A recent article posted in the Newspaper.com stated that the Department of Transportation was promoting women to enter a career as a professional CDL driver:  “US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood wants to put more women behind the wheels of big-rigs.”

However, after researching, we have found that the programs being funded are targeted for women at the college graduate level.

According to The announcement, “U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood signed an agreement with the Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS) International to encourage women to complete undergraduate and graduate degrees in science, technology, engineering and math – while pursuing careers in transportation.” This program does not appear to be targeted towards CDL professional truck drivers who are considered “unskilled” labor by the Department of Labor.

Secretary of the US Department of Transportation, Ray LaHood announced at a Women’s Small Business Day hosted by the Department of Transportation (DOT), that he would like to see more women in the transportation industry by expanding an existing intern program.

According to a recent press release , the program is one of several internships and fellowship programs offered through the U.S. Department of Transportation for both high school and college age girls. The expanded effort supports President Obama’s mission and the work of the White House Council on Women and Girls.

Although the idea of encouraging more women into the transportation industry is to be applauded, the thought of using transportation funds for this, rather than for the repair of roads and bridges or securing more safe truck parking ( such as Jason’s Law, HR 2156 and S970) must be questioned.

Recently we were told by a staffer in the Highways and Transit subcommittee that funding was low and that this is a main reason that Jason’s Law has been sitting in the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.  So where then, are these funds coming from which are being used to promote more women entering the trucking industry?  I would think that we would be more interested in repairing the roads and protecting our “unskilled women” who are already in the industry driving big trucks.

This does lead up to another problem which should be mentioned:

There is and has been a strong recruitment movement going on via organizations, truck driving schools, trucking companies,  government work force placement programs and  grants and incentives, in order to encourage more women to enter the “unskilled” level of the trucking industry as a CDL driver.

This is a major concern of ours and others alike, as the CDL training going on within trucking companies has not been one to be admired.  Often women are not told what to realistically expect when entering a CDL training program, including the fact that they will be living in a truck for 3 months with a total stranger, the trainer.

Many times the requirements for drivers to be trainers are no more than the “desire for them to be one.”

The fact that there are no strict guidelines set up by many of the companies has caused numerous problems for trainees, including the lack of a way for trainees to safely remove themselves from situations which could either cause emotional stress or even worse, bodily harm.

There has been a tremendous increase in women entering the field of truck driving, and yet the number of actual women drivers has not significantly increased, still sitting at five to six percent of total drivers.  So where are all those increased “numbers of women” entering into trucking  that have been recruited? Why isn’t the increased  figure of women drivers entering matching the number of actual drivers? The main reason is . . . that they do not stay for very long, many not making it past the training process.   This is a clear sign that something is wrong in the way that many trucking companies conduct their CDL training programs.

So I suggest this to everyone promoting the advancement and promotion of women entering the trucking industry: 

Create a program to protect the women that you have already encouraged to enter the industry, before you try to promote more women to come in.

I challenge every organization, company, or government program to create a data base of driver statistics which includes all women they have successfully recruited into the industry as a CDL driver, and then maintain records to follow up with them in order to determine if they are still driving, and if not . . . WHY?

Would this not make more sense?  I for one, would like to know why more and more women are entering the trucking industry, and yet their numbers are not going up?
I believe if you are reading this that you would like to know too.

Related Articles:

Trucking schools and CDL training-Part 2

Trucking Schools and CDL Training – Part 1

R.E.A.L Women In Trucking

© 2010, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.

: cdl training, DOT, Jason's law- H.R.2156 S971, newbie cdl drivers, Ray LaHood, Truck driving school grants, Us Department of Transportation, women in trucking, Women small business, women truckers

Related posts

• Women in Trucking can Make a Difference (5)
• Those Wonderful Women Truckers (6)
• 50 Billion for Infrastructure and still No Mention of Safe Truck Parking (1)
• YOU Did It! Jason’s Law is Going to GATS (7)
• Wrong CDL Truck Driving School Can Lead to Debt and No Job (2)

by Donna Smith

Trucking Hero Jazzy Jordan Runs for St Christopher Fund

As a native New Yorker I have to tell you that the finale of trucking  hero Jazzy Jordan’s 3200 mile run couldn’t have ended in a better place.  The excitement of NYC is nothing like anything else, and unless you’ve been there to experience it, it’s hard to describe. Jazzy is scheduled to enter NYC sometime late morning/early afternoon on Tuesday June 15th. We’ll be giving you an update after we talk to her dad later in the day.

Now I know that the biggest nightmare for a truck driver is having to drive through the city, but if you’re on foot, it’s spectacular. Now what can be more spectacular, than a 17 year old girl entering the city, finishing up her 9 month run from Los Angeles, California into Time Square in NYC…for the sole purpose of helping others!

We’ve recently been conversing on FaceBook and Twitter with Peter Thorne of WPIX in NY, and it’s appearing quite hopeful that the crew will be there covering the event. Growing up as a kid in NY, WPIX was (may still be) the official Yankee baseball TV station.

Now, for those who may not know, Jazzy was motivated and inspired to begin her run when a close friend and driver of her family’s trucking business, Shelia Grothe, passed away on April 17th, 2009,  after having a 2 year battle with cancer.  From that day forward, Jazzy vowed and was determined to make a difference in the lives of those who could not afford medical insurance or coverage.  She then began a rigorous training schedule and on September 1st, 2009, she began her “run across America”, with all donations going to the St. Christopher Trucking Fund.

In her own words, Jazzy states:    “My goal is to raise attention to the growing problem with people who have medical issues who are under insured and insured.  We have all seen how generous our country has been in the past.  I believe even in economic hard times we still make a big difference.  Will you help me make the difference that is so needed?  Together, we will change the future for the better.”

The 3200 mile run has not been easy to say the least. Jazzy ran many days with severe pain, however, her determination and dedication was that of someone with many more years, displaying so much compassion, wisdom and discipline. Just this past October she escaped what could have been a fatal injury, when a vehicle crashed into the truck that her dad, Lee Jordan, was driving. Fortunately, Jazzy was riding in the truck as a passenger at the time, a true blessing we are all grateful for.

So, we trust that NYC  and my fellow New Yorkers will honor one more hero down the road leading to Times Square, Jazzy Jordan, the hero for truckers from all over the country.  She is the youngest woman to run across the country; not for a record, not for fame or glory , but with the hope to benefit and aid in the well being of those who are less fortunate.

We love you Jazzy. You are an inspiration to all of us, and a reminder to keep doing what we are convicted to do, no matter  what obstacles we face.

Truckers keep our country moving and Jazzy Jordan has moved truckers.

Please show your appreciation for the sacrifices Jazzy has made by donating to the St Christopher Truckers Development & Relief Fund

© 2010, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.

: jazzy jordan, nyc, Peter thorne, Run with Jazzy, St Christopher Truckers Development & Relief Fund, St Christopher trucking fund, Times Square

Related posts

• Truckers Pay Tribute to “Jazzy” Jordan in Song (4)
• Running Across America for Truckers Medical Fund (0)

There have been a few industries which have always reigned on the side of secrecy.  The inside look into these few sectors have always remained to those within the industry itself, leaving “outsiders” to wonder  as to what these certain kind of lifestyles are really like.  Long haul trucking is one of those industries.   Recent TV shows like Ice Road Truckers have fed many viewers curiosity into another aspect of the trucking industry.

Nearly everyday on my work schedule, I will have someone walk up to me and ask a question about the “big truck” I’m driving.  Many of the general public still remain enthralled by the life of a trucker and wonder “what is it really like?” In an industry that is dominated by male drivers, add a women driver to the equation and they become even more inquisitive.

In recent years, the secrecy that lies within the trucking realm has become more open and transparent, largely due to another realm known as the social media highway.  With the help of forums, blogs, podcasts and online news sources, more of the general public and those curious about the lifestyle of trucking, have learned more about the industry and what makes the men and women of trucking  . . . truckers!   Normally, they appear to know only a few aspects of the industry which they always are ready to inform me about . . . “80,000 pounds is all you can carry, right?” Another question I am asked often is, “What’s your handle?” Other than these two questions, I can see the general public is still very naive about the world of professional truck drivers . . . although they are learning.

With the help of the information highway, more women are finding much needed resources in learning the in’s and out’s of an industry, long ruled by their male counterparts.   The information can be extremely informative, giving the good, bad and ugly of the industry . . . aspects that can exist in any industry.   It’s a good thing, especially for those women interested in a trucking career, to hear what it’s really like to be a female in a male dominated industry . . . and the women in trucking continue to share their stories while rolling down the social media highway.

DoItHerSelfer is one of those women.   A former construction contractor and business owner for 34 years, doitherselfer was accustomed to working within male dominated industries.  With the fall of the construction business, due to the economy, she had no hesitation in jumping right into another industry ruled by men . . . trucking.  She gives her thoughts, opinions and a further look into the world of trucking from a women’s view and is readily available to answer questions that other women may have in their decision making to move over to long haul trucking as a career.

She can also be found on Twitter.

Women in trucking continue to stand up and speak out using the best means of communication available since the dawn of time . . . the social media highway and Do-It-Herselfer is no exception .

© 2010, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.

: do it herselfer, highway, long haul trucking, professional truck drivers, social media, trucking blogs, women in trucking

Related posts

• Women in Trucking can Make a Difference (5)
• Women In Trucking (0)
• U.S. Trucking Industry Corruption (9)
• Trucking: Is it For You? (0)
• Trucking News- Meet Trucker Desiree (2)