Driven Women

New and used drivers

Dear GG,
While sitting in a Baltimore truck stop, this guy sat down at my table and said, “Hey, you’re GG!” I don’t speak English well, but I like to a drive a truck. I got a CDL in the United States so I can drive a truck, but it’s hard to find a job. I’m 27 years old, and I’d be OK to drive team.
Can you help me? I’m a GG, too!
Guatemala Guy

Hello GG too,
Trucking jobs are not as plentiful as they once were, but there is still a demand for drivers.
     What are they looking for? Experience, a clean record and flexibility are key factors. Tara, a small fleet owner, said, “The drivers who get miles are the ones that help me grow the business. They are on time, they’re nice to me, the dispatchers and the customers, and they keep their truck in good condition. They also have spotless records.”
     For the new driver, the issue is confidence and humility. Casey, a senior recruiter for a mid-size trucking company, said, “What I can’t stand is the new driver who insists that because he has a CDL, I should give him a job starting at $40,000 a year. And then there are the new drivers who can’t even get the truck out of the parking lot.” Yikes.
     Guatemala Guy, keep your options open. Apply for local, regional and cross-country work. Ask your trainers to be references, and you might want to offer one week at no charge. You’d get one week of experience, an idea of what it’s like working for the company and the chance to demonstrate your skills. Let me know how it goes.
     Cheers, GG
     The first and real one  ;o)

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You can e-mail Golden Girl at goldengirl@otrprotrucker.com or mail your letter to Over the Road Magazine, P.O. Box 549, Roswell, GA 30077-0549.