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Welcome to our new feature - Humans of Real Trucking! For the first installment, Real Trucking driver Mr. T shares his viewpoint with us:

Mr. T is always smiling. His smile is genuine, radiating confidence and warmth. The story behind the smile began many years ago in Addis Ababa. As a career soldier who spent almost 13 years in the Army, Mr. T learned the values of discipline and flexibility. After moving to the United States and working a variety of jobs to "survive," he went to truck driving school. Even though he drives a truck now, he adamantly feels that his army experience was not a waste.

On the contrary, for him, soldiering and truck driving are quite similar. A soldier's job is to serve and protect his country. Part of these duties includes taking care of others. For Mr. T, being a truck driver is comparable. "You are serving others. After you give service to someone, you feel good for helping that person. It gives you happiness. People need the things that we provide. I'm driving as much as I can to be on time for my consignee. I feel that it is a personal responsibility. "That wish to help others is a vital part of Mr. T's values, and he shows that by his work ethic.

As Covid-19 began to complicate an already complex work environment, Mr. T stayed on the road spurred on by the need to care for his family and to be helpful. But even in such difficult times, Mr. T acknowledges, "You have to accept the challenge and struggle to adapt.  You have to win the challenge." [sic]

Maybe that's why Mr. T is always smiling. And if you're privileged to know and work with him, he will have a smile - and some advice - for anyone looking to become a truck driver themselves. "The truck industry is so open. Any skill that you have, you can do it here," Mr. T said. "No one asks if you have a Bachelor's degree or what your education is. But if you have your CDL, your income is comparable to that of someone who has a Bachelor's or a Master's Degree. Life is good now as a truck driver."