What does it mean to be one of our #TruckerHeroes?

Tina transports chemicals and petrochemicals day in and day out, playing a vital role in protecting the supply chain through the crisis. We often forget how vital the products she is moving are important in our day to day lives!
She lives in Germany with one of her two grown sons, but the door to ‘Hotel Mama’ is firmly shut – no pampering or laundry services provided!
Much has changed for Tina during the pandemic. She’s in touch with dispatchers who now work from home. Sometimes she feels anything but a hero because of poor facilities on the road. Wash your hands? It’s vital these days, but where? In her spare time, Tina loves to go dancing and she competes in trucker championships. She dreams of riding her Harley-Davidson across the USA. For now she is putting her dreams on hold and doing what she has to, to ensure she does her part. For a holiday, she heads to the mountains of southern Germany. Tina listens to German Schlager music, Kenny Rogers and Kiss and she watches CSI: Miami, action movies and nature programmes. Her favourite food is a hearty meal!

During the pandemic, Andrzej has experienced prejudice from people who blame truck drivers for spreading the virus. He thinks they don’t realise truckers are relatively isolated – they are alone in their cabs most of the time and, when loading and unloading, they must comply with very strict rules. He’s had border challenges during the crisis, but relatively few problems crossing between Poland, Slovakia and Hungary. Countries have taken different approaches to roadside facilities – many were closed across France but he’s glad that German facilities remained open. All of this made it hard to react but with the help of his network and community they were able to juggle all the variables. Currently working exclusively with the forwarding company ABC Czepczyński, Andrzej has been driving for his own company for 22 years and knows it is important to stay fit and healthy. On the road he likes to make his own meals – a typical lunch includes his favourite Mexican soup along with a beetroot and sunflower seed salad. In his free time, he loves to go for a long walk or bicycle ride and he enjoys discovering new places.

Travelling is a way of life for Andzelika and Damian, trucker heroes who drive for Ritex Logistics. Throughout the crisis they have helped keep supply chains moving between Spain and Germany. Preparing for the extra challenges of driving through lockdown, the couple thought ahead and stocked up on their food supplies as well as a portable shower. They say they’ve become more patient during long waits at border crossings. Andzelika is happiest when they go to Italy as she loves this cuisine. Meanwhile Damian always looks forward to being in Poland for his favourite rosół soup. Their maxim is “Work with passion” and they dream of opening a mini zoo one day, giving visitors a chance to relax and spend time with exotic animals.

Mikhail never gets tired of the road. He loves to travel and explore new cities and countries with his truck. Since two years he is driving for TRASKO. Mikhail is married and lives with his family in Tver, located about 170 kilometers northwest of Moscow at the estuary of the river Tverza into the Volga. Tver is one of the oldest Russian cities. During the pandemic, he was driving to Baltic countries, Scandinavia and other EU countries and fortunately he didn’t have to deal with long waiting times at border crossings. He shares the responsible approach of European colleagues to safety issues: temperature measurement, the use of medical masks and sanitary facilities during the way. He likes to spend his free time for outdoor activities. Favourite food: kebabs & vitamin salads.

Alexander is working for TK VESTA LLC since November 2017 as a forwarding driver. During his work, he proved himself to be a reliable, responsible employee. He became driver of international transportation since 1993. Prefers routs to the east of Russia as Alexander loves the nature and beauty of the east but copes with any route and every weather, as he is an experienced driver. He loves his job, and considers the truck his second home! During the quarantine period, Alexander worked, observing all safety precautions: using a mask, gloves, antiseptic treatment of the hands and inside of the car. Conducted briefings with the drivers of his team on compliance with the mask regime and social distancing. In his personal life, Alexander is an exemplary family man, the father of a beautiful daughter and the grandfather of three grandchildren. He devotes his free time to his family.

Alexander Dumitrashko — master of the helm, expert navigator, and quarantine superstar — has a diverse background: he graduated from the Mechanical Engineering Lyceum in 2005 with honors, were he studied auto mechanics. He also has police background, being an inspector of the traffic police. He has been driving for Retail Transport Agency since December 2018. During the pandemic lockdown, Alexander continued to cover several hundred kilometers every day, never slowing down. He knew his cargo of pharmaceutical products was absolutely vital to the people in Moscow and the surrounding areas. He would not let anything take him off the course. Alexander is married with an 11 year old son and a new baby on the way. He loves playing chess and table tennis. His favorite foods are those from European and Moldavian cuisine.

Watch interview with our #TruckerHero from Raben.