Nomadland - Truck Driver Lifestyle

Whether we like it or not, trucks are a pillar of the Italian and European economy. Their attitude and passion lead them to lead a very particular lifestyle made up of sacrifices and loneliness

Whether we like it or not, lorries are a mainstay of Italian and European economy.
In Italy they transport 91 percent of goods, 97% in Spain and 70% in Germany. Across Europe, road haulage is still preferred to air, sea or rail transport due to the greater flexibility it offers and, in some cases, the lower costs.

However, despite the good prospects that the sector offers, young people are no longer attracted to the profession. In Italy, for example, almost half of drivers are over 50 years old, while those under 40 represent just 18% of the total, even if the number of women is increasing.
The causes are probably the increasingly intense and tiring pace of work, a profession that involves spending time away from home, sometimes for whole weeks.

In the latest decree dated November 9, 2021 (Infrastructure Decree), the Italian government offers a contribution of 1000 euros for those who obtain a license and the qualification for professional driving (CQC) to entice young people to do this job.

One of the aspects most related to the job of a truck driver is loneliness. For drivers, their truck cabins can become a home away from home, where they eat their meals quickly and sleep under the dim lights. Days can be nearly identical, as drivers rack up a mouth-watering number of miles. Like the 5462 km covered in eight days by the protagonist of this story Giovanni Fusco.