Women in Trucking - A Woman Driver's Guide

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I was first contacted in late February by Marge Baily, a lady I had met that runs TruckerCupid.com and DriversFinder.net and who also works with Women in Trucking. She asked if I would be willing to be on Today. NBC had contacted her and asked for a short list of lady truckers that could represent the industry in a segment about "Women in Dangerous Jobs." She felt that I would do that in a positive way and that started the ball rolling. I was contacted by several NBC producers. They asked a million questions, asked for pictures, and kept calling. I finally realized I was chosen when they started asking me about locations.

I spent many hours on the phone with them, and many hours scouting locations that would have everything they wanted. They wanted a stretch of road that was pretty and varied and no more than an hour out of the city. They wanted a truck stop with a huge amount of trucks, they wanted to pick up a load, and to show Meredith Vieira fueling the truck. The location I chose had to be, beside what they wanted, rural enough to allow lots of stopping and turning around, with not enough traffic to make that dangerous. But a four-lane would be needed, and not one lined by trees, and I needed the cooperation of many different people to do this. We were going to need a road to block off so Meredith could drive also. And so on.

I finally ended up in Carroll County, Georgia. After talking to Sgt. Russell Grizzard with the local Sheriff's Department, I felt I could count on them, and I then called the Region 3 Commander of the Motor Carrier compliance Capt. Gwendolyn Fulton whom I had met several times in conjunction with my teaching, and she said they would be glad to help us too. I chose the Petro truck stop as a good representative for us and they bent over backwards to assist us any way we needed. They even sent three of their corporate suits to take care of us. The local manager, as well as the field supervisor, William Lynn were more than helpful.

I asked my company, Marten Transportation, if they would supply a good looking truck and trailer and to line up a load that would suit our purposes and they and Justin Kreimer the Director of Operations came through with flying colors. Everybody in Forest Park helped out. The shop gave up a bay so the detailed truck could sit inside waiting for photojournalist Dwaine Scott and his crew to arrive and it took an entire afternoon to place six cameras and their corresponding microphones on and in it. All was clear to go.

The cameras were mounted on April 19th and on the 20th I was up around 3:30 and at the truck stop by 7:00 am. I had to cross Atlanta to get there so it was either be early or be late! The camera and sound crew arrived with the producer and shortly thereafter I met the Petro men and two hours later I was told my interview would take place 20 feet up in the air on a scissor lift so that the trucks could be seen behind me! Did I mention that I don't like heights? It was also right around freezing that morning with a very lively wind blowing out of the north into my right ear through the whole thing!

When that was done we all huddled around the best and largest cups of hot chocolate in the restaurant and ate what would prove to be my last meal until the following night! (I sure would have eaten more if I had known that.)

We then drove down to Marten where the truck and trailer were, just south of Atlanta, and got set up in the truck while we waited for Meredith to arrive from New York. She too had been up since the wee hours appearing on Today that morning. She and her makeup and hairdresser arrived an hour late. They offered to repair my makeup and hair and I wondered if it wouldn't have been nicer to get that treatment before my interview? But then they were just on loan to me.

So of course now with the delay we were out in rush hour traffic, but all went well if not slowly as I proceeded to drive with all those cameras trained on me, and Meredith in the jump seat and the producer, camera, and sound people crowded in the back! Plus, there were two more people ahead of us in the equipment van. We had to let him get in front of us as we pulled through the gate so they could film our arrival, and later, our departure. On the way to the truck stop, they wanted to have the lights on inside as the cameras whirred and I dealt with traffic on I-285! Nothing about this turned out to be easy that was for sure.

After several hours at the truck stop where Meredith, Robin, and myself were presented with a huge bouquet of flowers and a gift bag from Petro, I took off for Bremen with the crew, and Meredith and the other ladies went into Atlanta to get a few hours of sleep. We were to meet the escort in the morning at 8:00 am at the local Waffle House. Our plan was to get there that night and sleep later. The crew got me a room where they stayed and I made good use of the hot water in the spa and the shower.

In the morning, while the camera crew was checking things out at the truck, I was picked up and driven to the Waffle House where my makeup was applied by the professionals as I ate raisin toast as if I did this every morning! (I guess they liked my hair as they didn't mess with it!)

After Meredith and I were filmed talking about the subjects we were given, she posed for pictures with all the locals and she even cooked with the staff! She was gracious and friendly with all. She and the producer were so impressed with the reception from everybody that we drove off and forgot our escorts! But a call brought them up to the truck. We filmed with everybody until about 1:30 and then those ladies took off for the airport.

The camera crew switched all the cameras, removing the ones inside and mounting one outside on the running board and we headed back to Marten.

On the way back we had a close call with a head on collision on a two-lane road, and I my video photographer, who I think had been in war zones around the world and in disasters everywhere, saw himself in real peril of his life on this backwoods country road in Georgia! Actually, I knew I was going to be able to slow the truck enough for the car to make it back over, and I always knew I wasn't driving off the road-but he didn't. At the time I didn't have time to share that information with him. The sound man was relaxing on the bunk and missed the whole thing!

The equipment van had dropped back to get something and only wondered where the smell of brakes was coming from. And unfortunately, the wide angel camera did not seem to catch the way-too-close proximity of the car as he regained his lane. But the video journalist graciously gave me credit with saving their lives and quickly shared our close encounter on his cell.

When we finally got all of their equipment out of the truck, the NBC crew then took both of us drivers out for dinner. Luckily, we went to a place with all you can eat BBQ and we got our fill, we were far too hungry to wait in line at some fancy restaurant.

They took 48 tapes that they will reduce to seven minutes of airtime. I have no idea what they will use. I believe it will be a positive piece about trucking and women in trucking even if it is dangerous driving on the highways. So look for it in late May. I hope you get a chance to watch it and I hope you will let me know what you think. Check out the website I am building and give me your suggestions for that at www.fuelforthought.info.

Remember: thoughts become things, have good ones.

 LIFE'S GIFTS

Every time I think I understand life's games.
That each and every day will be pretty much the same.
Then a gift is dropped right into my lap
And it is up to me to do something with that.

This time it was the NBC crew...
They came for a ride and not just for a view.
Meredith wanted to drive a big truck
She knew it took skill as well as good luck.

We drove around the city, we gave it a spin,
We went to the truck stop, a place she had never been.

She pumped the fuel, while I did the rest.
I gave her a hand because she gave it her best.
She never quit trying, I wouldn't do less.

Life's full of gifts if we just look around.
An Easter egg hunt all the year around.

The crew worked so hard to bring you our story.
Driving is hard and we don't get much glory.
Truckers move the freight, put their lives on the line.
Not just once but each and every time.
Always, there is, so much to learn...
Drivers aren't simple, and we sure can't think slow.
Our lives, and yours depend on how much we know.
So move over cars and give us some room.
What's on that truck someone needs soon.