Affixed to a center console panel, just above the CB radio in the cab of Toni Chandler's 18-wheeler, is a magnet bearing the slogan, "Truck Sweet Truck."
Purchased at a truck stop somewhere near the start of the more than 2 million miles Chandler has driven for Cal-Ark, the magnet is the one item that Chandler feels certain has made it from truck to truck over the years. In all, she's driven six or seven different rigs, and the magnet, like her husband, has been a constant on the road.
For Chandler, it is far more than just a cutesy memento or decorative accessory with a hint of sentimental value. It is the perfect way to sum up just how much the truck means to Chandler and her husband, Les Paugh Jr.
"It's the one thing that keeps going with us," Chandler said. "This truck really is home."
Chandler, who has spent almost 18 years on the road with Paugh, isn't exaggerating. Her truck, currently a 2010 International Lonestar, is where the couple works and lives. (He's the navigator.)
Aside from a storage unit in Little Rock and a post office box in Benton, they aren't tied to any particular address, choosing instead to live in the truck as they've traveled through all 48 of the contiguous states and four of the 10 Canadian provinces.
Each day that the 53-year-old Chandler has driven, every one of the more than 120,000 miles she has covered annually, Paugh has been there, helping make it home sweet home. Or, in their case, truck sweet truck.
It is an unusual arrangement, but one that has worked well for them.
"We enjoy traveling, and we enjoy spending time together," said Paugh, who is 61. "Every once in a while we take a break and get out of the truck. Other than that, we're together in the truck."
Firm statistics on similar situations within the trucking industry are hard to come by. According to the American Trucking Associations, less than 5.5 percent of drivers are women. A handful travel as part of driving teams with their husbands, and even fewer hit the road with nondriver spouses in the cabs full time.
"It takes two special people to do that," said Stephanie Klang, a professional driver and ambassador for the American Trucking Associations. She once split time in the cab with a now ex-husband. "I spent some time as part of a husband-wife driving team, and I can tell you it isn't an easy arrangement.
"People that have run together for 18 years? Right off the bat I can tell you they care about each other."
LIKE AN RV
Aside from the size of the 64 or so square feet that they call home, Chandler and Paugh insist that life in the truck isn't much different from what it would be if they kept an apartment or house. Chandler jokes that it's like "living in an RV, just without all the amenities."
Generally, the couple packs two weeks' worth of clothes for trips, in case they are too busy or in too remote a location to do laundry. They often fill their time watching movies or reading. Both travel with their own e-reader, each one with more than 2,000 books.
After once going six months without hooking up their satellite dish on the truck, they decided that television was an unneeded expense. Thanks to shared tastes in music -- aside from Paugh's love of classic country -- they rotate between three mp3 players loaded with songs they can enjoy together.
At least once a week they schedule a dinner out somewhere nice. Ranging from the Italian restaurant they enjoy on the edge of Old Town Chinatown in Portland, Ore., to a Mexican food place in Laredo, Texas, and a German food establishment in Virginia, the couple has plenty of favorite places to eat.
"There are just places that stick in your mind," Paugh said. "We've got some favorites."
On special occasions -- Chandler's birthday is the day before the couple's anniversary in September -- they'll spring for a hotel room. Presents are a rarity, but Paugh and Chandler each have their own compartment in the truck that's off limits to the other in case one spouse has a surprise for the other.
For the times they're off the road and traveling to see relatives around holidays, they keep a minivan parked at Cal-Ark's offices just off Interstate 30. Without the financial burden of keeping up a home, no children and few recurring expenses, the couple is able to save for retirement and fund the travel they enjoy on their time off, generally spent riding motorcycles pulled out of the storage unit.
HELPING HAND
When the Arkansas Trucking Association named a female as Driver of the Year for the first time in 2008, it was Chandler who earned the award. She proudly displays a sticker recognizing the achievement on either side of her cab.
An even greater achievement for Chandler -- also displayed in sticker form on the truck -- is her distinction of being 100 percent on time with deliveries from 1995-2013. It's an impressive 18-year streak for Chandler and one accomplished, she's quick to point out, with significant contributions from her husband.
While Chandler is responsible for driving all of those on-time miles, it's Paugh who has served as navigator and trip planner for each delivery. Paugh keeps track of miles driven and hours worked for the week on a dry-erase board. Each call from dispatch is routed through Paugh, who then talks through the possibilities with Chandler as she makes the decision on whether to accept a job.
It's little wonder that Cal-Ark employees, including the company's owner, treat Paugh like he's on the payroll. Paugh is outfitted with Cal-Ark gear and is as welcome as Chandler is around the company's Mabelvale headquarters.
Director of Safety Malea Hare said Chandler is one of the company's top drivers. She has a near-spotless safety record, an achievement that can be attributed, in part, to Paugh's presence in the truck.
"His trip planning is always spot-on, and they operate well together," Hare said. "Les helps make sure things are done in an efficient and compliant way. He's an asset to this company. He's making us more successful."
In addition to serving as navigator and trip planner, Paugh aids his wife when backing up. He fuels the truck. Paugh is responsible for climbing onto the hood of the truck to wash the windshield when needed because, as Chandler explains, "If I fall off, there's no job. If he falls off, I can still take him with me."
Those contributions, Chandler said, are among the keys to making their arrangement works. For anybody traveling with a spouse for an extended period, it isn't enough to simply take up space in the cab.
"I know a lot of women that just come out here and ride with their husbands to see the countryside. They don't do anything for their husbands," Chandler said. "If you're not going to do anything, don't be here. You need to work together, even if the other person doesn't drive.
"You really have to love each other," she added. "It's a very confined space. You can't just drop them off and leave them someplace. You really need to know you want to do this. Give it a four- or five-month trial period before you commit."
Paugh echoes his wife's advice. If you're going to ride along with a spouse and if you and your spouse are going to make the truck your home, both parties have to contribute. That, he said, would be his top piece of advice for anybody considering a similar arrangement.
"The rider can't just be somebody that looks out the window all day," Paugh said. "I'm here for her. If I can maker her job a little bit easier, I do it. It's been a great way to spend time together. Once she comes off the road, I figure we'll spend even more time together."
Sunday Business on 05/11/2014