Comments By Lady Lanes

350 ton crane!!! WOW! That's awesome. Those are awesome pictures too! Thanks for sharing those. Really cool.

I know this isn't a picture of a load, but anytime you mention flatbed this picture comes to mind:

That's our friend and moderator Old School in that picture. If you were going to write a book about what it takes to pull a flatbed, I'd want that picture on the cover. I think it really shows the character it takes to get out there and handle that job day in and day out. Not just on the nice weather days....not just on days you feel like working hard...but every day.

Flatbedders are a special breed.

Thank you! That about sums it up. No, women can NOT do flatbed. Actually, let me rephrase that so I don't **** anyone off. This woman here who is posting this can not do flatbed. That bums me out because, as I understand it, flatbed pays more, but I definitely appreciate the honest answer.

Found it!!! I don't know if the OP (Que G.) is still checking these posts but here is the link to the YouTube videos I was referring to. She has her own channel called Trucking Divas Rock! . Check it out here https://www.youtube.com/user/DeeSova/featured.

My question is in the trucking industry will I have to deal with alot of racial discrimination?

Well certainly hope not! I am a half black/half white female and I have wanted to be a truck driver forever! You know, life in the U.S. is crazy. I know it's hard to believe but I have received more racism for being half white than I have for being half black. No joke! I won't go into details because this is a very controversial topic but my point is that, in my opinion, it seems that people these days are much less likely to publicly discriminate against someone for being black. Sure some people might be thinking racist thoughts but if they are smart they know that it isn't very wise to make blatant racist comments these days, so you might not notice it directly. Of course, I could be wrong because I look mostly white and grew up around mostly white people. However, my closest friends are full black and they seem to have similar experiences in the way of people being polite and respectful even IF they ARE racist.

Don't take my word for it though. Instead, look up YouTube videos about female truck drivers. When I put "female truck drivers" in the search box, I found a video about a black female driver. She seemed to love her job and seemed pretty confident as well. I can't remember what her name was or what the link was on YouTube at the moment, but if I find it I can post it here.

One last thing... I am also guessing that she is not the only black female truck driver out there, but if she is, have you ever thought about making YouTube videos once you get started? I am not sure if you are aware, but you can get paid for uploading YouTube videos on a regular basis if you gather a following. I am sure that a lot of people would be interested in watching videos about a black, female, truck driver. Including me! In fact, that's the reason I searched for videos about the lady mentioned above in the first place!

Well, good luck in your trucking career. I am just getting started with mine but I am very excited and I am sure you are too. I will look for the video I mentioned and post it here when I find it. Please let this community know if you take me up on the idea about YouTube videos once you start driving. I would love to check them out and become a fan.

Ciao!

Jennifer i am a female thats been in the business for 2 1/2 years now. You can realisticly make what your goals are hands down. The harder you work the more you will make. My rookie solo year I grossed $42,000. Keep in mind I busted my butt and was hardly ever home. In 365 I took 30 days total off. I am a trainer now so if I quoted my 2nd year figures they would be alittle different from a solo driver because I get training pay. These guys have good info. You wont receive less miles because your female. Ive never received and kind of prejudice for being female other than a few male drivers that have too much ego and cant handle a female doing a mans job. I also look very female as well. I get my nails done. Any other questions feel free to pm.

Wow. Thanks for that info! I'm definitely ready to do this.

Hi Jennifer.

Indeed that first year you can expect about $32k-$36k. There are people who make a little more, but overall you can count on those numbers.

Here's a breakdown of the first year salary of Daniel B, one of our moderators:

Truck driving salary - my first year breakdown

Here's one from a few years ago and you'll see things haven't really changed much at all:

My 2010 Salary - Finishing Up My Second Year Behind The Wheel

Thank you. That was a perfect answer, but how about for the females in this business? Is this the same for both males and females? I know there is a separate forum just for females, and I can post there as well, but I was hoping to get a male and a female perspective. Maybe I should also start a separate thread for this.

You would be ok..... Rookies on otr start out making anywhere from 32000 to 36000 their first year and more the following years if you prove to be a safe reliable driver

Wow! What a relief! But, no offense. I am hoping to get more responses here because I hear so many negative stories that I would like to hear the 1st year income range from more than one person.

Also, I'm still wondering if this amount is possible for a woman. Do companies play favoritism toward men?

I am a female that has wanted to become a truck driver for quite a while. I love driving, I'm a hard worker, and I am used to an irregular sleeping schedule. The only reason that I haven't jumped on board yet is because I am afraid that I will not be able to maintain my financial obligations within my first year of employment. Without going into personal details, I will just say that (at an absolute minimum) I have to make $27,000 a year. If I make at least $30,000 within my first year, I am in the clear.

For all you newbie drivers that just finished your first year, do you think this is a reasonable goal? And, for all of the veterans out there, how often do you see new drivers making this amount in their first year? I know that I have to put in a lot of hard work, get in good with the company, and stick with the job for at least 3 - 6 months before I will see an increase in my pay. However, if I do those things, is an annual income of $27,000 - $30,000 during my first year realistic?

If this amount is possible, but rarely happens, I might not be able to pursue this career at this time. Although, if this amount is almost guaranteed with hard work and dedication with a company within the first year, I am ready to sign up! I am even willing to pay my own way through school.

Also, since I am a woman, will I receive less miles and/ or loads? Can anyone shed some insight?