Lone Star Transportation, a specialized heavy haul carrier, noticed an extreme uptick in their female driver applicant pool which CFO, Kristi Williams, attributes to the jobs paying better.
“Women truck drivers, like women in other fields, want to earn more money and respect in their careers,” said Williams. “They want access to the same advancement opportunities as men. As a professional truck driver, that means taking on jobs in which they haul bigger, more specialized freight.”
Paula Stroud, a driver for Lone Star’s elite four-axle tractor fleet qualified to haul freight of any length, width, and weight said, “I’ve heard a woman shouldn’t be doing this. It’s not your place. You shouldn’t be out here doing a man’s job, and certainly shouldn’t be doing a man’s job better than him.”
CEO of Women in Trucking, Ellen Voie, said, “It’s different today—women make up 7 percent of the over-the-road truck drivers, and they are moving all types of freight. You’ll find them driving tankers, hazardous waste, and extreme over-dimensional loads. Pay is a major consideration when women transition into moving larger freight, but so is the challenge it brings.”
Ellen adds, “Women truck drivers bring a higher level of safety to the industry. They work well with customers, and they’re an important demographic as the trucking industry tries to fill professional driver positions.”
