Women Truckers

i'd say, perverts, guys walking behind you at the truckstop as you go back to your rig, and then the usual sexual harrasment verbage you will recieve either by the cb radio, or "behind your back" at the truckstop diner tables. you might get some help from male truckers, but i'd figure most would wnat a "favor" from you in return. don't be an easy target, walk tall and confident, park in well lit areas (this goes for male drivers too by the way), maybe carry a small can of mace when you need to use a rest area bathroom, as this is where our finest perverts can be hiding out at.

i guess basically all the "usual" advice your mother would have given you when you were young?

also, some truckstops may not have the personal hygene products a woman needs, so bring your own from home, or stop at a loacal wally-world for supplies.

 

In my experience, you should be on the lookout for male truckers (not all of them) constanty harassing you. Dispatchers not wanting to deal with you because they dont like female drivers. The guys in the shop talking down to you because your just a girl and you couldnt possibly know anything about your truck. Having to work twice as hard just to get half the respect, and my all time favorite being mistaken for a lot lizard when walking across the truckstop parking lot.

 

This is SAD....But so True!

 

It's good to see more women drivers out there. Just be confident and don't let anyone give you any crap. Look them in the eye. You have as much (maybe even more than some of them) a right to be out there.

I had an interesting experience today while driving I-91 in Vermont.

I came up around a bend and there was a big-truck broke down...rear tandems sticking out just over the line, but there were some reflectors behind the truck.
About a half-mile down the road, I saw the driver walking down the breakdown lane. I didn't have time to pull over behind her so I pulled over up ahead, shut down the truck and waited for her.
When I looked in my right mirror, she was standing a ways back. I figured maybe she didn't want a ride from a male driver up to the next exit. So, I stuck my head out the passenger-side and gave her a yell. She yelled back that she didn't speak much English. I made a mental note of her strawberry-colored hair and deep tanned skin. Tried to place the accent, but couldn't. And because of other trucks blowing by, it was hard to hear her. I got out and walked back there. She was standing next to a mile-marker, which she placed her finger on. In her other hand, she held a purple flower...a flower that matched other purple flowers that swayed in the breeze along side yellow flowers, that I hadn't noticed until I pulled back on to the road a few minutes later.
She placed her finger on the marker. I made a gesture like I was holding a phone against my ear with an inquisitive look on my face. She smiled and said "No." I said..."you need a ride to truck-stop?" She laughed and twirled the flower. "No, I already call lady. Just walking now."
"Oh," I laughed. "You're just out for a stroll? A walk? You walk?"
"YES!" she laughed.

So, long story short, she had broke down, already called for help, and was walking along the road looking for flowers on her way to find a mile-marker to give to her dispatcher.

 

I remember seeing several women truck drivers running solo, and I did manage to talk to a couple of those about driving. According to them, they never had any problems, at least from a physical standpoint. Drivers respected them in person.

However, they told me that when they talked on the C.B. radio for any reason, everything changed. All the perverted smart alecks would crawl out from their holes and make lewd comments, surprise, surprise.

But I've also heard many a lewd comment from solo women drivers as well, so I guess it cuts both ways.

I don't think women have much to worry about from drivers as long as they keep their C.B. radios off. The sensible male drivers, meaning most drivers, respect women drivers who can actually "do the job".

 

This makes me think of a truckstop I was in the other day. I approached the counter to pay for my soda and hanging there on the register was a sign that read " Please do not "hit" on our cashiers, they are here for a paycheck and not a date" I thought this was kinda sad that they would have to post something like this....It all goes back to our image as pro drivers.

 

The women/cashiers must be working at the places that all the "Hey I drive a big truck so I am a big man" drivers frequent. I feel sorry for the workers that have to put up with that kind of stuff BUT I feel worse that there are drivers out there that make these actions necessary. Next question is how do we get the public to realize these types are not the norm?

 

Good question...How do we??

I have found that other professions have about the same thing going on as well.
So you are CORRECT in saying the PUBLIC. This kind of thing is everywhere.