CARLYLE — Guy Russell had his first taste of trucking when he was seven years old. He went with his Uncle Dale Taylor for a trip to Ontario in his uncle’s semi-truck. He became hooked on the big machines.
Born and raised in the Stoughton area, Russell initially attended Stoughton Central School, but he graduated from Weyburn High School. Russell then attended trade school in Moose Jaw to become an auto body guy, but became a welder as this came naturally to him.
Back when he was 16, Russell got his chauffeur’s licence. This licence allowed him to drive anything. He took his dad’s one-ton truck to Estevan to do his road test. The following year, when he was 17, the rules changed, and it became a Class 1 and up licence. He was grandfathered in as he already had his from the previous year.
The year Russell got his licence, he went with his Uncle Dale once again on a rode trip and this is where he learned how to drive a semi. His uncle recently passed away at the age of 75.
While Russell was in trade school, he also worked moving rigs. This paid his way through school. He spent a lot of time in Whitecourt, Alta. moving rigs and this became a part of his life.
Russell has always been a lone driver. He struggled sleeping with another driver and the truck moving along on the highway, so he opted to do the job alone. He has hauled through eight provinces, three territories and 49 states.
He has hauled rigs, cattle and grain over the years and has had some interesting experiences, especially when hauling a load of hanging meat to Chicago. “You do not stop at the red lights, because you will get hijacked,” said Russell. “I would go outside of the city and wait for an armed escort to bring the truck to the packers.”
When Russell’s daughter Katerina Russell was around 7 years old, she had the opportunity to go with her dad in the semi, as Russell was hauling to Florida. He was able to take Katerina to Disney World. He was also able to take his other daughter, Amber Russell, to Disneyland in California when he had a job to haul there. His son Brian also made several trips with his dad in the big rig.
Although Russell was his own boss for many years, today he drives for a company. He finds this much easier and does not have to worry about finding work. He enjoys working for small companies as they are more personal, and he feels finding the right company to work for is important.
“Family life can be a struggle when you are a truck driver,” said Russell. “At times, it is just not possible to make it home.” There was a time when Russell hauled cattle, and he was gone for six weeks at a time. Depending on where he hauls to, he can be home most of the time, which makes family life much better. “It is important to be at home.”
Today’s driving is much different from when Russell started, but it is his way of life, and each day brings a new load that needs to be hauled somewhere, as truckers never stop.
