Women in trucking

So what do you think? Does life on the open road appeal to you? Does doing a non-traditional job appeal to you? Do you love to drive? What about meeting new people? This could be just the thing for you. More and more women are becoming truck drivers. It is not nearly as intimidating as you think. Sure the vehicle is a bit larger than you are used to and that trailer back there is something else, but what the heck? We are women. So there is van hauling where you primarily haul dry goods or household goods. Then there are the "reefers" or refrigerated van drivers, This requires a little more patients as most of the time deliveries are by appointment only and can be very strict. These first 2 are the least physical though. Then we get into hauling flatbed. Now this is some work, chaining, strapping, tarping in all kinds of weather and with all kinds of freight. I personally believe flatbedding is the most challenging there is for a women truck driver. Those tarps can be heavy, but if you don't mind some hard work, this is a great way to stay in shape. You can also go with a "covered wagon" which is a flatbed trailer with sides that you put on the trailer and then pull a 1 piece tarp over the top. It is not very difficult to do. Then there is the easiest of all, the "rolling tarp system" this consist of a flatbed trailer with a tarp that is folded up at the front of the trailer on a collapsible frame, when you are loaded and tied down, you simply pull it to the back of the trailer and lock it down and you are ready to roll. So now we have the basic types down we can go to the first step. How do you learn to drive? Easy, just go online, pick up a phone book, and you will find many reputable companies who run their own schools and will teach you for a fee. Now many of these schools, will teach you and then you go to work for their company and drive till you pay the loan back. Do your research ladies, there are so many schools, you cannot afford to not be very choosey. Ask questions about the payback terms, the length of the school time, the time spent with a trainer, this is all important. Do not let yourself be pulled into a fly by night school who promises you to be on the road in a "few short weeks" You want to spend as much time as possible learning. Your life and the lives of thousands of others depend on the quality of training and learning. The longer the school and training time, the better off you will be. Truck driving is a never ending learning process. You will learn till the day you retire. But on the other hand, it is one of the most rewarding jobs you will ever do. I have been driving for 15 years and there is not another job I would ever consider doing. Although I drive alone, I am never lonely, I have my truckin doggies with me and I have never met a stranger. God is with me on the road protecting me each and every day. It is truly a blessed life.