Bennett Family of Companies
Customers | Freight Agent Careers | Carriers | Drive for Bennett
MENUMENU
  • Transportation Services
    • Overview
    • General Freight Trucking
    • Heavy Haul Trucking
    • Super Heavy Haul Trucking
    • Secure Hazmat Trucking
    • Modular Building Transportation
    • Tow-Away & RV Delivery
    • DriveAway Services
    • Power Only
    • Crane and Rigging
  • Supply Chain Solutions
    • Logistics
      • Government Logistics Services
      • Managed Transportation
      • Project Logistics
      • Over the Road
      • Intermodal / Rail Services
      • International Freight Services
    • Warehousing & Distribution
      • Shared Space Warehousing
      • Rail Support Services
      • Manufacturing Support
      • Oil Field Support
      • Value Added Services
    • International
      • Air Freight
      • Break Bulk Cargo
      • Cold Chain Solutions
      • Customs Brokerage
      • Ocean Freight
  • Markets We Serve
    • Overview
    • Aerospace
    • Agriculture
    • Cross Borders
    • Government/DOD
    • Oil & Gas
    • Wind Energy
  • Drive For Bennett
    • Drive For Bennett

      Learn More Apply Now Learn More Apply Now Learn More Apply Now
      Learn More Apply Now Learn More Apply Now Learn More Apply Now
      Learn More Apply Now
    • Special Programs
      • Women In The Driver's Seat
      • Military Veteran Trucking Jobs
      • Million Mile Club
      • A+ Advantage Program
    • Current Drivers

      Driversig.com Login



  • About Us
    • About Bennett
      • Online Brochure
      • Mission & Vision
      • Core Values
      • Management Team
      • Recent Awards
      • Community Outreach
      • Our History
      • Safety Culture
      • Certifications
      • Careers at Bennett
      • Diversity
      • Technology
    • Bennett Newsroom
      • Blog
      • In the News
      • Press Releases
      • Tradeshows & Events
      • Newsletter
      • Social Media
      • Media Contacts
    • Affiliated Companies
      • Bennett Motor Express, LLC
      • Ace Doran Hauling & Rigging Co., LLC
      • American Eagle div. of Bennett Motor Express
      • Bennett Heavy & Specialized, LLC
      • Bennett International Logistics, LLC
      • Bennett International Transport, LLC
      • Bennett Truck Transport, LLC
      • RoadMasters div. of Bennett Truck Transport
      • Bennett DriveAway
      • Bennett Distribution Services, LLC
      • Bennett On-Site Services, LLC (BOSS)
  • Contact Us
    • How Can We Help You?

      • Thank you for considering the Bennett Family of Companies for your logistics needs. Please complete our quote form so that we may serve you.
      • Driver (DOT) Verification

        We are now processing all Driver (DOT) employment verification requests electronically.
        Learn More

        All Other Employment Verifications

        Please fax your request to 877-252-3496 or email: hr@bennettig.com
    • Home Office

      Bennett Family of Companies
      1001 Industrial Parkway
      McDonough, GA 30253

      Phone: 800.866.5500

    • Find an Agent/Office Near You
      • General & Specialized Freight
      • Government Freight
      • Manufactured & Modular Transport
      • Commercial Vehicle & RV Delivery
      • Logistics & Brokerage
      • Warehousing & Distribution
      • International Freight Forwarding
  • Blog
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Secured Government Teams: Driving Each Other Crazy and Loving It

Popular Topics

  • The Bennett Blog
  • Trucking
  • Flatbed Trucking
  • Heavy Haul Trucking
  • Owner/Operators
  • Transportation
  • International Logistics
  • 3PL
  • International Transport
  • Logistics
  • Women in Trucking

Secured Government Teams: Driving Each Other Crazy and Loving It

At Bennett, we believe it’s our patriotic duty to assure success of the US Military and our government. The government is one of our top customers, and we continue to prove how reliable and trustworthy we are through our expertise and service. In order to do this, we recruit and employ stellar owner operator teams who directly contribute to our success daily.

We wanted to take a look inside these teams and find out how they work. How do they lean on each other for success? Maybe even more importantly, how do they keep from driving each other crazy? Here’s what they had to say…

Stanley and Kathy Meisner

The Meisners have been driving for Bennett Motor Express for the past seven or eight years, but their careers started long before that. In his youth, Stanley worked as a mechanic, but didn’t much enjoy working in what he says can be a thankless job. “Because of a few bad apples, people sometimes think of mechanics as crooks, and customers hardly ever say ‘Thank you.’”

Stanley had always had an interest in driving, but thought he would try it out for a year or two when his kids were grown up and out of the house. Fast forward 25 years, and he’s been driving ever since, with Kathy alongside him for 21 years. In fact, when he first started driving, he had a combo license. The final month before the system transitioned to CDLs is when he got his license. “That’s how long ago it was,” he says.

A little less than a decade ago, Kathy and Stanley were hauling jet engines and other specialized loads, but the small company they were driving for kept phasing those loads out. The company had the opportunity to sell the company to the employees, but didn’t. Soon after, quite a few of the employees moved over to drive with Bennett, where the couple does about 80% military hauling.

We asked Stanley how he and Kathy keep from driving each other crazy. “We don’t. Kathy has been driving with me for 21 years. We’ve been in that same box for that long. That’s a challenging life,” he said.

When asked how they overcome challenges, he says, “Well, it seems like we’ve been doing this forever, yet only a few weeks. It’s just the way we are used to doing things. You just accept it. That’s our exercise program. We might get into an argument, then we hug each other and do better next time.”

Bruce and Lois Carlson

The Carlsons met in 1999, started driving together in 2000, and got married in 2002. They actually met in the terminal, kept in touch while Lois was training and Bruce was driving, and the rest was history. They’ve now been at Bennett for 18 years, nearly two decades, doing mostly military hauling in government services.

When asked why they’ve stayed at Bennett all this time, Lois said, “Rick Gann is one of the reasons we’ve stayed so long. Also, most of it is the family values of the company and the open-door policy. Everyone know everyone at Bennett, and we like that.”

Bruce and Lois have truly embraced the team driving lifestyle, and it works just perfectly for them. Lois works during the day, and Bruce at night, with a few hours overlapping in the afternoon where they talk and spend time together. They have a big sleeper with a bathroom and kitchenette, so they’ll stop and make dinner and take their dogs (Autumn, Brandy and Toby) out for a walk.

We asked Lois if she would change anything about her lifestyle and she said, “I’ll tell you what. That curtain just does not slam like a door does.”

However, the team driving lifestyle certainly has its perks for the couple. Their favorite thing about working together is not only spending a great deal of time together, but also having their dogs on the road, and the freedom living on the road brings. “If we want to do something and we aren’t hauling a load, we go do it,” Lois says.

One of their favorite things to do is make a weekend adventure out of their stops on the road. “We love to explore. We’ll get to a destination and rent a car or hop in a taxi and visit antique or flea markets. We love to collect rocks and gems. Reno is probably one of my favorite areas. The people are a lot friendlier than Vegas, although we do love going and seeing shows. I can tell you almost any place to eat and where the good food is.”

They also love going to visit friends in California, Iowa and Washington state. Their friends are drivers as well, so if they are home, the group will get together for the weekend. The couple enjoys going coast to coast, but Louis prefers to run the very southern route more than anything else.

If you want to learn more about what it’s like to drive for our government secure teams, or if you’d just like more information, visit www.drive4bme.com, or contact one of our recruiters at 800-367-2249!

 

Related Posts:

  • Facing the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic Together With Our Customers
    Facing the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic Together…
    These are challenging times. As if trucking and logistics weren’t…
  • Darla McDowell - 2019 Recipient
    Darla McDowell - 2019 Recipient
    2019 Bennett Woman Driver of Excellence Award Recipient Darla McDowell…
  • Bennett Heavy & Specialized Announces Status as a National Tier 1 Carrier for the United States Department of Energy (DOE)
    Bennett Heavy & Specialized Announces Status as a…
    MCDONOUGH, GEORGIA., (March 9, 2020) – Bennett Heavy & Specialized,…
Government Teams, Owner/Operators, Transportation, Transportation Protective Services

Comments are closed.

About Us

“We Care” is a motto that begins with CEO, Marcia Taylor and drives every employee, owner operator, contractor and agent within Bennett to provide outstanding service and safe practices to our customers. Beginning with our safety culture, our core values revolve around family – something you won’t find with most providers. Learn more about Bennett Family of Companies.

JOIN US

DRIVE FOR BENNETT

Fuel Discounts, Fast Pay, Dedicated Customers.
Come Grow With Us.

CORPORATE CAREERS

Family Culture, Commitment to Your Success.
Find Your Future

JOIN OUR AGENT FAMILY

Multi-modal services, top commission compensation, revenue bonuses.
Grow Your Business

Latest News

  • News
  • Tweets
  • Events
  • Bennett Celebrates 42nd Annual Symposium
  • Bennett Vice President, Lynette Mathis, Recognized by Trucker Tools during Women’s History Month
  • Bennett Family of Companies Enjoys Atlanta Motor Speedway Race Weekend with #21 Austin Hill
  • Bennett Family of Companies to Enhance Relationship with Richard Childress Racing in 2022
  • Bennett Responds to Truck Driver Convoys and Protests
    © 2013-2021 Bennett Family of Companies All Rights Reserved. Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy
    • Rules Tariffs
    • About Us
    • Sitemap