TT: Steve, congratulations on being our Dedicated Driver Of The Year!
Steve: Well, thank you so much. Had no idea. I was not expecting that.
TT: Where you’re from?
Steve: Saraland, Alabama,
TT: How long have you been driving trucks?
Steve: March will be six years.
TT: How long have you been driving for TOTAL?
Steve: March will be six years. (laughs)
TT: Fantastic! What did you do before you started driving trucks?
Steve: I was an HVAC technician for about 12 years.
TT: What made you want to switch from doing that to driving trucks?
Steve: I’m just getting a little older, and the heat was brutal.
TT: You were in a lot of attics I assume?
Steve: Day in and day out, man.
TT: What made you think trucking was the right option?
Steve: Well, my family’s been in the trucking business all my life, uncles, cousins, you know, three generations, and they’ve always made a good life at it. So, it was an option I wanted to explore. It’s worked out swimmingly for me.
TT: It certainly seems that way. What did you think you were going to enjoy?
Steve: The freedom and the travel. But that luster can wear off eventually. It’s one of the best jobs I’ve ever had, though. I could not have been more blessed than to meet the people here and built the relationships that I have with these groups of people.
TT: We love to hear that. With so many options, what brought you to TOTAL?
Steve: God works in mysterious ways. I was set on going somewhere else and planned to let PAM pay for my CDL. But I changed my mind. I paid to go through ESD in Theodore, Alabama and met a guy there who was committed to TOTAL. We became friends and decided to team up, so I came to TOTAL because of him. He’s no longer here, but I am!
TT: What do you think makes us different from other companies?
Steve: You know, I can only speak for myself. There will be challenges anywhere you go, but it’s about the relationships you build with people. If you do what’s asked of you and work hard, it will get you a long way. That’s Just my character, to give my all and to do my best. It’s worked out great for me.
TT: What do you like most about driving for TOTAL?
Steve: The freedom, the pay, the people I work with… The security. The biggest part is the people that I work with. I’ve gotten to the point in my career where I’m given the job for the day and I go do it, that’s that. No micromanagement. It’s straightforward. Once you’re trusted by the management and you are doing your job, they’ll leave you alone. That’s pretty much what everybody wants, right? You got to earn that though.
TT: What do you think are the most important skills to have as a truck driver?
Steve: There’s a lot of skills you need to do this. I don’t know that it’s a skill, but the mental aspect of it is huge, you have to get your emotions and your mental faculties in check. That’s the biggest thing, because that is the key to everything. You got to be able to back this truck. You’ve got to be able to read a map. You know, you’ve got to work well under pressure, because this is a high-stress, high-pressure job. That’s part of the safety aspect of this.
TT: I don’t think a lot of people realize that until they get behind the wheel on the highway.
Steve: Yep. Everyone wants to be a trucker until it’s time to do trucker stuff. As kids, we see these big rigs and think it’s cool. But it’s different once you’re in the seat. A lot of people say it’s a way of life, but what gives you the life is this job. A lot of people treat this truck as a prison, it’s not.
TT: What are you driving now, and what did you have before that?
Steve: A 2022 Kenworth. Before that, I was in a 2019 Freightliner.
TT: How many miles do you have on that Kenworth?
Steve: 347, 615 I got it when it had 70 or 77,000.
TT: You’ve still got a few more miles in that then.
Steve: Oh, yeah, I’ve got a little more in this one. My Freightliner hardly gave me any issues. This old girl here, she’s good but she’s got her quirks. Power-wise, the Freightliner pulled better than this Kenworth does. Comfort-wise, I prefer this Kenworth. If I were OTR I’d go back to the Freightliner, just because of the way it’s set up.
TT: How do you feel about our equipment?
Steve: I’m extremely pleased with our equipment and how it’s maintained. Just look at some of the trucks that run up and down the road, even for some of the mega carriers. Some of these guys are just running garbage out there. It’s up to you to not beat this equipment to death. This is our livelihood. You have to take care of it for it to take care of you.
TT: When you’ve had to call breakdown? How have those experiences been?
Steve: Sometimes it works out quicker than others. It’s Usually not bad, but sometimes it’s a struggle. It’s nobody’s fault, it’s just the way it is.
TT: How do you balance your work and home life?
Steve: What home life? (laughs) I’m dedicated, I’m home on the weekends. But I work a lot of hours. My days are about 12 and a half hours long. weekends are for handling life and resting.
TT: What dedicated account are you on?
Steve: Lowe’s out of Bessemer Alabama,
TT: You run during the week and have weekends off? That’s the golden ticket, isn’t it?
Steve: It is. Hard work pays off at the end of the day.
TT: You’re working dedicated now, but you started as an OTR team?
Steve: Yeah, I started off as OTR team running between California and New Jersey. But my teammate didn’t last long. So, I went solo and ran for Danyale Mosby. Once she and I established a relationship and good rapport, it was run, run, run. She liked to run her drivers and if I’m in this truck, I want to move. Eventually, I was pulled from there to do a startup account, and it’s just grown from there. I’ve never looked back. I’ve been dedicated now for the better part of four and a half years.
TT: Have you been on the same account? Or have you moved around some?
Steve: I’ve moved around quite a bit. I’ve started several new accounts. I pulled our first ever drayage load out of the Port of Mobile for Walmart. I did some container work in Georgia and South Carolina. I was the first driver on the Target account in North Alabama.
TT: Not only has your work ethic been key, but your flexibility.
Steve: Yeah, Kevin Montgomery has taken really good care of me. I think the world of Kevin. Brian Celosky gave me my first break. Then Tim Myers introduced me to Kevin, and I’ve worked a lot with Tanner, Cody, and David Shields. Jordan Richardson is my FM now. I mean, it’s just a great group of people I’ve had the privilege of working with here.
TT: Do you have any tips for other drivers to build a stronger relationship with their fleet manager?
Steve: That’s such a big part to this. You’ve got to find some way to build that relationship. Your conversations don’t have to be strictly about work, if that’s where you leave it, that’s all you’ll ever have. You’ll never know them, and they’ll never know you. You have to learn how you each operate, and what you like and dislike. Communication is critical. Just remember, they have other drivers they need to talk to too though. :lol
TT: How do you prefer to communicate with your FM?
Steve: I prefer verbally. We still must do everything in black and white to CYA, but texts or messages can leave out important info.
TT: What are your suggestions for new drivers to have a productive and satisfying career in trucking?
Steve: You’ve got to be safe, timely, and a team player. Don’t say no to opportunities—it’s often a test of your dedication and it won’t go on forever. If you’re one of these guys who always says no when you’re asked to do something, it may not be as easy when you need something. It’s a team. We’ve all gotta’ play your role.
TT: What do you think is the most challenging thing for new drivers in the industry?
Steve: Being away from home, and if OTR, adapting to irregular hours. Your body will acclimate to that with time. You need to be comfortable with being alone and find peace in your own head. That, and adopting the mindset I mentioned earlier.
TT: A lot of time on your own?
Steve: Yes. You’ll want a couple people to talk to occasionally. I’m fine going all day and not hearing my phone ring. I’m a loner, so I’m okay with that. But then there’s times you just want to talk to somebody for a little while
TT: If you could say anything to the drivers across the country, what would that be?
Steve: There’s just zero camaraderie among truckers. It’s every man for himself out here. That’s not the way it used to be when I was growing up riding with my uncles and cousins. It was a fellowship back in the day, and all that’s a thing of the past. It’s not one helping the other out anymore. You know, if you do something wrong at a truck stop, you’re going to be on one of these sites, somebody’s going to video and you making a mistake instead of lending a hand. None of us woke up, jumped in a truck, and knew what we were doing. Not one. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been doing it. You had to learn, just like the next person does.
TT: A little slack and a little support, right?
Steve: Exactly.
TT: Anything you’d like to say to management?
Steve: Just thank you to everyone who’s ever taken a chance on me. I’ve done my best to never disappoint. It’s been a pleasure working with all of you.
TT: I’m sure they’ll appreciate that. Thanks again, Steve, and be safe out there.
Steve: It’s been a pleasure. Thank you so much. Have a good day.