Say What?

Question: Why do so many drivers fail in this business?

Robert Hinman, 33, Afton, NY

Professional driving experience: 15 years

“I don’t know. It gets old, but if it’s in your blood, you come back and find a way to make it work. There are a lot of ups and downs in this business. There’s a lot of stress. Some people can handle it, and some people can’t. Those who can’t, fail.”

John Stuart, 53, Peru, IN

Professional driving experience: 16 years

“The demands of the job eat some people up. It’s you against the elements, you against time. There are some trucking outfits that really push drivers who just get tired of it. After a while, some of them decide it’s not worth the fight.”

Bethany Vanatta, 29, Findlay, OH

Professional driving experience: 4 years

“It takes a certain kind of person to be a truck driver. It takes someone who likes to be alone; someone who likes the freedom of the open road. Some people just can’t handle it. I think a lot of people need a structured nine-to-five job. Truckers don’t.”

Bob Burky, 42, Shelby, OH

Professional driving experience: 22 years

“I think a lot of guys who aren't succeeding are younger guys, and they would fail in any industry. I’ve worked in retail, too, and I see a lot of young people who just don’t want to work. They only want the paycheck. You see a lot of that out here on the road. They aren’t willing to put in the hard work that’s required.”

Herschell “Hershey Bar” Gordon, 47, Atwood, TN

Professional driving experience: 20 years

“I think a lot of the failure is due to a lack of business sense, education and plain old common sense. Company driver, owner-operator, whatever, you have to conduct yourself in a business manner. If you spend unwisely and you don’t pay attention to your expenses versus your income—whether it’s trucking, running a gas station or a restaurant—you’re going to fail.”