new student driver

although you'll probably hear people bashing KLLM on this forum,remain focused and positive about this whole venture(trucking). lots of women do well in this industry and so can you. all large companies have their pitfalls and if you keep that in mind,you'll be prepared for it. avoid the youngsters out here who think driving a truck makes them a bigger man,they will not be of any help to you. although you will hear a bunch of nonsense on the CB,use it as a tool instead of a toy. do not be afraid to ask for help backing into a dock or parking space if you are unsure-i'd rather help you back in then have you bash one of my trucks. untill you REALLY get the feel of how the truck handles,turns,stops,etc-STAY OUT OF THE PACK!! if that means slowing down and letting everyone get around you,so be it. the biggest thing you want to focus on is BEING SAFE!!!--everything else comes after that.

 

One thing I think that gets overlooked a lot is "presence".

Presence: the ability to project a sense of ease, poise, or self-assurance, esp. the quality or manner of a person's bearing

This is something that will ease your way in strange places and situations, will keep you safer as you walk across a parking lot and get you better service in restaurants. Good posture is important. Feel a string pulling you up through the top of your head. Good speaking/questioning skills. No "ummms", ask and say things clearly and with confidence. No sloppy talk or dress. You won't always feel self-assured, but it is important that you project self-assurance.

All of these things help project your presence. Such a person is not the target that crooks, perverts or DOT officers are looking for.

 

I would say "Hang around with me".. but that's probably what the rest of the folk here are warning you about...

In truth, though, Bullgoose is 50% right.

He left off, though, situational awareness. Always be aware of your surroundings - who's where, what's there, everything. Get a feel for the atmosphere of the place. If there are other people there, how are they acting?

That also means don't rush anywhere. Even if you are doing the "PPDance" - take those few seconds to become aware. I know you can't step behind the tractor and find blessed relief the way we guys can, but that pause can mean the difference between a good day and no more days.

Look everybody in the eye. (this is part of presence, too)


Presence and situational awareness will present a huge red flag to a victimizer, loudly proclaiming you to NOT be a victim.
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Stay away from dark areas (duh)

don't walk between trucks at a stop

If you feel the need, carry a weapon (tire thumper, wasp spray, knitting needle...)

I absolutely advocate partaking of a self-defense class for women (I've mentioned this elsewhere). I don't mean Kungfu or the like (unless that's what you want). In particular, I mean the short classes - a week or 6, sometimes even only a day: "what to do if". Then practice what you were taught.

Never ever ever feel awkward about calling police - even if it's just for an escort to the shipper's back door. It's their job, and they'd much rather escort you than let the chalk fairies play.*

keep a can of chewing tobacco on the dash.

yes, keep your doors locked and the windows rolled up. It may play hob with your idle time - but what is more important?

Find a pin-pull alarm. This is the kind you used to find in lady's alarm devices - pull a pin and the thing screams. Hook the device to one door,and hook the pin to the other door. If somebody opens the door, YOU will wake up. It's even possible neighboring truckers will wake up.
Odds are good that the individual opening the door will beat feet. It will certainly afford you time to grab your knuckleduster and bash the jerk in the head if he doesn't. Be sure you don't pull your punches, too.


* chalk fairies: That mythical creature who uses chalk, tape, or some other contrasting medium to draw an outline of the victim's dead body. Professional departments don't - and never have - done that. Body positioning is determined using photographs of the body in situ. Body is not moved until CSI/coroner/etc believes they have sufficient photographs. Ergo, chalk a waste of time.

Still, sometimes the chalk lines are laid before investigators get there. Nobody ever admits to doing it - so it must have been the chalk fairies.