Jean-Frédéric Gauvin is a perfect example of the new generation of truck drivers. He will soon be 29 years old and has only been in the business for two months. A graduate of the CFTR in Saint-Jérôme, he landed a job with a major carrier in the Montreal area, for whom he does local and regional work.
Delivering to grocery stores, his days start in Montreal and sometimes take him as far as Quebec City or the Beauce region. He is back home every evening.
His priorities are not the same as those of older drivers who work up to 60 hours a week. And he takes care of his health.
“It’s very rare that I do shifts shorter than 11 hours. I only work four days a week, so I do about 45 hours in four days. That gives me a quality of life so I’m not on the road all the time,” he told Transport Routier, trucknews.com’s sister publication.
Gauvin almost always drives Freightliner Cascadias with day cabs.
“I’m very happy with them, I love them. I like the visibility and the layout of the controls. For what I do, I’m very happy to have nice Freightliners,” says the young man.
Cannot use microwave to heat food
“I haven’t been a truck driver for very long, but it’s always been a dream of mine. And so far, I don’t regret my choice at all. It’s a really great job, with its challenges,” he said.
“You have to take care of your health. It’s hard on your legs and neck, so you have to stretch.”
And you must eat well, which can sometimes be challenging on the road.
Since he drives a day cab, he can’t use a microwave or hot plate in the confined space.
His lunches therefore must be cold meals that can be stored in a cooler bag. After a while, he felt he had exhausted all possibilities and turned to a Facebook group made up of people who share recipes that can be made on a budget.
“I’m a truck driver and I try to stay healthy and economical. I’m looking for simple, quick, cold, inexpensive meals,” he posted on social media.
He received a flood of responses. We stopped counting after about 50. And not a single bad joke or hateful comment, as is too often the case online.
Social media to the rescue
One person suggested hard-boiled eggs, another pointed out that for wraps or other types of hot sandwiches, naan is less likely to get soggy, and yet another suggested couscous as an alternative to rice. Tuna in all its forms also seems to be popular.
One internet user, herself the wife of a truck driver, suggested numerous practical and nutritious meals for the road, such as pasta salads with ham.
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