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THOSE WONDERFUL WOMAN TRUCKERSPresently, there are about 8 million licensed CDL drivers in the United States.Approximately 4.5 million of these are active truck drivers. Professional truckdriving, specifically over the road trucking, has always been noted as a fielddominated by men. The rough and tough trucking life could only be handled by areal man . . . well, times are changing!Women in trucking actually goes back to 1929 when Lillie Elizabeth Drennan becamethe first women to receive the CDL license. Driving an old Chevrolet, she was arugged lady who carried a loaded revolver with her on her trucking adventures.Born in 1897, she paved the way for women truckers up to her passing in 1974.Today, there are nearly 170,000 women truckers, making up 5% of all U.S. truckingjobs. By the end of 2007, that number is expected to attain 200,000. Whatmotivates these women to leave the general work place? You will find thatindependence and the irrepressible challenge of truck driving jobs are the twomost common motivations given. Another important reason is the wage-earningaspect. Truck driving averages 20-30% higher wages than jobs women usually enter
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 into. Woman in trucking is on such a rise in the United States that it is thecause of such great organizations such as the National and International Womens
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 Trucking Association. Also, women are taking on more important leading roles suchas management, safety, dispatching, sales and recruiting.In the beginning, this new breed of trucker was hard for their men counterparts toaccept. As time passed, men took notice as these incredible women showed theirdetermination and abilities to handle the big rigs. I remember one day when I wasparked at the Petro Truck Stop in El Paso, Texas and a driver came in and wasattempting to back into a very tight spot next to a light pole. After severalattempts, he pulled away frustrated. Right behind him, came this massive lookingPeterbuilt and whipped right up and hit the spot on the very first try. I
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 thought to myself, Now that is one good driver. As the door of the Peterbuilt
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 opened, this tiny little lady that stood only about 5'4? bounded out and made herway up to the truck stop! I just chuckled to myself and went to bed.All truck drivers encounter the dangers and hardships associated with truckdriving jobs, more so however, for over the road trucking. Women truckers are morevulnerable to these dangers and need to adhere to far greater rules of safety.Listed below are a few key points to keep in mind:1. Avoid rest areas at all times, especially at night.2. Keep doors locked at all times.3. Never advertise that you are alone, even using the C.B. radio4. Stay away from driving on back roads or taking short cuts.
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5. When parking at a truck stop, try parking as close to the front door aspossible.6. At all parking spots, attempt to park under a well-lighted area.7. ALWAYS carry a cell phone.I, for one, consider it a great testimony to the strength and determination of ourcountrys women to take on such a demanding obstacle of over the road truck
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 driving. It is not the easiest way of life. I am also continually impressed bythose women who not only have succeeded in this difficult lifestyle, but have alsomaintained their feminine qualities. My experiences have also shown that truckingcompanies show more respect and even provide BETTER opportunities to womendrivers. Truck driving jobs are not for everyone. Do your homework and researchthe full aspects of the trucking life. If it is something that appeals to you, andyou can manage all the responsibilities of home and family life, along with the
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AskTheTrucker

Drop by and reaad some more of Allen's articles. AskTheTrucker.com

reply01 / 18 / 2008
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