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It has been an ongoing battle to raise the image of the American Trucker in the eyes of the public at large. As a child, my mother often told us to watch what we say or do because someone is always watching whether you see them or not. She went on to say, "people will judge you by your actions and by the way you carry yourself."

That is so true! Unfortunately, the truckers' image has gone down through the years. Many of the "old school" drivers from the 1950s, 60s, and 70s who gained respect from the motoring public and their fellow drivers have either retired or passed on.

It was a different generation of drivers back then. They carried themselves in a professional manner from the way they dressed to their attitudes, took the time to lend a helping hand whenever needed, and just plainly took life a little slower. Motorists and society for that matter looked up to truckers. The truck driver was the pillar of the community. It was often said, "If you break down on the highway, a trucker will stop to help" or "Eat where the truckers eat."

We now live in an "instant" society with just-in-time freight and fast food places in truck stops. The small mom and pop truck stops that ran at a personable, slower pace are pretty much extinct. And of course, we have a new generation of drivers who grew up in a more fast-paced, technological world of instant gratification.

We also now live in a more dangerous society. Nowadays, if you stop to help a motorist, it could be a set up for robbery. With cell phones, it is safer to call for help if you see a stranded motorist.

How do truckers re-gain the positive image we once had? Well, interestingly enough, some drivers say that they will refuse to act professional until Congress sees them as professionals. With an attitude like that, Congress, or anyone else for that matter, will never see you as a professional! Respect is earned. You do not get respect by acting in a disrespectful manner.

Let's say that it's true that Congress looks at the truck driver as non-professionals. Should you act as "they" think you are or should you act like the professional you are and change their opinion of what they think you are?

The way we act and carry ourselves makes a strong statement in how we are perceived. It's time to work together and recapture our image of "The Knight of The Road." If each driver makes himself/herself a committee of one to change the image, it can be done.

Keep in mind that spring is here and summer is quickly approaching, families will be on the highways traveling, many with CB radios in their vehicles listening to what you say and how you're acting.

If we do away with the "CB Rambos" and the profanity and derogatory remarks, that will be a great start in helping to enhance the trucker's image. It takes a highly skilled professional to navigate a 40-ton "big rig" down the highway safely. Act like the professional you are and people will eventually perceive you that way. Eventually people will change the way they think about the American Trucker! Are you a professional or a non-professional?