DECEMBER 2002 TRUCKER TALK

On The Road With Red & Wheels

By Truckers & Roving Reporters Bob & Suzanne Stempinski

I’ve had a special wish for many years – people who know me well already think I’m a few bricks short of a load, so it’s not something I often talk about. But, every once in a while it comes up in conversation. Some people dream about taking a rocket to the moon, or climbing Mt. Everest, competing in the Olympics or hiking through the Amazon rainforest. Not me. I don’t even remember when it began, but I know it was long before I started driving trucks. I’ve been known to sing the jingles and even make up new verses as I go along. My family has been aware of my idiosyncrasies for a long time. But my enthusiasm has even infected some of them. A couple of years ago we took a family vacation that included cousins and their spouses, and I had 12 people singing along with me everywhere we went, from strapping on scuba tanks to climbing a bridge. There’s something utterly wonderful about hanging out with a group of people – family that actually gets along well together – singing badly with total abandon. Folks who know about this yen of mine have even sent me little gifts – tiny replicas – I have a shirt with its picture – and a stuffed one sits atop my computer monitor. Sometimes the urge is almost overwhelming – I dream of the job interview – “Yes, sir, I would relish the opportunity to have this chance. I really think I could cut the mustard – and if I fell behind, I would do everything in my power to ketchup. No ma’am, I wouldn’t drive like a hotdog, my buns would stay firmly in the seat.” And there I’d be – just cruising down the highway – catching cheers and waves from kids of all ages. My secret heart’s desire is to drive the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile®. My bologna has a first name; it’s O-S-C-A-R... Now Bob, on the other hand, may have been born in the wrong era. He dreams of being a cowboy back in the days of the wild west, strapping on his six-shooters, settling disputes the old fashioned way – just drop the bad guys in their tracks, and get back to taking care of business. Don’t need a contract – just a handshake would be enough. He’d be out there riding the range, roping cattle and living the good life – complete with modern amenities at the end of the day. For fun, he’d go to rodeos, hang out with the boys, and when he and his horse broke out of the box, drop that loop right over the calf’s head every time. So this year, as the kids are tucked snugly in their beds, with visions of sugarplums and the latest techno-toys dancing through their dreams, what special dream-come-true are you wishing for? As always, we wish you Safe Journeys, wherever your road takes you.

WHAT SPECIAL WISH DO YOU DREAM ABOUT?

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Tom Jackson Allen Park, MI Sunbelt Transport		Shane Keiser Kerkhoven, MN Keiser Trucking		Mike Stake Platteville, WI G & L Trucking		Gerry Gravely New London, MN Gravely Express
I always wanted to operate a train. To be an engineer, controlling all that horsepower, pulling all those cars. I’ve got the whole hookup already - hat, bibs, gloves and all. I’m ready! It’s something I would have done if I hadn’t gotten hooked on trucks. I’ve always had a thing for trains, but my cousins were into trucks and I got brainwashed. I still like trucks, but if I could do it all over again I would probably go after being a train engineer.		I dream of having a fleet of trucks and a bunch of drivers, treating them well, and showing them that there are good people to work for in trucking. I owned a couple of trucks at one time but it didn’t work out. But I still believe that it’s not unrealistic to think that an owner who treats his drivers with respect, and drivers who treat the owner and customers with respect, could make it work. But that respect has to go both ways for it to work.		Driving around the track in a NASCAR race car has been my dream for about 15 years. I’d like to be in a race, but just driving one of the cars, playing around with it, seeing how fast I could go would be great. I just started watching it on TV and got hooked. I like the noise, the speed, the thrill of going fast and not getting pulled over for it. Just think – no ticket for going 180 mph! Even just working in the pit crew would be enough for me.		I’ve always wanted to be an airline pilot. It’s a dream I’ve had since high school. The idea of going to different places in such a quick way just sounds great. I’ve never taken any lessons, but I’ve always enjoyed flying. I didn’t pursue it as a career because of the lengthy schooling – 8 years of training back then. I had to think about making a living so the dream went on permanent hold. But I still think about it every once in a while.