John Schank and Fred Austin: 100 years and 10 million miles of safe driving

By now, the whole country seems to know John Schank and Fred Austin. The two veteran Lynden drivers were interviewed by the media as they drove the Capitol Christmas Tree from Seattle to the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Along the way they met hundreds of people, many seeing John for the second time as he also drove the tree across the country in 2015. Alaska U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski was one of those they met at a stop at Andrews Air Force Base. “You have some of America’s best working for you. Great to meet Fred and John and hear some of their stories,” she says. “Thanks for their hard work safely delivering our spectacular Tongass tree from the Last Frontier to our nation’s capital.”

For 50 years each, John and Fred have been climbing behind the wheel of a truck and doing their jobs safely and professionally without a lot of fanfare and flash. They both exemplify the Lynden Everyday Heroes, who quietly go about their work and consider a job well done all the reward they need.

“What matters to Lynden, besides the gratitude of having people like John and Fred work for us, is the standard they have set with their spotless safety records,” says Lynden Chairman Jim Jansen, who worked with both drivers in their early years in Fairbanks. “We are proud of them and their commitment to safety while driving in the most challenging conditions in the nation.”

With 10 million miles of safe driving between them, many logged on the Dalton Highway between Fairbanks and Prudhoe Bay which is considered one of the most treacherous roads in North America, John and Fred have become legends of the road. When asked what they would tell those considering a driving career they have plenty to share.

“Be aware of your surroundings,” John says. “I can’t stress that enough. It might be weather coming in, other drivers or wildlife on the road – you have to be on your ‘A game’ and drive defensively. That means getting enough sleep and being at your physical best each day when you start your day.” And Fred’s advice? “Patience, patience, patience. The most dangerous thing about driving is the distractions that pull your attention away. Stay alert and be patient, and you’ll get there.”

“Having the right clothing, Arctic gear and remembering your training is also important,” John says. “Everyone knows there are cowboys out there. Don’t be one of them. Rope it in, calm down and be a pro on the road.”

John was named the Alaska Truck Driver of the Year by the Alaska Trucking Association (ATA) in 2014 and 2017. He was also recognized for setting a new record as the first Lynden Transport driver to log 40 years of safe driving plus he holds the record for the most truck miles driven – 5 million – on the Dalton Highway without a single accident.

John grew up on a dairy farm in Michigan and was the oldest of 11 children. His father died in a car accident when he was just 12 years old and, from that point on, he spent most of his time working various farm jobs to help support his mother and siblings. He followed a friend who was moving to Alaska in 1975 and found a forever job with Lynden Transport. His father’s early death due to a car accident undoubtedly plays a part in his daily dedication to safety on the road.

Fred started driving anything with wheels on his family’s farm near Mt. Rainier in Washington. He hauled logs for a while as a young man and then continued driving while serving in the U.S. Navy. Fred and his wife Margery raised six children of their own plus many foster children over the years. His commitment to providing for his large family kept him focused on safety to make sure he made it home each night. Besides the notoriety of delivering the Capitol Christmas Tree this year, it was recently reported that Fred, at 89, is now the oldest U.S. altar boy in the Catholic Church and is pending inclusion in the Guinness World Records.