Of course, we know that you have a lot to be thankful for during this holiday season. However, let us turn the spotlight on you. We want to let you truckers know exactly why we’re thankful for all you do during the holiday season. Trucking during Thanksgiving can be a pretty thankless journey. It’s about time that you truckers get some recognition around here so you can feel a little better if you’re stuck celebrating turkey day on the road. It’s no secret that truckers play a vital role when it comes to making sure the average Thanksgiving celebration runs smoothly. Let’s take a look at how truckers impact the holiday, and what you can do to enjoy it on the road.
Trucking During Thanksgiving
Turkey Truckin’
Americans will eat 46 million turkeys this year and Canadians will eat 3.1 million turkeys, according to the National Turkey Federation. The majority of these glorious gobblers will be hauled by the trucking industry just in time to bring the family together. According to Ocean Spray, “80 million pounds of cranberries will be consumed by Americans this Thanksgiving along with the 5 million gallons of jellied cranberry sauce consumed every holiday season.” And 99.9% of those cranberries will be shipped by truck. Not only are drivers forced to work a hectic few weeks prior to the big day, they also have to contend with all that holiday traffic. Trucking during Thanksgiving can be a nightmare. It is estimated that about 46.9 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more for Thanksgiving festivities. It’s ironic that the very people that make sure Thanksgiving runs smoothly are the same people that will often miss out on spending the holiday with family. However, there are a few ways you can make the most of trucking during Thanksgiving.
Stay Connected
One of the toughest parts about trucking during Thanksgiving is not being able to see your friends and family at home. However, there are a few ways to ensure that you can stay connected while still doing your job. A great way to stay connected with loved ones while on the road is by planning a time to call, Skype, FaceTime or Messenger with family members or friends on Thanksgiving. Ask family members to set up the computer at the table so that you can jump in on the conversation during dinner. Just because you’re on the road doesn’t mean that you have to stay disconnected from loved ones. Setting up a little bit of time to hear from family can make working during the holidays worth it. Some truckers also will decide to celebrate Thanksgiving before or after the actual holiday. There are no restrictions on when you can and cannot have some turkey with your loved ones. Feel free to feast whenever it’s convenient!
Feast On the Road
Just because you might be trucking during Thanksgiving doesn’t mean that you have to give up the turkey, mashed potatoes, and stuffing. In fact, there are plenty of truck stops and restaurants serving Thanksgiving meals that will taste almost as good as when your loved one’s cooked it up. If you don’t want to stop at a restaurant, you could prepare the meal. Check out this resource where you can prepare a full Thanksgiving meal all within the comforts of your own rig, and for a reasonable price!
We want to know what you do during the holidays to balance your work and home life. Feel free to comment below or reach out to us or Facebook or Twitter. As always, have a happy Thanksgiving!
