New to the Trucking World

I'm curious to know the statistics on how many females become truck drivers vs how many actually stay in the industry.

Yesterday was my 9 month anniversary driving trucks and I already witnessed two females wash out.

 

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I think you are overreacting to what has been posted...there was some good info in there from experienced drivers. Nowhere did anyone try to make into a man vs. woman thing.

Best of luck with US Express.

 

First thing I learned working in this industry is - man or woman - you MUST have thick skin and you MUST be tough.

That means nothing, and I mean NOTHING, any mere human says to you should phase you in any way, shape, or form.

 

Best of luck in this industry, Why do you want to start with teaming? are you assuming you must? because you don't, but if you just rather have someone else there, that's fine, but teaming can be difficult, small confined space, 24/7, best you know the person very well before teaming with someone, while going through training, take your time, and pay close attention, practice practice practice, Again best of luck

 

Well everyday there are drivers male and female who wash out...

I am a female, started in 2009.. took a short break off the road a couple years ago to care for a sick family member and returned to trucking just over a year ago...

First, yes, some females have had bad experiences... but, that is true in any industry.. and so I am sure as a female you already know to use common sense and deal with jerks.... it is also true that many men have had bad experiences out here..

What I have found.. is do your job to the best of your ability.. dont play stupid.. and dont play dumb to get male driver to help you.. yes, if you need help there are many deceant male or female driver that will help you.. but if you play dumb to get help you will attract the wrong drivers and attention...

I agree with those who say to not start off teaming.... it is best that you give yourself at least a year or two of solo driving.. that way you have time to learn the skills and gain confidence in yourself as a driver... often new drivers get paired with a more experienced driver and then get walked all over...

I enjoy being a trucker and feel it has been good for me.. I am a much more independent and stronger woman from mh time and experience on the road.. there are many good female drivers out here.. and we have it a lot easier then the women years ago who paved the way for us...

I myself have pulled flatbed, handles the tarping and untarping.. I also did the dollar general account and emptied those trailers... so you can do what ever you put your mind and determination to

 

stillgoin77,
Yes, you did take my post the wrong way, which is easy to do on non face-to-face communications like this forum.
My core intent was to try to get you out of "high gear" in your PRE-CDL training quick decision making, and slow you down so you carefully make wise choices.
I've worked with some great women drivers, who surpass most of their male counterparts in the same company. I think very highly of them and I have absolutely no male vs female 'agenda' behind any of my advice/statements. I truly want to see you succeed and avoid critical mistakes in your early days.

I don't expect you to know "everything about everything in the trucking world". Far from it, however the questions you asked pertained to vital questions/answers that you should have had answered BEFORE deciding you'd be with XXX Company and especially choosing to be a team driver. Maybe teaming would work out fine for you, but I don't recommend it right off the bat for many valid reasons.

#1. Successful teaming definitely requires knowing your team partner extremely well, in-depth, & down to every "behind the closed door" personal habits because it is like moving in with that person into a 6' x 6' "apartment"... 24/7/365. You must know that particular person in-depth BEFORE even choosing to team. If not, the failure (and misery) rate is astronomical. Nothing worse than having to be "stuck" with someone, for endless days/months/miles that makes you feel like you are 'trapped with Charlie Manson, or crazy Aileen Wuornos'. Search thru some of the newbie team threads and you'll see this is no exaggeration.

#2. Recruiters lie their tail off, so never believe their words at face value. They get paid just to get you in the seat and commit yourself to whatever un-researched decisions you make. That cool looking 2015 Kenworth they "said" you will be in (and even pick your color) in reality will end up being an older rattletrap International that is a pre-trip nightmare. Your 2 weeks out that they 'promised' may end up being 3-4 weeks away, in reality. I'm just using some 'examples' of their less than honest tactics, so you don't get 'suckered into things' unknowingly. Same way some companies con new drivers into a lease/purchase, so you can "be your own boss".

#3. Solo driving, after adequate/proper initial training with a trainer, is what I recommend. It allows you to carefully make your own decisions, without interference of any team driver. Believe me, it's hard to get two ppl to agree about anything, when you're trapped on the road with them. Solo driving sharpens your skills faster/better, as you realize "You're in sole command" of whatever the transport/journey presents. Don't let solo driving scare you. Once you learn how to drive (in various surroundings, weather, etc), and learn your truck/trailer "parts/mechanicals/operation", you'll gain the confidence you lack at this point.

I didn't discover TTR forums until AFTER I drove tractor trailer. This forum would have been a wealth of needed info if I discovered it first, even being somewhat familiar with trucks/equipment for years beforehand. You can have 30 years experience in this field and still learn many things.
Please don't hesitate with questions (NONE are stupid questions), but just be sure you have adequate answers and info before you make any hard decisions.
I've made premature unwise choices in my day, I suck them up, openly admit to them, and know I've learned from them. Sharing them allows others to learn from them also.
I sincerely wish you the best, and in no way am I trying to discourage you, but just hopefully help you 'think things thru' beforehand.

 

Go solo until you meet someone who you can actually trust. Women drivers are as respected as any other driver who does the job right. Stay off channel 19.

 

Which school in ky? think im gonna try and hit lake cumberland in etown next month.