u/Existing_Inside5200

I'm still somewhat new to trucking and I want to hear from the ladies what are some things that men have done to make you uncomfortable or just cringe? Not just other drivers but anywhere in the industry...

1. Mine started at truck school. Instructor hitting on me a lot

2. First CDL job fresh outta school... Trainer hit on me. It was reciprocated as we did begin a relationship and fell in love from that point, but he should've kept it professional til at least he wasn't my trainer anymore lol. Another driver at the company really came at me hard too.

3. Same company and my first trainer who quit on the second day was talking to another driver while I was in the driver's seat and they were making inside jokes about how cute I was and I was gonna be trouble 🙄

4. At a shipper this guy at the guard shack had me complete the sign in sheet and as I was writing my phone number down, I watched him put my number in his phone trying to be discrete. Then 20 min later I'm on a dock and this dude aggressively is trying to swing by my truck on his lunch break. Wtf! That's a hard no buddy

5. While waiting with another driver for a facility to open, we're just smoking and bullshiting for awhile and I mention I liked his truck and asked what the Volvos setup is like and he's like go ahead check it out. I peeked inside from the first step and came back down and he rubbed his body against me and tried to kiss me with no signs from me I was interested at all! Literally none.

6. I've seen 2 other drivers jerking it while staring right in my soul. Hope the climax was so good they ran into a ditch!

7. Countless men have asked me "so do you drive alone?". The question itself wasn't necessarily creepy but the way they said it was..

I guess some men take being nice and acting friendly as an invitation to do these things? So now I don't talk to anyone and I don't smile anymore. I'm very guarded now and I hate that I had to put up a wall because I'm a very friendly person and will talk to anyone, especially OTR when it gets lonely and isolating. It's really changed my personality and I went from trusting everyone to trusting only myself. When I'm home I don't leave the house or interact with anyone. And I hate that and feel shitty about myself lately. Any other ladies had their entire personality change pretty quickly because of this job?

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1. Had trouble backing in a really tight spot as a super noob after running out my clock and tired af. Russian guy sitting there watching me from his truck jumps out, motions for me to scooch over and backs that thing up like nothing. He didn't speak English so this was easier than just guiding me and I was sure as hell grateful for that

2. Got my drives stuck in the slightest bit of mud at a shipper in Kentucky because it went from concrete to a little drop off into soft grass and mud. I tried to stop it before the drop-off but it didn't work. Another Russian guy jumped out of his truck and guided me out and told me a couple things to try for next time

3. While pulled into a Pilot for fueling, I needed to adjust my chains and binders but my binder lever got stuck. Worked for a few minutes trying everything but it wasn't working (I was very new to using chains at the time). Flatbedder in the next pump offered to show me an easier fix and gave me tips that proved invaluable and time saving on future loads

There's been so many instances where guys will just jump out and help a driver back into a spot and I love watching it. It's a tough industry we're in and I truly believe we're good people and like to help others. I always hear everyone talk shit on the rookies like they weren't there themselves at one time.

Remember the advice or help you give to another driver is shaping their minds and attitudes to develop important skills for this job. So super truckers... Help a brother/sister out with your words or wisdom or guiding hand! We're all here doing the same job and we all want to be great at our job but what skills and knowledge we receive early on will be reflected later down the line. Let's pass on the positive and be kind to each other!

Let's hear some smile-inducing recollections!!

Mine was at the Pilot in Hesperia CA. Keep in mind this was my first OTR run and I was a super noob so I had not experienced a whole lot quite yet. Had to park on the street because of the parking lot madness, and I've never seen so many shit bags and human waste of all kinds in my life!!! Just thousands of them strewn about for hundreds of yards. And don't you dare go there in August because your sense of smell will never recover! You've been warned! 🤮🤮🤮

Coming in second is Pilot in ABQ just has a permanent piss smell and it hits you hard!! 2 days later I still smelled it on my tires...

Goes without saying any stop in West Memphis. I put on latex gloves under my fueling gloves. You can never be too careful with disgusting bodily fluids on every surface!

I fear this is nothing compared to what 20 year truckers have seen, but I still wanna hear yours...