then be forgotten,” said Laurence Gration, American Trucking and Industry Leader Hall of Fame (AITL) director. “The ATIL Hall of Fame will allow proper recognition to continue and expand the awareness of the excellent work trucking professionals do as they contribute daily to our society.”

The American Truck Historical Society is responsible for recognizing leaders of the trucking industry, and then inducting them into the AITL Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame is in Kansas City and each year grows to include more trucking industry leaders. This year saw five new trailblazers inducted into the Hall of Fame, as reported by Truckers News.

The 2022 Hall of Fame inductees were recently announced to the public. They include Earl and Lillian Congdon, the founding team of Old Dominion Freight Line; Bill and Carolyn Moon, the founding team of the Iowa 80 Group; and Leland James, the founder of Freightliner Trucks.

And just because you’ve received the honor once doesn’t mean you can’t receive it again for continued efforts toward growth and prosperity for the trucking industry.

“(American Truck Historical Society) is pleased to welcome back past inductee recipient and ATHS Visionary Partner, Cummins; and past inductee and radio trucking great Dave Nemo, who will be the Master of Ceremony,” said Tom Mullen, Hall of Fame chair.

Mullen went on to express the American Truck Historical Society’s hopes for the Hall of Fame induction ceremony in the future.

“We hope to continue to grow this event each year,” he said. “There is no better way to honor the trucking industry than by celebrating professional drivers and trucking industry leaders.”

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Each year a truck is chosen to deliver the U.S. Capitol’s Christmas tree from where it was grown to the West Lawn of the Capitol. This year, it will be a Kenworth T680 Next Generation driven by the husband-and-wife team Harold “Ed” Kingdon Jr. and Deborah Z. Kingdon, as reported by Overdrive.

The tree is a 78-foot Red Spruce and was grown in the Pisgah National Forest in the North Carolina section of the Appalachian Mountains. It has yet to be harvested, with the anticipated date for harvest set as Nov. 2. This has given the Kingdons plenty of time to prepare their truck for the journey.

Hardy Brothers Trucking, the Kenworth’s carrier, chose a build that includes a 76-inch mid-roof sleeper. On the sides and roof of the truck, special graphic designs have been installed to fit the year’s themes: From the Mountains to the Sea and From the National Forests in North Carolina. On the sides, the designs include a colorful sunset in the background, with the U.S. Capitol and the tree in the foreground. The sunset background was made to look as though it was from the viewpoint of Pisgah National Forest. The logo for the 2022 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree is on the roof of the truck.

It will not be a direct drive for the Kingdons. They will stop in several North Carolina towns, one location in Virginia and two in Washington D.C., including the West Lawn for the lighting ceremony. Along with lights strung on it, the tree will be decorated with handmade ornaments made by the people who call North Carolina home, a nod to the tree’s origin.

The celebrations for the Capitol Christmas tree will begin on Nov.5 and conclude on Nov. 30 with the tree lighting. Below is a detailed look of the places the Kingdons will stop as they take the famed Christmas tree home for the holidays.

• Nov. 5: Western North Carolina Agricultural Center, Fletcher, North Carolina
• Nov. 6: Cherokee County Courthouse, Murphy, North Carolina
• Nov. 6: Oconaluftee Island Park Event Site, Cherokee, North Carolina
• Nov. 7: Pisgah Forest Ranger Station & Visitor Center, Pisgah Forest, North Carolina
• Nov. 7: Marion Main Street, Marion, North Carolina
• Nov. 8: Avery County Cooperative Extension Center, Newland, North Carolina
• Nov. 8: Watauga High School, Boone, North Carolina
• Nov. 8: Downtown Newton, Newton, North Carolina
• Nov. 9: Veteran’s Memorial Park, Mount Airy, North Carolina
• Nov. 9: Troy Town Hall, Troy, North Carolina
• Nov. 10: North Carolina Zoo, Asheboro, North Carolina
• Nov. 11: North Carolina Veteran’s Home, Kinston, North Carolina
• Nov. 12: Union Point Park, New Bern, North Carolina
• Nov. 13: Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, Manteo, North Carolina
• Nov. 14: Suffolk Visitors Center, Suffolk, Virginia
• Nov. 18: Delivery to West Lawn, U.S. Capitol Building, Washington, D.C.
• Nov. 30: Tree Lighting Ceremony, Washington, D.C.

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