Winter Is Coming

Snow covers the roads as self-reliant towers across the nation chance forgotten streets rescuing ill-advised motorists. One tower radios dispatch in the middle of it all.

“My duals are stuck. … I’m gonna be out of the truck for a few minutes.” He’ll winch himself out this time … and reluctantly put on the tire chains.As he follows the windswept paths of the all-night road crews—fighting their own losing battles clearing the snow—he’ll stop to remove and replace his chains many times.The non-stop barrage of late-night slide-offs numbs his senses as the falling snowflakes hypnotize him, splashing and exploding like shooting stars on the windshield. Each call brings new challenges and difficulties that stretch his know-how to the frayed ends.As he trudges forward to the next helpless customer, he’s cold, tired and frustrated. This endless night is all he can take. He promises himself, “Never again.”Each winter towers grow weary and overloaded begging for relief, leading many to think, “There’s got to be a better way.” Often they do more than just think; they go searching for greener pastures, perceived or real.Our job is to retain seasoned drivers from year to year to help weather those storms.So how do you keep good drivers from opting for a permanent position as an over-the-road trucker or a multitude of other trucking jobs? (You can’t.)Instead you must accept the fact that not everybody is cut out to be a tow-truck driver.From year to year you’re going to lose a few drivers—those who just can’t picture themselves doing that all-night shift in the snow one more time.They’re going to seek their fortunes elsewhere. They’ll stick it out through the spring and summer months—right up until the leaves start turning. Then they’re gone.They’ll come up with a million reasons why, which are actually excuses to justify their decision.And it’s always the boss’s fault. “His rules are too strict,” or “Not strict enough,” or “He doesn’t give me enough hours or enough time off.”The reality is the decision was made months ago while trudging through the snow. Some say it’s because they never know when they’ll go home. Not knowing when it’s going to stop, not knowing when they’ll be sent down a road that they can’t get back out of. And worst of all, not knowing if they’ll be able to do what needs to be done when something truly challenging comes along.That’s what kills the spirit of many potentially great towers: the inability to accept that they don’t have all the answers—and never will.If only they had the wisdom to accept that there will be times when they won’t immediately know what to do, they’d be much better off. Then the months and years of experiences would have time to accumulate and create a solid foundation for future challenges. They could then build upon this foundation each winter and allow it to be their guide…their aid in finding solutions during those trying times. Don Archer lives and works in Jefferson City, Mo., where he and his wife, Brenda, own and operate Broadway Wrecker, a 12-truck operation that’s been in business since the 1950s.