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Ladies, If You Think You Can't Do A "Man's" Job, Think Again!

By
Real Estate Agent with Douglas Elliman Real Estate in Babylon NY

Ladies, If You Think You Can't Do A "Man's" Job, Think Again!

Meet my Mom...the long-haul, Big Rig Driver!

When Mom met her husband, she would go with him on his long runs across the country. After a while she decided to get her CDL license. Then she and her husband were a team which means more money.

According to DOT Laws, 1 driver can drive no more than 8 hours so 2 people get 8 hours each which means more driving time.

Their run was always from Long Island to California. It would take them 3 days max one way. They would always have a load to take back as well. Then of course another pick-up and back to California they went.

If you live in California then you know how the highways are there. There is just enough room for a big rig to fit in one lane. But Mom did it with no problem. Me? You wouldn't catch me dead driving a big rig for a living!

All the men truckers loved my Mom. She is a big time tea drinker so they all gave her a handle name: Tea Cup.

She would tell me inside things like, a lounge lizard is a prostitute at the truck stops. An alligator in the road is a blown out tire in the middle of a lane and every trucker would warn each other about the gators, lol. Truck drivers are like one huge road family and they all look out for each other.

The only bad experience she had was while she was attending driving school. It was her turn to drive on the Long Island Expressway and it was raining. Next thing you know, the truck started to jack-knife out of nowhere. The steering wheel is very hard to control at that point and it ripped the skin off of some of her fingers. The instructor should have taken control but he didn't because he ended up going into shock. Mom was left to fend for herself. Luckily, no one was hit but the Long Island Expressway was shut down for hours.

The instructor ended up suing her for $1M. It never came to pass because the instructor never took over like he should have. He was a professional driver himself and he never should have panicked.

Did all of this deter my Mom? No. She got her CDL license and drove a big rig for a living and the money was really good. Between her and her husband they made over $150,000 a year.

She retired from driving 5 years ago. Why? It was time for her to be with her grandchildren and to be home again. The downside to driving long-haul is that you are never home. When they did come home, it was literally for one day a month. She was done with that.

So, the next time you think you can't do a job that is meant for men, think again and think of my Mom!

Comments (9)

John Armstrong
Coldwell Banker Heart of America - Bloomington-Normal, IL

It sounds like your mother is a hard worker. You should be very proud. And who said driving a big rig is a mans job?

Apr 04, 2010 12:18 AM
Jackie Connelly-Fornuff
Douglas Elliman Real Estate in Babylon NY - Babylon, NY
"Moving at The Speed of YOU!"

Hi John, I am proud of her. Most people perceive that job as being a man's job even today. I don't. Even some women think that driving long haul is a man's job. Women can enter this profession if they want to. It's a tough job though. Being away all the time is the roughest part for all the drivers whether they are women or men.

Apr 04, 2010 12:25 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Jackie:  Your Mom sounds like a piece of work.  Now I know how you ended up with your can-do attitude.

Apr 07, 2010 10:24 AM
Ellie McIntire
Ellicott City Clarksville Howard County Maryland Real Estate - Ellicott City, MD
Luxury service in Central Maryland

Wow- totally impressed. Like you I would not even attempt to drive one of those big road beasts. Great tribute to your Mom.

Apr 07, 2010 12:59 PM
Jackie Connelly-Fornuff
Douglas Elliman Real Estate in Babylon NY - Babylon, NY
"Moving at The Speed of YOU!"

Hi Chris Ann, She can be a piece of work! And thank you, you made my day!

Hi Ellie, Thank you. I sat in their truck one day and I just couldn't believe my Mom could drive it. All the gears you have to shift into. I'll stick with real estate :)

Apr 07, 2010 10:55 PM
Toula Rosebrock
Diane Turton, Realtors, Forked River, NJ - Lacey Township, NJ
Broker/Sales Associate, Realtor, Lacey Township,

Hi Jackie:

WOW...that's an awesome story!

Way to go MOM!!!

Apr 08, 2010 04:26 PM
Jackie Connelly-Fornuff
Douglas Elliman Real Estate in Babylon NY - Babylon, NY
"Moving at The Speed of YOU!"

Hi Toula, Trust me, I thought she was joking when she said she's going to diving school, lol.

Apr 08, 2010 09:58 PM
Karen Kruschka
RE/MAX Executives - Woodbridge, VA
- "My Experience Isn't Expensive - It's PRICELESS"

Jackie  I'm sure your Mom has enough stories to write a best selling book

Apr 09, 2010 03:53 AM
Jackie Connelly-Fornuff
Douglas Elliman Real Estate in Babylon NY - Babylon, NY
"Moving at The Speed of YOU!"

Hi Karen, you are so right about that! :)

Apr 10, 2010 12:04 AM