Driving Through COVID-19

It has never been more apparent than it is now on how much we need truck drivers to keep our country moving. COVID-19 has brought out the worry, fear and instinctual need to survive out of everyone, and because of truck drivers, there are goods on the shelves to keep households clothed, fed and clean.

Roadrunner Freight Independent Contractor Todd Wright, also known as “Trucker Todd,” shares his experience truck driving during these unprecedented times.

Q&A:

What precautions are you taking during the COVID-19 pandemic?

I treat it like I would any other virus, and naturally, I keep my distance from others. I try not to get close to people in public places, and I carry hand sanitizer, shower regularly and wash my hands. It’s not much different than what I normally do.

What are you doing to ensure you still SHIP IT LIKE YOU OWN IT, or remain committed to best serving our customers?

I do a lot more follow up. There’s a lot more communication taking place. I understand there’s a lot more people working from home. If an issue comes up, I notify everyone and follow up and focus on keeping everyone in the loop of what’s going on.

How has the Roadrunner Freight team been supporting you?

They’ve been great. I talk to a lot of truckers, and I hear a lot of people saying it’s slowed down and it’s bad. For me, I’m still running my miles and making even more money. I’m making more runs now than ever, and I’m even thinking of taking a day off to rest. Some people say the sky is falling, but thankfully, it’s not falling for me.

Have you noticed panic when you’re on the road talking to people?

It depends on the location. In California and Wyoming, people are super worried. I was standing in line at a Subway and they have line numbers on the floor, and when I stepped out of my “box” to see the potato chips an employee made sure I went back to the line marker labeled “2” to keep proper distance.

What has your experience been like to get supplies you need?

I’ve noticed truck stops mark up prices and have limited menu options. I’m trying to do what I’ve always done and go to Walmart, but now I’m eating out of truck stops more often, which ends up beings more expensive.

What’s something you would like to tell others about your job in the COVID-19 environment?

There has never been a better time to be in LTL. While tankers and flatbed trucking jobs are not considered essential, in LTL, there’s plenty of opportunity to make money. I’ve heard others struggle, but I know what my next three loads are. Flatbed and tanker jobs may have a peak in the future, but LTL is always consistent.