Comments By Maia B.

Hi everyone! My name is Maia and I am a 26 year old woman currently in the middle of training. So far my career has been in receiving and purchasing but the money and availability of those jobs here in Phoenix isn't what it was six years ago. I am currently being "trained" by Swift (gasp). I am trying to get the most out of it, I hope at least my trainer is experienced so I can learn the vitals from him/her.

Anyway, my girlfriend and I are training together so that we can be team drivers. Sadly she is two weeks behind me now due to slow transfer of medical records. I am eager to be on the road with her once we are done. I have lurked for bit and just wanted to introduce myself. So nice to meet all of you!

-Maia

There is no shame in your line of work... or at least I dont think there should be. Everyone has a right to make money how they see fit and I dont see what relevance it has in the eyes of an employer.

I am currently training with Swift and they dont require any previous work experience. They pay for your bus trip to one of their training terminals and give you a loan for a hotel room. It costs about $3900 but you only pay half that in installments over the course of a year... after which they match half if you stay with them so it only costs $1950.

There might be better companies out there... but there is a major shortage of drivers out there and they could care less what your work history is. The major thing is not having any DUIs or too many moving violations... if that is clear then you should have no problem finding training from any major carrier.

Also the training costs $3900, but you only pay half that in installments over the course of one year... after the year they match it for half so it ends up only costing $1950.

I am currently training with Swift. They will pay for your transportation to one of their training hubs and give you a loan for the hotel room. The have been very patient with me, though the education is not very comprehensive it gets the job done. I had never driven a manual vehicle in my life until this week... and now I can straight line back a 40 foot tractor trailer with little problem!

If its something you really want to do, and you think the lifestyle will suit your needs, I say go for it!

Another trans female trucker here! Well not yet, im still in CDL school... but so far my progress has been great and I am getting along well with everyone! I'd say the only awkward moment so far was my physical because I gave the doc a bit of a surprise. Haha. =P

I think at the end of the day we are all human, and I could care less of what people think of me. All I want is to be treated fairly... and so far that has happened. So yay!

I look forward to meeting some of you out on the road!