![Forklift operator seen from behind operating an orange forklift. Forklift operator seen from behind operating an orange forklift.](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7c8545cc-94c0-4419-89d9-e009b1bd5b41_800x533.jpeg)
Society branded him blue collar, but Johnny had no idea what his collar had to do with it. As a man he wasn’t much for labels and norms, except when he was behind the fork.
“Behind the Fork” is what Johnny calls being at the wheel and command of a heavy forklift. The domain of the licensed operator. Wresting pallets, hoisting loads and wrestling with volatile centers of gravity.
Is the job dangerous?
Fuck yeah, but not when Johnny’s at the forks.
There are stories of fighter pilots changing their given names to match their call signs, but this is the only story of anyone who has legally changed their surname to Forklift.
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to Steady Thunder to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.