“If I can make just one person happy that day, then I am doing alright”

Teddy Butler, Professional Truck Driver, Arkansas Best Freight

Teddy Butler is a professional truck driver for Arkansas Best Freight (ABF). He has been working as a local driver for ABF for 15 years and hauls “anything and everything,” and drives a variety of trucks from flatbeds to 18-wheelers.

“We haul just about anything from furniture for households to heavy industrial equipment for businesses. Every day is something different and I really love that about my job,” says Teddy.

When Teddy left the United States Army after 27 years of service, he began his job search while ABF was hiring drivers in the Atlanta, Georgia area. It seemed like a great opportunity, so Teddy quickly gave them his application. After staring out as a casual on the dock loading and unloading cargo, the company offered to pay for his CDL so he could be a driver. He started transporting relo-cubes for people moving to a new home.

“This was such a great opportunity for me because I enjoyed going into the neighborhoods and meeting so many different types of new people. It really was the perfect fit for me.”

He added, “If I can make just one person happy that day, then I am doing alright. That one person will tell somebody else about the experience you gave them, and, in a way, everyone sort of pays it forward. Being out there on the road all day can be stressful, but I always have to remember to remain patient and show respect to others on and off the road.”

Teddy also put a strong emphasis on the importance of safety and the precautions he takes before hitting the road. Currently, he has over 1.2 million safety miles. He said that before he begins a ride, he pre-trips (maps out the route), as well as checks to make sure his equipment is available and ready.

“When I’m on the road, I like to do what they taught us in the military: keep your head on swivel. That means I am constantly aware of my surroundings. This works so that I not only protect myself but also protect others around me,” Teddy said.

Teddy is also a mentor to new drivers. He works with ABF’s program called TMAP (Teamsters Military Assistance Program), which helps active-duty military members who are transitioning into a career in the private sector.

“I’ll never forget the time I had to deliver relo-cubes to a woman in the most awful weather. She had been waiting for weeks for this delivery and when I arrived at her residence, I could not access the property because my truck was too big. She became extremely stressed by the situation because she really needed her things. I spoke calmly with her trying to find a solution and eventually, we were able to figure out a way to get her belongings where she needed them to be. After it all was said and done, she apologized for getting angry with me. She told me that she genuinely appreciated me and that I handled this situation with professionalism. She even went so far as to leave a positive comment about me on our company’s webpage. The fact that I was able to help her get to a place of happiness and relief is why I love this job so much. We help people, we supply people and as a driver of 15 years for ABF, I can say we sincerely care about people. Now that’s a feeling we all love to feel.”