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Mars · Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 2:11 pm Post subject:

tndieselgrl wrote: Krzysztof wrote:

You and your tire thumpers :)

Hey now, in orientation we got a bit of a lecture in safety with winch bars - including when they can be used FOR your own safety... besides... it's chrome and pretty and shiny....

We were told in school, unless it says tire buddy, it can and will be considered a weapon by law enforcement, and that can end up in trouble.

tndieselgrl · Joined: 01 Sep 2005 Posts: 534 Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma

Mars wrote: tndieselgrl wrote: Krzysztof wrote:

You and your tire thumpers :)

Hey now, in orientation we got a bit of a lecture in safety with winch bars - including when they can be used FOR your own safety... besides... it's chrome and pretty and shiny....

We were told in school, unless it says tire buddy, it can and will be considered a weapon by law enforcement, and that can end up in trouble.

Not entirely true. It's generally a good rule of thumb, but lets be realistic - no one is going to question a flatbed driver's right to have a winch bar. They are used to secure chains and binders as well as to tighten straps around a winch. It's also three feet long which I find to be nicer than having to get within 6" of my attacker to defend myself. (*Disclaimer, I've never had to defend myself at this point in my career)

As with all regulations, there is leeway to either side of them. They tell you that so that you don't try to take a sledgehammer with 4" spikes on one end with you as a tire thumper. :wink:

SamIam_Murphy · Joined: 01 Jun 2006 Posts: 34

I haven't been driving for very long, but I feel fairly safe out there alone.
Most truckers are friendly and helpful. As one of the other lady drivers
had posted someplace: make sure you walk like you 'own the place',
especially in truck stops. Look and act like you belong where you are -
appearances can make a difference.

As for my pry bar, I suppose it can be considered a weapon, but I am
expected to remove nails from the trailer bed, what else am I going to
use? Of course, I do keep it next to the driver seat, well within easy
reach.
And I often carry the hammer when I do a 'vehicle check', especially
after dark, thump the tires.....

JungleJane · Joined: 23 Apr 2006 Posts: 38 Location: Calgary, Canada

A while back there was a post asking how women could be brought out of their trucks and actually use the truck stops etc. I think if you are fearful all the time you exude that to all around you. I've only been driving for 4 months, and have stayed in a few rougher truck stops and rest areas. I don't get scared, and maybe I'm a fool for that, but I don't believe that truck stops are any more dangerous than the wal-mart lots. Lets face it we all go to Wal-mart and see some unsavory types hanging about, do you decide not to go to Wal-mart when you see these folks? Generally I think we just get on with what we went there for right?

I was in the T/A in Troutdale, OR this week and I'm often down that way. I was sitting in my truck in the dark just chatting on my cell, now I don't think Troutdale is a bad place, maybe it is and I just don't know it..lol Anyhow...as I was sitting there, this man walked by my truck numerous times, the entire time just about tripping over himself staring at me in a most creepy way. Then another guy walked by several times...both of these guys staring at me. Neither looked friendly about the deal, and I thought to myself...this is a good time to lock my door...or at least make sure I've locked my door. At the same time, I didn't acknowledge these guys, and invite trouble to my steps. I think had I smiled at these guys and made myself look either lonely or interested, I might have had trouble. And I have had guys actually come over and bang on my truck door after standing in front of it for a while. I don't make them welcome..period.

I am sure as hell not going to become a prisoner in my truck either, and I don't think any woman should. We have as much right as anyone else to be there. We, male or female are always at risk for danger no matter where we are, be that Wal-mart, a park, a business or even at home. Be smart, stay alert, make note of things if you must. Call a friend on your cell, describe a person who seems to be taking far too much interest in you, tell them where you are. (when telling your friend of the situation try also to see what truck that person came from if you can) You can always call the truck stop itself from your cell phone and complain about someone bothering you. You have to take your safety into your own hands. But by all means if you feel unsafe don't go prancing around the lot. Do what you must do, IE go potty..but maybe don't take that opportunity to check your tires...lol.

I've found that most people in the truck stop are great, just like you they are there doing their job and looking out for others, so if you feel you are in a situation, you could always ask your neighbor to look out for you.

It bothers me the paranoia that this conversation brings up in people, I don't see how you can enjoy your job worrying constantly about the small chance that something is going to happen to you in a truck stop, I think we have enough to worry about just staying safe on the roads, mind constantly thinking we are going to get raped or robbed. Don't carry a ton of money, don't flash it around, don't wear sleazy clothes (although rapists don't care what you are wearing) the sleazy clothes will just invite the jerks of the world. These are just common sense things.

Ok I've babbled on long enough...lol

Shawnee · Joined: 05 Nov 2006 Posts: 246 Location: Canada

I agree with you JungleJane, I've been driving for years, its just comes down to common sense, although I have seen many women drivers bring it on themselves

A few weeks back I stopped to get fuel at a pilot in Georgia, and this woman was parked in the lot and she was saying on the radio " Everyone come over to my truck and watch TV with me, who wants to come and watch TV with me" and of course these guys were like "Ok where are you"
There were a few guys who thought she was serious, and when they came over to her truck she of course wouldn't let them in, and some of the guys got pretty ticked off at her. it's obvious that she just wanted attention and get a reaction out of these guys

when women go out to look for attention you will get attention and it's not going to be good attention.

JungleJane · Joined: 23 Apr 2006 Posts: 38 Location: Calgary, Canada

LOL Shawnee, now that's just plain stupid of her...lol I mean lets face it..we are all a bit lonely on the road and would love to have someone come sit with us for a bit, but to send out a general invite...lol that's just ridiculous!

That's just the kinda thing that puts all of us women in danger, having people act like that..geez! And I'm sorry I'll never do that again..haha..Joking..haven't driven to Georgia yet..lol

gsherm · Joined: 11 Sep 2006 Posts: 47 Location: Sullivan, Indiana

God Bless all of you, You have as much right to be doing this career as any guy and I just wanted to let all of you know that!!!

Hwyfly · Joined: 20 Oct 2005 Posts: 54 Location: Mankato, Mn.

My cousin who is a female has been driving over the road for the past 17 years , and loves it.

Best of Luck!

highway_gypsy_4ever · Joined: 03 Sep 2006 Posts: 12 Location: highways of America

I have driven solo and team and I have to say I prefer solo even thou it can get lonely at times, a pet can help with that , but you must concider the timev not driving taking care of it on the road, safety is common sence , lock doors, be aware of your surroundings , I love this life the travel meeting different people, good luck out here maybe one day our paths will cross :D

retarder · Joined: 17 Jan 2006 Posts: 4 Location: NJ

GirlnamedShannon wrote: ... get a port-a-potty to avoid using rest area restrooms, to save time stopping and parking through the day and having to ''beat your bladder'' to get inside to a restroom in the morning.

wow i always wonder if they had those for the truck id feel better using one of those than a public tolier...where u dump the mess after ward and keep it clean

where does one dispose this potty waste legally? thx.

jnk2001 · Joined: 01 Dec 2006 Posts: 447 Location: Lynden, WA

Quote: where does one dispose this potty waste legally? thx.

at a truck stop or rest area...Just don't let it get too full..... :lol: :lol: :lol:

syl77dar · Joined: 09 Jul 2006 Posts: 371

goodluck

Baby Bullseye · Posted: Sat Feb 17, 2007 1:05 am Post subject: Re: Thinking of Driving Alone

Granpa's Little Girl wrote:
Can someone tell me the truth about Truck Driving for women. My Grandpa Retired well on his trucking salary and died a happy man who loved every day of his job. Is that also the case for women as well? Is the schooling very costly? And how long does it take?

Something you might want to look into is, go to your local unemployment office and ask them about training programs. I know in the state of Indiana we have a program called Work One and with that you fill out some paper work do some research on some different school and possible get the state to pay for your schooling or part of it to were you don't have to pay it back. Different schools take different amounts of time. Also check if it is a creditable school or just a CDL mill (talk to some different companies or drivers to find out things like that), and talk to the schools as well see what type of feeling you get from them. Remember though the person you talk to in the school office is just a recruiter like any other so they say what they think you want to hear sometimes. Use your gut feeling about that take what they say with a gain of salt and if it sounds to good to be true it probably is. The school I went to was three weeks long.

I have been driving for almost 2 years all but five months of it has been solo. Let me tell you that five months was the longest five months of my life. Someone I knew very well and cared for trained me but a truck that size was just to small for the two of us we did much better after I was in my own truck.

Something on the safety side is when I get out of my truck I always have my keys in my hand with my truck key positioned to were it sticks out in between my figures, and my head is always up and looking around taking note of everyone around me. Even if you have your hands in your pocket with the keys laced like that if someone tries something that long truck key in the eye or throat might have them taking a second thought of what they were going to do. Of course it is a better thought not to get that close to a situation if you don't have to.

Remember you are who you are and carry your self with pride of everything you have done to be who you are. Enjoy who you are and what you do and how you act and just say to yourself skip them if they don't like it. Or at least that is how I try to carry myself.

I am 26 and a female tanker so I here all the time of how I don't belong out here and how I am taking some man's job away. But you know what a man had this job before I did and if he would have done it right I wouldn't have it. I also try to keep in mind (during what few bad days I have) Why I started doing this in the first place, and everyone has their own reason. But I will tell you what thinking of being able to take care of me and my daughter is enough to get me through just about anything that comes my way. Sometimes you just have to suck it up and bull-dose through the not so nice stuff to get to the great stuff.
Don't get me wrong I love being a solo driver there are or course a few head-aches with the job but any job will have it. But at least while your in your truck the not so nice people have a volume control on them, so you don't have to listen to them.

I wish everyone the best, and may you all find what makes you happy and have the strength to hold onto it.

oh and one more thing sorry if I ran on a bit but with what I do there aren't to many women to talk to about this stuff and most of the people I talk to know everything and have done everything or darn near close to it.

LandstarAlayna · Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 26 Location: Ohio, USA

I would have to take a small puppy with me. They would solve the loneliness issue and help with safety too!!! :D

LadyNorthStar · Joined: 08 Jun 2006 Posts: 495 Location: Whitehorse, Yukon

Baby Bullseye wrote:

I am 26 and a female tanker so I here all the time of how I don't belong out here and how I am taking some man's job away.

People seriously SAY that...out LOUD to you?? *shakes head*

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