Indeed, truckers have become the key cog in the supply chain as grocery stores empty out and hospitals and pharmacies have an ever-increasing need for supplies such as soap, sanitizer, masks, ventilators, and basic flu medication.
Truck stops are almost an indispensable feature of a trucker’s life: thousands of drivers rely on them to shower, sleep and eat between shifts that can sometimes last up to 14 hours.
But as part of strict social distancing measures to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, many truck stops have shut down or reduced their hours. Rest stops on major highways have also closed their sit-down restaurants, leaving open only their drive-thru options, which trucks are often much too large to use.
It’s a real annoyance, Baird said. “It’s not like my job has stopped. I still need to make sure people have groceries in their local store, clothes on their back, shoes on their feet.”
A lot of people don’t realize it takes a truck to get stuff on shelves. If it wasn’t for a truck driver, you would have nothing
Driver Chad Montgomery
Indeed, truckers have become the key cog in the supply chain as grocery stores empty out and hospitals and pharmacies have an ever-increasing need for supplies such as soap, sanitizer, masks, ventilators, and basic flu medication.
“We went from being nobodies to essential workers,” said Chad Montgomery, also a driver with Challenger Motor Freight. “I’ve never felt appreciated in my job until now. A lot of people don’t realize it takes a truck to get stuff on shelves. If it wasn’t for a truck driver, you would have nothing.”
Read the full story in the Financial Post.
