Question:
I have my CDL in hand, I graduated from class, i have my certificate and I am ready to blow everybodys' minds! People need to quit asking me why I chose the trucking career.
Why wouldn't I? If I were a big burly man instead of a little 24 year old girl, would I still be asked the same question? Why is it that someone like me can only be seen as a secretary sitting behind a desk all day, or as a nurse or maybe a retail clerk? No one ever asked me why I worked in the health and beauty section at Super Saver. No one ever said it was "a strange thing for me to do to stock shelves for $6 an hour."
I want to make money the same as the next guy. I can't depend on some wussy man to take care of me. So, why wouldn't I want to choose a field, a career, to further myself?
All of the naysayers out there can kiss my certificate! --> I know all of you big boy truck drivers are going to look at me funny when you see me out there. You're going to laugh and point and watch me take an extra pull up to back up into that last space at the truck stop. Doesn't matter to me.
I'll see ya'll on the road!

Answer:
The other night I ran with a lady driver (who was all of 23) from St Louis to Effingham (bout 100 miles) and even sick she handled that truck as well if not better than any of the billy BIG riggers out there.
I will always be a mutter trucker at heart.
_________________
Tim
This is USAF 2T2 and I approve this message.

Answer:
you might want to edit your profile, since you got you CDL.
good luck on your new career

Answer:
when you pray you talk to God
when you stand in front of the ocean he talks to you
[This message was edited by LoriAz on January 11, 2004 at 11:14.]

Answer:
Well to me it has always been if you can do the job and do it right it don’t make a bit of difference to me if it is a Man or a Woman – Young or Old as long as you enjoy what you are doing and willing to put the time and energy in to it. And that goes for any job
Truck Driving, Firefighting, Police officer, Millitrary, or the like
Work hard and reach for your dreams!
Way to go Blackat

Answer:
Well... I hate to break it to you gals, but you'll be surprised how little "attitude" or response you're gonna get from the men out here.
Guys trash other nationalities, colors, mexicans, gays, college-educated, un-educated, eastcoasters, westcoasters, southerners, northerners, Canadians, liberals, conservatives, democrats, republicans, the thin, the fat, the young, the old, union, non-union, newbie-carrier, dirt-haulers.......there's no end to the bigoted prejudice and ugliness out here towards one another over every possible distinction and classification...
But I can almost count on ONE HAND the number of times I hear any derogatory comments about women truck drivers in general. Probably because most of these guys have wives and KNOW BETTER!! There's NOTHING about trucking -- except the ability to step outside the truck and pizz by the catwalk without anyone really noticing -- that makes gender relevant what-so-ever. It's a high compliment to drivers -- at least most of those out west -- that women are generally treated just like any other driver.
Similiarly, women don't get any special breaks. Every once in a while I'll hear a female on the cb asking for "special" help because they're a girl and don't want to get their hands dirty or their hair wet. The response is usually just like any man would get asking for the same reason: Get over yourself driver and do your job.
Fortunately, many women have already blazed this trail in trucking, and although I'm sure there's much more prejudice and ill-will than what's spoken in public, the VAST MAJORITY of male drivers just don't care. Drivers are measured by other drivers based on their skill and consideration to others on the road, at customer docks, and in parking/truckstop situations.
Many male drivers have what some would consider "feminine" characteristics -- attention to stylish detail, etc. We're a VERY diverse collection of misfits. "Tolerance" for our differences isn't just a political slogan out here -- it's a practical way of life. It isn't about acting like a "man". It's about acting like a "driver". Good luck. Sounds like you'll do just fine, hope so. Either way, it will most lkely have NOTHING to do with your sex, but your skill and ability.

Answer:
Good Job Blackat, BOL in your career. Don't take any schitt. but do be open to advice from the experts. once you land that driving job, you will no doubt be asking for advice, we all did.
Listen with an open mind. there are those that will blast you everytime you post somthing positive, don't give em the satisfaction of a rebuttal.
But as Shuffler said, I really haven't heard anybody on the radio Beating up on women drivers. Everybody else seems to be fair game.
The way I see it, A driver is a driver, you earned your license like everyone else, you earned the right to be out there on the road.
Again, Welcome to the industry, and Good luck.
Ike -->
"The world is a dangerous place to live, not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it."
Albert Einstein

Answer:
Every time you use the CB, be prepared to hear:
What's the 20 on that Baby Doll?

Answer:
What's the 20 on that Baby Doll?
If that's the worst she hears, she'll be truly blessed! -->

Answer:
Congrats on getting your CDl and your new job.
Now if you can get over yourself with the people think you need to be a secretary stuff you'll be alright. Unless of course thats your family and friends saying that.
I can't figure why women think men drivers feel that way.
-->
'Carpe Diem' does not mean 'fish of the day'.
"If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there'd be a shortage of fishing poles."
_________________
RC Universe


Answer:
Thanks for all of the support!!! I appreciate it. My family thinks I'm an idiot for becoming a truck driver, they say truckers are scummy and that they have no life. I hear this everyday. So I quit talking to them. I figure when I start making some good money, it should shut them up and let them know that everyone has a career. I decided what I wanted to do, went to school, and achieved exactly what I set out to do.
Hopefully, my family will come around, if not, oh well, their problem, not mine.
Anyway, Happy Trucking!
See you on the road!
(Hope to see you out there Cubby, if you're reading this. -->[LIST])

Answer:
My family thinks I'm an idiot for becoming a truck driver, they say truckers are scummy and that they have no life.
were sorry you proved us wrong
one thing about newbies and some old timers the scummy is going away,and life is better than at 6$ an hour without a boss on youre back --> --> --> --> --> --> --> --> -->
are you not entertained
the count of monte cristo
jim caviezel=ive counted every block in my cell,many time's
richard harris=yes but have you named them yet
everything that as a beginning as an end
_________________



Answer:
who in the world have some of you been talking to.i donot care if your a man,woman,white black green or yellow and i dont care if it takes you 20 times to get in the last spot at a truck stop as long as you dont hit my truck.i am glad you got your cdl and you are ready to run but before you hit the road you might want to look into a attitude adjustment --> --> -->
YOU CAN SLEEP AFTER YOU DELIVER THE LOAD

Answer:
Well, Blackat, I can definitely relate to how your family is reacting to you. My very upper middle class family feels that trucking isn't a "worthy" profession for me, and I should do something that is more in line with my level of education.
To hell with my family. I like to drive. I'm choosing this profession because it seems like it would be a good fit for my personality. If they can't accept that, the problem is theirs, not mine.
Best of luck to you. You sound like you have the strength of personality that will enable you to do well in this business. Make sure you stop in every once in awhile and let us know how things are going.