For more than twenty years, Frederick Booth has crisscrossed the country behind the wheel of a Wright Transportation truck. He’s driven through all 48 continental states, though never into Canada — and San Francisco remains the one city he’s never hauled into. “The streets there just aren’t made for 18-wheelers,” he laughs.
Booth started with Wright back when the company only had a dozen trucks and worked out of a single-wide trailer. He’s seen it grow into the thriving business it is today, with upgraded equipment, a fleet that stretches across the country, and a company culture rooted in family. “I was the 12th driver,” he recalls. “Now, no matter where I go — Minnesota, Massachusetts — I’ll see another Wright truck on the road. That makes me proud.”
Family has always been at the center of Booth’s story. A father and grandfather, he’s now raising a 5-year-old son after gaining custody when the boy’s mother fell on hard times. Though his son isn’t old enough to ride along just yet, Booth looks forward to the day when he can share the road with him, just like he once did with his daughters.
Through the years, Wright has been there for Booth in more ways than one. The company supported him through the loss of multiple family members, allowing him to shift to regional routes when his mother grew ill so he could care for her. “Most companies wouldn’t do that,” he says. “But Wright never made me choose between family and work. They were always there for me.”
That culture of care extends to safety. Booth explains that when conditions get bad — ice, snow, or dangerous winds — drivers have the authority to shut down. “No questions asked,” he says. “They’ll call the customer and reschedule. Other companies would push you to keep going, but not here.”
Over the decades, Booth has watched the company evolve. The trucks today come with refrigerators, freezers, and power inverters — small comforts that make a big difference on long hauls. The offices have been upgraded too, with standing desks and ergonomic improvements for dispatchers. “They don’t just invest in the drivers,” Booth says. “They invest in every level of the company.”
For him, Wright’s greatest strength is its humility and accessibility. “The owners will sit down and talk with you like anyone else,” he says. “You can joke with them, argue about Alabama versus Auburn football, and they’ll still treat you like family. That’s rare in this business.”
Looking back on his career, Booth doesn’t just see his time with Wright as a job. “It’s not just been a good choice,” he says. “It’s been a blessing.”
Here at Wright Transportation, we are more than a family-owned company. When you work with us, you ARE family–that’s why we have one of the lowest driver turnover rates in the industry.
Are you ready to Drive Wright? We offer competitive benefits and sign-on/referral bonuses. You can apply online and one of our recruiters will contact you within 48 hours!
