Holly and John Idington are never more than 10 feet apart from each other.
The married couple drives across the country on an almost weekly basis as a trucking team for Skelton Truck Lines in East Gwillimbury.
While on the road, they live in the truck.
Like any married couple, they encounter speed bumps from time to time, but unlike those who can escape to separate areas of a house, it is harder for the Idingtons to find alone time.
“It’s not like you have a house where you can go in the bathroom or go in the bedroom or into the workshop or wherever and be by yourself. We’re rarely more than 10 feet apart,” John Idington said, adding that they just have a plastic curtain to divide the space.
That’s why Holly Idington said it’s important for them to work through any issues quickly “but you have that in any marriage.”
They met in 1999 while working for another trucking company. They got together in 2006, married two years later in 2008 and have been driving as a duo since 2014.
To make their life on the road even more special, they recently adopted a miniature schnauzer puppy named Rupert who is with them in the truck 24/7.
“It’s been fun. He’s a good little guy,” Holly said.
The Idingtons each have 20 years of driving experience under their belts. The last seven years of that was spent driving as a team.
Living and working together so closely, the pair said it's important to delegate tasks.
They’ve worked out a system where Holly drives during the day and John will drive at night.
“I actually really like going to bed and waking up somewhere different in the mornings. That’s a real thrill for me for whatever reason,” Holly said.
She also handles all the paperwork and administrative duties for the truck, while John takes care of the mechanical side of things.
They said it’s important to divide and conquer these tasks or they would step on each other’s toes.
“If we want to get paid, Holly's got to do her job. If we want to go anywhere, that’s my job,” John said.
They have been working with Sharon-based Skelton for almost three years. They say it’s the best trucking company in the world and it treats its drivers well.
Skelton’s yard, at 2510 Davis Dr. just outside of Newmarket, is unlike any other company yard and lounge they’ve seen, Holly said.
There are more books and movies than you can read and watch, a TV, a fully stocked kitchen for meal prep, and free laundry facilities. The cherry on top is two courtesy cars that can be used to go get groceries or anything else they need when they’re in town, which is about once a week, Holly said.
While the lounge is a highlight, John said the family-run business treats its drivers in a way that's unlike anything he has experienced.
“The family is right there, they’re available, they work in all positions. They’re concerned about the company, they’re concerned about their drivers, they’re concerned about their equipment and it’s something to behold. I’ve never heard of this with another company,” he said.
He said one of the senior members is on the shop floor every morning so you can walk up and talk to him, making them feel connected and supported by the owners.
“Skelton is the exception, not the rule,” John said. “The lines of communication at Skelton are just incredible. They’re unbelievably good with us.”
He said the company was also very supportive of their employees throughout the pandemic.
“They’ve done their best to make sure we have what we need to do our job during the pandemic,” he said.
For many truckers, COVID-19 has had a huge impact on their work.
“A lot of places changed the way they do business,” John said. “It’s had an impact on basically everything we do. Everywhere we go, every customer we deliver to, every place we pick up from.”
Holly said they felt the biggest impacts driving into the United States, at truck stops where more restrictions were put in place, and while delivering as they aren’t allowed to enter many buildings anymore.
However, since the pair typically hauls pharmaceuticals, the amount of work they have hasn’t been affected.
The Idingtons do take breaks from the road, staying in hotels or Airbnbs when off duty. They said they will one day look for a house to settle down once they retire but until then, they’re enjoying life on the road.
