“My career has been so much more than just driving a truck.”

Thomas Miller, Professional Truck Driver and Independent Contractor

Independent contractor Thomas Miller is an over the road truck driver from Bunker Hill, Illinois. He hauls refrigerated goods for Prime, Inc.

Thomas’ day to day changes based on his deliveries and routes, but he usually spends three to four weeks at a time on the road making deliveries to states throughout the Midwest.

Thomas has been around the industry since a young age. Thomas’ father drove for 30 years and used to take him for rides when he was a kid. “I would ride along with my dad every summer. That’s how we spent our time together,” Thomas told TMAF. He also has several family members in the industry. Thomas’ father-in-law also drove for 32 years, as well as several of his uncles. He currently has two brothers-in-law and a nephew who drive. His brother also used to be a driver.

Speaking about how growing up in a trucking family influenced him to pursue a career in the industry, Thomas said, “I had a big draw to trucking. I’d been around it and seen it. It was a natural progression for me to go into trucking.”

He began his career delivering milk products locally for an Oklahoma-based company and then transitioned into over the road driving because of the economic opportunities that it provided him and his family. Thomas has been an independent contractor for Prime, Inc. for 22 years now.

As an independent contractor, Thomas enjoys the independence of his job. He said, “I like the freedom. I get to pick my own truck stops and load. I also decide when I want to home and can pick my days off. I’ve been able to be there for all the important milestones while my kids were growing up.”

“Trucking is a great industry to be a part of. I was never satisfied with my job before trucking. When I started driving a truck, there was a great sense of pride and community. Now my satisfaction is over the top,” Thomas shared. “I got involved in the truck driving championships, ATA Road Team and Ambassador program. My career has been so much more than just driving a truck. I’ve been very proud of what I’ve done and my accomplishments. And I love to help drivers get more involved in the trucking community.”

Thomas has been a trainer for new truck drivers for the past 22 years. One of the highlights of the job, Thomas said, is when the driver gets their own truck. “To see the driver’s eyes brighten up when they get their truck, and to see their pride and watch their accomplishments as they growth in their career, it makes it all worth it knowing I helped get them there.”

When on the road, safety is critical to Thomas. “Safety is number one to make sure I don’t get hurt and make it back to my family, and to make sure everyone else makes it back home to their families too.” Thomas remains patient while he is on the road and making deliveries. “Sometimes you may have delivery hold ups, hit traffic and face weather challenges. Just remain patient and remain safe.”

As a self-described “Midwest boy,” some of Thomas’ favorite routes to travel are the two-lane state highways in the middle in the field with an occasional farm during the summer months. After a few deliveries to larger areas, Thomas joked that he tells his company, “It’s time to get me back to a cornfield.”

While he’s on the road, Thomas likes to play classic 80s rock music and his favorite road trip snack is trail mix.