Any US Based Black Women Truck Drivers here?
Posted by venannai1@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 37 comments
Thinking about getting a CDL and going over the road. Would love to get your insight and experience as a black woman driver in the US.
Ok_Weekend6350@reddit
I would not recommend this job to females of any race
You have a vagina and a bunch of lonely people that will be 800 miles a way in 24 hours
venannai1@reddit (OP)
Fair point. My next question is then how do women do this job then being around such men?
DrillTheThirdHole@reddit
by being tough as nails, and usually carrying a gun. never met a lady driver that wasn't about 1.5 seconds away from blowing my shit smooth off.
venannai1@reddit (OP)
Damn! Noted.
Migistat@reddit
Im black, a woman, and short. It’s not that bad so long as you keep your wits about you, just like with anything. Don’t let them deter you from something you want to do with spooky tales.
Ok_Weekend6350@reddit
you cannot guard against a surprise
Migistat@reddit
When exactly did I say anything about a surprise?
Milk_MAN1963@reddit
I have 3 women working for me. One of them can out drive most men
Beginning-Loan1873@reddit
I'm white, but I've been driving for Prime Inc for over 3 years. Prime is great for women, and I've only had 1 unsafe experience when I'd first gone solo.
Redsoxdragon@reddit
I'm a strong independent black woman and i need no man
✊️
Migistat@reddit
No but you clearly need a hobby.
Redsoxdragon@reddit
BITCH DID YOU JUST ASSUME MY GENDER?! BEING A BLACK WOMAN IN AMERICA IS MY HOBBY!
😭
Migistat@reddit
Oh I pity you for being so miserable with your life that you feel this gives you meaning.
Redsoxdragon@reddit
Hun, being a PROUD black woman in America ESPECIALLY in these hard times is all the meaning that we need. Us sistas must stay togetha!
trucksarekewl@reddit
U wasn't lying about shitposting lol
Ok_Bug_6470@reddit
All we see are drivers, nobody gives a shit about race or gender that actually moves freight, if you can do the job that’s all that matters.
Odd-Fuel-9002@reddit
I used to work for a small company who employed a black female driver. She was damn good at her job with attention to detail, safety and always kept her truck clean and organized. We all had a lot of respect for her and didn’t treat her any different
BB5er@reddit
There’s more genuine diversity in trucking than any other industry I can think of. Come on in, the water is warm.
Ceepeenc@reddit
I’m a black female driver. 25 years. Best job ever and have had no issues.
TruckinTuba@reddit
Im not, but one of my coworkers is, and a short one at that
TruckerSob@reddit
as a strong independant black woman such as myself, what do you think is different than what it is for other women?
itsmysecondaryblog@reddit
I came across a Black woman trucker on youtube. I think her handle is slimepack. I came across another on tiktok whose handle I can’t recall.
GreyGhost878@reddit
Not black but I'm a woman and work with other lady drivers including black women. Never felt unsafe out here. My #1 rule for safety is never park at a truck stop in or on the edge of a big city, and I never had a problem. (The truck stops located in more rural areas are calmer and safer. Rest areas tend to be safe, too.) Sorry I can't speak to black specific issues but my black female coworkers have driven for years and been successful. The owner of my company says he loves female drivers and he would hire all women if he could. (We tend to be safer and more conscientious than men, just as a whole. Of course there are excellent male drivers, too.)
Captain_Wag@reddit
Not a black woman so I can't help you out there, but I wish you luck on the road driver. In a non-joking way you should hit up the western express drivers facebook group. If you need more responses specifically from black women there are quite a few there. And most of the people are actually quite friendly and eager to answer questions/help.
cdubose@reddit
I am a black woman truck driver in the US. A majority (not all) of the other women I see driving are also black, especially if under 40. Again, just my personal experience.
I can't speak towards all black women truckers, but it's been fine for me; haven't really felt unsafe at all in terms of other truckers. I mostly keep to myself though and I look kind of masculine from afar, so that probably helps. I often stay in rest areas or smaller truck stops instead of always stopping at Loves or Pilot, so that might have something to do with it too. But as long as you trust your gut and keep your wits about you you should be fine, generally speaking.
I would say that the industry mostly sucks to get into, but that goes for anyone--not because of racism (well, not racism directed at black women) or because of safety, but just because of lack of pay and the way most OTR companies treat truckers, especially when it comes to home time and PTO. Plus you don't always have a good place to use the bathroom since shippers and receivers often treat truckers like animals (not all of them, but enough of them), so you have to become really adept at pissing in bottles, even for women.
I know another black woman trucker who works for Crum Trucking though and likes it well enough, so maybe my company is just stingy with time. But they pay decently and the trucks are kept up well. Finding the right company for you can really make or break your career, especially at the start.
Feel free to PM me answer specific questions you might have.
RedimidoSoy1611@reddit
find another career, im not a women but as a man who knows what its like working around other men who have no morals and are corrupt, this isn't the place for you. going local, you'll be kinda safe but please stay far away from otr trucking.. some of these guys are nightmare type sick and I wouldn't want any female to experience any type of perversion or vexation out here. Black, Yellow, Blue, im telling you, these are dogs and dont care what color you are.
Ayrria@reddit
I’m white, but I’m a woman who’s been driving for nearly 10 years (June is my 10th anniversary)
I’ve been apart of a team and I’ve been solo.
Best advice I can give is don’t be afraid to say no, don’t let others tell you how to do your job when they’ve never been in a semi before, and find any way to keep yourself safe. I think there’s an element of feeling like there’s more danger out here because it’s predominantly a man’s field, but out of my 10 years, I’ve only had 6 really terrifying experiences out here that didn’t involve driving (I was at truck stops or customers).
llkey2@reddit
There are women truck drivers out there.
Check YouTube and other trucker forums.
Fluffy-Guard-6386@reddit
there's definitely women in the industry but finding specific experiences as a black woman might take some digging around different forums and communities
maybe try searching for women truckers groups on facebook too, they tend to be pretty active and supportive from what i've heard
venannai1@reddit (OP)
I'll definitely do this. Thank you!
llkey2@reddit
I’m just the post above this. I’m just an old white non racist white man! :)
CauliflowerSure2679@reddit
🙋🏽♀️ I’ve been driving for nine years.
venannai1@reddit (OP)
Yes! Would you mind if I messaged you over the next days or two?
CauliflowerSure2679@reddit
Not at all.
RackingUpTheMiles@reddit
The company I drive for has many black female drivers and they have their stories like many people, but everyone I've talked to has seemed to enjoy the ride so far. Obviously I can't speak for their experience. I'd say give it a shot. One of the coolest things I've noticed on the road is you will find every single type of person you can think of in a semi truck. I'm not even a year in and I've met all kinds of different people.
Cultural_Finger5316@reddit
Don’t take shit, special from old heads. Short and simple conversation, and talk shit too
MissYouDesertRat@reddit
The women in this industry are badass. Theres no standard to appearence. Theyre tougher than titanium too.