Profile For Chris B.

ok girls really now how bad is it out there. when I first started we didn't have but few showers. someone tell me is it better or not? last time I was out it was hard to find somewhere to park and sleep with the new laws they put in. truck stops would fill fast. so has a lot changed

That is a good question I would like to know as well as an upcoming student. Having traveled a lot personally, I have seen a lot more women truckers and noticed a lot of truck stops with signs for women's showers. So that has been encouraging but still worried about it in more remote areas.

I am also transgender. 2 weeks into driving with a trainer for a major carrier to become a 48 state Otr driver. The one thing so far that I have experienced, is that even though I have a female trainer, she just can't see me as anything other than a male when I clearly do not presented as anything other than female. The one comment that I'm still trying to let go of is: "you just need to face the fact that you're a man and look like one". She's the only person I've heard that from in 10 years of transition. I don't feel I can say anything to the company and that if I ask to change trainers, I'll just end up sitting in a hotel room for weeks while one trainer after another rejects taking me onto their truck to finish the company training period. Already logged over 100 hours driving, I'm good at doing this and really looking forward to getting into my own truck & running loads. Any advice from others out there who may have already encountered this type of situation? I'm open to getting messaged directly I f it gets this career path moving for me. thanks :) -Des

I can't tell you what to do in this situation; you have to decide that for yourself. However, know that what your trainer is doing constitutes sexual harassment. Perhaps tell her, in no uncertain terms, that you identify as woman (just as she does) and you would like her to respect that. After all, would it be appropriate if a male trainer was calling his male trainee "she" and referring to him as a woman? Of course not.

Ed and

It's not a hardship for your mentor to provide you with respect; in fact, it's basic human decency. Whether or not you put up with her juvenile behavior is up to you, and I wouldn't blame you for bearing it just until you get out on your own. However, I would encourage you to report her once you're off her truck. Regardless of her personal opinions, her comments to you are sexual harassment and I'm sure your employer would like to know about it. Most large companies have a zero-tolerance policy on issues like this.

I have worked many jobs that are male dominated and some men are just stubborn in their ways and will not change. Not to say that some women don't judge either because they do but I think men are worse. I have worked wth men who reminded me every day that women should not be allowed to do men's jobs. I have had women tell me I should just give up because they don't see why I want to do a job that a man should be doing anyway. You just can't win! I don't think we can get away from narrow minded people or people who want to judge people who are different than them. We are all different than each other. Not sure we will ever get to a place of non judgement by others. It's just the roulette wheel of life out there!

I'm trying to apply to companies that train you for your CDL. I applied at CR England yesterday. Everything was going well and I was set up to possibly start school this coming Monday. Then I asked about medications and rules...and it all went downhill like a truck that's lost its breaks, very quickly :-(. I have a back injury and I've been on pain medications for years. The gentleman I spoke with that deals with these sorts of issues (not the recruiter) said that only one of them is an issue because it's a narcotic, which is norco. He told me I'd have to quit taking it and that in 3 months with a doctors note verifying I was no longer being prescribed the medication, the company would then consider me.

Unfortunately I don't have that kind of wait time. I have to do this and I have to do it now, I should have done it alot sooner. I'm in a bad way financially, so I've got to jump in head first and hope for the best. Don't get me wrong, I've wanted to do this for years. I just wanted to stick close to home while my grandma was still with us. She's been gone for 3 years now and I feel like my grandpa is finally back on his feet emotionally and its time to finally start living my life for me.

What I need to know is if all training companies are as strict on the waiting time. If I have to quit taking the medicine, that's fine. It'll be done no problem. I just really have to get some money flowing asap. I currently work as a taxi driver and its just not cutting it at all. My grandpa depends on me to help him out. I can't let him down. There's bills to pay and just not enough to go around. If anyone here knows anything specific I'd greatly appreciate the helping hand. I'm rather desperate and I have no idea where to start.

Have a good day!!!! Cheyenne :-)

It may be a DOT thing not a company requirement. You have to have a clean drug test and be free of those kinds of meds in order to get your CDL. You can't go back on them while you drive either. All you can do is make as many calls as you can to know for sure.

OMG forgive me if this shows up elsewhere. I had my reply all typed out and bumped something and it disappeared. I hate computers.

Anyway, I just finished an 8 week course here at my local community college on the 14th. I was very, very fortunate to have received grants for everything! So I highly recommend any of you look into that. I wasn't willing to go back into debt at this age (turned 40 on the 20th) but I desperately wanted to change careers. I took and passed my road test on the 17th. It wasn't nearly as bad as I had it all played out in my mind. I encourage all of you to move forward with this if you truly think you'll enjoy it. Best wishes ladies!!

Hi All, I just joined this group and have so enjoyed reading both the questions and the comments back. Lot's of great info and insight. I am 52 years old, and I along with my 22 year old daughter will be starting classes in January. We are looking at team driving once we complete classes and also find the right company. I have so, so many questions, but I will only ask a couple of them here. :-) 1. Where did you find the info on the grants? Would you be willing/able to share? 2. What are some of the better companies to work for? I have been reading some of the comments on other forums, and I am sad at the number of drivers that talk about the low pay; having to fight for everything/anything. It seems as though most companies take better care of the office staff than they do their drivers. Is this really the case, or, is it like so many other things in life, that people will shout loudly about the bad things, but not share the good things nearly as often or as loudly? I would love to hear from women that are driving who can speak about what they like about this job, (career), and be honest about the things that aren't so nice, along with what they do to make things work out for them.

Thanks in advance for any and all information, opinions and input. Mindy

Big change for me as well. I am 50, never drove a truck before at all. I'm kinda scared and excited but determined at the same time. I have been trying to find a good starting company as well. So many comments good and bad out there. I am hoping to be funded for my CDL thru the states Worknet program that is under the federal government program. Probably different name in each state or area. Usually tied to the Employment Development Department. (I quit my job and moved. Ready for a change) They review your work history and test data from the test they give you to determine what type of work you should be doing. Bla, bla, bla, anyway, my testing came out in favor for driving but the committee turned me down in the first go around because with my previous job history, education ect... Felt I could obtain employment in my field. Thing is, I don't want to stay in that field any more. Done with all that, ready for adventure. So, now I am waiting to hear about my appeal. If they don't go for it I am looking at going with Prime out of Springfield MO in January because they will train you to get your CDL and they seem to pay well and don't have a lot of negative feedback from what I have seen. That's my story so far.

Good luck with your venture!

Thank you C.S. for all the advice on the information I can look at to point me in the right direction.I have been using the high road training program on here to study for my permit. I will be starting my CDL training January 5,2015!Super excited and nervous all at the same time.I will post again when I have started my CDL program. Any advice on what to expect would be appreciated or tips that you found that helped you out during your training.

I'm starting new on January 5th as well! Where are you attending if you don't mind. Just wondering if we were heading to the same place!