If you’ve been in trucking long enough, you learn early on not to expect much when the holidays come around.
Christmas, New Year’s, Thanksgiving — for most drivers, those dates usually mean the same thing: more miles, tighter schedules, and another holiday spent somewhere far from home. You get used to it, or at least you tell yourself that you do. You learn to celebrate through video calls, truck stop dinners, and quick “I’ll make it up next year” promises to your family.
That’s how it usually goes.
This year, though, my story was different — and it’s one I feel proud to share.
All I Asked for Was to Be Home
Going into December, I had one simple wish. I didn’t ask for special treatment, bonuses, or lighter work overall. I just wanted to be home for Christmas. I wanted to sit at my own table, wake up without an alarm, and spend real time with the people I work so hard for every single day.
I let my dispatch know early. I explained what mattered to me and why. And instead of getting excuses or vague answers, I got understanding.
Extra Mile didn’t wait until the last minute. They didn’t promise something they couldn’t deliver. They planned ahead.
Routes were adjusted. Loads were scheduled smarter. Everything was set up so I could finish my run on time and head home without stress. No last-second surprises. No pressure. No guilt.
For a driver, that kind of planning changes everything.
Feeling Like a Person — Not Just a Truck Number
One thing drivers don’t talk about enough is how rare it is to feel truly respected in this industry. Too often, you’re just a unit on a board. If you’re rolling, you’re good. If you stop, you’re a problem.
That wasn’t my experience here.
At Extra Mile, I felt like a human being with a life outside the cab. Dispatch checked in, not to rush me, but to make sure everything was going smoothly. Management didn’t just approve my request — they supported it.
That support takes stress off your shoulders. When you know your company has your back, you drive differently. You’re calmer, more focused, and more motivated.
A Christmas I’ll Remember
When Christmas finally came, I was exactly where I wanted to be — home.
I woke up in my own bed. I had coffee in my kitchen. I watched my kids open their presents instead of watching snow fall through a windshield. I sat next to my wife, not alone in a cab.
For once, trucking wasn’t competing with my family — it was supporting it.
And the best part? I wasn’t worried about what would happen when the holidays ended. I knew I’d get back on the road with a plan already in place, ready to work, refreshed and grateful.
That balance matters more than people realize.
Why That Says Everything About Extra Mile
Any company can say they care about drivers. It’s easy to put “family atmosphere” on a website. What matters is what happens when it actually counts.
Extra Mile proved it to me during the most important time of the year.
They understand that drivers aren’t just moving freight — we’re supporting families, mortgages, kids, and real lives. When a company respects that, loyalty comes naturally.
I didn’t feel like I had to choose between my career and my family. I didn’t feel like I owed anyone an apology for wanting to be home.
I felt valued.
Would I Recommend Extra Mile? Absolutely.
If you’re a driver reading this and wondering whether there’s a company out there that still treats drivers the right way, I can tell you from experience — yes, there is.
Extra Mile International isn’t perfect, but they’re honest, organized, and human. They listen. They plan. And they stand by their drivers when it matters most.
If you’re tired of empty promises…
If you’re tired of missing every important moment…
If you want a company that understands that time at home is just as important as time on the road…
Then I’d say this:
Come drive with Extra Mile.
Because when a company goes the extra mile for you,
you’ll be proud to go the extra mile for them.
By Jason Parker – Company Driver
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255 E 167th St Suite 1 Harvey, IL 60426, USA [email protected] +1-512-956-8991
I’m Martin, IT & Marketing Manager at Extra Mile International Inc. in Chicago.
With over three years of experience in the U.S. trucking industry, I focus on improving IT systems, streamlining operations, and building a stronger brand presence through smart marketing and technology.
