Women driving alone

[Kimberlytech]

I will be attending Schneider for training and I have been reading up on driving alone. My brother drives for United and went on the road with him for about 2 weeks and LOVED it!! My only concern was going alone, but from what u ladies are saying, you've had no problems. I have a question that may or may not offend some of u tho., please take no offense. I am 32 , 5ft4 and about 140 pounds, (size 10). I install satellites right now, and get lots of attention, especially from the Mexicans (why, I don't know)No doubt I expect whistles and such, but as long as the guys don't touch, I'm good. R some of u ladies close in size to me, and still feel safe?? Don't get me wrong, I ain't scared of a little flirting from guys, sometimes it's flattering, but as long as they keep the distance, It's fine.

[wildkat]

Kim, I have been at this for 27 years now, I am 5' if I stand tall, size 6 with long blonde hair. I have NEVER been bothered at anytime. I am an owner/operator who has run solo ALWAYS. I have trucked all over North America and currently truck in the Canadian Arctic where there are virtually NO women at all & still have no problems.
It is all in YOUR attitude, how you dress, how you act. Act like a lady & you will be treated like one. act like a floozy or a lot lizard (forgive me I am 45, so this will "date" me some) you WILL be treated like one!
Keep your dress conservative, don't wander around truck stops at night, and above all do not respond if someone starts..WALK away, call security, etc.
Always remember, this is a man's world...strive to be one of them, above all be PROFESSIONAL...ALWAYS!
There is a double standard out there, we have to be twice as good to be thought of as 1/2 that...remember it & be PROUD of it. NEVER be afraid to ask for help or advise if you are not sure, it's much better that they think we are dumb than to prove we are! :wink:
Most of the women here will be happy to give any pointers or advise we can. There's not many of us out here...yet, but we are working on it.

Remember... Be the Best you can Be...EVERYDAY! Good luck & welcome!

[dle]

wildkat my wife will beg to differ with you. She is finishing up her training right now and has had numerous problems. She's about 5'3" and weighs about 115. She has had problems with guys bothering her, even before she became a truck driver, with no matter what she wears or her attitude.

We have been struggling for a number of years to figure out the why.

My unfortunate take on this is that if you have attracted 'weirdos' in the past you would continue to do so as a truck driver (solo or not). That you would have to use extra dillgence while driving.

[wildkat]

wildkat my wife will beg to differ with you. She is finishing up her training right now and has had numerous problems. She's about 5'3" and weighs about 115. She has had problems with guys bothering her, even before she became a truck driver, with no matter what she wears or her attitude.

We have been struggling for a number of years to figure out the why.

My unfortunate take on this is that if you have attracted 'weirdos' in the past you would continue to do so as a truck driver (solo or not). That you would have to use extra dillgence while driving.

Not sure what's up with that DLE. All I know is that I've been out here for 27 years & never had a problem. But then with MY attitude, ALWAYS a pro, I don't go looking for trouble. I DON'T flirt & I GIVE as good as I get. Momma raised no fool!

[Kimberlytech]

Cool, thanks Wildkat!! U sound alot like me. I do have that arrogance about me when I need it. And have no problem with being or "acting" professional. So that's good. LOL, that's what seems to keep the guys at bay anyway, huh?. They may whistle and gester, but when I don't respond and / or just ignore them...they leave me alone. Maybe they think I'm stuck up or somethin, but I don't care. At least they know they can't mess with me..LOL :wink:

[LadyNorthStar]

But then with MY attitude, ALWAYS a pro, I don't go looking for trouble. I DON'T flirt & I GIVE as good as I get. Momma raised no fool!

THAT is the key. If you want to be treated like you're qualified for the job, then you have to ACT like you are qualified for the job.

Even as a newbee, I never asked anyone to do anything for me....ever. I always asked, (and still do if I need to) to be shown HOW to do something. It generates a huge amount of respect. I learned how to run these Northern roads by the drivers that have been running this road for years, and its been nothing but fantastic.

My sister of the North, wildkat has it all figured out too. :!:

[4roses]

when it comes to the 'boys' bothering you .... don't pay any attention to them .... I'm 5ft ... drive solo ... I just over look the stares, remarks or anything else the 'boys' throw my way. ............. It's all about ATTITUDE ... the way you carry yourself and the respect you insist you recieve from others ............. as the saying goes ....... you get back what you put out ! ......... if you seem like a flirt and let the 'boy's' know they feed your ego ..... the remarks and looks will continue .......... we walk with an invisible sign on us ...... it either reads ..... Professional Driver - not play mate ............. or .......... Professional Driver and like the attention you give me. ........... it's really just that simple. .......... I get alone quite well with all the males that cross my path ......... but I carry myself with Pride and Self Respect.

Go out there and enjoy yourself, be the best Professional Female driver you can be and know that your helping to pave the road for future female drivers.

[Kimberlytech]

Thanks u all!! I really appreciate the feed back I'm getting from all of u. Not that I am afraid of what may happen out there, I just wanted to make sure it was not a big problem u guys were having. Thanks again. I'll be keepin in touch with all of ya!! :wink:

[GMAN]

I have seen women who dress skimpily and wonder why they get all the male attention. Others dress conservatively and don't seem to have a problem. Don't get me wrong, some guys will give you attention just because you are female. Most will treat you with respect, as long as you act respectful. I have been out here for a number of years and never said anything out of the way to a female driver. Like some of the women said, it is all about your attitude. If you conduct yourself professionally, then you are likely to have others treat you with respect. If you wear a low cut blouse and tight fitting shorts, then you will likely get attention. If you wear loose fitting garments then you are not as likely to get as much attention. There are ways in which we should dress to appear professional. That doesn't mean that you can't look nice. How you carry yourself will greatly impact how you are treated.

[Shawnee]

I have been driving OTR for many years and an owner operator for all of those years, I am 29 years old, I am not a tiny girl (5'8" 165 lbs with bigger biceps than some of the guys) but I look very feminine and have very long hair too and I have been treated pretty well by most of the guys by how I act, Most of them treat me like I was one of the guys. Just have respect for yourself, you will be treated better for it.

Sure I hear comments all the time but you don't have to respond to it. I don't giggle like a little girl if someone compliments me, because they talk like that to all the women. Most of the women who complain that they get harrassed by the men are the ones who bring it on themselves, they are the ones looking for attention, they add fuel to the fire by responding to the stupid remarks from men. I just ignore it and let it go,

I have always said that if you come out here and act like a floozy and talk like a bimbo on the cb you will be treated as such, I don't talk like that or act like that, the guys know the difference between the real ladies and the bimbos

The bimbo type of female driver likes to get attention and they talk stupid on the radio to get that attention, these women are just a joke to most of the guys, a woman who acts like a lady and has respect for herself will be treated with respect

BTW I wouldn't be too flattered by comments from these guys because they talk like that to all the women on the road, I wouldn't feel too special when some truck driver gives you the whistles because they will be doing the same thing to the next woman they see

[Piece Of Work]

When I whistle at you Baby, it's JUST FOR YOU, ONLY YOU, YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE, I SWEAR!!!!

[wildkat]

When I whistle at you Baby, it's JUST FOR YOU, ONLY YOU, YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE, I SWEAR!!!!

Sheesh MEN!! LOL

Me:

[Kimberlytech]

[quote="wildkat"]

When I whistle at you Baby, it's JUST FOR YOU, ONLY YOU, YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE, I SWEAR!!!!

LMAO - Don't make me blush

[Shawnee]

Hey wildkat, I hope I look that good after 27 years of trucking.

[wildkat]

Hey wildkat, I hope I look that good after 27 years of trucking.

Thanks Shawnee, it seems to run in the family, my mom is 63 & she can pass for 40 anyday of the week.

I recall one time my hubby & I were in Home Depot with our Grandaughter & a young clerk mistook her for our daughter... Sera (my gd) looks at the girl & gets this duhh expression & says "That's not my mommy...that's my gramma! Needless to say the girl was a bit shocked!

[Rawhide]

The only time I've had a problem was when I was in Commerce City Colorado that TA there when and Idle aire asked to see my ID he thought I was a lot lizard. lol I was wearing my caprices and a tank top. I had climed into my cousins truck to talk to him and while I was changing trucks he stopped me. I was pissed but then again it was funny. Well I showed him my ID my employee ID and he felt like a arse

[tweety bird]

It's all about practicing common sense. Keep your doors locked. Keep a low profile. Don't ask for that kind of attention. Watch out for weirdos.

I suggest getting a small porta potti to take with you so you don't have to make any midnight runs to the bathroom. At the very least, stash extra Big Gulp cups in your sleeper- LOL!

I disagree with those who say that if you don't dress a certain way, you won't get that kind of attention. When I first was driving (about 11 years ago or so), I chopped off my hair and took to sweat shirts. Didn't make a damned bit of difference. I still sport t-shirts and jeans, but now I also wear nice shirts etc on occasion. NEVER skirts, though- LOL! Unless we're in Vegas going to a casino! I get the honks and all that crap- but I don't look. I HATE HATE HATE being at the Ontario West TA- I am not a freaking lot lizard and I don't want you flashing your stupid lights or honking at me because I am not interested! Ugh! You can't even walk the dog there without an audience!

Generally I drive team with my husband. But it gets old 24/7 so sometimes he leaves me home and sometimes I leave him home.

I have no safety concerns when I am by myself. That could just be ignorance or pride on my part. But I know where it is safe and where it isn't and I trust my instincts on that.

I think you'll find that there are more good people out there than weirdos. It seems that a lot of the truckers really respect women and, if they know you are solo, will watch out for you. Unfortunately, there is no way for you to know which ones are which. Personally, I don't advertise it when I am solo. That's a safety thing- people see a woman and tend to assume she's got her significant other in the bunk.

[SamIam_Murphy]

I got some advice from other lady truckers here at CAD, and this is the
best:

Act like you are what you are: A TRUCK DRIVER. Act like you belong
where you are. Don't look at the ground, but don't look around like
you are lost either, just glance around and keep moving or keep doing
whatever you need to do.

But I would like to add that I have asked male truckers to help me out
on several occasions and they have all been very nice and polite.
I have, once or twice, asked for a little direction when backing into a
tight space or a really difficult, small lot. I have just asked questions
or asked for a little advice and the male drivers I have talked to were
courteous and wanted to help. (Everyone was new at this once.)

So be careful, act like you belong where you are because you do. If you
made it through truck school, got your Class A-CDL, and are a working
truck driver then act like one!

[person]

Kimberlytec,
If you're still around, you gotta trust me when I ask this. It really isn't about you, or me being weird or anything. But I need to cross reference something. Please don't think anything of this question, but is your hair blonde -a definite blonde? And this IS NOT about referencing "dumb blond" or anything like that. Thanks for the info.

[Sizzle]

Kimberly,

99%-100% of the way we are treated out here is due to the way we carry ourselves [demeanor]. You will not be treated disrespectfully when you carry yourself like you know what you are doing. If you look the least bit confused or "dazed" you will show weakness that I don't think most of us have out here. We are definitely different than the average woman. I have discovered the reason most women don't do this job is because they are "nesters" and want to be at home with the hubby/boyfriend, kids, pets etc...

Personally, I don't think the average woman has the hutzpah [guts] to do the job either. You can't be some girlie girl afraid of every little noise your engine will throw at you. You also have to be aware of where you are driving. Don't just drive into some space and assume you can get out. Get out and look if you don't know if you can get out of a place [i.e. alleys, parking places other than truck stops etc.] G.O.A.L. is essential. I've seen many male drivers just drive into some place and think they'll get out. Well, personally I don't like backing up traffic for stupidity so I always G.O.A.L.

My bestfriend would last one day and be done with this job. She's too "girlie girl". I wanted to take her on my truck for a while so she could see "the world" but decided against it because she's a very attractive brunette and we've both lead VERY SHELTERED lifes. She would not be aware of her surroundings and might end up in trouble before I even knew where she disappeared to. Hence, I never took her with me. It was quite a learning experience for me. I had never associated with "white trash" until I came trucking. Honey, most of us are from upstanding middle class/upper middle class backgrounds. However, you will find a percentage of "white trash" that don't think about their racist and sexist comments on the radio.

I simply turn the radio off when the "dawg pack mentality" takes over. This occurs when you disagree with some of their "wisdom". I used to respond when they were wrong about their "facts". However, another driver told me one day. "Honey don't respond to this jerk-you are absolutely correct in what you are saying. Don't lower yourself to arguing with him." He was right and from now on when the "Daw Pack Mentality" insues I turn the radio off. They don't like being proven wrong particularly by a woman.

The guys won't harass you as the other females have said unless you act like a floozie. I personally am a flirt due to the fact that I had a terrible marriage for 1/2 my life time, was terribly emotionally abused and NEVER HAD ANY ATTENTION. Even though I due flirt I do it with one guy not an entire CB worth. So I say there's nothing wrong with a "little flirtin". The way I look, carry myself and dress no one has ever "harassed me". Although, I must caution you about particular truck stops. You won't run into problems usually in smaller truck stops. However, when you get into larger truck stops the guys are usually b.s.ing on the radio and watching every thing that moves in the parking lots. Be cautious about the larger ones due to the fact that the "dawg pack mentality" seems to take over from time to time and they seem to think they are justified in their actions as a group.

I would concur with what most of the other drivers said regarding our safety. I do wear skirts only. My attitude is that I was an Accountant and was used to wearing skirts and dresses and not pants. I am not a tiny women like some of these other drivers are. However, I feel more comfortable in skirts. Therefore, I don't judge others due to the fact that most female drivers wear pants. My skirts are very long some almost reach my ankles and I wear tank tops with the skirts. Hence, I never look like a bimbo, nor do I sound like one when talking to other drivers.

Fortunately for me, I hauled trucks for 19 of the first 21 months I drove. I stayed in motels and flew back to get the next set of trucks. Hence, I never stayed in truck stops and did not have a CB. Therefore, I misssed the "freight hauling experience" of staying in truck stops and associating with other drivers. I learned every gear pattern in those 19 months because every time I got into a truck it had another gear pattern. I feel very fortunate because I learned about teflon fifth wheels and air tandems. I would have never had the opportunity to learn every gear pattern if I had been in freight because I would have had only a few trucks and perhaps not even different gear patterns. Hence, my trucking experience with guys and truck stops was limited.

When our company quite hauling trucks I came to freight last year. I now have 17 months in freight and 19 in hauling trucks. This month it's my third year anniversary-I am starting to feel a lot more confident and believe I'm starting to be a "real driver". The truck stops that I was cautioned not to park at are: Any in Atlanta, West Memphis, Arkansas, Ontario West [L.A.]. I was never warned about Dallas. I found out recently on my own that I would never stay in any truck stops on the I-20 east of I-35. They are very trashy. Never seen any that bad before.

I park at Ontario West regularly it is wild but managable. I don't like going to our yard in Fontana because 1/2 of it is dirt and I have wicked asthma. I can barely breath while at the yard. They say that Ontario East is lot lizard free. I always say, "did they put an electric fence up to stop them from going over there?" They won't bother you when they know there's a women inside the truck. Hence, I don't feel unsafe there at all. Other drivers will beg to differ with me. IT'S ALL AGAIN IN HOW YOU CARRY YOURSELF. There will always be drivers who think they will give it a shot when they see a female. Just carry on like you didn't even see them if you are not interested.

Good Luck girl and let us know what's going on when you get on the road.