Women Truck Drivers

Most people associate the term truck driver with men, but more and more women are finding this is an enjoyable career choice for them. Some of them are team drivers with another woman or their spouse. Others enjoy being out on the open road with their pets or by themselves. 

Due to the increase of women truck drivers, many truck stops have had to make changes to what they offer. They now have shower rooms equipped with items for women. They also offer many amenities that females will need while they stop at a truck stop including feminine products, perfume, hairspray, and other accessories. 

You may find some people out there who ridicule women truck drivers as they think it is a joke. Yet most of these women are very competent behind the wheel of an 18-wheeler and they know all about how to keep their truck in good working condition. Some trucking companies are hesitant to hire women even though they can’t come right out and say this due to discrimination laws. They worry about the safety of the women while out there on the road. They also worry about harassment they may encounter by their male employees. 

There is a non-profit organization known as Women in Trucking that works hard to advocate for women’s rights in this profession that is dominated by men. They work hard to acknowledge the accomplishments of women in the trucking industry and to help the overcome any barriers to employment. Over the last five years they have worked hard to help women find more jobs in the trucking industry and have been very successful.

Women in Trucking have also released a documentary on DVD called Alligator on the Zipper. This film documents true stories about seven female truck drivers and their experiences. It is believed offering such educational information will help women be more accepted in the field of truck driving.

Today there are almost 200,000 women truck drivers in the United States, so they make up approximately 5% of the total truck driver workforce. While many women still feel intimidated in this profession, they are finding hard work and dedication to safety and delivering loads on time is earning them respect of companies all over the Nation. 

If you are a woman interested in driving a semi truck, take the time to find out what your options are. If you are a United States citizen, at least 21 years of age, and you have a good driving record then you may be eligible to obtain a CDL. You will need to find a quality truck driving training program so you can successfully pass the written and oral examinations.

There are plenty of excellent truck driving jobs out there, so you will need to look hard for them. You will also want to join support groups including Women in Trucking. They can help you with any questions or concerns you may have while entering the trucking industry. They can also assist you if you feel your civil rights have been violated due to the fact that you are a female pursuing a career in truck driving. 

While it is harder for a woman truck driver to be accepted for many positions, don’t give up. There are some trucking companies such as Mary Kay Cosmetics that prefer women drivers. Think of the thrill of being the driving force behind a pink semi! 

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Hybrid Semi Trucks

The cost of fuel continues to rise, and that makes it difficult for just about everyone. If you are a trucking company or an owner operator though, you feel that hit at the pumps more than anyone due to the amount of fuel that semi trucks need to operate. 

There is also the fact that they contribute significantly to pollution in the environment. The idea of hybrid semi trucks has been in the works for quite some time to offset high fuel prices for truck drivers and to reduce their effects on the environment.

The idea of hybrid vehicles has been in place for quite sometime, and there have been numerous test projects going on in recent years for hybrid semi trucks. Some of these tests have been done with providing vehicles for the United States military. The results of these projects are very good, and the plan is to roll out hybrid semi trucks in 2009. 

Peterbilt is considered to be a quality brand of semi truck, and they will be the first to introduce the hybrid semi truck models. They will be available for viewing at the 2008 truck shows taking place in various locations. 

Some trucking companies and owner operators have already placed their orders for hybrid semi trucks and they are expected to do well in sales. Negotiations are currently in the works between Peterbilt and Wal-mart regarding the hybrid semi trucks. This will be a tremendous contract for Peterbilt because Wal-Mart operates the second largest fleet of trucks in the United States. 

Kenworth is another very reputable brand of semi truck, and they are working on hybrid semi truck models of their own. While they already presented some models at truck shows in 2007, it is believed their production will be on a smaller scale. It is also believed their hybrid models won’t come out until after those from Peterbilt are released. Kenworth is looking for a big trucking company to initiate contracts with though at this time. 

It is estimated an over the road hybrid semi truck can save the driver or the company at least $10,000 annually. This is quite a significant amount of additional profit for any owner operator to take notice of. For those trucking companies with thousands of trucks, this savings can quickly computer to hundreds of thousands of dollars being saved annually on fuel. 

Some people remain skeptical about the use of hybrid semi trucks, but for the most part the trucking industry is excited about their introduction. This particular type of semi truck will significantly impact the trucking industry as we know it today. While these hybrid semi trucks will be expensive, the amount of money that can be saved on fuel costs makes it a great investment. There will likely be plenty of incentives offered by the government when you buy a hybrid semi truck as well. 

With so many semi trucks on the road, the positive impact that hybrid semi trucks will have on the environment are very encouraging as well. If you are interested in learning more about the future of hybrid semi trucks, you can visit the Peterbilt or the Kenworth websites. You can also find out when they will be displaying their hybrid models at future truck shows. This is a great way for you to get to see one of the hybrid semi trucks up close and personal. 

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Owner Operator Independent Driver Association

Truck drivers may have some difficult issues to face out there on the road, but they are not alone in their efforts. There are plenty of resources out there to lend a hand as they realize the importance of truck drivers and the work they do. They offer support and help to ensure that the rights of truck drivers are met while doing all they can to make the industry as a whole better for everyone involved.

One of the leading advocates for truck drivers is the Owner Operator Independent Driver Association (OOIDA). They offer a full range of services to support truck drivers including financing for trucks, advocating with the government to get certain issues addressed, and the opportunity to purchase health insurance and retirement plans.

OOIDA currently has more than 150,000 members and it continues to grow. They have been working hand in hand with the trucking industry since 1973. These members are from all over the United States and in recent years truck drivers from Canada have been allowed to join. This is one of the top organizations out there to give truck drivers a voice. 

With the information gathered by OOIDA, truck drivers can get the facts about various issues taking place. Too many times the information found from other resources is biased one way or another. This can make it hard to make an informed decision. Members of OOIDA know they will always get both sides of the story with accurate data and facts.

They also know that the OOIDA team takes their concerns and comments to legislation on state and federal levels. Based on the information that they have gathered from members they are able to take stand on the behalf of their members for important trucking industry related issues.

They work hard to keep truck drivers informed of current issues, and post all of them on their website. They also offer scholarship programs for children of truck drivers, call to action forums, and information on new rules and regulations. If there is something you need to find information about but don’t see it offered from OOIDA, contact them. They will do all they can to get you the right resources to take care of it. 

They have made significant contributions to the trucking industry over the past 30 years. Instead of focusing on the problems out there they focus on solutions. For example they pushed for more parking at truck stops and more rest areas with sufficient parking along common truck driving routes. This was in response to complaints that drivers continue to drive when they are tired or out of hours. 

When OOIDA started discussing this with the drivers they represent, it quickly became evident that there was a lack of places for them to stop and get some sleep or to wait while they regained driving hours. It is their dedication to correcting such issues that makes this profession better for all truck drivers and the roads safer for all people on the roads. 

If you are interested in joining OOIDA you can visit their website or complete a postage paid card from various magazines. The annual fee for the membership is $45, but it is a very worthwhile investment. You will find this is one of the best advocate programs for owner operators. 

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The Differences between Owner Operators and Company Drivers

There are thousands of trucks out there on the road each day, hauling goods and supplies to various locations. Some of these drivers are owner operators and others are company drivers. The jobs they do may be the same but there are plenty of differences that separate the two. If you are interested in driving a truck you want to take a look at what each one has to offer.

For those who have just received their CDL, becoming a company driver is generally the best option. At least in the beginning as it will allow you to decide if operating a semi truck is really where your interests lie. It will also help you gain work experience and built a reputation for being a quality truck driver.

Company drivers are provided a truck by their employer. They are generally paid by the hour if they drive locally and by the mile if they drive over the road. The company is responsible for the truck payment, the insurance, and all the repairs. They also pay for the fuel expenses. Many company drivers find they get to be in late model trucks because they replace the older ones in the fleet on a regular basis. 

Some expenses that a company driver will have while on the road are food, showers, and phone calls. Some employers offer a per diem which is an amount per day they allow for such expenses. This per diem is added to their paycheck so the driver still needs to pay for it out of their pocket and then be reimbursed. If the driver doesn’t spend the amount offered per day then they can generate some additional income as well.

Most company drivers have the option of buying health insurance and they may be eligible for paid vacation time after they have been with the company for awhile. The specifics of these offers depend on the specifications of the company.

Owner operators are able to generate more income than company drivers, but they also have a high overhead. They are responsible for their truck payment, truck repairs, insurance, and maintenance expenses. Still, they have the freedom to haul what they want to through a broker or by leasing their truck to a company. They have more say in the loads they haul than a company driver.

They also have to pay for their own meals, showers, and fuel. An owner operator needs to make sure they put enough money away to cover their taxes as none will be taken out of their paychecks. They also need to have money ready for repairs should the need arise. Owner operators have to secure their own health insurance and if they take any time off, they won’t be paid for that period of time. 

There are many legitimate expenses that an owner operator can take on their tax return. It is important to keep all receipts and to categorize them into the different areas of deductions. Being prepared for the end of the year filing is important so this paperwork should be carefully maintained. 

There are many exciting jobs out there for truck drivers, but the decision to be an owner operator or a company driver is an important one. The decision is going to affect the amount of money you can earn, your expenses, and the responsibilities you will have in the trucking industry. 

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Team Truck Drivers

Many truckers out there prefer to drive their rig alone, but others enjoy having a friend or their spouse to be on the road with. The idea behind team truck drivers is to get deliveries made faster. They truck is able to go further in a 24 hour period because you have two drivers that can drive. They can each drive all of their hours of service and then switch or drive in timed shifts.

Most team truck drivers decide to drive in full shifts so that the other person can get sufficient rest. Basically the team will stop at regular intervals so each can eat, shower, and use the bathroom. Each person that makes up the team has to keep their own log book of their hours of service, both on duty and off duty. 

This is one of the few times when it is acceptable to have more than one log book in a semi truck. Generally this practice is banned so that truck drivers can’t be accused of running with more than one set of books in order to manipulate the hours of service regulations. 

The biggest advantage to having team truck drivers is they can get deliveries to the destination in half the time of a solo driver. Most trucking companies send their team trucks on routine routes because they want to keep the customer happy by always having the deliveries completed on time. 

Many team truck drivers are sent over the road with hazardous materials because they are on the open road for less time. The truck is generally on the move instead of being stopped for hours at a time due to the hours of service regulations that will result in a solo driver parking the hazardous load and waiting until they have new driving hours. 

There are a couple of downfalls to the concept of team truck drivers though. First, many people have their own way of doing things and this will carry over to taking care of the truck. It can create issues when each person wants things to be done their own way. Secondly, it can make it difficult for couples because even though they are in the truck for many hours per day together, they get very little time to actually spend together. 

It can also be difficult to stay with a set schedule when there are traffic hold ups, delivery delays, and other unforeseen events. If the team truck drivers aren’t doing their finances together such as best friends driving together it can be tricky to divvy up earnings. Most trucking companies pay team truck drivers half of the overall miles completed for a given trip to avoid such issues but this is dealt with on a company by company basis. 

Many trucking companies place new drivers with an experienced driver to show them the ropes over the road. This type of team truck driving can be very uncomfortable and strained. Since neither person knows the other they may find it difficult to get into a routine that works for both of them. It is also hard for the new driver to learn because he or she should be sleeping during that period of time. Likewise, the experienced driver may find it difficult to sleep with someone so inexperienced behind the wheel of the semi truck. 

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Films Featuring Trucks

There are some really great shows out there that feature trucks and truck drivers. Some of them are realistic and others are more science fiction, but they do seem to hold the attention of the viewer. Those in the trucking industry are often able to pick out the inconsistencies in the sounds of the trucks and what they are able to do, but the rest of us are entertained by their power and their presence. 

The movie Convoy starring Kris Kristofferson was released in 1978, and it is still a very popular movie today. It has been digitally re-mastered and released in a DVD format as well. The movie tells the story about some truck drivers who get into trouble with the law because the Sheriff doesn’t like truck drivers coming through his town. The truck drivers decide to fight back instead of being intimidated by the Sheriff.

The movie portrays the powerful numbers of truck drivers when they band together for a central cause. As a result of their efforts, the government steps in and takes notice of the ill treatment of truck drivers and steps are taken to make positive changes. 

Stephen King has long been known for his creative stories, and one in particular has the semi trucks running the show for once. The show is called Maximum Overdrive and it tells the story of a comet that causes the machines to come to life and move on their own. A group of individuals are terrorized by the trucks at a local truck stop. The film was released in the 1980’s. 

The cartoon Transformers was very popular in the early 1980’s, and it has found a renewed life recently. A full length movie of the cartoon was released in 2007 with a sequel due out in late 2008. The leader of the good guys is Optimus Prime, a very large semi truck that is able to transform into a robot. He is powerful yet his is very wise and attempts to resolve conflicts with his mind instead of his strength. 

In the Disney Pixar animated cartoon called Cars, various semi trucks are given personalities. They portray the hard work of semi trucks on the roads very one. My favorite scene is at night when all of the trucks are lined up at the truck stop sleeping. Some of them are even snoring after a hard day of work. 

A new series on the History Channel called Ice Road Truckers is very interesting to watch. It documents the events of truck drivers on the icy roads in Canada who work to safely transport equipment and materials to and from the diamond mines. This is considered to be one of the most dangerous jobs in the trucking industry due to the heavy loads and the inclement weather. 

The program takes a close look at the trials and tribulations these truck drivers face to get the job done. It also shows viewers the dedication that many truck drivers have due to the passion for driving. They work hard to deliver what they are hauling safely and on time. Maybe this type of show will earn truck drivers the recognition they deserve instead of being classified as road hogs and lazy people who sit behind the steering wheel all day.

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Trucker Talk

Truck drivers are professionals who have their own terminology for many different events that take place. They often talk to each other on the CB to offer assistance and information to each other. The most common phrase that truck drivers use that most of us are aware of is the term 10/4. This basically means they have acknowledged what was said and they are signing off. 

Truck drivers generally warn each other about road hazards and safety issues. The term four wheeler refers to a regular sized vehicle on the road. They may want to let other drivers behind them know about a car on the side of the road ahead or other concerns. They also notify each other of cops by various terms – a smokey is a cop on the ground in a car, Evil Kinevil is one on a motorcycle, and a bear in the air is in reference to speed being monitored by aircraft.  

We have all seen those large pieces of rubber from semi truck tires on the highway. They are referred to as alligators. Road kill is a common site on many roads, and truck drivers refer to it as road pizza. Flat bed trailers are often referred to as skateboards. Tractor trailers are commonly referred to as a box. 

If you see a truck moving without a trailer attached to it, truckers call this bobtailing. While it saves them of fuel mileage, it is a bumpy road without that trailer on the back to help smooth things out.

At truck stops you may hear the term lot lizard. This is in reference to the girls who are wondering around in the parking lot trying to get paid to perform sexual favors for truck drivers. They call them lizards because they scramble when they see light from security or the cops. You can even see them dangerously walking underneath moving trailers on semi trucks to avoid being caught. 

Some of the lot lizards stay in their vehicles to avoid being detected by security. They use codes on the radio asking if someone wants their chrome polished or their truck detailed. These are code words for various types of sexual favors – yet they can’t be charged with anything if a cop hears them say these terms over the CB radio frequency.

You will find that some of the slang used on the CB’s varies by location on the country. There are many different variations and many of the long term truck drivers are able to correctly identify the region another driver is from just by the terminology they use. For the most part though trucker talk is common knowledge among this profession.

The truck talk that pertains to safety issues seems to be more standardized across the board. It is the terms that refer to other aspects out there that seem to come with the most variations associated with them. 

While most of us have no reason to learn truck talk, it can be interesting to understand what they are talking about if you work in a truck stop or you have a CB in your vehicle. I have learned various types of trucker talk listening to my husband and other drivers talking around me. While I find some of their terminology to be silly, it serves its purpose. 

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Valuable Skills you need to Succeed in the Trucking Industry

Being a truck driver involves much more than sitting behind the wheel of a vehicle and driving all day. There are plenty of skills needed in order to do a great job at it. The image of truck drivers isn’t the best in society, and many drivers strive to change that mentality by always offering fast, friendly service. 

Excellent communication skills make a great truck driver. You have to be able to talk with your dispatcher in order to get the right loads and to work out any delivery or pick up problems. You will also encounter people as you go about your job and you need to be able to get along well with them. 

Navigation is a large part of driving a semi truck as there are particular roads that can be used and those that can’t. Truck drivers have to be able to read maps so they can find their destination. They also need to look for clearance information relating to bridges and bypasses to ensure their truck and trailer aren’t too tall to fit under them.

Truck drivers need to be responsible and reliable. Driving a semi truck can be dangerous for yourself and for other people on the road. Paying attention to the activity going on out there is going to help prevent accidents from happening. Obeying the rules on the road and following the speed limit is very important.

Motivation is very helpful for truck drivers because it helps them to get their job done correctly. It can be too easy to turn off that alarm and go back to bed when you are tired, but knowing you have a delivery to make is going to help you get moving. Truck drivers also need to be motivated to take care of their own health needs so they can perform as best as possible out there.

Organization is a key skill for successful truck drivers to do. There is plenty of paperwork that has to be done on a daily basis. The log book needs to be filled out correctly or you can end up in trouble with the law and with your employer. Trip packets have to be completed with all of the necessary paperwork or it can delay your pay for the work you completed. You also have to keep track of your expenses so you are able to use them as deductions on your income tax return. 

It is useful if the truck driver has a basic understanding of how their semi truck operates. This way they can identify any problems that may be prevented as well as complete some of the necessary repairs. While this isn’t a necessity of the job, it definitely comes in handy and it can save a great deal of money for expensive repairs by a professional. 

Truck drivers may be male or female, and they vary in age as well as experience. Having many of these skills will help ensure the individual does well in their role as a professional truck driver. These skills will also help keep the job enjoyable because no one wants to work in a profession where they aren’t happy. Working to improve any of these skills will result in parts of the job becoming easier and completed more efficiently. 

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