What is ‘just a driver’ syndrome?

Truck drivers are the lifeblood of the transportation industry. Quite simply, without truck drivers, none of us would have jobs. They literally keep it moving and are absolutely integral to any successful company. Which makes it even more confusing as to why truck drivers do not get anywhere close to the amount of respect that they deserve.

A major contributing factor to this is a disease I refer to as JAD Syndrome, more commonly known as “Just a Driver” Syndrome. What is this fictitious disease that I have created? It is the only reasonable explanation as to why drivers are not respected by many of their industry peers, not to mention the general public.

When a driver is stuck at a pick up or delivery for many hours, often only earning a meager hourly rate after two unpaid hours of waiting, it is considered acceptable since they are “just a driver.” Or if a driver is upset about something and preparing to leave the company, and the dispatcher or operations manager says, “oh well, we can replace them, they are just a driver.” When their concerns or ideas are dismissed without a second thought, when there is a discrepancy in pay, or when they are talked down to by someone in office, it is accepted because they are “just a driver.”

Why is this the mentality at the majority of companies? Do they not realize how difficult it is to operate a truck? The skill involved in not only maneuvering a heavy vehicle at a fast speed, but also being aware of the many distracted drivers on the road? Do they not recognize the sacrifices that these drivers make, the long hours that they spend away from their families, eating junk at truck stops and using some of the grossest bathrooms known to man? Most importantly, do they not comprehend that truck drivers are people too?

Just-a-Driver Syndrome is contagious

One of the worst parts about JAD syndrome is how contagious it is. It spreads quickest when it starts at the top with senior leadership, but can also spread when it starts on the operations floor. When staff members see that this level of disrespect is tolerated, it eventually becomes the norm. The drivers might put up with it for awhile since they are so used to it, but it will not be long before they are perusing job boards or websites looking for a new place to work. It seems pretty obvious that this is a major factor when it comes to the driver shortage that most companies are complaining about.

The good news is there is a cure and it is a simple one. Show your appreciation to drivers on a regular basis. It does not have to be a fancy gift or massive increase in pay. Use your words and be sincere. If you see someone exhibiting signs of JAD, call them out on it. Sometimes people will say the right things in front of a driver but will show their true feelings when talking to other office staff; this too is unacceptable and should be called out.

I have seen it before where a disrespectful dispatcher has caused multiple drivers to leave a company. You would think that the company would smarten up and terminate the dispatcher, but the dispatcher is deemed tougher to replace than the drivers. I believe that to be grossly inaccurate, though not everyone feels that way.

Next time you hear someone say that a driver is “Just a Driver,” think of this column. Think if you want to be one of the companies that is a revolving door for drivers to come and go, or if you would prefer to be a place where drivers strive to be. You do not need a vaccine or any medication to cure your company of Just a Driver Syndrome, you just need to remind all your staff the important role that drivers have in our industry and to not tolerate the mistreatment that is far too common.