National Shortage of Truckers Leads Firms to Bend Rules, Recruit Immigrants.

Byline: Grace Shim

Jul. 18--Saturday night is Polish Night at the Sapp Bros. Truck Stop in Council Bluffs.

At least that's what some of the employees call it when Eastern European truck drivers flock to the truck stop for fuel or repairs, often on weekend evenings. Many are based in Chicago or Canada. They pull off Interstate 80 on the way to who knows where.

And many don't speak English fluently. One recent afternoon, a convoy of three European drivers from Chicago fueled up at Sapp Bros. and quickly moved on. All three declined interviews, saying, "No speak English."

As they make their purchases or request repairs, the drivers point or use hand gestures to communicate. Sometimes, they rely on a driving partner who speaks English better, or they call someone from their company to interpret.

Sapp Bros. manager Paulette Tyrakoski said the drivers sometimes notice her Polish last name and try to converse with her in their native language. She has to explain that her husband is Polish and that she knows only a few words.

"We get by, and it's pretty easy," she said. "They go to the fuel pump, come inside and pay for it."