by wtfcanada2015@gmail.com | Jan 27, 2017 | BLOG
There have always been women in trucking.
There are women who provide back office support, women dispatchers, brokerage agents, and women who own their own trucking companies. Elaine Chao was recently appointed Secretary of Transportation and throughout the industry, it seems as though women are making their presence in trucking more visible. The number of female truck drivers has grown 50% in the last decade, according to the American Trucking Associations (ATA). However, a study by the Bureau of Labor states women make up only 5.1% of truck drivers. But that number is expected to increase and here are some reasons why.
Recruiting Women Truckers
With the truck driver shortage many companies are starting to make equipment adjustments to accommodate and recruit women truckers. These modifications to the truck makes driving physically easier for the trucker and safer on the road.
Women truck drivers statistically hold a better safety record than their male counterparts. According to President and COO of Werner Enterprises, Derek Leathers, they are more patient on the road and tend to get into smaller and less damaging accidents resulting in a 25% lower accident cost. Ellen Voie, the founder, President & CEO of the Women in Trucking Association, has found that women truckers are an asset not only on the road, but they are better with the customers and more organized with paperwork making the back office run smooth as well.
Why Trucking?
Why would a woman want to drive a truck? Probably for the exact same reasons that men are interested in the industry! Being in control of their own environment while on the road.
One of our clients, Cynthia, started out driving trucks in 1996 and now owns her own company. She says that her independence is her favorite part of the job. Women are offered just as much earning potential in truck driving as men because the jobs are based on how hard you want to work and less about office politics in other traditionally female dominant industries.
Being on the road and away from family and friends is hard no matter who you are. But cleaning up truck stop rest areas, allowing pets on the road, and other improvements have made it more inviting for women to take to the open road.
All in all the trucking industry is already a diverse work environment with all types of people and is becoming more inclusive to keep them happy and help meet the demand that is out there. Even the Women in Trucking Association has created the WIT index so that women truck drivers can be more accurately counted as the numbers increase. So be on the lookout for more woman truckers!
Are you thinking about being like Cynthia and starting your own trucking company? Let us help you! Give us a call at 855-369-2739. To learn more about what to expect in your first year of trucking, download ourfree white paper and subscribe to our channel on YouTube.
Posted with permission of
Sarah Schimpff
Public Relations Coordinator
Apex Capital Corp.
Link to original article :
The Future of Women in Trucking
by wtfcanada2015@gmail.com | Dec 9, 2016 | BLOG
As you may or may not know, as of August 2016, Foundation Career College has changed its name to Transport Training Centres of Canada Ltd.
This signifies a major change not only in the branding of the company but also in the way the location will operate going forward.
Foundation Career College had typically been run as its own separate entity but with the campus now under the TTCC banner, changes have been made to ensure Transport Training Centres of Canada’s standard of top-notch training will be implemented in Dartmouth, NS.
The changes begin with the introduction of a state-of-the-art Virage Truck Driving Simulator.
The on-site simulator includes real truck parts and full simulation of virtually any type of heavy vehicle from dump trucks to highway tractor-trailer and semi-trailer applications. The unit also includes 3D sound and high fidelity visual scenes with a virtual 360 degree view from the driver’s seat (180 degree forward field of view and rear-view mirrors) using the latest LCD high resolution display technology.
We have seen this simulator training vastly improve the quality of drivers that we produce, as students get added time backing, shifting and more. The additional skill development has greatly improved our students’ confidence and knowledge.
The unlimited simulator training is available for all students (former and current) and demos are available at the campus for those interested.
The change to TTCC also means that we are going to be more involved with companies, as TTCC has done successfully for many years. We are taking a hands-on approach with job placements and internships and have developed systems to ensure students have the greatest chance of success in the workforce. We are very excited to work hand in hand with employers to ensure our graduates exceed employer expectations and to ensure that any concerns over previous experiences with Foundation Career College are those of the past.
If you are interested in learning more about our programs feel free to give us a call at 1-800-805-0662, visit our website at http://www.ttcc.ca/ or stop in to our campus located at 9 Pettipas Drive, Unit 1, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.
by wtfcanada2015@gmail.com | Nov 25, 2016 | BLOG, Uncategorized
An interview with Ruth Degen-Mackenzie, veteran driver
(By Michel Robichaud / “The Request Project”.)
Sunday 6:30 pm as I stop to park my vehicle in front of the ACS (Armour Courier service) building on Edinburg Dr. in Moncton, a sand colored GMC
pick up truck stops in a near distance. Realizing it’s the security guard, I decide to walk over to let him know about the purpose of my presence. Fifteen minutes later appears a white Freightliner Cascadia carrying a box trailer identified as SLH recognizable to its color scheme .
Ruth Degen-Mackenzie is pulling into the yard as the eighteen wheeler describes a wide loop in the middle of rising dust.
From the time she was dispatched and left with her load at Bridgewater Nova Scotia up in Moncton, less than five hours had passed. On schedule for our meeting, my camera focuses, already zooming on the motion sequence. Looking at the massive semi immobilized and introductions made, yet talking about all sorts and soon completing the photo shoot the ice would soon be broken!
But first things first, “there’s absolutely no lady thing” with Ruth and laughing about it, we then settle for “trucking gal” as her proper way to bring up our subject as far as introducing women in the trucking context.
Born on June 17, 1959 in Digby N.S. Ruth comes from a family whose grand father had been driving box trucks for local companies at one point in his life. Being a second generation driver by following those footsteps, one can surely testify that her fourteen years of experience behind the big wheel (including ten driving as team) runs in her blood. Currently working for SLH (Sears Long Haul) mostly running Canada/U.S. and travelling two main corridors; hauling basically tires from the Nova Scotia Michelin plant to South Carolina, Maryland, Alabama, Arkansas and Illinois states and delivering back to Canada. “We also haul tires from the province to Montreal QC and London ONT amongst other goods”. Finding her comfort zone with this company underlines all the importance and also the meaning of her past experiences. And yes, a million miller she is. Accumulating as well as logging in countless hours of operation is easier said than done she reminds us.
I asked Ruth what kept her there? “The respect and good treatment given to the drivers…” and adding “…It’s so great! The dispatchers have your back and do whatever they can to make things right… The runs are great also!” As I still listen, she replies “This company runs almost exclusive drop & hook, so not being stuck on a dock or unloading. If a tire load isn’t ready, then they will send you to pick up appliances or some other things that Sears sells. So there’s no sitting around; it is very, very rare to get a layover! They give you more than enough time to deliver. But should something happen, you just let them know and no questions asked. They only change the appointment time. If you get somewhere and there is no load ready, you still have driving time; they pay you for lost driving time.” In conclusion she mentions “I wish I had started there from the beginning.”
Trucking from Ruth’s perspective brings her back to her childhood memories when, at the young age of 13, she remembers pointing up at trucks passing by and telling to her friends “I’m going to drive those one of these days which would put them into hysterical laughter.” (I was so short…). And that resonating phrase “you won’t be able to reach the pedals!” surely made its effect; only in her mind it had a much different meaning. Thinking “Where do they go and what do they get to see!”.
Sure enough, her dream came to be, only much later in life after going on a trip in the U.S. with her eighteen year old sun who already had his class 1 driver’s license. She knew at this point in time what to aim for. E.I. (Employment Insurance) had given her the opportunity to join a local truck driving program. More determined than ever, Ruth had also convinced family and relatives of their full support and encouragement. No one, she says, was surprised about her decision. “My mom was proud of me doing it yet at the same time she worried. But she seemed to be a little more at ease as long as I ran team”.
Thereupon, Ruth is part of the growing presence of women whose contribution bring a whole new approach to this way of life as it does within the trucking industry. “Most people have no idea what this industry is about; but when I tell them I get paid to travel, you can see the light coming in their head so-to-speak.” The fact is that in a daily routine, drivers are bound to adapt themselves with numerous situations including driving time and in many cases long sleepless hours.
And the industry itself is in a constant changing mode. Finding your place and fitting in is a matter of three important elements in Ruth’s book: education, mentoring and security. Her advice to future generation who seek or ambition the specific profession would be the following recommendation: “…It would be nice to get the gals out there on career day, bring the truck and show things off, help them getting a good start on trucking life”.
A lot of drivers, such as Ruth Degen-Mackenzie, travel with a pet as companion. Mr. Chewie was seeking for a home and was offered as a gift to her husband as she states it: “This day I know because it was the hubby’s birthday gift…
Now this is the kicker, I’m getting a free Main coon cat, and his answer is no! (I never understood why he said that)”. As for me this cat made an impression on me just by its size. I never thought how big they could be.
Spending time on the road means making some for our interview when at a stop, at the end of the day (when extra energy can be spared) or on her days off. It made me realize that Facebook came in handy as more than half of our conversation was done over the keyboard.
A full working week has passed, crossing a long period of heavy rain stretching from Tennessee to Ohio state (640 miles) really puts you on your toes. Having logged in 3846 miles all combined and waiting for the next trip. As she recalls, the Freightliner is her rolling home; being away most of the time has develop Ruth’s sense of steady routine, particularly on well managed organisation around pre-trips. From home cooked meals to last minute verification’s of her truck prior to departure time.
On another note, Ruth describes herself as a ‘witch’ “To me a Witch is someone who listens to your feelings, pay attention to surroundings, learn to read and see the signs so to speak”; Being connected with life and people is a rule and fitting in a man’s world takes much determination even today; only in Ruth’s opinion it’s all in the mind and pretty simple: “If you want it bad enough you will become a trucker”… “We have more patience and we are more careful… I think the mother side of us really wants to make sure we don’t hurt anyone or anything”. In conclusion her professional background can be described as a hard one but well earned as far as experience is concerned.
Ruth Degen-Mackenzie to me is a living example for the younger generation although strength of character is definitely an asset . “… the fact we hit the road and live the excitement of travelling long distances is a great thing, but most importantly, I keep my beloved ones in mind…”
Interview realized in June of 2016 in Moncton N.B.
Photo credits: On Silver Wheels Photography.
Check out Michel’s Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/On-Silver-Wheels-Photography-783159908374048/
Email Michel Robichaud at michelrobichaud88@yahoo.ca
Website coming in 2017
by wtfcanada2015@gmail.com | Aug 6, 2016 | BLOG
Recently the question was asked, “Why do drivers get so defensive?” The thread where this was asked was about how some in social networking pages and forums get hot under the collar so quickly during discussions. This question struck me as funny in a way because the asker should know the answer. So, I decided to answer the question publically.
Truck drivers are most likely some of the most opinionated, strong willed people in the world. We put our lives on the line daily by the minute and just in that, we cannot be anything other than strong both physically and mentally. We are isolated in our jobs for the most part and many of us, over time, lose some of the social niceties required in polite society.
Our lifestyle and our financial living hang on the mood of the officer stopping us, the actions of those around us and our companies who are running scared in the increasing regulatory world of trucking. Companies have not lost the idea that drivers are a dime a dozen while talking about driver retention and driver shortage yet not getting us home for regular hometime, setting up road blocks to our receiving fuel and safety bonuses and getting enough miles to survive. On the other hand, companies expect for us to deliver just in time freight while under the microscope of e-logs or screaming about ‘running legal’ after sitting for 6 hours at a shippers pulling the rabbit out of the proverbial hat to make sure ‘contractual agreements’ are met.
Because of the lack of good training regulations, companies have jumped on the bandwagon of the training companies, read the mega companies, and taken everything down to the lowest common denominator no matter what the driver’s experience level is; they treat even safe, experienced drivers as if they are the newest student drivers who need to be micromanaged. Satellite tracking, electronic logs, micromanagement of time and maximization of hours all combine to a driver having to account for every minute of their workday down to explaining why they stopped for four minutes to urinate.
Truck drivers have become so hated by the general public through sensationalistic reporting by the media and misstating of statistics by the government that the trucker while in a truck stop has to hear people saying things like a friend related. She was in the restroom and heard a mother say to her child, “Now you make sure you don’t touch anything, those nasty truck drivers use this bathroom.”
I have been waiting in line at truck stops and hear non-trucking people complain about us truckers being there in the first place, at a Pilot a lady said, “I do not know why you allow those dangerous truckers in here!” At a Flying J a man said, “I wish these ‘effin’ truckers would go someplace else!” My favorite from a fuel desk manager at the J in Des Moines, “I would rather deal with 100 tour buses than you truckers any time, this is a travel plaza not a truck stop!” Gives you a warm fuzzy feeling doesn’t it.
Even though we do a public service for our country by delivering goods needed by all, our own country is out to get us through overwhelming regulations even though statistics show that we are the safest drivers on the road. Part of the reason for this is the impact of special interest groups who have the sympathetic stand of losing someone in an accident with a truck no matter who was at fault. Part of the reason for this is the need for more money to flow into municipal, state and federal coffers and the rest is to improve big business’s bottom line.
Through increasing regulation, the government appears to expect us to be robots who do not need any contact with anyone while driving, do not need to eat or drink, use the bathroom, or do anything other than sit in the seat, look straight ahead yet have total control over the actions of every other vehicle around us. God forbid someone else screws up and causes an accident anywhere in our vicinity, we will be blamed for it, chased down and ticketed, then sued by the people at fault who will win. We are not humans any longer, but just meat in the seat.
Compare prices of food in a truck stop against food in other comparable restaurants. Truck stops will charge more for a fast food burger than non-trucking stores. You notice I do not use a different type of food, no, truck stop chains have figured out that they can make more money renting space than having restaurants themselves so we can get a sit down meal. Yet we are blamed for being fat and lazy because we gain weight as truckers due to the prevalence of fast food and pre-packaged meals. That brings up another factor…our health.
Trucking is hard on the body being the ninth most dangerous job in the country. Occupational hazards include stress related issues such as heart problems, digestive problems, hypertension, diabetes and mental health issues. Then there are the structural issues such as hearing and vision problems, bad backs, arthritis and limps caused by hours of using the same leg to push in the fuel pedal. Let’s not forget those injuries received from falls, kidney problems and skin infections from both sun exposure and sitting on vinyl for too long. All of these issues happen to truckers after awhile, now there are plans afoot to take away our livelihood if we have these types of issues.
So, why do truck drivers get defensive so easily? It might be because we are under attack from all sides, by people with special agendas, even by our companies, which are only to our detriment. It might be because we are totally off balance due to our jobs, the ways we are treated and the economy. It might be because by the time we have time to get online to try to relax, we get fed up quickly with finding the same sort of attitudes against us even there, where we are in control and can express ourselves freely. It is a safety valve of sorts in some ways and in other ways, the only way we can feel we can fight back.
by wtfcanada2015@gmail.com | Aug 4, 2016 | BLOG
If you’ve been thinking about getting YOUR Commercial Drivers License, just do it!! Don’t let ANYONE or ANYTHING stand in your way.
There’s more than one way to come into trucking. You can attend a Training School OR take a Community College Course. So, stop making excuses…. If this is YOUR dream only YOU can make it happen.
For over 40 yrs Women have made a POSITIVE Impact on the Trucking Industry. Those Women have paved the way for YOU today !!
WE all had fears, WE all had concerns…..but the good news is, WE made it !! And you can too!
~ Isn’t it time YOU turned YOUR dream into a REALITY ~