Latino Truck Driver Trade by Johnny Madrigal

Author:Johnny Madrigal [Madrigal, Johnny]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Social Science, Sociology, General
ISBN: 9780789008824
Google: OBhqU5FtxDYC
Publisher: Psychology Press
Published: 2001-01-15T05:55:58+00:00

THE PREROGATIVES OF SIZE

Driving a large truck means that truckers feel superior to people who drive small cars. They themselves are convinced that they are badly regarded by other drivers. In Costa Rica, for example, truckers are perceived as the second worst drivers, after taxi drivers.6 The main criticisms are that “they think they own the roads” and “are aggressive toward all types of vehicles” because they are so large. Truckers call the drivers of small cars cucarachas (cock-roaches), revealing their disdain toward them.

Fernando says, “I know that most of the population is of the opinion that truckers don't respect anyone and think they own the roads just because they drive those huge trucks.” Julio shares the view that a few truckers give them all a bad name.

They say we're like pigs when we drive, that we don't respect anyone when we're on the road. They think we're animals and that we drive like horses. But we're not all the same. What happens is that we all pay for the sins of the few.

Marvin and Mario not only think the same but also admit that some truckers are aggressive when they get behind the wheel.

People think we're arrogant, that we don't let anyone through on the road, that we feel like Superman once we get inside the cab, and things like that. Small vehicles always think, here comes the monster and say, “Here comes that beast. Let's get out of his way.” There are all kinds here. Sometimes truckers drive on the offensive, intimidating the cucarachas with their vehicles.

Jesús tries to explain why he believes some truckers act this way.

A lot of people have a bad opinion [of us] because they con-sider us the ogres of the road and other such things. What many people don't realize is that this work has a lot of pressure, is very tiring, and destroys a lot of homes. This job separates you from the kids a lot, separates you from the wife, especially if one is a bit machista.

Caliche believes that the smaller vehicles on the road should be more considerate.

People who drive small vehicles should have a certain amount of consideration when they meet a tractor trailer. They think that you throw the truck at them and that you think you own the road. What people don't think about is that you're driving a vehicle nearly eighteen meters long, higher and wider than any other and carrying twenty or twenty-two tons in the trailer.

José thinks that the hostility comes not only from the truckers but also from the small cars that feel overwhelmed by the size of the trucks.

Many people feel that those who drive trucks are like steamrollers. They think that we do whatever we like, and that's not true. In reality, if you travel along any road in Central America and watch the way people drive, you'll see how crazy they are. Small cars try to get past one of these trucks, getting almost between the tires, and they push in front of you as if they'd won a race.

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