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Articles written by Tom Elstrom


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  • Let's be real

    Tom Elstrom, The Times|Mar 16, 2023

    In my pre-trucking days, it’s unlikely I would have crossed paths with Benny. Heading north with produce from California’s Salinas Valley, my comm screen displayed a directive to convey a fellow driver to our carrier’s main terminal in the Northwest. Of Asian descent, Benny was a formidable figure. What he lacked in stature, he more than made up for in self-confidence and presence. His tattoos and seasoned leather jacket were not borne out of affectation. Having recently read Hell’s Angels,...

  • Taking the plunge

    Tom Elstrom, The Times|Feb 9, 2023

    Twenty-some years ago, I felt the need to make like Moses and herd sheep. For me, trucking was the modern-day equivalent. Asphalt became the antidote for job burnout and the death of my wife. Unlike some who grew up with trucking, I started from scratch enrolling in the commercial driving program at Walla Walla Community College. Most of the other aspiring drivers were in my kids' age cohort. But we experienced camaraderie and learned against a backdrop of hilarity that rivaled late-night...

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