FIXTITLE Jim Racinowski.docx
MAKE TRUCKING WORK FOR YOU
The Story
Of
Jim Racinowski
In all walks of life, people that you come in contact with can either make a lasting impact in your life or a quick impression. If you are lucky, you will have more positive interactions than the other.
A humble person walks in a friendly world. That individual sees friends everywhere they look. Their perception goes beyond the surface of appearance. They see no threat in inviting strangers to a conversation.
Its comforting meeting people that are approachable. Easy conversation is nice. It’s even better when you can walk away after meeting a person and say, ‘I like him.’ Or, ‘She was super sweet!’ Sometimes by sharing a smile with a stranger can lift their spirit in a matter of seconds. You don’t necessarily have to go out of your way; to the extreme. Don’t ride the line of creepy. However, being polite and warmhearted goes a long way.
Jim Racinowski from Whitewater, Wisconsin is known for his outgoing and friendly personality. With 44 years of experience in the trucking industry, he brings a breath of fresh air to the veterans in the business, as well as, being a great role model for new drivers. It has been repeated time after time how the work force of trucking has evolved, causing a loss of positivity in the hearts of many professional truck drivers around the globe. Spreading the knowledge of trucking and helping other drivers in need are both very vital. Always has been! These two key elements have been passed on from the generations of drivers that were running the roads back before they were all paved. It’s important to continue the legacy of hardworking truck drivers. Lending a helping hand or offering a good handshake speaks volumes.
Jim puts himself out there for others to feel comfortable in his presence. If you’re passing by Jim, [guaranteed] you will be greeted with a gentle smile. Linda, his wife of 37 years says, “Jim just gets along with everybody. He helps out whoever he can, when he can and he enjoys being friendly. It’s just him.” Jim followed up with, “When I go places, I’ll start talking to people first to break the ice.”
Being an only child with two full-time working parents pushed Jim to break out of his shell. His father delivered beer locally, while his mother worked at a factory. With their busy work schedules Jim didn’t venture too far from home growing up. He made up for that though, when he began his trucking career.
By 16 Jim landed his first job at a gas station, got a car and became a bit more independent. A year later, he found a truck wash where he was able to get a closer perspective of trucks. Two years later, in 1968 Jim joined the military during the Vietnam era. After serving his country, he immediately returned to his next interest; trucking.
At the time, he would often travel with his [then] father-in-law, in a Cabover as he delivered chemicals from Wisconsin to Boston. With the long trips, exhaustion set in and Jim was asked to slip into the driver’s seat. Young and inexperienced, I asked Jim was he nervous at all. “I honestly didn’t have time to think about whether or not I could do it,” he said with a laugh. Crossing Ohio, there was a three hour stretch that would allow Jim some driving time, while his father-in-law was able to sleep.
It didn’t take long for Jim to realize he was hooked! The trucking bug had snuck up and gained another driver for life. In 1971, Jim went to work for a company based out of New York, driving a 1968 International 318 13-speed, 40 foot teal van. Jim would travel four to five days at a time, hauling restored steel drums.
A few years later, through a mutual friend, Jim met the love of his life. The two wed in 1978 and Jim gained a 3 year old son, Andrew. Today Andrew has a family of his own. Including Linda and Jim’s only grandson 15 year old, Roth. Jim and Andrew remain close and began sharing a hobby of building and restoring cars, years ago.
With a new family, Jim also decided to take his trucking career in a different direction. For four years, he drove for a couple of mail services based out of Milwaukee. Once he grew tiresome of the same routine he made the switch to gasoline, in 1995. After a decade of gaining experience, he later found a local oil company that offered him a position driving five days a week, working from 7am-4pm hauling motor oil. It was the perfect setup for Jim. He said, “I thought it was kind of cool working there. Having a day job AND still being able to be in a truck was great!” On the weekends, Jim also drove part-time for a Lowell C. Hagen Trucking doing short runs. He continued driving part-time for 10 years and then another 10 years working full-time. Located in Whitewater, Lowell C. Hagen Trucking started with one truck and now has a fleet of 60 to 70 trucks, strictly tankers now.
Jim has earned close to 3 million safe miles and numerous safety awards. These days you can catch Jim in a 2007 International Conventional. He is sure to return home the same time every day, with the exception of a few overnighters. Jim likes to pick up an extra load or 2-day deliveries to help out. This tends to suffice his traveling itch and gives him the best of both worlds. The family life at home and also feeds his need for the road.
He still credits the longevity of his trucking career to the moment he was trusted behind the wheel, back in his early 20’s. “That first initial trip in a truck began my love of trucking. I love traveling! Anywhere out in the southwest area is my favorite. The open roads throughout Nevada and Arizona are breathtaking.”
The only advice he offers to his fellow drivers is what he applies daily to his own career. “Always be aware of your surroundings. Pay attention and do what you’re taught.” It all boils down to respect. If we all made others’ safety a priority, our roads would be much safer. And if you top that with friendly and helpful people, the world would have an entirely new dimension. Think about it, there isn’t a single day where transportation isn’t a main factor. Let’s imagine if everyone in the trucking industry abided by this creed of caution and treated each other with respect…. I believe we all have it within us, but we allow every day chaos and the stresses of life to interfere.
Jim’s future plans are to eventually go back to part-time, or even retire. Unfortunately, people with Jim’s work ethic never completely retire. Denial is the first sign of this. They may have all intentions to ‘retire’ but in all actuality, we all know they will still be doing some sort of work that entails trucking. I asked Jim what he would do with his free time once he retires. He replied, “Well for one, I have a ton of honey-do things to catch up on.” He also enjoys wood work and hopes to team back up with Andrew to find another project to build, now that the one they have been working on is finished. For the past 15 years, on and off, the two men have been rebuilding and modifying a 1935 Hudson Terraplane. They recently completed the restoration and Jim takes it out for a spin quite often.
With Jim’s home nestled out in the country, debating the retired life he states, “You know, I have 15-40 oil in my blood…” Meaning, trucking will always be his passion. No matter how many hours he does or doesn’t clock in for. Trucking is something that sticks with you your entire life. Nobody can take it away or force you to leave it alone. And when you’re good at it, it’s even harder to walk away from. Trucking is a way of life and can be proven to provide an amazing life, full of beautiful sights and lasting memories. Jim is living proof. Linda has owned her electrology practice for 21 years. This couple is a great example of how hard work, honesty and remaining positive can be rewarding.