How is it out there for us girls?

I would like to jump in on this one with a couple of things a lady driver should know (Although I retired as a Pilot after 42 years and have been driving for only 14 months, I was also an LEO in Florida for 3 years so have a little bit of experience in the Security suggestions):
If you are a female worried about parking in well lit areas (And even as a male with LEO/Military time I sure do) GET A GPS! Every trucker GPS has a truck stop feature. Then, don't go to just any truck stop: Try to find HESS, Love's, Pilot, Flying J, TA, etc. They are always well lit and some near cities have Security. DON'T go to "Mom and Dad's" Truck stop out in the boonies unless you know it and are familiar with it.The only time I parked at a dark truck stop due to low HOS my red IFTA Stickers were scraped off and I never even heard them do it. Most of those truck stops have the regionals and local boys who many times don't stay with the trucks.So you get a lot of trucks, no people. Good spot for undesired activities! (And no, I don't mean all of them, just use common sense! The ether/lighter fluid idea is great until it leaks in your purse or you forget and leave it on your seat on a really hot day and it decides to combust just as you reach for it! Also, do you always have your purse nearby? Get Oleo-resin-capsicum at 4% (PEPPER SPRAY) that comes in a nice device that fits very unobtusively onto your key chain. You may forget your purse, but you'll always have the key chain near by. And most have a small tear-gas mix included along with an Orange Dye for recognition of the perp if something does happen. Use that first THEN the tire thumper.
Also, when I see a tractor on the shoulder with Hazards on I look at the driver if I can. If it's a male and no obvious fire or emergency I keep on going. BUT if it's a female and I can safely do so I'll pull up ahead and make sure she's okay. Done that about three times and all three times there was a male in the sleeper. But I can tell you they appreciated my stopping.
AS FOR OTHER MALE DRIVERS: We are mostly a Conservative bunch raised along with God, Country, Family, etc. Walk into a crowded truck stop and say "Any Vets or Retired LEO's/1st Responders?" I'll bet 20% raise their hands. As for me, if I see an issue I'll go close by just as a matter of habit. AND the only incident I saw in 14 months was a gentleman (?) who felt he was disrespected by the lady clerk and by the time he went around the counter I was on him as was two drivers right behind me. WE DON'T PUT UP WITH THAT KRAP! Sorry for the diatribe, but I really don't think women drivers have much to worry about these days, and some of my best First Officers were ladies who later on made great Captains in a male aviation/airline world. Good luck and God Bless to the future lady drivers out there!

 

But the caveat is that 70% of them will be utterly full of ####.

 

True dat, but the Posers are fairly easy to pick out.

 

Just because someone served or was a law enforcement officer doesn't mean there good people. Alot of them ended up there because they couldn't make it anywhere else.
I wouldn't trust one anymore then I would someone else.

Trusting strangers no mattet who they are is always a big risk.

 

Sorry, I disagree highly on this:
Stop at an accident scene and the people who stopped to help are off duty or retired EMS, LEO's, Nurses,and Vets, it never changes.

 

Truck don't give two ####s about your gender. Get in and get it done.

 

Stating that the only people who stop at a accident scene are EMS, LEOS, NURSES and Vets is just plain ignorance.

 

You'll do fine. Just make intelligent, decisions and don't let the Neanderthals get under your skin. I've been out here 25yrs and I've seen some darn good female drivers that could really handle their business. There's no reason you can't be one, too.

One piece of advice, if I may, that works well for me, try to get your showers at OFF PEAK times to eliminate wait at the end of the day. Your 30 min break at 1-2pm is an excellent time and there are normally multi openings allowing for easy in and out flow. Then, when your done for the day you can use an app like MYDAT trucker to locate smaller truckstops that have parking available. The large places fill up and are like moths to a flame. I always go to the smaller places that this app puts me on and have NO problem finding a spot.

Good luck !!