As a FedEx driver, Scott Newcome has witnessed crazed drivers passing his truck on the berm and homeowners answering their doors in the nude. "They're not the kind of people you want to see naked," laughs Newcome, an Akron native whose driving skills have earned him a spot in the National Truck Driving Championships Aug. 11-15 in St. Louis. Despite traveling 30,000 miles a year, the 40-year-old Portage Lakes resident hasn't lost his drive. He shares some of his lessons from the road.
It's always amazing to me that people ship animals. I've delivered fish and worms, and once picked up and delivered six boxes of lizards.
Delivering sex toys that aren't exactly wrapped is quite common.
I've definitely seen some strange people. The smells that come out of some houses can hit you like a wall.
This job is very aerobic. You're always moving. You're also doing some strength training by lifting all those boxes.
My wife packs me a lunch, because most days I just don't have time to stop and eat.
My pet peeve is texting and driving. It's all ages and every type of person you can think of. I'd say it's between 40 and 60 percent of all drivers.
I've been driving for 20 years and never had an accident. I'm always watching out for everybody else and looking for things I can potentially avoid. Even my father thinks I'm too cautious.
