Essential and Indispensable Vocation: Long-Haul Driving in Northern Yakutia Stands Out
Hey there! Let's talk about Igor Lushkin, the badass trucker who's been cruisin' the Arctic for 25 years. This dude's got a heart as big as Yakutia itself, deliverin' food, fuel, and other cargo to the freezin' cold regions of this massive place.
Now, let's get to know the man behind the wheel. Originally from Bakhchisaray, Crimea, Igor served in Donetsk before followin' in his dad's footsteps and headin' north. He tells us about his initial impression of Yakutia, sayin' it was the harsh beauty and riches of the land that caught his eye, with the swift Indigirka River, the Momskye and Cherskiye Mountains, and excellent fishin' spots that left him starstruck.
If you're wonderin' why he chose to become a long-haul trucker, well, he was honestly just a gearhead at heart. He started out workin' for a private entrepreneur, drivin' a "Ural" truck, transportin' goods and fuel in 1997. Then, in 2001, he decided to get his own rig and bring his entrepreneurial spirit to the table. He considers this move his first success, and it definitely gave him a boost to keep movin' forward.
Igor admittedly faced some challenges in the early days of his business venture, of course. Money was tight, and he needed to establish some connections. But, sometimes luck strikes, and all that setback brings is great experience. The main problem for Igor was the lack of time for his family, as he's always on the road. But, optimism, faith in himself, a deep love for all people, and a strong family support system helped him push through those hard times.
When it comes to the trucker community in Yakutia, Igor says it's a close-knit group. They help each other out, sharin' auto parts, assistin' with repairs, and aidin' those in need without leavin' a colleague stranded on the road. He gives a special shoutout to a few bros, Igor Fazyulyanov, Gavriil Shkulev, Ivan Sleptsov, Mukharkbek Malgsagov, Vladislav Khabarov, Arkady Korаkin, Alexey Gusev, and Semen Sukuev, for their support in the early days of his entrepreneurial pursuit.
Now, if you're thinkin' about becomin' a long-haul trucker, Igor’s got some important words for you. A thorough knowledge of the vehicle and the rules of cargo transportation are crucial, as well as the ability to fix breakdowns in extreme conditions. Apart from mastering large vehicles, you'll need great physical strength and endurance too. Bein' a trucker ain't just a job, but also a lifestyle sometimes. You’re the driver, the mechanic, the dispatcher, the loader, and even the cook on long hauls.
In terms of risks, ice formations can be a nightmare, especially from the village of Teubyakh to Sobolokh, where they might force Igor to wait for days until the ice completely freezes. Blizzards can also cover the road in minutes, leading to some inconvenience. But, Igor's family helps him out, preppin' "tormozki," a set of products that can be taken to work, with homemade food for him to eat on the road.
Lastly, Igor reached out to the "My Business" Center for help in obtainin' a loan to purchase equipment. With their help, he was able to create a well-structured business plan, gather necessary documents, and eventually receive financial support later that year.
Now, for those aspirin' entrepreneurs out there, if you have the passion for trucking, jump in and learn the ropes. You need to master "the iron horse," but most importantly, never doubt yourself. With every kilometer driven and every route completed, you’ll learn something new. Keep movin' forward, and you might find yourself cruisin' through the Arctic as a successful entrepreneur, just like Igor.
Igor's entrepreneurial spirit in the transportation industry began when he started working for a private entrepreneur in 1997, transporting goods and fuel. He considered his decision to get his own rig and bring his entrepreneurial spirit to the table as his first success.
In the trucker community in Yakutia, Igor mentioned that they are a close-knit group, helping each other out by sharing auto parts, assisting with repairs, and aiding those in need without leaving a colleague stranded on the road.
To be a successful long-haul trucker, one needs a thorough knowledge of the vehicle, the rules of cargo transportation, and the ability to fix breakdowns in extreme conditions. Additionally, great physical strength and endurance are essential, as the job requires functioning as the driver, mechanic, dispatcher, loader, and sometimes the cook on long hauls.
