How is it out there for us girls?

Before I got I to trucking I did construction... when I first got into trucking I pulled a flatbed.. tarped loads and didnt whine and complain about it like many of the guys I have heard complain about it..

There are plenty of women on the farms and homesteads, in construction and other fields who work hard and do heavy lifting....

 

This is mrs. slippery and even though i'm in a team situation I have been out there for 13 years. The best advice I can give you is to always be watchful of where you are and what's around you. Use common sense and park in well lit areas, don't walk between trailers and avoid parking at exits with porn stores or strip clubs. You don't have to be stuck up but don't be too friendly either, some drivers are very nice and will help you out but others may have different intensions. I will tell you that in our experience you will have pretty good luck at shippers and receivers as far as getting unloaded/loaded. If I go check in verses my husband the unload/load will happen faster. Just be smart and use your head. One more thing don't trust your GPS, call ahead and get directions for the place your going. They know the best way to get a truck to their facility, the GPS may not always take a truck friendly route. Good luck to you and I will tell you that you will never have an office window that looks like this one.

 

Hi Brittanylynn08, In my 35 years of trucking, I can honestly say, now is probably the best time ever for a woman driver. So many things have changed, for the better. Back in the day, one never saw a female driver, however, equipment is much more user friendly for women, and with cell phones, you are never out of touch in an emergency. I know a woman who is a trucker for like 25+ years, and when she started in the late '80's, it was quite a different story. People(men) did indeed pick on her, and no women's showers and general discontent for a woman in their territory, but all that has changed(thank God), and as long as you can do the job, that's all that is required. If I could talk you out of it, however, I'll try. There are so many more rewarding jobs for a woman than trucking, but if that's what you really want to do, you'll do fine. Best of luck. I know "Ice Road Truckers" is a hoaky series, but this Lisa(who I believe has quit the show) has several websites, and is kind of a mentor for women drivers, check her sites out.

 

I dont care what no one says....u can be in tip top shape....tarping is a momster that I dont like to see...imo if u want a load tarped get a curtain side

 

Hi real, boy howdy, you got that right. While flatbed has certain advantages, such as, mostly with flat bed deliveries, the people are usually waiting for your stuff, and not like van or reefer, "We'll call you when we need you", if ever. But tarping and chaining and strapping loads is no place for a lady, not to mention ,shifting loads and retightening straps and chains. Sorry ladies, but there are easier trucking jobs out there. Once, when I pulled containers, I was picking up a load of sticks(lumber) and while I was waiting, a driver was trying to tarp his flat bed load on a very windy day, and I could see he was losing the battle. He'd get one side covered and the other side would blow off, and he was obviously getting discouraged. It was painful to watch, and finally, I went over and helped him, he was very grateful. Choose wisely.

 

Awesome post Semi Retired.... yeah things have changed a lot for women over the years.. the women who went before us today reallh had to go tnrough a lot to pave the way for us women today...
As far as there being a more rewarding job ojt there for women.. I am sure there is.. but a lot of women really do enjoy trucking and find it very rewarding... I know I do.. I take pride in being a good driver and doing a good job.. it is a great feeling when you back into a tricky spot and when you jjump out of your truck and can see from the reactions of the otner drivers.. mostly male.. it is very rewarding...

Plus, trust me guys.. if you dont like trucking now... go work with a bunch of females .. you will be begging to go back out.. and the truck stop that made you feel leary will seem like a refuge...

 

I dont agree .. as I said, I did flatbed... I chained, strapped and tarped loads, in the cold , snow, rain, wind or heat.. and I loved it.. in fact I am going to go back to flatbed..

I gave van and reefer a try and I just dont like it as much as I did flatbed... I miss that good feeling and pride I got after working to secure and tarp a load.. wnen you step back and see that you did a good job... there is a lot of pride in a well secure and tarped load...

 

Wow, that is really cool. You are definitely a special person. I've heard flatbed is like driving a cab over, either you love it or you hate it. Sounds like you are young and full of energy, and I was too. I had many jobs where I would unload my own trailer, I've never, in 35 years of trucking, hired a lumper. Truck tires were the worst. But as I got older, and my back just wasn't what it used to be, I got less and less ambitious.An old timer taught me a little trick once, make sure all the links in your chains line up(no twisted chains)and they probably won't loosen up. And by all means, be careful. I've known several old timer flatbed haulers with no front teeth!

 

Amen to both!!

 

Buy a stungun, mace and a knife. Keep one on you at all times, not that it's really dangerous, but until you learn the rules and which areas are or are not safe, you need protection. Use your CB radio mostly for listening until you get some experience. I recommend running team the first few years and bring a pet, dog preferably. Women get treated like dirt on the CB radio by the same scumbags who fraternize with prostitutes. Ignore them, and keep your hand on your weapon in case they figure out which truck you're in. Park near well lit areas, and don't eat much truck stop food because you're going to get really fat like the rest of us if you do. Women don't get messed with as much anymore, but it's still prudent to be prepared and always be suspicious. If you own a shotgun, put it in the truck in its case, or bring a pistol. If not, my original recommendation of a stun gun, mace and knife is good advice.