Don't ever let men tell you this is thier world and not a place for you.
I have done just about everything, dry van, loaded/unloaded my own truck, I am an Owner/Op.
I took a break from the OTR and ended up in contruction, heavy equipment, tri-axle dump truck. Learned in a day the basics.
Now I am driving flatbed, hauling steel, local and love it. It's really hard work and I have found ways to work smarter, not harder.
For example: I have to throw a 25lb chain up over a load of steel beams, about 12ft high, you miss and they come down FAST and HARD. I found that clipping a 50ft nylon rope to the last link and throwing the rope over and then pulling the chain over was WAY easier!
I had a bad trainer, I turned him into his safety department when it was all said and done (did not want to and have to restart with another trainer, so I put up with it.) But thats you're choice, I came out of training totally sure of myself because he sucked and did nothing the 3 weeks we were out, thus taught me to manage on my own.
As for running alone, make a few simple rules for safety and live by them.
1. I never stop at rest areas at night. Dangerous and too crowded. If I must stop to use the restroom at night I pull up thru a fuel isle at a major truckstop, well lighted and visiable. I used to even keep a port-a-potty onboard, so I could stop at night and not have to walk the parking lot in the dark.
2. Do not open your door at night if someone is pounding on it, regardless of what they say. Keep it locked, call the local police to come out and check on you.
3. Never get out of your truck without your wallet, keys and cell phone. NO exceptions to this rule!
4. Never stop or pick up anyone. In this day and age, everyone has a cell phone or roadside assistance is nearby. Even females appearing to be stranded onside the road can be decoys!
