THE LONG HAUL - Beverly Byrd
THE LONG HAUL
Legend Nominee: Beverly Byrd
This Legend driver grew up a small-town country girl riding horses at the age of two. Originally born in De Queen, Arkansas, her family relocated to Rendon, Texas where she attended elementary school. Later, finishing her teen years in the city of Mansfield where the school was much larger and crowded with students. Her new home wasn’t quite like her preferred environment, on a farm surrounded by chickens, pigs, and cattle. A natural with animals, looking back she could have easily pursued a career in the field of veterinary care. Her outgoing and friendly personality found a voice within the music department, singing in the school’s choir for three years. Having to forge her own path as a young teenager was only the beginning to the journey her life was about to unveil.
The youngest of three children and only daughter, Beverly Byrd recognized early on the importance of a strong work ethic. Her mother was employed full-time, dedicating 26 years to a local factory in town. Her father served in law enforcement as a police officer and later a terminal manager at a concrete company. For a short time he drove a truck for a living, which Beverly remembers vividly.
“I was no older than seven, but I’ll never forget how excited I was! It was back when the steering wheels were massive, and we sat on a bench seat. It was definitely during the good ole’ days of trucking.”
December 1982, Beverly and Geoffrey Byrd tied the knot and soon started a family. Raising two young boys, Beverly balanced home-life and working in the fast food industry. At the age of 25, their family stepped in to help with the boys, as Beverly and Geoffrey made the leap to enroll into truck driving school. The benefits of a steady income and the travel opportunities spent together persuaded the couple to move forward with their endeavor. Stating, “When Geoffrey and I first started driving together, not many husbands and wives drove trucks as a team, so it sort of pushed us to depend on one another, making our partnership stronger and our marriage too. Female truck drivers weren’t as common then either, I’d have to ignore comments from other drivers and negativity like that. A lot has changed over the years, but for us we made the perfect team from day one. We rarely ever disagreed on anything and he was always patient, very forgiving and understanding when it came to helping me become comfortable driving. Especially during situations that made me nervous like mountains, bad weather, or certain areas. He would talk calmly and walk me through everything time and time again. And now I’m more comfortable in a truck than I am driving a personal car.” The two ran team for 12 years on two separate occasions, referring to themselves as paid tourists.
Over the span of 20 years driving a truck professionally, Beverly has gained experience pulling tanker, reefer, and dry van with a total of 5 million lifetime miles under her belt. She is currently a company driver for Jetco Delivery, a premium provider of transportation and freight brokerage services, based out of Houston, Texas. She joined the Jetco team of elite drivers in March, with their Arlington location as her main terminal.
“I have traveled all over from state to state, but Texas has always been my home. The day I went in for my interview I quickly noticed all the Dallas Cowboy décor everywhere and knew that this was the place for me. Everyone at Jetco is very personable and driver-friendly. They address any problems or issues that you bring to them and safety is extremely important here. Also, our driver retention at Jetco is unlike other trucking companies and I see why! We are treated with respect as drivers and they acknowledge our contribution to the success of the company, so they see to it that we are well taken care of.”
Jetco’s philosophy embraces honesty and over-all safety as core principles to provide superior customer service. When searching for the right trucking company, Beverly says there will never be a perfect fit, but to find one that best aligns with your own needs and what you expect as an individual. Whether you’re a spouse, parent, owner operator or company driver, each person has specific interests in mind. The urgency for health and retirement benefits were Beverly’s top priorities, as she explains how her, and Geoffrey’s plans took an unexpected turn in 2011.
In the beginning, Beverly adjusted to the trucking lifestyle without difficulty. The Byrd’s agreed to take full advantage of the beautiful moments shared together while away from home. Exploring our country’s history brought out their adventurous nature, describing a visit to Niagara Falls as breath-taking, for as far as the eye can see. Significant landmarks, such as Mount Rushmore also standout as she runs through a list of her personal favorites. Side by side, they created a life of spontaneity and happiness, as well as their own successful careers.
The duo stayed with their first trucking company for almost two years hauling refrigerated freight throughout all 48 states. Now running as a solo driver transporting goods to local grocery warehouses then returning home every night, Beverly compares the pros and cons between both worlds. The amount of miles team drivers cover provided Beverly and Geoffrey a good living, but the price came with a huge sacrifice: less home-time. For an over-the-road trucker, being absent during special occasions, holidays and birthday events is expected, but doesn’t make the compromise less heartening. Beverly’s determination to support her husband as his driving partner was rewarding, yet difficult as a mother. Stating, “I see now, that it is possible to be home with family and still drive a truck for a living. I suppose that’s why so many women are able to attain a successful career in the business today, because we can have a homelife… finding a way to manage it all is a lot of pressure, especially in a field that is mostly male-oriented. But I encourage other women to see that if I can do this, anyone can! It is possible to drive a truck and do it well. It is possible to have it all, you just have to start somewhere. I just didn’t know my trucking adventures would end with me doing it without my husband.”
Geoffrey was diagnosed with Hepatitis C, followed by Parkinson's disease forcing him to leave behind his life as a truck driver. Beverly switched to local work and found herself thinking more about their future; how she, as the sole household provider could support them financially. Finding her second home among Jetco, she no longer burdens herself with that stress and can focus on Geoffrey, his health, and their family.
The trucking industry is much different today, then when Beverly first started driving at the age of 25. She now embodies a sense of poise and self-confidence as a seasoned driver, one many can learn from, men and women. Thinking back on how nervous she would get behind the wheel makes Beverly laugh, then she praises Geoffrey for his encouragement and persistence. “He served in the Navy right after high school, so his level of discipline in composure is exactly what I needed while I continued to build my confidence. Now, being able to support our family by doing what we had started as a team, something that he had taught to me to do – I wouldn’t trade any of it. It’s bitter-sweet. He’s given me a life full of beautiful memories, I’ve seen places a person like me wouldn’t typically get to experience had it not been for trucking. He taught me things about myself that I never would’ve imagined if he had not had faith in me,” she says. Discovering her identity as a professional truck driver opened Beverly’s eyes to her own potential. She is in this for the long haul.
Remaining in the truck as a solo driver came as a surprisingly easy decision. Finding confidence in her own abilities behind the wheel took time, as does most all talent. With consistency and proper training, Beverly settled in and allowed her experience to expand. When Geoffrey was put on disability, she was comfortable enough driving a truck to stick with it. Adding, “After all, it’s good pay and a great way for a person to find their independence, especially women. This is not just a regular job. It’s almost like, once you have figured out how to operate an 18-wheeler and how to control all of it from the tractor to the trailer, you become empowered because not everyone can do this. And once you learn it, nobody can take it away from you.”
Beverly’s main tip for drivers is to remain attentive at all times; be mindful of surroundings by use of your mirrors. She also explains that being a truck driver is about more than just the job itself, it’s an image. “A truck driver is not simply a person holding a steering wheel. He or she is a professional, a clear representation of a company, the purest example of integrity and hard work.” When I inquired as to her secret behind a successful 20-year career in the trucking industry she replied with one word: patience. Patience as a driver, as a beginner, as a veteran and as a part of a company.
Their most recent vacation out west included the Grand Canyon and on up to Los Angeles, where they were a part of the audience for the television game show, The Price Is Right. They enjoy attending truck events, particularly the Great American Trucking Show (GATS) and the Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS).
With all that Beverly has accomplished as a female truck driver, her greatest achievement is her marriage. Soon to celebrate their 36th wedding anniversary, she says that being able to take on whatever life has thrown at them as a team has always worked in their favor. Even as a teenager, she knew that they were strong enough to conquer the world together. Though their roles may have reversed, two factors remain the same. Their faith in one another and their passion for the trucking industry.