In February Daniel Skidmore was driving
his truck in Illinois in when he got the call his wife, Kerry, was in early
labor. Her water had broken and she was headed to the hospital. He quickly got
on the phone with his fleet manager at Prime headquarters and was told he could
bring his load into Springfield, Missouri and catch a flight out of the airport
there. Jackson Daniel Skidmore was five weeks early, but he still waited just
long enough for his daddy to arrive.
Daniel recalls, “I made it to the hospital less than two hours before my first
born was delivered via emergency C-section. Prime is and will always be a
family-first company, and I’m so grateful to be a part of it. Who knows, in 21
years I might be training him how to drive with us."
Daniel
has been driving for Prime since December 2015. He began his career with
another company, but says he quickly changed to Prime when learned of the great
benefits there. In 2016 he became a CDL instructor, something he has enjoyed
doing for the past three years. He sees driver training as both an art form and
skill set. “You can teach someone the skills necessary to pass the Missouri
Department of Transportation test, but knowing how to drive under different
conditions and a variety of settings—that’s an art form that can only be
learned in real life situations.” This is what Daniel hopes to teach the new
drivers he trains.
A
native of central West Virginia, Daniel initially sought employment in
manufacturing or warehousing when he moved Florida in 2015. The jobs available
did not pay well. At some point, he started thinking about driving and
consulted Kerry about the opportunity and possibility. He found both her and
his parents to be both encouraging and supportive. “She wanted to be a
stay-at-home mom and my driving allows it.”
Even
though he’s on the road and Kerry is at home with Jackson, Daniel sees his
wife’s ongoing support as vital to his success and happiness as a driver. “Kerry,”
he insists, “is my emotional rock” and explains how he found talking with her
reassuring while recently driving in wintry conditions.
“Today,”
Daniel says, “I can’t imagine doing anything else. The view outside my ‘office’
window changes every mile. I like the challenge of driving—the multiple
calculations I need to make with fuel, hours of service, and parking to be
successful. It makes me think!”
Daniel
typically drives four to six weeks before returning home for a break. In order
to stay happy and healthy on the road he recommends the following:
1. While on the road, find time for “you,” that
is your own space even when you have another driver with you. It’s important to
preserve at least some personal space.
2. Plan “daddy days” when you’re home. For
Daniel this means taking full responsibility caring for his son. “It gives my
wife a break and allows me to bond with my son,” He explains. He acknowledges that
Kerry’s help in making a detailed list and schedule goes a long way to helping
him be successful in this regard.
3. Help out your wife when you’re home. She
carries the burden most of the time when you’re gone.
4. Arrange with your fleet manager to be home
for special occasions, e.g., Christmas and birthdays.
Although
he can’t be home as often as he likes, Daniel still thinks a great deal about
what he wants for his son. He has strong ideas about how he plans to train and
influence Jackson. “He needs to know how to properly treat a woman. I want him
to treat his partner with love and respect. I want him to know that home is a
safe place, even when he’s made mistakes. Kerry and I will try to be firm and
fair no matter what has happened.”
With
an attitude, aspirations and support like this, it’s easy to see how and why
Daniel is a Prime Good Dad.
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