‘I was honored’

Fifty years of doing anything is quite a feat. But 50 years of safely operating 80,000 pounds is something else.

OOIDA member Walter McCahill of Burlington, Wis., recently was honored by the American Truck Historical Society with its Golden Achievement Award.

The American Truck Historical Society website says the award recognizes remarkable dedication by those who have devoted 50 years or more to the trucking industry.

Those five decades also earned McCahill a Safe Driving Award from OOIDA, which bestows the honor for a member’s crash-free operation of a commercial motor vehicle.

“I look back and say, ‘Wow, it’s been that long,’” McCahill said. “I’ve been that lucky to never have crashed. I was honored to receive the awards.”

McCahill was nominated by his wife, Donna. But it was through a story in Land Line Magazine that he actually learned of the honor.

“I was looking through the August/September 2021 issue of Land Line when I saw a story on George Fiebe from Long Island (N.Y.) winning the Golden Achievement Award,” McCahill said. “I’d known him for some time … and we caught up over the phone.”

A life of trucking

McCahill’s trucking career began in 1971. Five years later, he founded McCahill Trucking and also drove for Bird Trucking, Supa Machinery Sales, Chemical Waste Management and General Beverage before retiring in 2022.

He hauled reefer, flatbed, dry van and even tanker.

“I always enjoyed my job and the challenges, especially with hauling hazardous waste,” McCahill said. “In the early days, it was a little more enjoyable because there were less regulations. The only thing was the equipment didn’t ride as well back then as it does now.”

Focus and awareness were critical to McCahill’s impressive safety record.

“I know there’s been a lot of change with equipment, rules and regulations that are making it hard on the newer drivers,” he said. “You have to understand that you’re out there with 80,000 pounds. You have to pay total attention and constantly see what’s in front of you and also what’s behind you. There’s a lot of pressure to deliver these loads. Maybe it’s something hazardous. You have to do the job to the best of your ability.”

McCahill is enjoying retirement these days, but when you do something for 50 years, it becomes part of who you are.

“Every once in a while, I’ll get the itch to hop in a big truck and head to Texas,” he said.

Do what you got to do, Wally. After 50 years, you definitely earned it. LL