Trucker Lingo
If you’ve ever been curious about the unique language of truck drivers, you’re in the right place! Trucker lingo is a fascinating collection of slang and phrases used by truck drivers to communicate with each other over CB radio. In this article, we’ll explore the origins of trucker slang, delve into some common truck driver phrases, and discover the importance of trucker lingo in the trucking industry.
Origins of Trucker Lingo
Trucker lingo has its roots in the early days of the trucking industry when CB radios became a crucial tool for truck drivers to communicate on the road. CB radio allowed truckers to share essential information about road conditions, law enforcement, and more, while also keeping each other company during long hours behind the wheel. Over time, truckers developed their unique language to maintain a sense of camaraderie and make their conversations more entertaining.
Below is an expanded list of the top 10 highest paying trucking companies with approximate yearly salaries and information on work hours. Keep in mind that work hours may vary depending on factors such as route, freight type, and company policies.
Walmart Transportation
- Average yearly salary: $75,000 to $90,000
- Work hours: Walmart drivers typically work full-time, with regional and local routes that allow for regular home time. The company aims to provide predictable schedules and consistent hours.
Sysco
- Average yearly salary: $65,000 to $85,000
- Work hours: Sysco drivers generally work full-time and have local or regional routes, which means they can expect regular home time. Some positions may require early morning starts or occasional weekend work.
Old Dominion Freight Line
- Average yearly salary: $60,000 to $80,000
- Work hours: Old Dominion drivers usually work full-time, with various shifts available, including day and night. Many positions offer regular home time, although some regional or long-haul routes may require longer periods away from home.
UPS
- Average yearly salary: $60,000 to $75,000
- Work hours: UPS drivers typically work full-time, with shifts that can vary based on route and package volume. While many drivers enjoy regular home time, peak seasons may require additional hours or weekend work.
FedEx
- Average yearly salary: $55,000 to $75,000
- Work hours: FedEx drivers generally work full-time, with varying shifts and routes. Many positions offer regular home time, but long-haul or regional routes may require extended periods away from home.
YRC Worldwide
- Average yearly salary: $55,000 to $70,000
- Work hours: YRC Worldwide drivers often work full-time, with different shifts and routes available. Local and regional positions typically offer regular home time, while long-haul drivers may spend more extended periods on the road.
J.B. Hunt Transport Services
- Average yearly salary: $50,000 to $80,000
- Work hours: J.B. Hunt offers a variety of driving positions, with work hours that can vary based on route and job type. Many positions provide regular home time, but some regional or long-haul roles may require longer periods away from home.
XPO Logistics
- Average yearly salary: $55,000 to $75,000
- Work hours: XPO Logistics drivers typically work full-time, with a range of shifts and routes available. Local and regional positions often allow for regular home time, while long-haul drivers may spend more time on the road.
Schneider National
- Average yearly salary: $50,000 to $75,000
- Work hours: Schneider National drivers usually work full-time, with various shifts and routes to choose from. The company offers positions with regular home time, as well as regional and long-haul opportunities that may involve longer periods away from home.
Con-way Freight
- Average yearly salary: $50,000 to $70,000 (before acquisition by XPO Logistics)
- Work hours: Before the acquisition by XPO Logistics, Con-way Freight drivers generally worked full-time, with a variety of shifts and routes available. Many positions offered regular home time, although some regional or long-haul roles required extended periods on the road.
Common Trucker Phrases and Terminology
| Slang | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Bear | A "bear" refers to a law enforcement officer, such as a highway patrol officer or a commercial vehicle enforcement officer. |
| Bear Bait | A speeding vehicle, often a passenger car, that attracts the attention of law enforcement, potentially leading to a speeding ticket. |
| Billy Big Rigger | A truck driver who boasts about their driving skills or truck, often in an exaggerated or arrogant manner. |
| Chicken Coop | A "chicken coop" is a weigh station where trucks are inspected and weighed to ensure they meet the gross vehicle weight regulations. |
| GMC Truck Georgia Overdrive | When a truck driver shifts to a higher gear to gain speed on a downhill stretch of road. |
| Pay the Water Bill | A slang term for stopping to use the restroom at a truck stop. |
| Granny Lane | The far right or slow lane on a highway, typically where slower traffic and big rigs travel. |
| Bear in the Air | A law enforcement aircraft monitoring traffic, also known as a "spy in the sky." |
| Kojak with a Kodak | A police officer, often hidden from view, using a radar gun to catch speeding vehicles. |
| Empty Trailer | Driving a truck without a trailer attached, also known as "deadheading." |
| Back Door | A term referring to the position of a truck or vehicle behind another, often used to inform a driver about a potential issue or law enforcement presence. |
| Bear Bite | A speeding ticket issued by a law enforcement officer. |
| Bird Dog | A radar detector, often mounted on the dashboard of a truck, used to detect the presence of law enforcement radar guns. |
| Bumper Sticker | A vehicle, typically a passenger vehicle, that is following too closely behind a truck. |
| California Highway | A term for a highway with a lower speed limit for trucks, such as 55 mph (double nickel). |
| Chicken Lights | Decorative lights on a truck, used to make the vehicle more visible and appealing. |
| Diesel Car | A passenger vehicle, often a tour bus or similar, that is driving at the same speed as a truck on the highway. |
| Double Nickel | A term for a 55 mph speed limit, often found on California highways for trucks. |
| Double or Triple Trailers | A truck hauling two or three trailers at once, often requiring extra caution and skill to maneuver. |
| Flatbed Trailer | A type of trailer with a flat, open platform used for carrying various types of cargo. |
| Gear Jammer | A truck driver who frequently changes gears, often associated with aggressive or fast driving. |
| Hammer Lane | The far left lane or passing lane on a highway, typically used for faster traffic. |
| Kojak with a Kodak | A law enforcement officer using a radar gun to catch speeding vehicles, often hidden from view. |
| Mile Marker | A sign or marker along the highway, indicating the distance from a reference point, such as the state line. |
| Pickle Park | A slang term for a rest area, often used to imply illegal or illicit activities taking place there. |
| Reefer | A type of trailer designed to transport temperature-sensitive cargo, such as perishable goods |
| Seat Cover | A slang term for a passenger in a truck or car. |
| Snow Tire Chains | Chains attached to a truck's tires to improve traction in snowy or icy conditions. |
| Spy in the Sky | A law enforcement aircraft monitoring traffic, also known as a "bear in the air." |
| Tow Truck | A vehicle used to move disabled or damaged vehicles, often called for roadside assistance. |
| Unmarked Police Vehicle | A law enforcement vehicle without the typical markings or lights, often used for covert operations or traffic enforcement. |
How to Use Trucker Lingo
To effectively use trucker lingo, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the common phrases and terms. Once you have a good grasp of the language, try incorporating it into your conversations with other truckers over the CB radio. Remember to keep your tone light and friendly, and use the lingo in context.
Why Trucker Lingo is Important
Trucker lingo serves several important purposes for those in the trucking industry:
Camaraderie: The unique language helps create a sense of belonging among truck drivers, fostering a supportive and tight-knit community on the road.
Efficiency: Using trucker slang allows for concise and clear communication, helping drivers share essential information quickly.
Entertainment: Long hours on the road can become monotonous, and the colorful language adds some fun and excitement to truckers’ conversations.
Safety: Trucker lingo can be used to discreetly share information about road conditions, traffic, or law enforcement presence, helping to keep drivers safe and informed.
Final Words
Trucker lingo is a fascinating aspect of the trucking industry, with a rich history and a wide range of colorful phrases and terms. Understanding and using trucker slang not only adds a fun element to conversations but also helps to build camaraderie, promote safety, and ensure clear communication among truckers. Next time you find yourself on the road, keep an ear out for some of these interesting phrases, and maybe even try using some yourself!
Common Questions
What is the origin of trucker lingo? Trucker lingo originated with the use of CB radios by truckers, allowing them to communicate with each other and share important information while on the road.
How do I learn trucker lingo? To learn trucker lingo, familiarize yourself with common phrases and terms, and try incorporating them into your conversations with other truckers or CB radio users.
Is trucker lingo still used today? Yes, trucker lingo is still in use today among truck drivers and CB radio enthusiasts.
Can non-truckers use trucker lingo? Absolutely! While trucker lingo is most commonly used by truck drivers, anyone with a CB radio or an interest in the language is welcome to join in.
Why is trucker lingo important? Trucker lingo is important because it fosters camaraderie among truckers, promotes clear and efficient communication, adds entertainment value to conversations, and helps to keep drivers safe and informed on the road.
Below is an expanded list of the top 10 highest paying trucking companies with approximate yearly salaries and information on work hours. Keep in mind that work hours may vary depending on factors such as route, freight type, and company policies.
Walmart Transportation
- Average yearly salary: $75,000 to $90,000
- Work hours: Walmart drivers typically work full-time, with regional and local routes that allow for regular home time. The company aims to provide predictable schedules and consistent hours.
Sysco
- Average yearly salary: $65,000 to $85,000
- Work hours: Sysco drivers generally work full-time and have local or regional routes, which means they can expect regular home time. Some positions may require early morning starts or occasional weekend work.
Old Dominion Freight Line
- Average yearly salary: $60,000 to $80,000
- Work hours: Old Dominion drivers usually work full-time, with various shifts available, including day and night. Many positions offer regular home time, although some regional or long-haul routes may require longer periods away from home.
UPS
- Average yearly salary: $60,000 to $75,000
- Work hours: UPS drivers typically work full-time, with shifts that can vary based on route and package volume. While many drivers enjoy regular home time, peak seasons may require additional hours or weekend work.
FedEx
- Average yearly salary: $55,000 to $75,000
- Work hours: FedEx drivers generally work full-time, with varying shifts and routes. Many positions offer regular home time, but long-haul or regional routes may require extended periods away from home.
YRC Worldwide
- Average yearly salary: $55,000 to $70,000
- Work hours: YRC Worldwide drivers often work full-time, with different shifts and routes available. Local and regional positions typically offer regular home time, while long-haul drivers may spend more extended periods on the road.
J.B. Hunt Transport Services
- Average yearly salary: $50,000 to $80,000
- Work hours: J.B. Hunt offers a variety of driving positions, with work hours that can vary based on route and job type. Many positions provide regular home time, but some regional or long-haul roles may require longer periods away from home.
XPO Logistics
- Average yearly salary: $55,000 to $75,000
- Work hours: XPO Logistics drivers typically work full-time, with a range of shifts and routes available. Local and regional positions often allow for regular home time, while long-haul drivers may spend more time on the road.
Schneider National
- Average yearly salary: $50,000 to $75,000
- Work hours: Schneider National drivers usually work full-time, with various shifts and routes to choose from. The company offers positions with regular home time, as well as regional and long-haul opportunities that may involve longer periods away from home.
Con-way Freight
- Average yearly salary: $50,000 to $70,000 (before acquisition by XPO Logistics)
- Work hours: Before the acquisition by XPO Logistics, Con-way Freight drivers generally worked full-time, with a variety of shifts and routes available. Many positions offered regular home time, although some regional or long-haul roles required extended periods on the road.
