2009
Jim SlaaenDSR, XML
DSR Jim Slaaen’s history with Con-way Freight stretches back more than 25 years — Jim was one of the original employees hired when Con-way Freight was founded back in 1983. However, Jim’s career as a professional driver stretches back even further, to 1974. You could say Jim is in it for the long-haul!
Like many of his fellow drivers, Jim got into trucking because his father also worked as a professional driver. “My dad showed me the ropes,” said Jim. “I just grew up around trucking. My dad was in the business for more than 30 years. I did try other jobs before I got into trucking, but they just weren’t for me. I knew I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life working in a factory, and everything about trucking seemed like it would be right for me. So, I tried it out, and 30-plus years later, here I am.”
Jim says the biggest challenges to maintaining his safe driving record are weather conditions and the increased number of vehicles on the road. Well, that and motorist inattention. “There are so many more cars on the road these days, and so many of the people are doing everything but focus on driving, like talking on their cell phones, drinking coffee or using GPS devices.”
Jim credits driving defensively with keeping him accident-free.
“As a professional driver, I know what my equipment is capable of, and how to adjust to the weather conditions. You just always need to be aware, and pay attention to what the other drivers are doing.”
When asked how he has been able to reach two million miles of safe driving, Jim replied, “I am just trying to do my job, and to do it safely.”
