St. Louis, Missouri — On March 9, 2026, Terrena celebrated three years as a full‑time driver for NFI, a milestone that began when the pandemic forced her out of her previous employment and into a commercial driver’s license program.
The COVID‑19 shutdown left countless logistics workers on the sidelines, accelerating an already tight driver shortage. For many, the crisis became a catalyst to pursue a career behind the wheel. Terrena’s decision echoed a broader trend: displaced workers turning to trucking because the industry promised steady pay, home‑time, and a clear path to advancement.
Terrena’s road to NFI was paved with family influence and hands‑on mentorship. Her older brother, a veteran hauler with more than 30 years of experience, taught her how to change a tire and handle a rig before she ever set foot in a truck. After earning her CDL, she entered NFI’s training program where a seasoned driver with three decades behind the wheel reshaped her habits, emphasizing map‑based trip planning over reliance on GPS alone. “In places like New York, your GPS might lead you somewhere trucks cannot go,” she says, noting that traditional route planning can spare drivers costly detours and compliance headaches.
What This Means for Drivers
Terrena’s story underscores the value of mentorship for CDL‑A drivers entering the OTR arena. New hires who receive guidance from veterans learn to spot unsafe shortcuts, manage flatbed straps, and navigate urban restrictions that many GPS systems overlook. For owner‑operators, adopting a hybrid approach—combining digital navigation with paper maps—can reduce fuel waste and avoid violations that trigger FMCSA penalties. Women drivers, still a minority on most fleets, find that supportive crews like NFI’s can accelerate skill acquisition and boost retention, turning a solitary job into a community.
Industry Reaction
Carriers across the United States are watching Terrena’s experience as evidence that focused training pays dividends. Industry groups such as the American Trucking Associations have called for expanded apprenticeship programs that pair newcomers with seasoned mentors, arguing that the model improves safety records and shortens the time to profitability for owner‑operators. Meanwhile, trucking companies hiring now are emphasizing “truck driver jobs” that include structured onboarding, recognizing that a well‑trained driver is a competitive advantage in a market where demand outpaces supply.
Key Points
- Terrena lost her pre‑pandemic job in 2020 and earned her CDL within months.
- She joined NFI in early 2023 and marked three years with the carrier in March 2026.
- Mentorship from a 30‑year veteran driver shifted her focus to map‑based trip planning over GPS alone.
- Family exposure to trucking began with her brother’s 30‑plus years behind the wheel, fostering a lifelong passion for the road.
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