How is it out there for us girls?

I am going to tread lightly here. It is not my intention to insult anyone but there are things in the above thread that I find troubling.

First, you are a trucker. If you are wanting to be excepted as a trucker act like a trucker. Do your job in a professional manner. You will be treated like a professional. You age, sex, race, national origin, have nothing to do with anything. It is all about how you carry yourself. Truck drivers love to help other truck drivers. All you have to do is ask.

If you come into this profession with a chip on your shoulder you will always see things that you can believe are just because you are a woman. They are not. We all want to make as much money as we can. We all want the best parking spot. We all want the easy runs. We are in a competition. Just dive right in an compete. Do not be shy. Speak up as soon as you believe something is wrong. Let people know your expectations. Let them know what your boundaries are.

I discuss race with other races. I discuss religion with other religions. I like the differences in people as by talking about those differences I can experience life through their eyes. If you and I sit and talk, it would include your views of the world as a young lady. But if you have a flat tire at the side of the road, I would stop for you at the exact same rate I would stop for anyone else. Your lack of a Y chromosome does not give you and advantage or disadvantage. It just is a fact of life.

You may at times hear things that offend you. You may see things that offend you. But you will be safe. Do your job professionally and you will have no problems.

 

Nice words of wisdom but there is something I disagree with,women are treated differently then men in this profession.Many male truckers jump at the chance to help a female in distress where you guys have to suffer and do it yourself,lol.Suks to be you,lol.

 

Also one thing that you will see quite a bit of out there, especially during the summer months, is guys staring at some of the semi-revealing clothing some young ladies like to wear. My suggestion is if you have a big problem call them out on it or choose not to wear said clothing. That clothing is good to wear if you want to turn heads at the beach but not if you don't want to turn heads at the truck stop.

Happy safe driving.

 

it not easy for anyone out there, but have always said it a lot harder for women that it is for men. trucking is not a easy thing,like being away from home. men seem to adjust a little better on being gone that women do for some reason. well lots of luck and i wish you the best

 

I try not to treat a woman any different than a man but honestly I can't. My folks raised me to be respectful show there is a difference there. (potty mouth stuff like that) Out of respect not wanting to step on her toes I will wait to be asked for help alot of times cause some are a little different about that. Then there are the things you offer help because its the right thing to do gender has no effect on it.

 

A couple points I want to agree or disagree with..

The cb is a valuable tool. How you use it is up to you, but DO use it. Mine stays on when I'm driving, and as I'm getting ready to start my day. A lot of good info can come from your cb. If you need to key the mic, be professional. Most times you'll get the respect that you give. Most times.. Like someone said earlier, on those times that you get uncomfortable, turn it off for a bit.

Clothing.. again, be professional. If you go walking across the truck stop parking lot in daisy dukes, you will get attention. To expect otherwise is ludicrous. You don't sound like you'll be doing that however, so enough on that.

Realize that this is a male dominant industry. Not at all saying that women can't do it. It's just the way it is. Most spend months out here talking to themselves, or in my case, their dog. As in all facets of life, you will run into guys who's mamma didn't smack them for not respecting women the way they should be. I'm sure that's not news to you, but for some reason it seems to be more prevalent out here. On the plus side, there are plenty of guys out here that will call them on their bs.

Honestly I think for the most part, there are more advantages to being a woman in the industry than not. As patty said, guys will fall all over themselves to help a female trucker. Of course this is all just from a man's point of view

 

I am a woman.. and it is just like everyone said... be a professional... dont wear dasy dukes if you dont want the attention it will bring...

Being a woman out here is the same as being a woman anywhere... yes, you will have those that call you baby cake, hey sweet thing, etc, etc... just like you have been doing.. ignore it...

There are some great people out here.. male and female... and then there are the not great.. again male ot female... sometimes... between two truckers.. one male and one female... your safer with the man.. dont trust another driver just because she is a female.. and dont automatically distrust a driver because his male... trust a driver for the character of being they are.. male or female...

Use the basic common sense you should always... dont1wqlk across a parking lot distracted, be alert to your surroundings... that is not just becaause you are a female... male drivers need to as well...

Dont do the fake wedding ring, or try to pretend you have a co driver.. no one buys it and it makes you come off vunerable...

Mi am a solo driver and I dont do the fake co driver thing... maybe the fact that I am a female solo driver who gets in and out of my truck and walks with confidence sacres them.. makes them worried that I am not scared....

Just remember....in a truck stop full of trucks.. yes, there are going to be a few jerks and a couple creeper.. but, there will also be very deceant men... husbands, sons, brothers, fathers.. and they are not just going to sit there and watch something bad happen to you.... I say that from experience... I had a driver that was bothering me.. until 6 others got out and came over and put a stop to it... as a woman, you can have some idiot harass you anwhere.. the grocery store, church, the library... and in those places sometimes others dont want to intervene... they get in their cars and drive off.... but at a truck stop.. there are drivers who will get out of their trucks and help...

I agrse with the dont have a chip on your shoulder... and like Pattj said... sometiimes a driver wants to talk.. and sometimes if not often that is all.. they dont want in your pants... they are just being social... but, I get like that too... I may talk to a male driver... just to talk.. no other intention...

Good luck... it is a cool experience... and you will grow stronger in many ways...

 

Wanna know what its like??? Wait till your at a shipper and cant slide your tandems...drivers will bail outta there trucks to help you like mice off a burning ship...lol....not cause they want anything..its just courtesy. ..seen it lotsa times.... i had problems at a shipper with mine and a female driver helped me...

 

Yeah, and always have your panties on. Even the "males' in this industry have problems with keeping their panties on, they often announce it on the CB.