Known for his wide smile, broad operational expertise, and dedication to mentoring new drivers, Alaskan Truck driver John Unutoa, or “Johnny U” as he is commonly known, is a Carlile institution.
Johnny has seen the company from many angles in his 20 years at Carlile, Alaska’s freight network. “I worked in the warehouse loading trailers, then started driving because I wanted to learn more and grow at Carlile.”
Today, he works sister company, TOTE Maritime’s, twice-weekly run, shuttling trailers after the Midnight Sun’s Tuesday night arrival in Anchorage. The ship completes its turnaround in eight hours, with containers moving off the roll-on, roll-off decks before reloading for Tacoma. Carlile drivers transport much of that freight to the Anchorage warehouse for final distribution.
“I know I am doing something good when I get things to the warehouse because people need the things in my truck.”
A Stretch AssignmentÂ
When Carlile’s safety director wanted to incorporate a stretching program to prevent injuries, she knew Johnny should lead it.
“I lead all the drivers through a stretch before everyone starts driving for the day,” he explains. “Also, when I sit for a long time taking the trailers back and forth, I take a break and stretch. In my line of work, I need to make sure my body is functioning right.”