THE MILES IN BETWEEN - Micheal Barnett
THE MILES IN BETWEEN
Legend Nominee: Micheal Barnett
This Legend driver is closing in on three decades of truck driving experience. He entered the scene at the age of 24, fresh out of truck driving school, having envied drivers of such caliber since childhood. As young as five years old, his little brown eyes stargazed at every large semi that drove around him on the interstate, as he sat in his family’s car awaiting the sound of the passing truck’s thunderous horn as he motioned his tiny arm, similar to a train conductor pulling down on the emergency cord. He can still recall the excitement he felt as a boy, eyes full of wonder with a smile only dreamers can understand. Now being a driver behind the wheel of an 18-wheeler, the pride he embodies while filling the shoes of those heroes of the highway he admired for so long remains recognizable. Sadly though, kids in today’s generation are missing out on the passion and frenzy that one simple gesture sparked in the hearts of many.
Much has changed since Micheal Barnett received his CDL in 1992. He is a long-time resident of Dallas, Texas but is originally from the city, Orange. Micheal appreciates the need for change, particularly within an industry consistent in development and current innovation but is fonder of his beginner days. Back when a professional truck driver’s means of tracking work hours and mileage was dependent on estimated numbers handwritten in a notebook and their form of social communication was through a CB radio, not Facebook. He remembers many days, standing in line to use a pay phone so he could call and speak with his dispatcher. There was no Global Positioning Service (GPS) available, offering directions or a shorter detour to the next customer. Truckers used a good ole’ folded paper map to route themselves; again, determining their own arrival times and so on.
Over the years, Micheal has transitioned into the world of technology. After all, it’s accessible at the touch of our fingers. He does however, integrate some of his earlier teaching tools, such as the CB radio. Referring to the device as a second set of eyes. Stating,
“When you’re on the road with a CB radio, drivers around you or further up ahead have a way of warning others if there’s a wreck nearby or if a storm is headed your way, stuff like that. It’s always handy when drivers share what’s going on in the case of unexpected driving conditions.
I came into this industry when old school drivers were everywhere and any time you had a question or needed help, they were the first people to speak up because they were the ones with all the knowledge and experience out here. They didn’t rely on Google, they were living and breathing what we could only imagine was going on. Everything was hands on and work, work, work. There was no limit when it came to getting the job done. I was trained to keep my left door closed! When it’s time to work, no distractions. What we do is a job, but it’s also a lifestyle that not everyone is cut out for. I consider myself very fortunate to have learned from the guys that made trucking great. I love what I do! I knew I would as a little boy, I knew that I wanted to be just like the guys driving these trucks and now here I am almost 30 years later still passionate about it as ever.”
The youngest of 5 children, Micheal was raised in a loving home with hardworking parents. His mother was actively involved at his school, often serving on the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) addressing important issues concerning student education. His father retired from the chemical company, Dupont after dedicating 35 years working as an operator. A teenager in high school, Micheal exceed in sports; basketball, football and track. He went on to attend Prairie View A & M University studying engineering technology and agriculture. His college years were short lived, he had other plans. Eager to jump into the work force full-time and earn more income sooner than later, his mother came across an ad featuring a trucking company in their local newspaper. The need for truck drivers was significant and the job opportunity presented itself at the right time.
Immediately, Micheal enrolled at the nearest truck driving school located in San Antonio, Texas. 10 weeks of informative classes and driving training courses; he explains how the instructors elaborated on every aspect a professional driver may face on the road. And only after a driver fully grasped the understanding of each protocol, then they earned their CDL. Never before. “The trainers at my school were very thorough when teaching us, they discussed everything. How to prepare for bad weather in different areas or how to handle yourself around other drivers in the midst of horrible traffic, basically introducing us to the real world once we get out here in it. And the school didn’t let you go until you’re ready to drive a truck, that simple.”
Looking back, one challenge that stands out the most in Micheal’s trucking career has proven to be his biggest learning curve. Mountains. Driving up, traveling down, smoking the brakes, everything about them made him hesitant. Factor in a few inches of snow and Michael was quick to doubt his ability to maneuver a truck safely. He continues, “I’ll never forget how patient my instructor was when explaining what to do during those situations. I mean, I was scared for months. That’s a trucker’s main concern, causing injury to anyone. He was very knowledgeable and calm with his words, so I trusted his advice. Relax, don’t be in a rush and don’t let the truck run you. Don’t push the limits. Learn what you can and can’t do with a truck. Over time everything he said started to make sense.” The insight and awareness gained from proper training, Micheal says impacted his career as a professional truck driver for years to come.
Once licensed, he settled in with a trucking company based out of Joplin, Missouri pulling dry van over the road. His first trip out was to upstate New York, and an adventure he will never forget. He rode with a driver trainer in a 1988 Cabover Freightliner, for weeks the two traveled together and became close friends. Reiterating their connection, his new co-pilot came from the class of old school drivers that grew up in the trucking business, who were the epitome of hard-working professionals. The wave of truck drivers prior to the 21st Century, have witnessed first-hand the dynamics shift in the economy and trucking industry. Micheal describes them as an invaluable asset to the entire trucking community.
For a brief stint, Micheal came off the road and returned to Texas working for his grandfather’s upholstery business. He later bounced around from a warehouse to a department store, never quite settling down. He began to miss the freedom of the road, where nobody was micro-managing his work day. He soon found his way back into a truck hauling refrigerated freight for an owner operator out of Mississippi. He stayed on with him for 8 years, then relocated to Tennessee to pursue another business venture.
In 2013, back in his home state, Micheal joined the elite team of company drivers at Arnold Transportation Services, headquartered in Grand Prairie. Currently driving a 2017 Peterbilt, he explains that Arnold Transportation is more than a trucking company with nice trucks. It’s a place where drivers are known by their names. He says the relationships he has built with the staff say a lot about the people and driver-friendly atmosphere Arnold Transportation provides. Stating,
“Here at Arnold, they have taken the time to get to know me personally, not as a truck number. They know my pet peeves and work with me whenever an issue comes up. It’s important to them when I have a problem, to fix it. I know who to go to for whatever situation my arise, and they all know me. Most importantly, they trust me to do my job. I’ve told many people, come here and give them the opportunity to prove to you why us drivers are so happy. Arnold Transportation value their drivers and I have no intention of ever going anywhere else.”
Micheal met Eric Nelson, Vice President of Recruiting and Safety, his first year with the company instantly forming a bond. “We have a great friendship, he treats me like a brother. If I need something, he will stop what he’s doing and see to it that I’m taken care of. Eric is one of the people I’m talking about when I say everyone is great at Arnold!”
Paving his way as a company driver, Micheal offers a bit of counsel for those interested in transitioning into their own truck. Having been in the position of lease purchase and owner operator, he encourages drivers to weigh the pros and cons of each, then decide which role better fits into their lifestyle. Consider angles such as, if one driving position requires extended time away from home or more financial commitment. Running as an owner operator, most if not all expenses are paid directly out of the driver’s pocket: fuel, maintenance, permits and road taxes. But an owner operator can prepare the work schedule to their liking; more flexibility if preferred. Also stating, a lease purchase program is beneficial for drivers searching for that stepping stone in trying to become their own boss.
For this stage in Micheal’s life, running as a company driver is his route of choice for a few reasons: less stress, no major out of pocket expenses, and some consider the driving position job security due to the high demand for quality, dependable drivers. Also, say a company driver parks their truck and returns home to be with his or her family, that’s exactly what they get to do -spend time with their loved ones. Not maintaining their truck, balancing finances or busy keeping their business in order.
Whichever preferences appeal more to a driver, the obvious still remains; the obligation of a trucker. Though the truck’s title may not read the same as the name of the driver, the load being delivered becomes the responsibility of the driver. And for that accountability alone, Micheal says requires a sense of dedication. Every professional truck driver with a lucrative career will agree that along with dedication, hard work, perseverance and attention to detail are all equal components in achieving success.
In discovering his skill set as an asset to the trucking industry in pursuit of his dream job, the journey unveiled layers within himself that he mentioned has been extremely helpful. He says, “What I’ve learned about myself from day one is how much I’ve matured as a man and a professional. In our line of work, there’s a process that molds a driver to be the best version of themselves. Some people think that a trucker’s job is to drive a truck from point A to point B and that’s it. But that couldn’t be any further from the big picture. We as truckers have to understand the ins and outs of the industry, including the business side. Like, how freight rate is determined and other factors big or small. It’s more than just running miles. And recognizing the career I’ve worked so hard to build is one that I’m proud of. I take my profession seriously because I know the impact truck drivers have on our daily lives. Everything needed for survival is transported or delivered by a truck driver… that’s me.”
When Micheal is traveling he enjoys meeting new people and seeing the country, the north west in particular. Stating, that one minute you’re surrounded by flat lands and the next, you’ll find yourself on top of a beautiful mountain. His pastime favorites include fishing, drag racing, watching NASCAR or his football team, the Cowboys play. Afterall, he’s a Texan true to heart. He has one daughter, Ariel that will begin her freshman year in college soon. Ariel is also the individual behind Micheal’s CB handle: Money Mike -referencing his work ethic and ambitious goals.