Driver Bio: Arthur V.

Art V next to his 755 company truck.

About Arthur:

Arthur “Art” V, is a seasoned driver who fell in love with driving from a young age. From the time he was 19, he has been driving across the country experiencing the natural wonders of The United States. He lives & breathes trucking, and has been a member of Daniel Mullins Trucking for quite some years. Known as the life of the party, Art can make you smile any time. From his appearances in the dunk tank at our annual company event, to training new drivers- Art is one of a kind.

First things first, can you just tell us your name, your age, and where you're from?

Yes, my name is Arthur Varner. I'm. 58 years old and I'm from here in Florida. I was born in Miami.

What originally got you into trucking?

I had some friends when I was about 10, 11-12 years old. Their parents were truck drivers and I'd go there and move them around the yard.

They taught me how to do it, backing them up and I fell in love with it because it's something big, you know, you're sitting way up high. My real father was a truck driver, and when I went over the road with him at a young age, I got hooked on it. I got to see the different states, just different seasons and ever since then, that’s what I wanted to be; A truck driver. And when I was 18 years old, Florida had a chauffeur's license where you can drive commercial vehicle. So, I got my chauffeur's license at 19 years old. I was on the highway driving a truck. And then after that, I was grandfathered in when they went to CDL’s.

I was grandfathered in, but It's just something I enjoyed. I mean, your freedom, you’re over the road times, you get snowed in, eat at a truck, stop, smell the fuel. I was just hooked. From day one and you know, plus the biggest kick is you see kids on the side of the road who want you to blow the horn. Because I was like that, you know, I saw them when I was on the side of the road when I was 5-6 years old. And I just fell in love with the big trucks, and I didn't want to do anything else with my life besides drive a truck.

What made you choose Daniel Mullins Trucking?

After I got off the road. I did some temporary service driving trucks, but I was working for another trucking company. I was running a garbage truck.

And there was a guy there, Jeff. He was our lead driver. He's saying, hey, I'm going to put in an application at Danny Mullins. They're hiring drivers and I was getting… you know the company wasn't living up to their end of the bargain. So, when I got off the phone with Jeff, suddenly it seemed like Mullins trucks were everywhere. Like this is a sign man.

And that night I filled out the application. Next day, Meredith called me and here I am.

It was just funny, you know, just suddenly, everywhere I look I see Mullins trucks. And I'm like, wow, nice trucks. I always wanted to do something like that. I got hired on, and the guy who trained me is no longer here, but he trained me on my job, and I fell in love with it. What I like about it is, you're not just here. You know, different counties, different parts of the state, different country roads. I like the long stuff because that's what I'm used to.

You know, I get more tired doing local around here, but you send me on the long haul and I’m happy.

How would you describe your first experience with Daniel Mullins Trucking?

Well, on my first day I went with my trainer and the trainer I had was good.  I was lucky because he was from Ohio, and he had frameless experience... But you know, he made my job easier, and he made it enjoyable.

And I started thinking like, wow, you know, meeting some good people. And then when I started driving my truck or I drove with him, third day. I think man, this is great, dumping, you know. And I've learned that, you know, carefully. You have got to do it carefully and everything. And so, when I finally got to go out on my own. You know, it's like a little nervous because I've never really been by myself on the dump. Once I started doing it and realize this is a piece of cake, you just have to pay attention. He taught me the most important tool for my job is my brain. Take your time, be careful till you get it. And my first week by myself, I was all over, and I enjoyed it because I got to see different country roads. I got to meet different people and mines, different materials and you know, some of this stuff I'd never even heard of you know, I mean, I knew there was Mason & concrete but not DOT, screenings, etc.

I knew about lime rock, but I didn't know there was 57,89 road base. And so, I mean, I've learned a lot about different materials and then after you know a couple of years, they put me in frameless and he told me just use your head. Take your time. My first time in an A-frame was a little hard, I ain't going to lie about it, but once I got that under my belt I didn’t want a different trailer.

Since I've been here at Danny Mullins, you know, we had our ups and downs with the company. Everybody does, but they've been there for me. They were there when my wife was sick. They always been behind me and they always believed in me and you know, I'm not going to get into a lot of stuff about my past life, but they overlooked it and they give me an opportunity and where a lot of people wouldn't and I took that as well, they took faith in me and I have faith in them and I dedicated myself to be the best I can be. But I'm an old school truck driver. You know, it's hard to learn their safety stuff, their speeds because I want to get stuff done. I was taught by my real dad. Get things done, you know, just do whatever it takes to get your job done. And that's my philosophy through life. I work hard. I stay out late. I don't mind it as long as I get that last load on the ground. I made money. The company made money and I'm proud of myself for doing what I set out to.

There were a couple times I thought about leaving and I changed my mind. I stuck with it and now I'm glad I did. I've got a lot of good friends here [Tampa], Spring Hill, Lake Wales and Bushnell, but it's a pleasure coming up to the fuel pump and there’s a driver and he's waving to come and talk to you and stuff, you know? And I like that. You know, it makes me feel at home here and I don't see myself going anywhere. I told Mr. Mullins yesterday and he asked me how old I was and how long I planned on working here. I said, either until I can't drive no more, or your beard hits the ground, whatever comes first, but you're not going to get rid of me.

I love it here. And I don't, I don't see myself going anywhere else.

Do you have any advice for drivers that are looking to start a career with Daniel Mullins Trucking?

Give it time. Your first week or two, of course you're going to work a little later. Because the simple fact is you don't know the materials. You don't know the customers, where to go, where the shortcuts are, I would say. Once you are on your own, always stay in contact with your trainer. And also, get other phone numbers just in case you don't get ahold of your trainer, you can call somebody up because there's a lot of good guys here who are supportive and happy to help you, and I'm one of them. You know I'm a trainer and my suggestion is just be patient. It’s not gonna happen overnight and there's a lot of materials you've got to pick up and learn until you learn what bins they go in, where this mine is, this landscape place, it's going to take time to learn. I mean, you didn't ride a bike overnight. You didn't get weaned off a baby bottle overnight. It took time. Just be patient. Ask for help. Call people and it does get better. I mean, yeah, I start early because I don't want to be sitting waiting two or three hours to get loaded. I want to get in, get out and try and do as much as I can. But just be patient. It will fall into place as you go as you get more familiar and comfortable with it. But I ain't going to lie, you will work a little bit longer hours but gradually you'll get faster before you know it. You can't control traffic, control the mines, but it has its great moments. It has its bad moments because we're in the trucking business. You know you run into accidents, but don't give up on it until you come to the point where you get it. Just give it a little bit of time.

Thank you so much for your time Arthur.