Say What?

Question: Would you want your kids to grow up to be truckers?

Robert Hinman, 33, Afton, NY

Professional driving experience: 12 years

“I have a son, and I certainly wouldn't discourage him by any means, if that’s what he wants to do. My son is young, but he’s already told me he wants to be a truck driver. I’ve put him in my truck and he loves it. My uncle drove a truck for a million years. That’s how I got into in it.”

Doug Vanatta, 55, Findlay, OH

Professional driving experience: 30 years

“Sure. I trained both my wife and my daughter to drive. My wife goes with me on the road, and my daughter drove for several years on her own and did real well. She’s now a dispatcher for us.”

Herschell Gordon, 47, Findlay, OH

Professional driving experience: 20 years

“If they wanted to, sure, but we put them both through college instead. Let’s face it, this can be a hard way to make a living. It’s a hard life. It’s hard on you, it’s hard on your family. I missed a lot of football games and birthdays while my kids were growing up. On the other hand, it’s a truthful job, and it’s been an honest way for me to help serve my country and raise my family.”

Greg Myers, 53, Belle River, Ontario, Canada

Professional driving experience: 18 years

“It can be a good business if you’re properly taught, but there are too many people coming out of driving schools who don’t know what they’re doing before they send them down the road. I’ve got one boy who drives a truck, and I’m OK with it. He was taught well. He drives locally and seems to like it.”

Robert Miller, 56, Mount Pleasant, IA

Professional driving experience: 33 years

“I have two grown sons and they’re both interested in it, but I don’t really care what they do as long as they are happy. I wanted them to try something else first, and then if that didn’t pan out, they could go for driving. My oldest went to college, graduated and is working in retail, but driving a truck is in his blood. It’s the same way with his younger brother. They both rode with me since the time they were born.”