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Tough Truckin' Women (Read 42 times)
Golden Girl
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Show the link to this post Tough Truckin' Women
Aug 16th, 2008, 8:25am
 
Hey there?

I've been out of the truck for a while. What's the biggest issues that you're facing as of late?
GG
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Gypsy Elf
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Reply #1 - Aug 20th, 2008, 5:46pm
 
You mean besides the finding a clean bathroom issue, right?

Really, I don't find the job itself too hard. I have an easier time chaining than my husband, because I am smaller and more flexible, it is easier for me to get under the trailer to get the chains on correctly and quickly.

We mostly do drop & hook. But sometimes we do unload. Since there are two of us, that isn't too bad. In fact I sort of enjoy the 'workout'.
We used to haul doubles and I can put them together and break them down. It is more steps and in the freezing cold weather not so fun.

I suppose the hardest part ... especially as company drivers ... is the lack of communication from the dispatchers and planners. It is almost necessary to be part psychic to figure them out sometimes.

Physical work doesn't bother me. But I don't like the mental stress that comes from not getting a straight answer when I need it.
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Teri
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Reply #2 - Dec 28th, 2008, 8:21am
 
I agree with JoElle. My biggest problem is communication with dispatch.

They do not communicate well with each other or with there drivers.

and I think one of my biggest problems is loneliness. I do have a 7month old kitten, but I miss talking to people. Seems like the men love to talk, but its hard to get the female drivers to talk.

Teri
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healthnut
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Reply #3 - Jan 7th, 2009, 9:55pm
 
everyone be safe out there
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Gypsy Elf
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Reply #4 - Jan 8th, 2009, 1:39pm
 
I agree Teri, it does seem women drivers won't start conversations as quickly as men will.

However, I've found that once someone DOES decide to start ... that women drivers can be very friendly.

I admit that when I am in a truck stop lady's room, I don't tend to start conversations. (You know, I never got into that going to the restroom in a pack thing.)

However if a driver does start a conversation with me, I am usually open to talking for a few minutes ... as long as I don't have a mouth full of toothpaste.

Grin
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CharmCityGirl
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Reply #5 - Feb 23rd, 2009, 5:17pm
 
My biggest obstacle as of late is employment.  Where I live women truckers have it hard, because you still have these guy employers that still live in the dark ages that feel women shouldn't be out here truckin in the first place.  I can outdrive the average man, I have a clean MVR, and over 10+ yrs experience and I'm encountering all kinds of problems.  What's a girl to do?? Undecided
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Reply #6 - Mar 12th, 2009, 7:57pm
 
i'd hire ya charm city!  keep your chin up; things will turn around for all of us!
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Reply #7 - Aug 2nd, 2010, 7:41am
 
Although I've driven OTR since 1987, I've run team with my husband now for approximately 5 years. We've pulled all sorts of freight in all sorts of trailer types and have finally moved up to the big time: AA&E (arms, ammunition and explosives). Even though the pay scale is higher in this particular niche, there are some negatives. We normally must meet tighter than normal deadlines. We are required to maintain a high level of security on most of our loads. We must be within 25 ft of our trailer and in direct line of sight or we must be in the driver's seat, alert and able to move the rig. My biggest problem now is that it is very hard to find a way to get enough exercise to keep my weight down. I have just purchased resistance bands and found an exercise plan that I should be able to do right beside the trailer (in the shade, of course) in about 30 minutes, once I am familiar with the exercises. Everyone wish me luck! Wink
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Reply #8 - Aug 2nd, 2010, 7:53am
 
joelle wrote on Aug 20th, 2008, 5:46pm:
I suppose the hardest part ... especially as company drivers ... is the lack of communication from the dispatchers and planners. It is almost necessary to be part psychic to figure them out sometimes.

I have found this to be true at most companies I've worked for. After having been around for awhile, I realized that I knew what to do better than they did. This normally happens on Fridays when you get your weekend load assignment. After giving them a legitimate chance to address whatever the issue was, I just formed what I considered to be the best plan of action and made an "executive decision" to implement that plan. Of course, you have to be ready to accept the consequences of your actions on Monday if your plan turns out to be not so great. This doesn't work for the actual dispatching of your freight, though. We are still dependent on them to issue the original work order. Roll Eyes
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