Up Front

A show of appreciation

In case you missed it, the week of Aug. 21-27 was National Truck Driver Appreciation Week. That’s when America’s three million professional truck drivers were supposed to receive a nationwide pat on the back in recognition of their hard work in moving the goods and products that make up our national economy.

As part of the celebration, many industry entities—motor carriers, suppliers, truck stops—honored drivers in a host of ways. The “goodies” ranged from picnics and barbecues at company headquarters to a free cup of coffee or windshield cleaning at truck stops. Most of the nation’s governors got into the act by issuing official proclamations designating Aug. 21-27 as NTDAW in their respective states.

All of us at Over the Road and Pro Trucker magazines join the rest of the industry in saluting the nation’s legion of over-the-road professionals for a job well done. Believe me, we appreciate it.

While drivers no doubt appreciate whatever goodies came their way during NTDAW, I suspect they would appreciate it even more if loading dock workers, dispatchers, the motoring public and others showed them just a little more common courtesy and respect throughout the rest of the year.