As a minority a woman will run into certain gender-specific problems. Being stared at constantly is often the most annoying. Stared at not only by other drivers, but by four wheelers, shipping and receiving people, dock workers, fork lift drivers, derelicts, degenerates and rich men in sports cars... Sometimes you will go to bigger sized warehouses and you may have 30 to 40 people working the docks staring and 50 to 60 workers on break, eyeballs popping. It's the same result in a packed truck stop restaurant or fuel pay line. There are times you'll wonder if your mascara is all over your face or did you forget to comb your hair.

People find female drivers fascinating. Even if you feel intimidated at times, NEVER, EVER let it show! Stare them down if you have to, ignore them if you prefer, ask them if they need a Polaroid, but never let on that you are intimidated by your situation. You have to show confidence, assuredness, and capability at all times to be taken seriously and professionally. You will get a lot of sexual comments and harassment, either on the docks or more often, on the CB radio. You do not have to put up with this. You can't control it, you can't file a complaint or take any such action at all, but you still DO NOT have to put up with behavior like that. You are a truck driver, you have a job to do and you do NOT need some cutsey, "Hey baby, want to ______" comments and games. It's like a naughty kid--if you let someone or several someones do and say stupid comments and get away with it, it only gets worse. Put a stop to anyone like that with a very simple, to the point, "Get lost." It's somewhat of a judgment call, too; a little good-natured teasing is one thing, the guy who keeps on about getting into his sleeper is another. Besides, there's a dial on that CB radio that points to "OFF". Turn it there when you've had enough CB for one day. A good audio book is so much better company at these times!

Understand one thing that makes it worse for women is the multitude of lot lizards out in the world on the CB radio. They offer themselves over the airwaves, tell dirty jokes, carry on and so forth. A lot of the men hear a woman speaking and automatically assume that she is a lot lizard. A lot of women in cars tease and taunt truck drivers, too. There are getting to be more women out there driving, but not until relatively recently! It's going to take some time to break stereotypes. The other issue behind the abuse you may suffer on the CB radio is the simple fact that people are pretty damn tough behind a CB microphone! Since there's no way to pinpoint exactly who is speaking, people say things they wouldn't dream of saying face to face. It makes some brave, others rude and yet others, just plain unbearable.

Beware all the offers you'll get for marriage, houses and cars. Nope, I am not kidding. Many men out on the road have been out there a good, long time. They long for someone to come home to, too. To a male truck driver, a female driver is very appealing. Chances are, he has had trouble with a woman or lost her because of trucking. It takes a very special, dedicated and loyal woman to stand behind a truck-driving man who is gone so much. Many women aren't able to do it and leave. They might give the man a choice, "The Truck or ME?!" and often times, the man chooses the truck. Typically it's all he's ever done in his life and the thought of starting a new career – one inside four walls most likely – just isn't going to happen. But now, YOU, the lady driver comes along; you understand what the call of the road is like! You understand that sometimes trucks break down and sometimes you get laid over and can't be home on time and man! You are the greatest thing that's come along and I'll give you everything!!!! You won't ever demand that he leave the road; after all, you have the same job!!! Maybe you'll run team with him and live happily ever after!!! Are you smiling? It may seem crazy but it's really true. The man may even believe it, too but unfortunately it's almost impossible to have a romance with another driver. Unless you both work for the same company or run the same route on nearly the same schedule, it's doubtful a true relationship is going to result. I did not say impossible – but very difficult.

Now those are the men with basically good intentions and a dream. There's another group with an entirely different set. The ultimate goal of some is to get you into their sleeper or find their way into yours. The promises and compliments may sound similar to the other group's but these bad boys will be gone, never to be heard from again in a matter of hours. As a solo female driver you can be especially vulnerable to this. There will be times that you don't know what to do in a situation and another driver comes to your rescue. Maybe he fixes something on your truck. Maybe he helps you slide your tandems. Maybe he runs with you all night. Maybe he buys you dinner or coffee (though I suggest you don't let anyone buy these things for you – by buying your own, you can easier maintain that my space/ your space thing) Whatever the case, you may feel you "owe" them something. Okay, maybe you owe them a big "Thank you, Driver". You don't owe any more than that.

As women drivers, we can be professional and dedicated but if we want to be respected, it must be earned. As women, this respect is hard won. It is earned mostly by our behavior and our ability to handle our truck and job in all conditions and situations and how we carry ourselves.

We shouldn’t allow people to treat us badly but by the same token, we must be flexible and adaptable. Don’t be afraid to put your foot down if someone gets out of line with you, but be careful about where you draw the line. Beware some won’t like you simply because of your gender. Some just like to cause trouble, picking on anyone and everyone indiscriminately. It’s easier said than done, but try not to take things personally. And don’t bother getting angry and yelling on the CB radio--that’s the reaction the person is trying to get. You’ll also get a lot of people telling you to shut up, they don’t want to hear it and so on... even when you’re right.

Good luck out there, you can do it. You can survive in this industry. There's been many women join the ranks of "Driver" and do extremely well. The sense of accomplishment, pride and self-confidence that a woman can feel from a ("man's job") well done is exhilarating. There will be moments of doubt, even moments of fear, but everyone feels those feelings when taking on a new challenge.

Many Owner Operators have told this author that if they had a choice, they'd hire all women drivers. I was so surprised by this comment that I had to ask why? I was told, and have been told several times by several others since, that women try harder. They naturally tend to be more cautious and safety oriented. I don't know if it's true. Maybe because we know we're under a sharper microscope - we realize we'll be examined more critically. The secret to the whole thing?

Women often have to work harder, think smarter and try more to stay on top of the game. You ready?

Safety Tips

NEVER FORGET: A woman must use her brain to keep her BODY safe.

Put a flannel shirt or jacket on the backrest of the passenger seat. It makes it appear there’s someone else in the truck and often makes the "bad guys" think twice.

Don’t advertise that you’re a solo woman driver. Don’t hesitate to lie about it! Say your husband is in the bunk if you don’t want to tell the person asking that you’re alone.

Walk with your head up, looking around---NOT at the ground. Put those shoulders back. When you walk into a warehouse, etc, the male dock workers often stare. If you stare back, they usually look away. Also, "bad guys" look for people who look down as they walk and who will not meet their eyes. Walk straight and look people right in the eye.

Be careful about what you say on the CB radio. Remember that people will form an impression of you by your every word. If you cuss, tell dirty jokes, flirt and lead men on, you’ll get attention to be sure, but it won’t be nice. You may mean nothing but your choice of words may say otherwise. Ask yourself, "Would I say that on stage, in front of hundreds or thousands of people?" Because, in essence, a CB radio is a giant stage and since an impression cannot be made by a physical image, your words will be listened to twice as hard. And yes, it is easily possible that when you speak, hundreds or thousands may be listening. A woman’s voice on the CB radio is listened to especially closely.

The safety issues described here are of particular concern for women, because most women are more vulnerable. This means that women must be very diligent about not breaking personal safety rules because women are more likely to become victims. And as ugly as it is, there is also the added threat of rape.

In the trucking world, women are outnumbered. It's mostly men in truckstops, factories and warehouses. Lumpers are almost always male. Because of the physical limitations most women have, compared to men, a woman must use her brain to keep her body safe! If you are a man who will have his daughter, wife, friend, etc riding with you at some point, you must do the thinking for them if they've not spent much time out on the road.

Rest Areas

A woman walking around a dark rest area is looking to become a victim. It’s been known to happen that a "bad guy" will hide in a bathroom stall just waiting for a woman to come in alone. If you do not have a team partner to walk you in, a woman shouldn't walk around a rest area at night at all. Having someone who only walks the lady in is not enough, either - wait for her or better yet, inspect the rest room stalls and wait for her, too.

Parking Lots at Night

This is another place a woman should avoid entirely if at all possible. Pull through the fuel line and go inside to take care of business. Make it quick, though. If a woman must walk across a dark lot alone, carry Mace or Pepperspray and have it ready to use.

The key to making it as a solo female driver is walking a fine line.

Do not be a bitch with a full blown attitude problem. Everyone will hate you and give you a hard time. When drivers hear a woman bitching maybe it reminds them of their own home situation because they really get bent out of shape. Not to say that men don't do their share of bitching and moaning; they do, but you're female and it's different. It is a double standard, yes, but it's alive, well and prospering.

Do not be weak and put up with garbage (example: the fork lift driver who tries to load your truck his way and you want it another way; the driver calling you names; the lumper who is teasing you about unloading your trailer cheaper if he can see the inside of your sleeper, wink, wink)

In order to not be either of the above, you walk a fine line in between. What will make or break you in this business is determination and confidence. If above all else you are extremely determined and confident, you will make it. Without that, you will likely fight it all the time, all the way.