FOR REASONS WHY - Robert Davis
FOR REASONS WHY
Legend Nominee: Robert Davis
This Legend driver is an Army veteran with an additional 30 years of work experience in the trucking industry. Throughout his professional driving career, he has accumulated over 3.5 million lifetime miles. Recently celebrating his 29th anniversary at Crete Carrier, his dedication to providing excellent service in performance and reliability has proved invaluable. Legend, Robert Davis is among the top elite drivers for Crete Carrier; a selected recipient for numerous accolades recognizing his achievements and success.
Robert best describes his lifelong journey thus far as a roller coaster, consistent of sudden changes in direction, compact with amusement and adventure. He joined the Army at age 17 during the Vietnam War. After 15 years of service and two deployments stationed in Germany, he followed the tracks that led him into the driver’s seat of a semi-truck. Now, a father of five, grandfather to three and a wife of 36 years, his reasons for choosing the trucking industry evolved from driving a truck in support of his family – to driving for his wife’s survival.
Alicia and Robert, longtime residents of El Paso, Texas were wed in 1983. The two transitioned from their military lifestyle into the civilian workforce smoothly; in the course of time, making a name for themselves as a team running over-the-road. The line of work, as professional truck drivers was ideal for the pair. Both are fond of traveling the country and visiting new places. Alicia favored Washington state for its picturesque scenic views, while Robert simply enjoyed his wife’s company. Together, they explored hiking trails, waterfalls, any areas off the beaten path that allowed them to stretch their legs and disconnect from work and just be husband and wife, versus co-pilots fastened inside of a truck.
In May of this year Alicia was diagnosed with bone cancer. With the help of their children and assisted living, she has 24-hour care while Robert continues driving full-time to meet their medical expenses. As Alicia battles against cancer, she is not alone – the love and support she receives from family and friends offers much encouragement during their time of need.
As a company driver pulling dry van, Robert typically runs up to 3 weeks at a time, then returns home to Alicia for 3 or 4 days. His schedule is flexible (which he credits the staff at Crete Carrier) with no forced dispatch under any load – two key vantage points that has played a significant role behind his tenure with the company. The family-owned trucking corporation has over 50 years-experience in the business, complete with a deck full of aces, their Patriot Fleet – consisting of 1,400+ military veteran drivers. Crete Carrier offers support teams in place strictly dedicated to providing their truck drivers a direct channel for all issues at-hand.
“At Crete Carrier they treat you with respect, and most importantly, as a person not a truck number. The people are friendly, knowledgeable, and easy to work with. That is huge for me and says a lot about a company. If you have a problem, all you have to do is communicate with them and it will get taken care of.
Their breakdown pay is excellent and offer quick reimbursement, not a lot of companies provide either of those incentives. Here at Crete Carrier, their programs are designed to be driver-friendly because they want drivers for the long haul. That is why I have been here for almost 30 years. Why would I go anywhere else when I’m already treated great here? They go out of their way to build sustainable relationships with their drivers and it shows.”
PLANTED SEEDS
Robert grew up in Crestview, Florida the second of four boys. His parents, William and Minnie June Davis owned a local gas station, where Robert spent much of his upbringing. As a kid, Robert always wanted to play and run off with friends but enjoyed the art of purchasing his own items – such as, fishing tackle and hunting gear. To appease his need to shop, he managed to find ways to earn money early on.
By the age of 8, Robert was mowing lawns, and refilling the peanut and coke machine at the gas station. A regular at the service station, Robert was accustomed to all of the expected traffic: cars needing fuel and serviced, also trucks requiring maintenance work. By 13, he became a regular in the shop area repairing tires and learning the proficiency of mechanics from the seasoned tradesmen. At 15, he rebuilt his first car; a 1962 Chevrolet Biscayne with a six-cylinder engine. Years later, all four Davis boys eventually gravitated to the field of transportation, driving trucks or buses for a living.
In 1972, 17-year old Robert and a friend fled Florida in a beeline straight for Alabama to enlist in the Army through the buddy program. His intentions were to join the military in hopes of skipping the remainder of his schooling. Although, he soon discovered that was not the case, he continued his education along with the required 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training (BCT), followed by Advanced Individual Training (AIT) where he received specific guidance, schooling, and qualifications for his chosen Military Occupational Specialty (MOS); M1 Armor Crewman.
As a tank crew member, Robert started out as a driver. He worked his way up to the rank of E6 Staff Sergeant, earning the position of a Tank Commander. Later, as a Platoon Sergeant, he served as a Truckmaster, monitoring motor transport operations – up to 23 trucks, including fuel tankers, cargo trucks, along with various military assault vehicles. In 1988, Robert opted out of the service yet emerged a much more refined individual than the young, eager teenager ready to tackle all of the world’s challenges. Tagged as ‘Dusty Duke’ during his time in the military, he took with him his CB title and years of experience into the civilian work place. He explains how his transition into the trucking industry benefitted from his military background; by applying the skills and ingenuity gained over the course of 15 years of service in conjunction with a solid foundation, guided his quick advancement as a professional driver.
“My time in the Army helps me as a truck driver every day. The self-discipline needed is nonstop, to repeat inspections and a specific regimen each time you step in and out of the truck. When a truck driver gets lazy and isn’t thorough when it comes to safety precautions, people get hurt. The ability to work well under pressure, or when curve balls are thrown at us, or just having to reiterate a routine over and over – I have already ran that course for many, many years while in the military. We are trained to be consistent and combat-ready. Meaning, I am dependable and meticulous with my work ethic. In my current profession, those same variables that made me a soldier taught me how to adapt, and continue helping improve my capabilities as a driver, a mentor, and a leader.”
MAKING MOVES
Robert obtained his chauffeur’s license while in the military, entering the trucking realm under the grandfather clause. Immediately after leaving the military, he found employment with a security guard company based out of Texas. One of his locations was a Petro truck stop in El Paso, where his duties included elimination of excessive loitering, monitor for suspicious activity, and/or theft. All the while, the many semi-trucks that passed through the truck stop always caught his attention. His youngest brother, TJ suggested he go ahead and make the move – switch from working security and jump in a truck – explaining that the pay was better, while the job itself comprised of touring the country. That was all the nudge Robert needed; familiarity and more income to bring home.
He landed with a truckload carrier headquartered in Chattanooga, TN. His first three months were spent driving with two separate driver trainers. Then, he trained his wife and off they went. Almost a year later, Robert switched companies and began pulling dry freight for Crete Carrier as a solo driver. With little ones at home, Alicia came off the road. His brother’s advice echoed in his ears as he traveled from one coast to the other. Robert says, “It’s like being on vacation, most days. Running through the Yellowstone region you’ll find yourself dodging plenty of deer. It keeps you on your toes! It’s common to see buffalo and herds of antelope too. Some of the most unimaginable views – wildlife in general, can’t be seen from an office window. But along with the unexpected comes the unpredictable. Like, dangerous weather changes.”
He continues with advice, warnings, and tips… Warnings: during the winter months in Utah and surrounding states, when the temperature drops down at night, keep a watchful eye out for black ice. Especially when traveling through mountain passes. He recommends turning off the jake brake and gradually slowing down to prevent a jackknife situation. Adding, that in Indiana and Illinois the snow blown onto the roads gets stuck at times, then turns to ice. Stating, when recognizing these scenarios, always use your best judgement while crossing open roads and bridges.
As for advice: Stay active. Robert tracks his daily steps, in which he aims for 3 miles a day. To help him meet his quota, he will often park further from a truck stop or even walk a lap or two around the entire building. He carries with him in the truck resistance bands for additional exercise, they’re easy to store and require low impact sessions for a manageable workout.
A couple of tips to destress: The chaos that accompanies the role of a driver is not always easy to avoid, but methods to wind down are feasible. Audio books – Robert enjoys a variety of books; from westerns to sci-fi, and anything military oriented. Listening to a story via audio can easily take your mind from a stressful mode to a relaxed state in no time. And again, he uses exercise as a means to detach from any type of pressure. “If I’m having a moment or just one of those days, I’ll listen to a book or some music and it calms me down. Also, some rest areas have walking trails… I’ll go for a walk and unwind. Sometimes you just need to decompress and restart.”
REWARDING EXCELLENCE
As a life member of OOIDA, Robert’s membership may run until the end of time – considering his intentions of driving a truck go from now on into forever. Stating, that as long as he can climb into a truck, it’s his to be driven. At the beginning of our interview, I asked Robert if there were anything specific about Crete Carrier that has kept him satisfied as a driver for 29 years. His reply spoke volumes…
“Everyone knows Crete, our trucks are easily recognizable. They have a positive reputation to uphold and I like that . I try to present myself in a professional manner and dress accordingly. Crete is a company that compliments my level of standards.”
Robert is in a 2017 International Prostar, Crete-red. Last year, he received his 3-Million Mile Award. The year prior he was named 2017 Crete Company Driver of the Year.
Throughout his two careers, both of service to the people, his most challenging obstacle to overcome is the guilt of leaving behind his family when duty calls. Holidays and birthdays have come a gone, many without him present. Yet, he explains that his greatest accomplishment is knowing that his children have grown up and found their way, each with families of their own. All signs point back to the reasons why – family.