Posts Tagged women in trucking

Women in Trucking Roll Down the Social Media Highway

Posted by Allen Smith in Jobs and Careers, Truck Driving Jobs, Woman Truckers, Womens World, otr trucking, trucking, trucking blogs, trucking life on January 28th, 2010

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 .

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

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

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Trucking Industry Covers Up Female Driver Trainees Harassment

Posted by Allen Smith in Safety, Woman Truckers, otr trucking, trucking, trucking companies on January 10th, 2010

Stop Harassment Against Female Driver Trainees Are female truck driver student trainees really being harassed by some male CDL trainers? Are the stories of verbal and sexual assault true or are they just stories? Why would trucking organizations and companies want to cover up such acts of violence against women? In the world of over the road trucking, is violence against women driver trainees really taking place and are the trucking industry leaders doing all they can to cover it up?

For years, this giant industry has moved along in total control of how drivers lives would turn out. The company could either make you or break you. With billions of dollars at stake, a large majority of OTR drivers are still just a pawn in the companies game of playing with people’s hope. Hope that they can have a rewarding career and provide for themselves and their families . . . many of these trucking companies use this hope to pull in new CDL students and drivers, caring not at all that their lives, most often, will be ruined even more . . . all for the sake of the almighty dollar. Here is a recent email I received:

Mr. Smith,

I received your trucking information about a year ago and I wanted to follow up with you. All I can say is that everything you said was true. The tactics used by my company was so blatantly obvious that even a child would have been able to detect it. Everything was going fine for the first 4-5 months, but then everything changed. I realize we are in a recession, but it became very clear to me that they were working hard to “starve me out.” At the same time they were telling me that freight was slow, they were hiring new student drivers every week. I wish I would have taken your advise a year ago, it would have saved me a lot of heartache.

Truth About Trucking, LLC is not about pushing anyone away from trucking as a career, but to assist in showing how and what one will be expected to go through in order to make trucking work as a career. Surviving the first couple of years as an OTR driver is the key, which you must realize will be very difficult to do for many. Again, a great part of long haul trucking is designed for your failure.

Having been involved in trucking in some form or fashion since 1969, I am no newcomer to the industry. In past years, I have declined to work as a driver trainer and I have never operated around female student drivers. In fact, with 20 years of long haul trucking under my belt, I never even ran into that many women drivers. As reports of abuse and harassment by trainers against female students became known, I first responded by doubt. Thirty two years of driving a truck, locally and long haul, I had never witnessed any such acts against women drivers. Then came news about CRST and the suit brought against by hundreds of women, which by the way, was refiled on November 30th, 2009. Unlike many drivers and trucking industry organizations and leaders, I could not believe that all 230 women were simply lying. This was just one company . . . I wondered if there were other female driver trainees too afraid to come forward regarding these acts of violence which include both mental and physical abuse . . . then came TruckerDesiree.

Desiree Wood aka TruckerDesiree As I mentioned on the Dan Rather Reports, after Desiree began sharing her story on this blog, I began receiving emails and often phone calls, from women across the country asking for our help in making this issue more public. First came a few dozen, then as many as a few hundred. I would always ask each women why they never reported such incidents of violence, even rape by these male trainers . . . and the answer was always two-fold: (1) they were afraid of losing their jobs and (2) they did not think anyone would believe them anyway. Through our investigation, one aspect that always surprised me was the fact that industry “leaders” and organizations tried and are still trying, to keep this issue silent. This is an issue that not only deals with female harassment, but male harassment as well. Furthermore, let’s be fair . . . driver trainers have also been harassed by driver trainees. Bottom line . . . there is a big problem within the trucking industry and its driver training programs. Why then, is the industry fighting back so hard to prevent this issue from being heard further?

Why would large trucking organizations contact former drivers who are now unemployed and on welfare, and recruit them to write against TruckerDesiree and anyone who works toward making this issue known? Why would these organizations and trucking companies not want to change their driver training programs and instead, continue to turn their heads when women are reporting physical, mental abuse and even rape? Furthermore, why is there no law enforcement agency stepping forward to conduct their own investigation into this matter?

How big, really is this issue? Are you a female CDL student trainee who experienced such acts of violence by a male driver trainer? Post your experience at Real Women in Trucking. Trucking organizations have recruited drivers that were once on the side of Desiree . . . I know this as fact. Why are they wanting to cover up such illegal acts by some of these male driver trainers that they continue to hire? Why are there still those trucking companies and organizations condoning this behavior and working to discredit those women who are sharing their experiences?

We would like to hear your thoughts . . .

: cover up, crst, driver trainers, female driver, female drivers, harassment, otr drivers, real, sexual harassment, Trucker Desiree, trucking, trucking companies, trucking industry, trucking organizations, violence, women in trucking

cover up, crst, driver trainers, female driver, female drivers, harassment, otr drivers, real, sexual harassment, Trucker Desiree, trucking, trucking companies, trucking industry, trucking organizations, violence, women in trucking

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The Quest for The Truth About Trucking with Dan Rather Reports

Posted by Max4health in Politics, Truck Stops, Woman Truckers, otr trucking, trucking show on November 12th, 2009

by Donna Smith

Monday evening Nov 9, 2009, Dan Rather Reports videoed part 2 of an ongoing trucking industry investigation at Willies Place Truck Stop in Carl’s Corner, Tx. The objective of this broadcast was to follow up from the Show of October 20^th, “Queen of the Road” where Trucker Desiree and Tom Hansen discussed the poor practices going on in trucking, specifically the students in the CDL training mills and the new driver company training programs.

When the drivers first drove up and were entering Willies Place, some were confused, thinking that the show may create a poor image for drivers. After talking with many of them they soon realized that the intention of the show is to actually improve the image of the American driver by confronting the many scams that so many of them have faced throughout their career. The CDL school mills and new driver training programs are just 2 programs which are hurting the image of the drivers. This is because by churning out so many inexperienced drivers, not only are veterans being starved out of the business by newer lower paying drivers, but the lack of experience by these new drivers is not a true symbol of Dan Rather Reports Truck Talk the excellent driving skills which so many veterans possess. I personally talked at length with trainer Jimmy Watson of KLLM. Jimmy at first came to Willies Place concerned about the possibility that his reputation would be damaged by exposing poor training tactics of other companies. It wasn’t until I explained that by exposing and eliminating the poor training practices of other companies, that his company would not have to endure any kind of negative stigma which may result from them.

In this week’s follow up, “Truck Talk “, Dan Rather visited the big truck stop at Carl’s Corner, Texas, to hear from others within the trucking Industry. Truckers from across the country were encouraged to attend the live videoing of the follow up program so they could witness first hand the questions and discussions going on among Dan Rather and the stage panel: Todd Spencer ( executive VP of OOIDA), Michael Belzer ( Economics Prof of Wayne State), Miles Verhoef ( O/O), Derek Leathers (COO of Werner ENT), Tom Dean( Veteran Driver for Werner Ent) and Guest audience speaker Allen Smith of AskTheTrucker.com. Many Truckers were in the audience including Desiree Wood from the first Dan Rather Reports trucking Video, along with owner operators, company drivers, company trainers, and even a student who came to Allen for help regarding a wrongful statement on his DAC report which has ended his short lived trucking career of less than 1 year.

As you will see after viewing the Dan Rather Truck Talk video, the greatest part of this program has been the fact that it has brought truckers, blogs and organizations together, discussing the problems and issues within the trucking industry. As you are aware, Allen Smith has been an advocate for students and drivers and has been talking about the scams within trucking for quite a number of years now. TruckerDesiree and Allen, AskTheTrucker, for the last year have had a synergistic relationship, fighting for the rights of students, new drivers, the harassment women in trucking trainees, and even the veterans who are being starved out. Other issues only being addressed by Allen, are the DAC abuse and the Trucking Lease Scams,which hopefully will gain the attention of others as they are crucial topics which must be addressed.

Now, we have agreement with Todd Spencer of OOIDA, who personally told TruckerDesiree what a great job she did in the first video. Also notice in the video that Todd Spencer brings up how there never was a driver shortage, but the problem is the 125% turnover rate, something which Allen has been trying to explain to people for years and actually devoted a chapter to in his book, “The Truth About Trucking.” When I heard Todd say that, I wanted to jump out of my chair and personally hug him!! I did mention it to him later, although I didn’t hug him…

Donna Smith and Norita Taylor

I want to say that this meeting/forum at Willies Place has given me a hope that I have never felt before. I felt unity and comradeship, people standing around discussing problems together. I had a great talk with Norita Taylor, media spokesperson for the OOIDA, as we discussed things like the importance of Jason’s Law HR1256 and the CDL training problems. Norita told me also that her boss Todd Spencer said that Desiree’s depiction of CDL training was right on, and how great it was to be able to meet and speak amicably on all these important issues.

You see, we all need to have the same agenda, the same common goal….THE SUCCESS OF DRIVERS AND TO” RAISE THE STANDARDS OF THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY.”

Watch Both Dan Rather Reports Videos ( “Queen of the Road” and “Trucker Talk” on the right side column!

: allen smith, carl's corner, cdl training mills, company training, Dan Rather, ooida, truck drivers, TruckerDesiree, trucking, willie's place, women in trucking

allen smith, carl's corner, cdl training mills, company training, Dan Rather, ooida, truck drivers, TruckerDesiree, trucking, willie's place, women in trucking

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Do Hostile Training Environments Exist for Women in Trucking?

Posted by Max4health in Talk Radio Show, Truckers Health, Videos, Woman Truckers, trucking on October 26th, 2009

During the Great American Truck Show in Dallas this August, I had the honor to meet a woman, Beverly Peterson, who dedicates much of her life to defending people in the workplace who are and have suffered the effects of bullying. Some think this isn’t a serious epidemic going on and will say, ” just tell them off”, or “if you don’t like it quit”, or “report them to their superiors” ( What happens if even the superiors are covering up to protect the company?).

Ahhh….if it was only just that easy all the time. It’s easy to judge, until you or a loved one are in that position. Oh, how we will then seem to change our non empathetic and very apathetic tune when the circumstances hit home.

Some circumstances for a specific job sometimes don’t allow leaving, quitting, or escaping, and the victims become seriously abused, either mentally or even physically.

Here’s one example of Bullying within the Trucking Industry :

A woman truck driver trainee on a truck can be in a very vulnerable position with a trainer. Alone, away from home and desperately trying to learn and gather enough of the required miles by law (to be eligible to apply for another job as miles of experience is a requirement) The trainee can feel trapped, afraid, threatened,intimidated, fearful to tell anyone of the abuse that is going on…even to tell someone in their company for fear of losing their job, and worried they will never get another driving opportunity somewhere else! Who do they tell? What do they do? They’ve heard the stories about others who have reported the abuse/harassment to HR and have been fired for it! They just paid 6000 dollars at a CDL truck driving school, what should they do now? Is there somewhere to turn?

The trucking industry has had a series of allegations by drivers, many of them women, who have expressed and eventually reported that these types of abuses have taken place in their life.

Listen closely to these 2 very short videos, as Ellen Voie of Women in Trucking and Ronald Fletcher, a teacher at a community college in Texas, share with Beverly, their comments to questions asked to them regarding this controversial topic. ( Listen closely at the questions being asked)

Remember: Many women are afraid “to tell others in the company” so because of that, “there is no record” of a report.

Here is a Radio Show That Allen did back on June 17th of 2009- Bullying in the WorkPlace Part One-

The follow up show is here: Hostile Training and Work Environments within Trucking 6/23/2009

Shame on any of us who turn our backs on our fellow man just because it hasn’t happened to us!

We reap what we sow………..be careful who you judge.

: Ellen Voie, hostile work, ronald fletcher, truck driver trainee, tuck driver taining, women in trucking, women truck driver trainers, workplace bullying

Ellen Voie, hostile work, ronald fletcher, truck driver trainee, tuck driver taining, women in trucking, women truck driver trainers, workplace bullying

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Dan Rather Interviews TruckerDesiree-Queen of the Road

Posted by Max4health in Woman Truckers, truck driving schools, trucking, trucking show on October 20th, 2009

Dan2 by Donna Smith

Tuesday October 20th at 8PM EST

Here is the Video to Watch

Also Available on iTunes as a download: Listen from your computer

Join Dan Rather from Dan Rather Reports as he interviews our dear friend and fellow trucking advocate and activist TruckerDesiree. The theme of the show will be the inadequate CDL schools and the exploiting of new CDL drivers and trainees.

Almost 10 years ago my better half, Allen Smith ,wrote the book “The Truth About Trucking”, advising people on the correct paths to take and those avenues to avoid, specifically CDL school mills and trucking companies. The motive? To help folks achieve success within trucking and to prepare them for the lifestyle they would be facing.

Allen literally has received thousands of emails from people, but none so memorable as the one in September of 2008 from a new CDL driver who had just gone through the mill……CDL Mill if you will. The name of that Student? Desiree Wood, affectionately known today as TruckerDesiree.

Desiree had written Allen and I numerous times, asking questions about trucking ( as so many do). She had just been through some of the most difficult and stressful experiences during her CDL school training and her CDL company team driver training…and her descriptions were quite vivid and graphic! She would write us long detailed emails describing her encounters…some of them making me cringe. I finally asked her if she would like to share her experiences with our Blog readers and Newsletter subscribers. She said yes she would and thus “ A Day in the Life of a Lady Trucker” and TruckerDesiree was born, and the trucking industry would never be quite the same!

Well, it’s exactly one year today that TruckerDesiree made her debut in “AskTheTrucker” with the first post in her journal, ” A Day in the Life of a Lady Trucker”.

A lot has happened since then for Desiree; Talk Radio Shows, Trucking Magazine interviews, documentaries, spokesperson for the iPhone Trucker App, blogger, twitter queen, facebook diva, and most of all a very good friend and advocate for truckers … She’s made a lot of friends and many enemies (goes along with popularity) By far her interview with Dan Rather will be her biggest accomplishment to date, but we expect to see even more achievements in the future.

We’re so Proud of you Desiree!! You Give a new meaning to Women in Trucking

Allen & Desiree Oct 2009

@ Petro i75 in Florida

TruckerDesiree and Allen Smith

: a day in the life of a lady trucker, allen smith, cdl drivers, cdl training schools, Dan Rather, truck driving schools, trucker desiree dan rather video, TruckerDesiree, truckerDesiree video, trucking tv news show, women in trucking

a day in the life of a lady trucker, allen smith, cdl drivers, cdl training schools, Dan Rather, truck driving schools, trucker desiree dan rather video, TruckerDesiree, truckerDesiree video, trucking tv news show, women in trucking

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Trucking News- Meet Trucker Desiree

Posted by Allen Smith in Politics, Woman Truckers, otr trucking, trucking, trucking companies on February 20th, 2009

Trucker Desiree How serious is harassment against female truck drivers? From trucking companies and male driver trainers, you just may be surprised to hear how some companies and drivers are treating many of our women in trucking. Join Allen and Donna, along with special guest, Trucker Desiree, as they blow the lid off of one of trucking’s dirty little secrets. Other topics will include the California Air Resources Board (CARB) proposal for tighter emission and air quality control, certain to effect many owner operators across the country. With other special guests scheduled to appear, be sure to tune in for this 2 Hour Special as Truth About Trucking “LIVE” goes “Green” and talks about what others choose to ignore.

Sunday, February 22nd, 2009 at 6 PM EST

Trucking Secrets Exposed!

Only on – Truth About Trucking “LIVE”

: CARB, driver trainers, female, harassment, news, owner operators, truck drivers, Trucker Desiree, trucking, truth about trucking, women in trucking

CARB, driver trainers, female, harassment, news, owner operators, truck drivers, Trucker Desiree, trucking, truth about trucking, women in trucking

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Trucker Desiree Update -”Who is Trucker Desiree?”

Posted by Allen Smith in Politics, Safety, Talk Radio Show, Woman Truckers, otr trucking, trucking, trucking life on February 6th, 2009

For those who have followed “A Day In the Life of a Lady Trucker“, here is an update of Desiree’s recent adventures:

Desiree is an OTR Driver who not only enjoys driving, but enjoys helping cdl students and new cdl drivers overcome obstacles every chance she gets, and she does . . . alot! She is an advocate for truck driver training safety, the fair treatment of students by their trainers, women in trucking, and Green Trucking . . . but NOT at the expense of the Owner Operators, which appears to be the case these days.

Desiree will the guest on Allen’s Blog Talk Radio Show on Sunday February 22, 2009 at 6pm EST discussing: “The Harrassment of Women CDL Students and Drivers Within Trucking Companies” and also the Contoversial “CARB” ( California Air Resources Board) Topic, which has many, especially owner operators, quite disturbed to say the least.

TruckerDesiree ( as she is known ) has become quite popluar with many groups as she makes her stand for truckers everywhere.

She is quickly becoming “a voice for many” as she is frequently contacted by magazines, news networks, and organizational groups desiring her input, opinions and support. Here is a page from her Facebook account which will give you an idea of “Who is Trucker Desiree” and what she wants to accomplish:

“Trucker Desiree : California is where I was born & raised. I am of a Family of Migrant Field Workers who came to California before the Freeways. I grew up at the beaches in Venice, Oxnard, Malibu, Arcata, Trinidad and Carlsbad as a child of the Welfare System.”

“After a life of struggles as a Single Mother, I am now an “Over the Road” Trucker.I fully understand where the miscommunication lies between Activists, Environmentalists & Truckers because I have lived on both sides of the argument and I have an Idea that can help.I am New to Trucking and I quickly learned to not tell people I was from California because of the manner Truckers are looked upon in my home state.”

“Similiar to the way I conceal I am Mexican as I travel across the U.S. as a Trucker to areas that Mexicans are also misunderstood. The Geography of my home state isolates population centers from understanding that Industry requires dirty stinking trucks that work 24/7 to move sensitive high dollar freight from the Ports & Agriculture from rural areas of the State.”

“Trucking is a detail oriented job that requires much more than driving skill. Good planning to move freight out of California in Particular, makes this State… the least desired State to work in as a Trucker. Mostly because California targets Truckers without regard to how difficult this job is and what they do for California Industry.”

“California has the worst infrastructure I have seen since I became a Trucker. No Parking is available to accommodate sleepy drivers, especially in areas where Freight must be shipped from. The transit time to move freight out of the state at the Truck speed of 55 mph thru the traffic centers of Southern California & geographic locations in Central California affect a driver’s ability to NOT violate Federal “Hours of Service”. Therefore, California places Truck Drivers at risk by NOT providing them adequate space to rest, forcing them to continue to drive out of the state in many cases to get to “Friendlier States” where they can sleep safely.”

“Sleeping safely includes Idling because currently no other system in California has other options for drivers to sleep properly & have temperature controls in their cabs. A safe driver is well rested, not roasting or freezing which is the case now because Idling laws do not take into account that Truckers live in their Trucks & must congregate where shippers are located for proper planning to move sensitive California Freight out of the State.”

“Truckers are targets for Hijackers, esspecially in this economic downturn. Much of the Freight from the Port is extremely High-Dollar that must not stop for at least 200 miles from the time the trailer is sealed at the shipper.”

“Freight moves 24/7 so a driver must be on call to drive 24/7, this is why many trucking companies have Terminals in the Long Beach Port & other Port Areas. Owner-Operators do not have anywhere to go but wherever they can to sit and wait. Both Company Drivers & O/O must idle to rest & be ready at a moment’s notice.”

“Many times, arriving at the shipper, the load is not ready. Sometimes I have waited 14 hours, my entire Legal shift for a load at the shipper. I am only paid to drive, nothing else. Legally, I cannot drive. I must be in the sleeper 10 hours to go back on duty, but with no temperature control? Even if I am in the sleeper in the shippers dock during that 14 hours I cannot have temperature control to sleep properly under California’s current policy. When I am waiting at my company terminal in Long Beach, Pomona, French Camp waiting for a load, sometimes for days on end I have nowhere to go, I live in my truck to move freight.”

“Many O/O in this downturned economy do as well. California needs to implement in their Infrastructure plans a “Green” solution for Truckers that everyone can afford, not just targeted at “Mom & Pop” Truckers who have only their Truck in the whole World where they live & work to move California’s Freight out of the State.”

“Shippers, Receivers, Big Trucking Companies who have Terminals in California & the State of California need to combine forces to reduce emissions.The burden on O/O is too great, they are being singled out because they have just that “Old Truck” that is their life’s blood. As a Student Trucker I am appalled to see companies charging drivers to Idle in Freezing Winter Temperatures at a price higher than Diesel per gallon & the turning around and accepting the “Smart Way EPA Award.”

“A true Smart Way would be to require innovation to combine existing technologies in Trucking & provide adequate space for Truckers to park & rest.This includes at Shipper/Receiver facilities, Terminals & areas for O/O. Companies that manufactuer APU units to reduce idleing have struggled in our downturned economy. Truckers who have purchased expensive APU units to comply with emissions regulations now have an additional concern that they cannot get warranty or repairs done.”

“Idleaire, the company that is in use at some Travel Plazas, is not a viable option for mass appeal because technology has advanced to the point that their product is quickly becoming obsolete.”

“Currently, Wal-Mart has a no idle policy on at their Distribution Centers. For Wal-Mart Tractors, a unit is provided in the bobtail parking section that keeps the engine block from freezing in Winter Temperatures. This unit currently does not provide temperature control for the driver, only for the engine. Some Tractors come equipped with bunk heaters, but many Big Trucking Companies buy only the Standard Model for their Fleets that do not have bunk heaters.”

“In California, Temperatures do not fall low enough to jeopardize the engine block, but they do get too cold & too hot for the driver to rest properly without temperature Control. RV’s can plug into electric power, Ships in port can receive shore power, but nothing is available to Truck Drivers to accommodate their comfort for safe driving to move freight from the State of California.”

“My Idea is a unit of similar size which is currently used by Wal-Mart to provide warmth to the engine block. It is less cumbersome than Idleaire.

It would not pump in foreign air like IdleAire which is an added security risk, because of Hijackers & Criminals who target Truckers and rob them. This unit could run off electricity but could be developed into a solar unit, perhaps wind power as well.”

“The Long Beach “Green Port” Project is the Ideal place to implement such a prototype because of the forward thinking innovation they are currently using to modernize this urban center. I am concerned when I read the Conference entitled “Faster-Freight, Clearner Air” has no VIP Speakers who are Truckers who live this life. I only see VIP Speakers who sell Trucks.” http://www.ffcacalifornia.com

“When I watched the Port of Long Beach Webcast about The Green Port Project, I heard about Innovations for Ships but not for Trucks that move the freight and fight Southern California Traffic to do it. To solve this problem, Californians need to understand Industry of this State is conducted away from the beach and the beautiful scenery. Its a dirty, stinky business that must be done. Who wants to put some plasma screens in their mercedes and drive them across the country? Anyone?” — TruckerDesiree@gmail.com

http://www.askthetrucker.com/a-day-in-the-life-of-a-lady-trucker/

http://www.twitter.com/TruckerDesiree

: California emission, CARB, ooida, owner operators, truck driver training, Trucker Desiree, trucking companies, women in trucking, women truck drivers

California emission, CARB, ooida, owner operators, truck driver training, Trucker Desiree, trucking companies, women in trucking, women truck drivers

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Women in Trucking can Make a Difference

Posted by Allen Smith in Woman Truckers, otr trucking, trucking companies, trucking life on November 19th, 2008

One of the most courageous woman truckers right now is writing on the AskTheTrucker blog, exposing the treatment and tactics allowed to continue within the trucking industry, as viewed through her eyes and own experiences. The purpose for these posts are two fold:

1) To warn women desiring to get into OTR trucking about the many “red flags they must be aware of so they may avoid them.

2) To encourage other woman in trucking to speak up and not be intimidated or fearful of “losing their job.”

Desiree has a written a Journal type posting which I encourage women to read. She posts regularly, and in my opinion it’s like getting a treasure of info, which I’m sure many would be more than glad to “pay for”" if it was available in book form.

Her experiences start all the way from day 1 in truck driving school, where she first began in her quest for the coveted CDL license. It then continues into driver training and team driving. This persistant woman would not allow ANYTHING to prevent her from attaining her #1 goal of driving the big rigs. Her experiences are at times like something you would read in a novel or watch at the movie theatre.

She is a testimony of integrity, commitment, and perseverance.

If you are anyone interested in a trucking career, looking into truck driver training, are already a truck driver, or just interested in knowing what is still allowed to go on within the trucking industry, then I believe you will benefit from these journaled blog posts.

Thanks,
Donna

: cdl license, otr trucking, team driving, truck driver training, trucking, trucking career, trucking industry, women in trucking, women truckers

cdl license, otr trucking, team driving, truck driver training, trucking, trucking career, trucking industry, women in trucking, women truckers

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Ellen Voie of Women In Trucking – Interview

Posted by Allen Smith in Talk Radio Show, Woman Truckers, trucking, trucking life on August 26th, 2008

Had a great show today with Ellen Voie of Women In Trucking……..if you missed the show, you can listen here :

: blogtalkradio, Ellen Voie, truth about trucking, truthabouttrucking, women in trucking, womenintrucking, womenintrucking.org

blogtalkradio, Ellen Voie, truth about trucking, truthabouttrucking, women in trucking, womenintrucking, womenintrucking.org

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Women In Trucking

Posted by Allen Smith in Talk Radio Show, Woman Truckers on August 14th, 2008

Ellen Voie to appear as guest on Truth About Trucking “LIVE” talk radio – August 26th, 2008 at 3:00 P.M. EST.Ellen Voie is the President/CEO of the Women in Trucking Association - Their mission statement says it all : “Women In Trucking was established to encourage the employment of women in the trucking industry, promote their accomplishments and minimize obstacles faced by women in trucking”.

Ellen serves on the Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Motor Carrier Association and was involved in adapting the Wisconsin Driver’s Manual. She is the recipient of the Skinner Humanitarian award, which is presented annually to a trucking advocate in her state. She helped found and organize the Trucker’s Pride Day in Waupaca, Wisconsin and convinced Governor Tommy Thompson to proclaim the event as a statewide “Trucker Appreciation Day.”

Ellen has written extensively about trucking and family issues, and her articles have appeared in print and internet magazines. She is also a published author - ‘Marriage in the Long Run’ – a collection of some of her most popular columns. She holds a Master’s Degree in Communication from the University of Wisconsin.

Join Allen as he welcomes Ellen Voie to the show to learn more about this great organization, and the roles and accomplishments by women in trucking!

: Ellen Voie, Trucker Appreciation Day, women in trucking, womenintrucking.org