It's a Team's Life
Women in Trucking
The percentage of women drivers is pretty low in the trucking industry with numbers quoted from the 5% range all the way up to the 7% range. The percentages are lower then I expected, as I seem to see a lot of women crossing the truck stop parking lot.
My curiosity was piqued so I inquired about the percentage of women drivers within our company and I was told 24%. I then thought about the last figure I heard for the median age of drivers in the expedite industry is 56 and most are in their second career. Many of the women consider straight trucks as they are easier to maneuver and are not as intimidating as tractor-trailers. The income opportunities are usually better in the straight trucks than the smaller vans.
Many, if not most, of the straight trucks have automatics or automated transmissions that make them easier to handle for the new and experienced driver. The trucks have power steering, adjustable seats and some have rounded dashes. The placement of mirrors allows the straight truck to easily be driven by a 6' man and then have a 5' women slide into the drivers seat. The air ride of the trucks make them comfortable to drive and also comfortable to sleep in while their partner is driving.
The initial cost of a straight truck can be prohibitive to many wanna'be first time truck buyers without a large down payment struggle to become owner operators. There are resources though, for these buyers and one that comes to mind in Expediter Services Financial and can be contacted through Expediter Services Web Page. Once in the straight truck, the costs are lower, than a tractor trailer, because the tolls are cheaper, the taxes are cheaper, and the straight trucks usually get very good fuel mileage.
Expediting lends itself very well to the type of driver who stays entertained while sitting and while traveling down the road. You can find straight trucks parked in the darndest places, such as libraries, shopping malls, go-kart tracks, museums, and even truck stops. Many of the drivers listen to books while driving and find that they are now able to catch up on all of the books they missed out on during their previous career.
One of the first differences we noticed when we left our former lives is the close and trusting relationship between the husband and wife teams. It was somewhat of a shock to not hear "How in the world can you spend so much time with your spouse?", this group of people respect each other and trust their spouse as their lives depend on them making good decisions while behind the wheel.
Expediting is a good choice for husband and wife teams who
want to see the country and make money while doing it.
It is still trucking, it still comes with all
of the DOT rules, and we still have to travel the roads when it would make more
sense to stay at home beside the fire.
The rewards are awesome but it is a business and we always have to remember
the business comes first and there is not guarantee of success.
To join Women in Trucking:
Bob & Linda Caffee
TeamCaffee

Saint Louis MO
Expediters 8 years been out here on the road 13 years
Expediting isn't just trucking, it's a lifestyle; 

Expediting isn't just a lifestyle, it's an adventure;

Expediting isn't just an adventure, it's a job;

Expediting isn't just a job, it's a business.