Women Truckers

The thing that I have found being a woman driver, and I have been driving for many years now, is to have respect for your self and be confident

If you come out here and act like a floozy on the road, talk like a floozy on the cb ( I hear women doing it all the time) you will be treated like a floozy, you will not get respect from male drivers by acting that way, These women only want attention, It is unfortunate that these types of women give the rest of us decent women a bad name

I have always had respect for myself, I ignore stupid comments from male drivers, I don't giggle like a little school girl if a guy compliments me on the cb, they talk like that to all women, I am out here to do a job, I'm not out here to fool around, I have respect for myself and because of that I have been treated pretty well by other drivers

As far as being a dangerous job, you really just have to use common sense being male or female, but females have to be especially careful. It is not a good idea to tell everyone where you are going or stopping, or what you are hauling, I have heard of women drivers who have been raped and hijackings do happen, just use your head and you will be alright.

 

I agree, you got my total respect for that post!! But lookin like my pic below, doesn't reallly help my credibility (sob)

 

Likes this board, as a woman and hoping to be a trucker soon, I have no problem holding my own and telling someone to kiss my indian red.. .. rear.. Rod , he's a trucker and a good friend of mine , he told me if i have to go to a truck stop .. Stay in that bleeping truck at night. Plan and simple .. he said if he's at the same one i'm at, don't count on getting out ~L~

Cloud

 

Hey, as a 205 lb male, I don't like getting out at SOME truck stops at night!!

 

how does one tell if its .. semi safe to get out ~L~

CLoud

 

You don't see a single truck in the entire parking area...then it's safe! Ever watch the old movie "Duel" (w/Dennis Weaver) !!!! I know that movie stuck with me for years when harassed by an independent in TX back in 70's!!

 

I have read some good advice throughout this thread and agree with it.

Before I became a driver I read a lot on the net. Many things have stuck with me but I know it was the threads about woman and safety that I have really looked back on.

My suggestion may not make sense right now but it will when you get out there. Always follow your gut. Many many times I have thought I was parked for the night but my gut tells me to move. I move!

Curious1

 

The advice I would give is to not only beware of the perverts and the typical dangers that a woman by herself would have to worry about, but also consider the following. Not all women are of this nature, but from my experiences, there were many that were....

• Don't be the woman trucker that talks sexy on the CB and expect to not be harassed some. It is a small percentage of women truckers that do this, but they are very bad for the female portion of the trucking industry.
• Don't be the woman trucker that uses the fact she is female to get others to back their trucks into fairly difficult docks. Get as much help as you need, including spotters (this goes for everybody), but don't use being female as a "crutch" to avoid having to do the difficult stuff.

Again, I don't want to sound like the negative person here, as I know this is a small percentage that do this, but the negative is what gets noticed more than anything else. (much like the perception by the general public in regards to truck drivers overall. A few bad apples makes many dislike truck drivers)

**Clarification on the backing thing. If you are truly in a place where you simply cannot get the job done, by all means take the help that is offered. I have, on multiple occasions gotten assistance from a smaller tractor, a yard dog, or even when I was new to the industry, help from a veteran. Just don't become dependent on it.

 

you are right obout helping out others.one time I was at williamett paper products,I was grtting loaded up front,lady trucker was to unload out back the docks are super tight,she had only been trucking two weeks there were couple other trucks behind her giving her a bad time on cb.she had her truck so angled it was unreal and no body would help.she walked up front and shipper asked if I wold give her a hand,so I went out back and tried to help,but those guy's had her so rattled she pulled the brake sat there crying saying I cant do this.I got up in her truck told her first rule,turn off cb dont listen to those jerks.I then backed her truck in the dock for her and did my best to explain how to figure your set up.she kept saying how it didnt matter she was going to quit and I kept telling her to give it more time.after she was unloaded she parked out front and I said come with me a minute,so we walked out back.well wouldnt ya know it the first billie big rigger was having a #### of a time his buddy had to get out and guide him in.I asked what do ya think now,so ya needed a little help,so did he and all he did was brag how good he was,you have just two weeks under your belt give it a chance.well she left with a smile on her face,often wondered what she did.

 

I never could stand those that sit behind the CB making fun of people that are struggling to get something done.