Finding balance in a life on the road

Work/life balance is a struggle for all professions, but an extra challenge is added when your work takes you on the road, away from your home. Angela Neumeier is a truck driver and loves her job. But she finds the right balance between work and her home life takes careful planning.

Listen to Neumeier speak with Checkup guest host Susan McReynolds:

Cross Country Checkup5:52Angela Neumeier

Is work life balance a myth?

Angela Neumeier: I'm 52 years old and 10 years ago I decided to get into this industry, having done various other occupations. I love to travel, but along the way I've learned that it is a very delicate balance between my time on the road and dealing with the demands of home. For my work I have to juggle appointments, deliver pick ups, and ensure that I am well rested enough to perform my duties. And at home, as my children have grown older doesn't mean they're any easier to look after, and on top of that I have an aging father to look after. It really does stretch one thin.

Susan McReynolds: So why did you get into the industry? One of our earlier guests, Nora Spinks, was saying that truck driving is actually one of the industries that is becoming increasingly tricky to get people into? Why did you want to get in?

AN: I have a love of travel. I like to go places and see things. I've also been a joy driving. I started at 18 as a taxi driver that was my first full time job and I did that for a few years until I had children. So I've always enjoyed being behind the wheel but I didn't really realize how to get into truck driving until a friend showed me how.

SM: What is one of the toughest bits for you?

AN: Well actually I still get excited about my job. I still jump up and down in my seat going, "Oh my goodness, I'm driving a truck!" I think I have found the occupation that I love. But I also own my own truck, having taken that leap four years ago. So then when I go home, we're juggling accounting, getting the bookkeeping done, managing expenses, managing my house, and making sure that things are looked after and repairs. It is quite a balance.

I can dictate when I want to go home, so I'm a little better off than a company driver who more or less has to follow the company's procedures. But then when I go home, I really have to parcel out my time to use it effectively. I would say a key thing in this job is time management. So I'll give myself one day to go to Kingston and I see my father and my son. I'll take another day when I can work on the house and cut the grass, and I'm going to work on my latest project. I'll dedicate another day to getting my truck ready to go back on the road and restocking itmaking sure that everything is there for what it needs.

I always have a plan. But I learned early that on the first day home, have no plan. Because you come home so tired from being on the road and worn out. You've got to shake the road dust off put your feet up and relax.

One of the things that I have learned to do while working is to get myself that bit of a break from the miles that I do on the road. The government mandates after I work 70 hours a week, I must take a day off for 36 hours. What I try to do when I'm on the road is plan to be in a place that I can go do something interesting and get away from the truck. So when I was in Ottawa and I had to take 36 off, I went to the aviation museum saw the Star Trek exhibit there.

Angela Neumeier's and Susan McReynolds' comments have been edited and condensed. This online segment was prepared by Ayesha Barmania.