Start Planning Mother’s Day for Women Truckers Now

Posted in Trucker Lifestyle, Women Truckers by Brian · 2 Comments 

There are many moms who spend their days driving big trucks across the state or country. They’re doing their job day in and day out as women truck drivers. And while it would be great if each and every mom were able to be at home with family on Mother’s Day, it’s quite possible they won’t. You may want to start planning for Mother’s Day for women truckers now, just in case.

Sure, you can go the traditional route of giving your mom flowers or candy for this special day, but if she’s a truck driver, those gifts are really impractical. What about jewelry? All women love jewelry, right? Well, that gift might be impractical, too. You may be surprised to find that women, and especially women truck drivers, want something they will truly use as a gift. Here are some gift ideas to get you out of the traditional gift-giving mode.

• Tools – Women truck drivers need and use tools on their job. This doesn’t mean that you have to go out and buy the most expensive set of tools on the market, but it does mean that you have to do some snooping around. Find out what type of tools your trucking mom uses regularly, and buy her an extra set. This will definitely come in handy in case she loses or actually breaks one. She’ll have an extra set to fall back on and she’ll have you to thank for it!
• Storage – If your mom’s truck is like most trucks, the cab (even with a sleeper) is cramped and space is at a premium. When your mom is home next, why not spend some time helping her clean out her cab and getting her ready for her next run? At the same time, you can look around and see what type of storage she might need to make her cab less cramped and a little more organized. Can you get a storage unit to hang on the wall of the cab? What about storage for under the bunk? If you think about it, and talk to Mom, she’ll let you know what she needs.
• Spa day – Your mom, like any woman, likes to feel pampered on occasion. And the fact that she has a tough, physical job means that your mom needs a little more pampering than most. Do some digging on the internet to find a chain of spas that has facilities in some of the cities your mom travels to and through. If it is a chain, they will most likely honor a gift certificate from any of their other facilities.
• On-board safety devices – This idea may take a little more money, but will be a gift that keeps on giving. Anything you can do to ensure your mom is safe on the road is a great idea. Not only will she thank you for it, you can rest a little easier while she’s on the road because you know she’s safer.

Of course, you can probably come up with many more ideas for non-traditional Mother’s Day gifts like a CD of her favorite music, a book she’s wanted to read, or even something frivolous. The point is to start thinking, and possibly saving, for the perfect Mother’s Day gift for your favorite woman truck driver now before the day sneaks up on you and you miss it entirely.

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Heart Disease in Women Truck Drivers

Posted in The Healthy Trucker, Women Truckers by Brian · 1 Comment 

No one wants to be told they have heart disease. It doesn’t matter what job you do, the diagnosis is a shock. Heart disease in women truck drivers is often as common as that in men truck drivers, but it’s often not reported.

According to the Women’s Heart Foundation:

• Over 8 million women in the United States have heart disease with 35,000 of that number being under the age of 65.
• Nearly 450,000 women have heart attacks each year in America; many of them (35,000 in all) are under the age of 55.
• When a woman has a heart attack, 42 percent will die within one year of the incident; only 24 percent of men will die within one year of a heart attack.
• Women who suffer a heart attack that are under 50 are twice as likely to die as men of the same age.
• Over 267,000 women die each year from heart attacks. Another 31,837 die from congestive heart failure; this is 62.6 percent of all heart failures each year.

Amazingly, the reason why most women die from their first heart attack is that they were misdiagnosed. While men have clear-cut symptoms such as sharp chest pains and numbness in the left arm, those aren’t always the symptoms women have. In fact, many women with heart problems have symptoms including nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, or symptoms of the flu. They may also have pain in the jaw, neck, or back as well as overall weakness, shortness of breath, and lightheadedness.

When a woman does go to her doctor with these symptoms doctors don’t always associate heart attack with the symptoms. They may be sent home only to be taken by ambulance to the emergency room. Many women, as indicated by the statistics above, don’t survive.

To reduce your risk of developing heart disease, follow these suggestions:

• If you smoke, stop. Women who smoke can have a heart attack up to 19 years sooner than women who don’t smoke.
• If you have diabetes, take it seriously. Do what you can to keep it under control. Women with diabetes are twice as likely to have a heart attack as women who have normal blood sugar.

• If you’re overweight, now is the time to lose weight. Women that are overweight will develop hypertension which leads to heart disease.

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• Obesity is a condition that affects many women – 23% of white women, 38% of black women, and 36% of Hispanic women. This can lead to hypertension, stroke, and other diseases.

While lady truck drivers are strong women, that doesn’t mean their bodies can’t be affected. You may not like to show weakness and may even try to work through health issues rather than tackling them head on. You have the same problems, stresses, and lack of self-care as your male counterparts, but you’re also less likely to go to the doctor when you have symptoms that concern you.

Take the symptoms listed above seriously. Don’t take chances with your life. If you experience any of these symptoms, get medical attention right away. Call 911. Take an aspirin while you’re waiting for the ambulance to arrive. Be sure to tell the EMTs that you’ve taken one so they can adjust their course of treatment. It would also be helpful to have a printed list of all your medications available so they are aware of them.

Heart attacks can be prevented but you need to know you’re having a problem with your heart to consider that as a possibility the next time you don’t feel well. Find out what your risks are for having a heart attack, and then be sure to get regular check ups. Take the medications as prescribed. You know how important your truck is to your livelihood, you are more important so take care of yourself just as you would your truck if not better.
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Women Drivers Want Respect

Posted in Women Truckers by Brian · Leave a Comment 

 

Everyone wants to feel like they’re valued for who they are.  Women truck drivers want respect, not only from other women drivers, but also from men drivers, as well.

Although there are many more women truckers on the roads today, that doesn’t mean that they are always given the respect they deserve.  Quite often the problem isn’t only with other drivers of 16-wheelers, but from the drivers of smaller vehicles. 

Some women may be seriously thinking about becoming truck drivers but may not be sure about what to expect.  They may have heard that male truck drivers are rude to women drivers.  Stories about how women truckers are treated abound, but many of these are blown out of proportion or just aren’t true.

Women have been truck driving for years.  A large number of women began driving trucks in the late 1970s because laws were passed making it illegal for women truck drivers to be discriminated against.  With the money that could be made driving trucks, women made their foray into the male-dominated trucking industry.

Back when women were just beginning in the trucking industry, men may have felt that women weren’t able to do the job and would have expected special treatment.  They may have also felt that women were taking jobs that the men needed to support their families which may have led to hard feelings toward women drivers.  To dissuade more women from beginning a trucking career, there were cases where women were verbally abused.

What may be more the case than men disrespecting women drivers is the fact that women disrespect themselves.  Instead of acting like a professional driver, some of them talk trash over the CB radio as they near truck stops.  Men disrespecting women drivers may be due in part to how some women act in a sexual manner when they’re at truck stops or on the road.

Women drivers are doing more harm than good when they disrespect themselves.  They’re representing all women truck drivers and how they act may shine a poor light on other female drivers.  If you conduct yourself as a professional you will be treated like one and other women drivers may benefit from how you act. 

If you feel that the male drivers you work around don’t respect you, ask yourself why that might be.  Have you done the job you were hired to do or have you asked for help?  Asking for special treatment to get out of work you to do, instead of doing what you can, will make male drivers feel you don’t deserve to be a truck driver.

Do what you can to garner the respect you desire by acting like a professional.  If you’re a woman driver, you want respect and acting like a professional is the way to get that respect you desire.
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Ergonomic Changes to Truck Cabs Benefit Women Drivers

Posted in The Healthy Trucker, Women Truckers by Brian · Leave a Comment 

Let’s face it.  Women are generally shorter than men, so a truck cab that was designed for a man doesn’t always fit women driver.  Many women are lobbying truck manufacturers to make ergonomic changes to truck cabs to make it easier for women drivers.

Maybe ergonomics is a new concept to you.  You may not know what it is.  In the simplest terms, ergonomics is the science to designing equipment to reduce discomfort, injury, and operator fatigue while the equipment is being used. 

Because women are shorter, their legs are shorter, too.  That means women drivers often have problems reaching the accelerator and brake pedals.  To compensate, some women have thought about tying blocks to the pedals.  Unfortunately, this isn’t a very good work around.  It’s not exactly safe.

Truck cabs that are ergonomic would have seats that are more comfortable to make driving less tiring.  It may even mean that the seat is adjustable to allow any size driver to reach the pedals or see out of mirrors properly.  Some newer trucks have wider seats which should make them more comfortable for anyone sitting in them.

Thankfully there are some manufacturers who are taking the needs of truck drivers, both men and women, into account when designing new trucks.  ProStar recently released a new truck that has on-center steering with steering wheel controls and multi-position column.  It’s an automatic that has an on-dash computer screen.

Some changes made to the cabs of trucks are based upon the type of driving done.  For instance, long haul drivers would have different needs than one that drove locally.   No matter who is driving, and for how long, drivers want to be able to adjust their seat to suit them and see as much of the road as possible.

Schneider National Inc. is also working toward making a more ergonomic cab.  They have worked with Atlas Ergonomics to make an “office-focused” system that allows for entirely customized cab to fit each driver.  With the changes that have been made, by all manufacturers working at improving trucks, not only are they making driving easier but they’re also relieving discomfort dramatically.

If you’re a woman driver who owns a truck, you may be interested in finding a replacement for the seat you have.  National Seating makes heavy duty, ergonomic truck seats and you may find one you like.  These seats are built based on 10 years of research and help with muscle strain and circulation problems.

Truck manufacturers are beginning to listen to drivers and are developing more ergonomic trucks.  They may also be working with seat manufacturers to provide seats that are fully adjustable to benefit women truck drivers.  Look for further improvements to be made as more women become drivers. 

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Can Truckers Home School Their Kids on the Road?

Posted in Women Truckers by Brian · 1 Comment 

Homeschooling is an option that over 1.5 million families choose rather than sending their children to public school.  If you’re a truck driver and your spouse also drives, you may want to consider homeschooling your children.

Families around the world have homeschooled longer than structured private schools have been in business. In fact, prior to the 1800s most children were homeschooled and learned the basics such as reading, writing, and arithmetic. Students who excelled in academics were then given the option to apply for higher education.

There are many benefits to homeschooling.  Children do not have to deal with peer pressure like their public school counterparts; they won’t be bullied, or have to run for their lives as another student opens fire in their school.  One of the biggest benefits to homeschooling is that it can be done at home or on the road.

Before you take your child out of school and take them with you on your next delivery, you may want to do some research. Check online to find the homeschooling laws for your home state.  When you’ve had a chance to read and understand them, you will know if homeschooling on the road is an option for your family.

Once you determine this is the path for you, begin to find the educational materials that your child will need.  There are several computer-based curricula that you can choose from.  They provide coursework for each subject and a means for either parent to track how their child is doing.  This option may be easier than trying to write in a workbook or notebook while the truck is moving.

Use your travels as part of your homeschooling. What could be better for teaching your child about history and geography than for them to actually visit each state?  Ask your child to complete a report or notebook for each state you travel through.  For math, teach your child to fill out a logbook, keep track of mileage, and determine how much money is spent each day.  These are practical things that will enable them to remember math easier than repeating problems out of a math book.

Depending upon how long you’ll be on the road, your child should be able to check out books that will teach them other subjects they’re interested in.  As long as your child knows how to read, their ability to learn is only limited by the resources they have available.  Help them learn by providing the best tools you can.

Truck drivers across the nation have to leave their families on a regular basis, often up to three weeks or more at a time. Wouldn’t it be great to be able to take your family with you, especially if your spouse is interested in driving a truck as well?  Check into the possibility of homeschooling on the road so that you can keep your family together instead of apart.

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Women Truck Drivers and Pregnancy

Posted in Women Truckers by Brian · Leave a Comment 

The Department of Transportation determines the number of hours any truck driver can work.  Those hours are limited to working no more than 70 hours in any seven day period.  There are no rules pertaining to women truck drivers and pregnancy.  As long as the woman driver can perform her regular duties, there is nothing they can’t do.

Truck drivers, no matter their sex, cannot work for more than 14 hours a day.  No more than 11 hours can be spent driving.  The remainder of the time would be on-duty time, such as loading the truck, unloading, or eating lunch.  If a woman is pregnant, there shouldn’t be any problems with her driving as long as she takes care of herself.

However, even if there are currently no rules regarding female truck drivers and pregnancy that may change.  With the number of female drivers it is quite possible that changes could be made in the next two years or so.  Any changes that may come soon could be that they determine how far into her pregnancy she is allowed to work.

Obviously any job can be hazardous if the worker doesn’t follow safety rules.  Driving, in and of itself isn’t a problem, but there are aspects of being a truck driver that could be dangerous the further in the pregnancy a woman goes.

A woman’s body goes through many changes while she is pregnant. It’s quite possible that she could develop urinary track infections that could be made worse by the long hours spent sitting behind the wheel of their cab.  Frequent stops to use the restroom will help to avoid this problem.

Sitting in one position too long can also encourage the development of blood clots in the legs.  Again, frequent stops while you’re out on the road will help to prevent these.  It’s important to keep the circulation going in your legs and getting out of the truck to stretch your legs can help in this respect.

Another thing you have to consider when you’re a pregnant truck driver is the distance between the ground and your rig’s door. As you put on baby weight and your body’s center of gravity changes, the changes are higher that you could fall.  And falling from five feet up could cause serious injury to you and the baby.

Don’t be surprised if your employer asks for something in writing from your doctor each month indicating that they feel it is still safe for you to drive.  If they indicate that driving could be hazardous in any way, the doctor will probably suggest early maternity leave.  Your employer, under the Family Medical Leave Act would have to follow the doctor’s recommendation.

You also have to think about the fact that as the baby gets larger so will your waist line.  It may make it difficult for you to even fit comfortably behind the wheel of your cab.  Seatbelts and airbags could also pose more of a problem.

These are some problem areas that driving a big rig while pregnant may cause.  This is also something any female trucker driver might consider before driving while pregnant.  Ultimately the choice to continue driving can only be made between you, your spouse, and your doctor.  These items may give you cause to think, but the decision is yours.

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Women Drive Trucks Too!

Posted in Women Truckers by Brian · 1 Comment 

When you drive an 18-wheeler, most people think you’re a man.  They’re surprised to see women step out of the rig and it’s not uncommon for people to do a double-take.  With women truck drivers increasing yearly, you would think that people wouldn’t still be surprised.  They need to realize, though, that men aren’t the only truck drivers on the road.

Women have been driving trucks for over 40 years.  Quite often they learned to drive from family members who were drivers – fathers, brothers, friends, or husbands.  These men may not have realized it at the time, but they opened the door for women to enter this male-dominated industry.

Unfortunately, even though more women are driving trucks these days, that doesn’t mean that driving is easy for them.  In fact, women are just now beginning to feel that they’ve come into their own as drivers.  This may come from the fact that they are beginning to be taken seriously by men drivers, and there are changes being made to the industry that will accommodate them.

In the past, women had problems finding truck stops that had facilities for them to use.  Separate showers and restrooms were luxuries many truck stops didn’t want to pay for, and if they had them, they weren’t always safe.  Now, the larger, more well-known truck stops have facilities that are separate and clean.

What some women are looking forward to the most is a change in the trucks themselves. They’re still built with male drivers in mind, but those changes may come around sooner rather than later.  With the help of truck driving associations that champion the cause of female drivers, truck manufacturers are beginning to design trucks that are more suited to women.

Women truck drivers may not be what people are used to seeing, but that doesn’t mean women shouldn’t be driving.  They are said to be safer drivers.  They may pay more attention to details; therefore they may be able to avoid more road hazards or potential accidents.

What is probably the hardest thing for women is the truck driving lifestyle of being on the road for long stretches at a time and being away from loved ones. Does that mean that women can’t do it?  Of course not!  It may not be the easiest life, but it’s one that some women choose and excel at.

It may be true that the public doesn’t see women truck drivers as often as men drivers, but they may as well get used to it.  Women drivers are here to stay and are incredible drivers.  Men aren’t the only drivers on the road, so don’t be surprised when you see a woman behind the wheel.

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How Women Truckers Deal with Discrimination

Posted in Women Truckers by Brian · 1 Comment 

As a woman truck driver, you don’t expect to be treated differently than the men drivers.  You expect to be given a fair chance to do the job you’ve trained for and are qualified to do.  If you feel you’re being treated unfairly at work as you’re a female driver, here’s how to deal with discrimination you may face.

Unfortunately, discrimination in the workplace happens all too often.  It is usually based upon sex, race, disability, nationality, religion, sexuality, ethnic origin, or age.  Discrimination, in its simplest terms, is being treated worse than other people you work with.

Racial discrimination is what most people think of when they hear about discrimination. And although it’s illegal, that doesn’t stop some employers from treating some employees differently based on their race.  In most cases, this type of discrimination is subtle or indirect.

While it wouldn’t be uncommon for a truck driver to be discriminated against because of their race, in most cases women truck drivers are discriminated because of their gender.  It may show itself by lewd or sexual comments, inappropriate touching, or not treating women the same as male drivers.  An employer is supposed to treat men and women the same, but in many cases that’s just not the case.

What can you do to deal with discrimination? First, realize that any type of discrimination is wrong and it is illegal.  You don’t have to stand for it.  If you choose not to do anything, the discrimination will continue.  If you act, the situation will most likely improve.

Start keeping notes about comments made and note the date and all people involved.  Be specific in your notes.  What exactly is being done?  How do you feel you’re being discriminated against?

Go to the person that is causing you problems and speak directly with them if at all possible.  If you can’t talk with them, go to your human resources department and ask them what the procedures are for submitting a formal grievance.  Every company is required to have one, so they should have that information available.

Know what it is that is bothering you so you can be specific when asking that the problem be addressed. What is the person doing that is discrimination?  What would you like to happen to resolve the issue?  What will you do of the changes aren’t made?

Finally, if nothing is done to change the situation, follow through with what you said you would do.  Go over that person to the next supervisor higher up.  You may have to take the complaint as high as you have to get it to stop, even taking the matter to court if necessary.

No one should have to deal with discrimination, particularly women truck drivers.  These ideas for dealing with discrimination may help you to get it to stop.  Remember, discrimination in any form is illegal and you don’t have to take it.

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Items Every Woman Trucker Must Have On The Road

Posted in Women Truckers by Brian · Leave a Comment 

When you’re on the road as a woman truck driver, you hope you don’t have any problems with your truck.  Checking your truck each day before you head out onto the road is one way to avoid potential problems.  These must-have items for general truck maintenance will make your job of keeping your truck going much easier.

Gloves that fit are very important.  You can get men’s gloves, but they’ll likely be too big for you and won’t stay on.  Get a pair of rubber gloves to use when you’re fueling your rig.  Leather gloves are great for opening the trailer doors.

A well-stocked first aid kit is extremely important.  Check it periodically to be sure the items haven’t expired and to restock it if necessary.

You know how important it is to maintain proper tire pressure before leaving on a run.  Long stem tire pressure gauges can make checking tire pressure much easier.  Yes, you can check your tire pressure with a smaller tire pressure gauge, but it’ll be much more difficult.

Allen wrenches aren’t something that you’ll need every day, but when you need one nothing else will do. Allen wrenches are often needed for changing headlights and may be needed for other maintenance, as well.

Rubbing alcohol may not seem like a normal item for your tool box, but you’d be surprised at how important it can be.  Using a few drops in the fuel line will help disperse any moisture in your airlines when it’s cold outside.  You can also pour rubbing alcohol on the door handles, keyholes, or fuel lids to de-ice them.

A hammer is another item that might seem unusual to have in the tool box. You can use it with a screwdriver to help remove fuel filters if you don’t have the proper tools.   Hammer the screwdriver into the top and then twist it off, but use this only in emergencies as this method is very messy.

Kneepads and an old jumpsuit are also good items to always have with you. These will help protect your clothing and your knees for those times when you have to crawl under your trailer.

An old paint scraper can be used to scrape ice off of your windows, windshields, or mirrors.  They may be a little easier to handle than normal tools for removing ice, they’re also a lot easier to keep in your tool box.

It’s true that some of these items aren’t usually on your list of tools for your tool box, but each of these must-have items for general truck maintenance can be used.  You may also find that other household items can do the job better than specific tools recommended for maintenance.  Take a look around your home and you might be surprised what you can find to make maintenance easier.

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Tips Every Woman Trucker Needs To Stay Safe On The Road

Posted in Women Truckers by Brian · Leave a Comment 

As a woman driver, you may be concerned about where you park your truck and how safe you are at truck stops.  Men should also be concerned about these things but women are seen as more vulnerable, maybe even an easy target. When it comes to safety first for women drivers, it pays to be aware and be prepared.

One way to help keep yourself safe on the road is to take the time to actually perform an inspection on your vehicle before you leave to deliver a load.   Not only is this a good idea to keep you aware of your truck’s needs, you also won’t have to pull over on the side of the road in a questionable part of town to check to see what your truck’s problem is.

Consider taking a self-defense course when you’re going to be at home. Self-defense classes can be found by contacting your local police department.  Either they will offer self-defense classes or they will know the best place to take classes.  The cost of the classes may vary, but knowing you can take care of yourself will be worth much more than the price of the classes.

When you’re out on the road, be careful not to talk about driving alone.  If someone knows you’re alone, they may be more inclined to try something.  Keep your privacy curtains drawn when you’re parked, bring along a dog, and pay attention to how you feel.  Listen to your instincts.  If something doesn’t seem right and you’re not at ease, don’t take a chance.  Get out of the area as soon as you can.

If you have an emergency on a deserted road or unseemly part of town, call your company and let them know you’re having a problem. Contact local emergency personnel if needed, and stay inside your truck until they arrive.  Whatever you do, don’t get into the car with a stranger.  That’s just asking for trouble.

Stay on the main roads, especially if you’re unfamiliar with a route.  Main roads are usually well-lit and others are on them, just in case you do have a problem.  They’re also going to be more likely to have truck stops or places to eat along them.

When you’re parking for the night, park toward the front of the truck stop where it’s better lit.  You’ll also be closer to the restrooms.  Don’t walk between trucks to get to the restroom.  Stay out in the light as much as possible to maintain safety.  Never park along exit ramps, it’s just not safe.

Lock your doors to your rig whenever you leave it, even if it’s only for a few minutes.  This will keep someone from climbing in and hiding.  Keep them locked at night while you’re sleeping for the night.

These ideas for safety first for women drivers may seem simple and obvious, but you’d be surprised how many women don’t think about them when they’re on the road.  Use these ideas the next time you’re headed out with a load.  Following them may be the difference between arriving safely or not.

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