Women in Trucking Article

TeamCaffee · Nov 28, 2007

Has anyone joined this group or talked with a representative of theirs?

I joined this year organization the year before last and really felt as if I wasted my time and money. I tried different ways to promote the expediting life style and really got no encouragement. I was not sure if it was because I was a team driver or if there was another issue. I also wondered if just being in a straight truck was an problem.

I really felt as if this was going to be a great group to get involved with and wonder if any of you out there had better luck and I should try again?

ihamner · Nov 28, 2007

Linder, I joined also. I was really disappointed that they never responded to any correspondence. I think it might be because we are Expediters driving the smaller trucks. It seems to be another case where the big truck drivers don't really consider us truck drivers. I have found that most female drivers at truck stops are friendly and go out of their way to speak to another female driver, though.

India Hamner
[font color="purple"] FEDEX [/font][font color="blue"]Custom Critical[/font]
D Unit
"Talent is God-given; be thankful.
Praise is man-given; be humble
Conceit is self-given; be careful."

Moot · Nov 28, 2007

Linda, you do a great job of promoting expediting right here where you have an audience of both women and men.

silverdollar · Nov 28, 2007

I will tell you the truth and that is that big truck drivers really do not consider six wheeler drivers to be truckdrivers,I was the same way for 35 years driving big trucks and 10 years driving a six wheeler. as for an organization for women in trucking there is one already, it is called Lot Lizards Inc.x(

cheri1122 · Nov 28, 2007

I didn't join, because I was not impressed with what I saw at the Expedite Expo last July. The quote by Ellen Voie (sp?) still has me scratching my head:
"Our goal is threefold: to encourage more women to consider trucking as a career, to remove obstacles that prohibit women from entering the industry and to celebrate women's success in the industry, to focus on the women who have been the pioneers, who have overcome the challenges and succeeded. We want to celebrate the fact that women can make it in the industry."
Umm - ok, here's what I'd ask:
How does forming a nonprofit group called 'Women in Trucking' encourage more women to consider trucking as a career? Especially when the group focuses on trucking shows - the women who attend are not exactly unfamiliar with the concept, are they? How about going places where trucking is unfamiliar to women?
What obstacles is she talking about, that prohibit women from entering the industry? We're in the industry, already!
Focusing on the women who were the pioneers? How are they doing that? I ask because I saw no evidence of that focus, anywhere.
Celebrate the fact that women can make it in the industry? Those of us who are doing it, 'celebrate' that fact every day, by doing our job in a professional manner - how does a group that ignores us help?
I agree with Moot: Linder Caffee does more to promote women in trucking, and expediting, than anyone else I've seen so far, and Women in Trucking could learn a lot - if they were interested in more than appearances. Sadly, that doesn't seem to be the case.

greg334 · Nov 28, 2007

Cheri,
You seem to be too practical in your approach. Someone has to do the dirty work and promote Women in trucking and they seem to be doing just that - fulfilling their mission statement by going to the shows.

Now I got that out of my system, I agree with you (and Moot) when you look at this at the bigger picture level. I would think that first responding to emails from your membership ranks should be a priority and actually can be construed as a failure to live up to the mission statement. Followed by promoting the profession in a useful manner not by going to shows but sponsor some workshops in community employment centers with trucking schools and maybe visiting some select high schools and colleges to expose the positives of the profession. I may sound naive at this 'promote the profession by exposing it in the right places' idea but it only makes sense, right?

I think that the real purpose for them is not to be a Women's version of the OOIDA but some what of a lobbying group for the purpose of promoting women in trucking on different levels of government and after reading the background of a couple of the 'leaders', it makes too much sense to me. I also think it would be odd to see this all fall under a 501(c)(6) which is for lobbying among other things (business leagues) instead of a devoted educational organization. That's my thinking on the matter.

dieseldiva · Nov 28, 2007

Linda, I think you should consider putting your head together with LM and starting your own organization that focuses on expediter women, in conjunction with EO.

Yes, we're truck drivers but not in the traditional sense. We have issues and life styles that are somewhat different than our "big-rig sisters". I should add that we also have some priveleges that our sisters don't enjoy.

Come on, you can do it!!!

TeamCaffee · Nov 28, 2007

I do admit I like to promote expediting! This field is so darn women friendly it is hard to not promote this life style. On another web site I am a member of that is for big trucks I am saddened by some of those women's stories who need to make good money but are afraid every day of the truck and trailer and also lonely in the big trucks. Why in the world I wonder did they not look at expediting?

I was so disappointed in the WIT and their lack of interest in any contact I had with them in person and by email.

Thanks though to all you guys for your kind words and support!

greg334 · Nov 28, 2007

Linda,

Just curious "This field is so darn women friendly it is hard to not promote this life style."

What do you mean by this?

I am trying to get my wife involved and I can't get her interested in to even ride along.

TeamCaffee · Nov 28, 2007

Wow Greg let me list the ways!!

1. Trucks are very easy to drive and handle
2. You sit higher then the 4-wheelers gives you a better view of the road and also a sense of safety.
3. You get a chance to listen to as many books as your heart has ever dreamed of reading while driving.
4. You are with someone you really care about and someone you can share everything you get to see out here.
5. You have the freedom to see the United States and if you wish Canada.
6. You in get to see all of the season's change all over the United States.
7. You get to see all of the really cool architecture of the downtown areas in all of the capitals and small towns.
8. You have your little house on wheels that is your safety net and you make it into you and your husbands personal space to relax in.
9. You make lots and lots of friends out here who are also traveling all over and you talk about going to places in the USA as if it is your personal neighborhood that you both have been to.
10. On your down time you can catch up on movies, work on a craft, or my bad habit be on the computer.
11. You have personal challenges such as running your personal business and learning about all of the laws that affect us out here.
12. You get to see the most amazing things at shippers and receivers that very few people get to see.
13. You are a partner with your spouse on getting the job done to the best of both your abilities.
14. You are seen as an equal to the company you are leased to not as just a women.
15. Most of the times you are treated special when you go into a truck stop with most men holding the door open for you or at least saying hello. Very seldom are you not treated with respect by the men out here on the road and your opinion is respected.
16. You no longer have to "dress up" to go to work.
17. I know of some women who I believe have shopped in every mall in the United States and Canada!!
18. Those that like Casino's have also been to most in the United States.
19. We get to see our kids and friends more often and when we have the time we stay a few days to visit.
20. We have stopped at many tourist attractions we would never have made it to with only two weeks vacation.
21 We have private showers where we can stay as long as we want.
22. No longer have to request sick time or vacation time.
23. I have a great sense of accomplishment of my abilities to drive our truck safely. I will admit when we got our truck the thoughts of driving through a big city scared me to death! Now with the help of my GPS and the miles we have run I don't even get jitters.
24. Everyday that we have the freedom to not have to go to a 9 to 5 job I thank god!

There are some bad things out here that we see that are not so nice but who wants to dwell on them!!

greg334 · Nov 28, 2007

Linda,
Thanks for the list. I printed it off and stuck in my wife purse.

But with that said, I wondered about a few;

1. Trucks are very easy to drive and handle

OK I think they are too easy to drive on the other hand I just tried to get my wife to move my truck to the driveway from the side of the house when I first got it and after 10 minutes of trying to talk her into the driver's seat, I gave up. She has had problem driving my Dodge ram and took out a Volvo with it - ripped the front end off it while leaving work.

2. You sit higher then the 4-wheelers gives you a better view of the road and also a sense of safety.

OK... this is the reason a lot of guys like trucks too to put it politely.

15. Most of the times you are treated special when you go into a truck stop with most men holding the door open for you or at least saying hello. Very seldom are you not treated with respect by the men out here on the road and your opinion is respected.

Ummmm... you can also get free dinners if I am not mistaken, maybe not for most but some. But other than that, I agree with you respect is important.

16. You no longer have to "dress up" to go to work.

Well tell you the truth, I wish the 'dress up' thing for work would rub off on some people who don't dress at all for work or wear the same sweat pants for the 9 days in a row. I only saw two truck drivers who for the most part were well dressed, good shirt, nice pants and a tie. But point well taken.

dieseldiva · Nov 28, 2007

Linda's list serves as a reminder to all of us of the many ways we can count our blessings.

Greg, I'll probably have to take "heat" for this comment but would you agree that the majority of the sloppily dressed truck drivers you see out here on the road are not expediters?? No offense to anyone, just my personal observation. We are a different breed.

arrbsthw · Nov 29, 2007

That was a very good list Linda. I used to read the Women in Trucking
magazine when it 1st came out. At that time it had intersting
articles in it. It was a regular size also. No it is 1/2 the size
and all it is a magazine ad for truck drivers. Not many articles
worth reading now.

Your list makes me stop and be grateful for some of the things
that we get to do and see out here. I admit I am not as hooked
on it as you yet but maybe someday I will be.

greg334 · Nov 29, 2007

"Greg, I'll probably have to take "heat" for this comment but would you agree that the majority of the sloppily dressed truck drivers you see out here on the road are not expediters??"

Yes and no.

Yes I agree most come from the mainstream trucking, some are just disgusting and if the health department inspected their truck it would be condemned. I think many in mainstream trucking are just plain disgusting and should not be there but that is my opinion.

But on the other hand I run across a few (bunch) van drivers who for the most part haven't been out of the van and in a shower for months. One who I ran across in Atlanta when I was driving my van was so disgusting and stinking so badly that I had to move my van far up wind from him. I don't know if it was him or he was hauling rotting bodies but it was bad. There were a few couples that were bad too, but I think with a van, there is something about small spaces and a lack of motivation being depressed because they are not making any money - who knows.

TeamCaffee · Nov 29, 2007

Greg!! I didn't say that all of those great things are just for women to enjoy!

Also Bob spent a lot of time making me furious on teaching me to back or as I considered it just bossing me around. I finally got mad said a few choice words and asked him to go to the back. It took me awhile but I learned the length of the truck and when to start turning while backing. I spent a lot of time and fuel driving around a truck stop backing here and there and turning this way and that way but I had to do it on my own.

By dressing up I really meant heals, stockings and dresses! You need to dress for this job which means a nice pair of pants, shirt and sturdy shoes and your hair combed.

You know I still get a thrill every time I back up to a dock and hit the pads perfect but then I also get a thrill when I reconcile with the bank and all adds up perfect.

Moot · Nov 29, 2007

But on the other hand I run across a few (bunch) van drivers who for the most part haven't been out of the van and in a shower for months. One who I ran across in Atlanta when I was driving my van was so disgusting and stinking so badly that I had to move my van far up wind from him. I don't know if it was him or he was hauling rotting bodies but it was bad. There were a few couples that were bad too, but I think with a van, there is something about small spaces and a lack of motivation being depressed because they are not making any money - who knows.

Greg had I known that was you I would have asked for your shower coupon.

ihamner · Nov 29, 2007

Linder, I LOVE your list! Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I have already sent the list to some friends. You almost have to have worked in a "hose and heels and business suit" situation to really appreciate our Expediting experience. But it is also the office atmosphere (the confrontations, back biting, general jealousy) in a company along with the day to day mundane job that gets to me. Once you have experienced the joy of the open road it changes everything.

Obviously it isn't for everyone. A person with a bad driving record or someone who is a "home body" would find it more difficult. But someone who loves to travel and see the country would fit right in!

Thanks for the reminder of all we have to be thankful for these days.

India Hamner
[font color="purple"] FEDEX [/font][font color="blue"]Custom Critical[/font]
D Unit
"Talent is God-given; be thankful.
Praise is man-given; be humble
Conceit is self-given; be careful."

pelicn · Nov 29, 2007

Great List!! There are things about this job that irritate the stuffins out of me, BUT, they don't outweigh the good things about this job.
We came from the tractor trailer world and backing that trailer used to give me fits! I LOVE this straight truck truckin.

Some one mentioned that tractor trailer truckers don't seem to think that 6 wheelers are "real" truckers. I think that is true in some cases, but not all. I think it somewhat depends on how they operate the equipment. Having been in both places, it scares me when I see driver in a 40 foot straight truck whipping in and out of traffic like they are in a Pinto. Yesterday, when trying to enter a truckstop, I wanted to smack a TriState driver when he pulled in front of me, leaving his tail hanging out across my lane just so that he could make the light.