- I spent a workday with Miguel Santiago, a 66-year-old truck driver who has worked for Coca-Cola for 20 years.
- I asked him what his favorite parts of his job were.
- He named two major motivators: being able work for a global brand, and the ability to get home early.
Coca-Cola delivery truck driver Miguel Santiago has a workday that begins at 4 a.m. But, when I spent a day with him on his delivery route in October, he didn't complain about his early mornings.
Santiago has been a delivery truck driver in New York City for Coca-Cola for 20 years. His job duties include driving Coca-Cola beverages from the Bronx to Penn Station, unloading those goods from his truck with his delivery assistant, ensuring orders are correct, and stocking shelves, amongst other tasks.
When I asked him what he enjoys about being a delivery driver, he shared two highlights about his job. One is that, in his words, Coca-Cola is a "global company." People all over the world drink Coke products, and he feels proud to play a role in delivering them.
The other reason Santiago said he enjoys his job is more personal. He has two children and several grandchildren, all of whom live in the Bronx. By getting to work early, he can get home early to spend time with his younger family members when they get home from school.
He said it's particularly important for him to get home early so he can see his eldest granddaughter, who he sees every day.
He also helps her practice Taekwondo, as she's a local champion.
"She's good at everything," Santiago said. "She's a black belt in Taekwondo. She plays softball in the summertime and now she's playing soccer. Everything she does, she's good at. She also plays the trumpet and the drums and a little bit of the piano."
Because Santiago starts work at 4 a.m., he is usually able to get home by 2 or 3 p.m. It's just in time for his grandchildren to get home from school.
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