TT: Congratulations on being TOTAL’s Solo Driver of the Year! That’s impressive!
David: Thanks!
TT: David, where are you from?
David: Palm Beach, Florida.
TT: How long have you been driving trucks?
David: Between everything I’ve driven over the years, probably around 10 years. But it wasn’t all tractor-trailers. I’ve driven straight trucks, tractor-trailer dump trucks, day-cabs, and now, with TOTAL.
TT: How long have you been with TOTAL?
David: Just over six years.
TT: What did you do before you started driving trucks?
David: I was an entrepreneur. I had several business ventures, but for the longest time, I owned a number of cell phone stores.
TT: What made you think trucking would be a good career for you?
David: My best friend from high school has a trucking company in Jamaica. After high school, I visited him and spent some time there. That’s where I first was introduced to commercial trucks and started driving — unofficially, of course. It was a very different experience. You drive on the other side of the road and most roads were tiny and not maintained compared to here. Back then, there weren’t any highways, and sometimes you had to wait for others to pass before you could continue driving due to road space and conditions. It was an interesting way to learn.
TT: How old were you when you started driving there?
David: It was sometime after high school. I didn’t have a CDL then, I actually brought my CDL book with me and studied while I was in Jamaica. When I got back to the U.S., I got my permit.
TT: Did you start driving right away when you got back?
David: Yeah, I drove a tractor-trailer with a dump trailer for about a year. Then, years later I drove a straight truck when I was involved with a furniture company and did deliveries.
TT: What appealed to you about trucking?
David: I knew I could do it, and it came naturally to me. Plus, I knew it paid well. Well, it pays well now. It was rough in the beginning, but I needed a fresh start. I went through some major life changes and needed to rebuild myself. Trucking gave me that opportunity. I knew I could get in a truck and start earning right away.
TT: What made you choose TOTAL over other companies?
David: I did a lot of research, talked to a few drivers I knew, and watched YouTube videos about different companies. I kept hearing that TOTAL treated drivers like people, not numbers, and that they had a family-oriented culture. That stood out to me. After talking to a recruiter and weighing my options, TOTAL felt like the right choice. Pay is always a factor, but I knew I had to start somewhere. I also knew I would work hard and work my way up.
TT: Now that you’ve been here a while, what do you think makes TOTAL different?
David: That’s a tough one because I haven’t driven for other companies. Most of my life I had companies of my own. As an employee, I generally keep to myself for the most part, so I don’t have deep conversations with other drivers. I have a few people I check in with, but mostly, I’m just focused on driving and achieving good miles.
TT: What do you like most about driving for TOTAL?
David: If I’m in the truck, I’m working which means I am earning money. I walked away from my old life and started over. This job allows me to rebuild. I’ve been maxing out my 401(k) for a few years and saving for the future. TOTAL has rewarded my hard work with raises, which makes me feel appreciated. Their emphasis on safety is something I respect and appreciate. My hope is that as the company grows, I can grow with it. It’s a partnership, if we take care of the company we work for, the company takes care of us.
TT: Do we keep you busy?
David: Yes, I stay busy. I mostly run a set back and forth route, for the most part, it works out well. When I’ve had to go off-route, I’ve had the occasional issue, but everything gets worked out in the end.
TT: What do you think are the most important skills for a driver today?
David: Time management is huge. A few years back, I had a friend at TOTAL who was out the same amount of time, but making about half what I was. Small inefficiencies add up—a quick coffee stop or bathroom break can turn into an hour if you’re not careful. Communication is just as important. Your fleet manager is there to help, but it is imperative to establish and maintain good communication with them.
TT: Do you have any tips for time management?
David: Plan ahead. Give yourself extra time, check the weather, and watch for traffic. I run three GPS systems—Google on my cell phone for traffic, TOTAL’s tablet, and a Garmin truck GPS. The trucker GPS is key in being extra cautious about restricted routes when hauling hazmat loads and low bridges. They give generally the same information but are also very different. Using all the available tools helps me cross-check and get valuable data to help make the best decisions. Also, my CB radio has been a game changer, I highly recommend one as a must have tool. A lot of drivers will give you a heads-up of what is going on ahead. Once, in northern Ohio I heard on the CB that the road ahead had a sudden weather freeze where black ice formed. It had caused a severe accident involving over 100 vehicles. The CB gave me advanced warning, so I knew I’d need to stop. I engaged my hazards immediately to warn drivers behind me, but many of the other vehicles still wrecked.
TT: Any other advice for drivers?
David: Think about the bigger picture. The other day, I arrived at one of our customers to find two trailers there because we missed a load due to weather and road closures. My assigned load wasn’t hazmat but the other was. I called in and asked if I should switch trailers so it would be easier to find a driver for a regular load. They agreed and were grateful. That little bit of extra effort kept our customer happy, and we were able to rectify the situation and catch up on our deliveries. When the company succeeds, we succeed.
TT: What kind of truck are you in now?
David: A 2025 Freightliner. I’m happy with the truck. Our equipment is better than a lot of other companies. Trailer issues can be frustrating, but that’s on all of us, not just the company. Drivers need to take responsibility and report problems when they drop a trailer.
TT: How do you balance work and life?
David: I work all the time. I only take vacations when my kids are off school. In the summer, I switch between having my son and daughter come out in the truck with me. I make them “work”, by helping navigate and having to pay attention to what’s going on around us. They get to learn, earn a little money, and we spend time together. Other than that, I’m just in work mode, focused on rebuilding wealth and planning for the future.
TT: How do you spend your resets?
David: I use personal conveyance to get to the gym, go grocery shopping, eat at restaurants, or meet up with friends. TOTAL is good about the personal conveyance policy. There are many other companies who don’t offer what TOTAL does. I appreciate that. I feel they understand OTR hardships and try to do what they can to make our lives better.
TT: Do you feel supported by your fleet manager?
David: Yes. The folks at Olive Branch terminal do a great job, especially my Fleet Manager, Billy Kinnision. He is professional, honest, and follows up, which is important. I don’t always hear what I want to hear, but I appreciate him being straight and honest with me. Furthermore, Tim Myers, our Terminal Manager is on the ball and his efforts are noticed throughout the Olive Branch team. My shift passes through days and nights and into the weekend, so I interact with all the staff at the Olive Branch terminal. I have to say, they’re all top-notch. Being at this terminal is something I’m grateful for. A special thanks to Tim Myers for being exceptional and leading the team. I communicate regularly to keep everything running smoothly. This job is a team effort and there is no I in team!
TT: Any tips for new drivers on building a good relationship with their fleet manager?
David: Stay in touch, get some face time, and always have a way to reach dispatch in an emergency. If you run into a problem, don’t just make a decision on your own, call them first. If you can’t get through on the phone, send a message through the tablet. If all else fails, use “the bat phone.” Sometimes waiting for an answer or direction on what to do can be time-consuming and frustrating, but we all need to just do our best to maximize our results. It’s a partnership. I constantly send updates, so they know I’m ready to work or what the status of the load is. Building trust with your fleet manager goes a long way. The better you work together, the more successful you’ll be. Also, in some cases working day into night loads, or running a weekend load, there are other managers and dispatchers involved. It’s important to both call dispatch and message through the tablet. Over time this will pay off. Look at me, I never expected to be a driver of the year for 2024 and yet here I am.
TT: Do you listen to The TOTAL Talk?
David: Absolutely. It’s a great resource. I listen to every one of them. Every driver should take advantage of it. TOTAL puts a lot of effort into keeping us informed.
TT: Any final thoughts for drivers in general?
David: We need to be more courteous to each other. Everyone is going through something, and we should be considerate of others and their feelings. While I mainly keep to myself, there is a group of people I see on a regular basis at the terminals. A simple hello, a wave, a head nod, or even a smile goes a long way. Most of us work more than go home, so this is our home. Let’s make it the best place we can. We’re all out here to work, stay safe, and get home to our families and loved ones. Let’s respect and support each other. This isn’t an easy job, but it’s a worthwhile one.
TT: Thanks for your time, David, and congratulations again!
David: Thanks! I appreciate it. You have a great way of making people feel comfortable. Honestly, I wasn’t too excited about doing this at first, but you got me to open up. I trust that you’ll represent me well. I take care of TOTAL, and TOTAL takes care of me.