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20 QUESTIONS WITH JAN & JIM McCARTER - THE KEYSTRUCKERS
September 2010
Thekeystruckers.com - blog FULL of information for truckers!
Jan & Jim's Bio
Jim & Jan McCarter otherwise known as TheKeysTruckers have put together one of the most comprehensive informative blog sites on the internet for truckers. What ever your interest, they probably have it on their website. From Safety tips to music downloads, there are many things they do to try to improve the quality of life on the road!! Jim and Jan are quite talented musically and have recorded many songs. Their Music Downloads can be found on the website and the best part is by purchasing one of their downloads you will also be making a donation to The St. Christopher Truckers Fund and helping to provide medical assistance to truckers who have little or no health insurance! For more information about the St. Christopher Truckers Relief & Delvelopment Fund go to St. Christopher Truckers Relief FundAlso on their website you can find out the history of Bobby Boofay who was Created by Jim McCarter. Bobby Boofay is quite a character! He is overweight, not too bright, broke all the time and a little hard too look at but keeps us entertained! You just never know what kind of stunt he may pull or the trouble he will get himself into! He has recently become an Owner Operator and has been bringing his girlfriend Betty Boofay, (not sure why they have the same last name) on the road with him. Bobby will have you laughing til you cry! You can follow Bobbys mishaps by viewing the video evidence on YouTube HERE.
Jim and Jan can also be found on Facebook as James McCarter and Jan McCarter, also on Twitter as @keystrucker & @keystruckergal and you can also find Bobby Boofay on Facebook as Bobby Boofay and on Twitter as @bobbyboofay.
JIM & JAN: We went to truck driving school together in 2000.
TP: Do you have a favorite brand or model of truck?
JAN & JIM: Freightliner... nothing runs like a wore out ole Freightliner!!
TP: What was your most challenging run so far?
JIM: Running thru Wyoming in the snow.
JAN: Pulling an oversize yacht from California to Florida. The shrink wrap started to tear and shred and I had to keep pulling over to either try to tape it or tear pieces off. Finally in Texas, during a dust storm, I had to pull off and remove all the shrink wrap and re-secure the boat. It took two hours and I was sore for days and very glad that I didn't get a ticket or cause a wreck.
TP: You are both very talented. How did you get involved with music & videos?
JIM: I used to work in community theatre and I guess it just got carried with me on to Youtube.
JAN: I kinda grew up on a stage and music and theatre have been with me all my life. From Vocal lessons to violin lessons. It's nice that we can now use these gifts to help others.
TP: You do some amazing on the road cooking. Any advice for other drivers out there?
JIM: Get someone like Jan to ride in the truck with you!
JAN: Get a crockpot if nothing else. There are so many things you can do. We have two and right now italian sausage and sauce is cooking in one while I have water almost boiling to cook pasta in the other! You can make biscuits, cornbread, soups, stews, lasagne and even those Betty Crocker oven bakes boxed meals that dont require refrigeration!
TP: How did you get involved with the trucking industry?
JIM: After seeing the glorified truck driving career commercials on TV so many times, I thought it would be a great oppotunity for both of us.
JAN: Well, I think Jimmy was just bored being a beach bum and tired of his semi-retirement from our plumbing business. It was something we started together and has been quite an adventure./
TP: What would you like the trucking community to know about The Keystruckers?
JIM & JAN: What we would like people to know is that even though we havent been in this business long, it seems like forever! We have experienced many of the problems and adversities that so many drivers go through. We have found ways to work through the problems and learned many lessons that we are happy to share. We enjoy helping others cope, especially the new ones. Our phone is always on and we will talk to anyone that needs advice. If we don't know the answer, we will find it. Believe it or not, there is still a brotherhood out here and people who really care. We want to set a good example to others and be an asset to the industry. We also want to help change the public's opinion of the steriotypical trucker by spreading possitive messages and a respectable image.
TP: Where did the idea for the "Bobby & Betty Boofay" videos come from?
JAN & JIM: A pair of glasses that Jan found at the dollar store and a video idea. It was a parody about how truck drivers eat at the buffett morning noon and night. Since then, he has come around and progressed to playing out real life stories with a satirical twist and also getting important messages that would be boring in a normal delivery out in a way that get your attention.
TP: What Trucking trade magazines / websites do your read / visit most?
JIM & JAN: Truckersparadise.com, Overdriveonline.com, rmrconsultants.com, landline, roadking, truckers news, runwithjazzy.com, chanel19blog by todd Dills, truckersteve.org, askthetrucker.com, truckerdesiree and realwomentruckers.com, and more!
TP: What can you be found doing when you have downtime?
JIM: Working on video ideas, truck shows, playing with the dog, reading a good book and playing poker on line.
JAN: Catching up on Days of our lives! Writing music and social networking online. Running or walking just about every day too. We also like to go out with friends when we can find a kareoke bar!
TP: What is the biggest goal you would like to accomplish?
JIM: I would like to make a real difference in the trucking industry and put a smile on everyones face, every day.
JAN: I would like to be able to help more drivers by giving them honest information to help them succeed. I would also like to help the St. Christopher Fund become big enough to be able to help each and every driver that is in need without having to wait by spreading the word and encouraging more people and businesses to give.
TP: In your opinion what is the biggest obstacle truck driver's face today?
JIM: Time away from home and family, lonliness.
JAN: Lack of respect from the public and each other. I feel this has a big part in the self esteem of many of today's drivers.
TP: In your opinion what is the biggest obstacle Women truck driver's face?
JIM: Being held to a higher standard than men.
JAN: Most of the women today that are just coming into trucking are not told "the whole story" therefore they are unable to make informed decisions and are thrown into situations they are unprepred for.
TP: What one thing would you change with the industry if you could?
JIM: Hours of service. I would put it back to the way it was.
JAN: Driver training. Too many "newbies" enter the business very unprepared and end up failing at no fault of their own and its just not fair.
TP: What advice would you give new drivers?
JIM: Try to stay with one company and stick it out to get the knowledge and experience you need to make the right decision as to where you want to be with your carreer. There is much more involved than just moving freight from one place to the other.
JAN: The beginning can be tough so learn how to smile, say thank you, please and remember that 50 other drivers are always complaining and getting nasty with their dispatcher or fleet manager. You should be the breath of fresh air and the one with the possitive attitude, no matter what. It really pays off in the long run.
TP: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
JIM: In ten years I hope to be semi-retired, again!
JAN: In ten years I hope to still be traveling the country helping to improve the industry and educating people. Not hauling freight though! I would like to be a mentor or teacher at truck shows and maybe do educational seminars with Jimmy.
TP: Where do you see the trucking industry in 10 years?
JIM: More driver comfort and more driver pay.
JAN: I would like to see some solid driver training programs in place to improve the safety of everyone.
TP: What are some of your favorite memories from your travels?
JIM: Snowqualmie pass, I15 in Utah, Silver Dollar in Montana, doing FIMA loads and making great videos with some really great people we have been honored to meet.
JAN: I love the truck show get togethers, the convoys, and all the wonderful people we have met and most of all, the best memory is Jazzy . She has changed our lives in so many ways and inspired me to be more active in helping others.
TP: Any plans for new music from The Keystruckers in the near future?
JIM: Bobby Boofay will be recording a parody CD early next year.
JAN: My Solo CD should be out after the first of the year and will include, Thank You Jazzy, and say a Prayer for Jason. It will also have a few more originals incliding, My Trucking Granny and a song about a Real road Dog!
TP: What's next for The Keystruckers?
JAN & JIM: We hope to be more involved in the Highway Angels, St. Christopher Fund and more advocacy participation with companies like Safety First that are helping to improve the health & quality of drivers lives. We want to be a possitive asset to the trucking community and offer honest advice to those who seek it.
We want to thank our dear friends Jim and Jan McCarter very much for being a part of the Truckerzparadise 20 Questions interview! Remember to check out their YouTube videos, their blog for informative information on trucking and dont be shy say hi to them on Facebook or Twitter - they want to hear from you!
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