For a few months now, two women have been strengthening the Brüning Logistics team of drivers, and in mid-December more female reinforcements will follow. Women are still a rarity at the wheel of a truck. According to statistics, the percentage in this occupational group is about 3%1. With a total of 40 female drivers, we are already above the national average. Of course we are happy about every newcomer. But it is a little special to be able to take on two drivers at once in our team, that is concentrated female power.
On the road, however, they face the same challenges as their male colleagues. There are no “special tours”. And as romantic as the idea of life in the driver’s cab may sometimes be, it can become a back-breaking job and a test of patience. In any case, we are proud of our entire team of drivers who get the goods safely from A to B day in, day out.
To get an insight into the work and daily routine of our colleagues, here is a short interview with them.
.
How did you become a truck driver?
Christina: My brother was a truck driver for a long time and I was allowed to join him at an early age. I was hooked straight away. Then I really wanted to get my driving licence. My brother always teased me and said I wouldn’t be able to do it anyway, which only spurred me on even more. And now I’ve been behind the wheel for 22 years.
Doris: I wanted to become a truck driver at a very young age, about 30 years ago. I was always fascinated by it. At that time, I worked at a truck depot and had my first contact with this profession. A neighbour was also a truck driver and took me along once. But then I decided to follow a conventional training and career path for the time being.
Two years ago, I finally took the big step and wanted to see if I could get my driving licence. That worked out great right away and now I’m a truck driver!
..
How did you come to Brüning Logistics?
Christina: A former colleague made me aware of Brüning. And here I am.
Doris: Via Facebook. I saw a job advertisement there and just spontaneously applied – which, as you can see, worked out very well.
.
What do you enjoy most about your work behind the wheel?
Christina: I just think it’s nice to be alone at work. But that’s not quite true, I’m actually not alone, because my dog always comes along. And of course you get around a lot and see a lot.
Doris: I especially like the long distances, just driving hundreds of kilometres. I think that’s great. And my dog is always on board, too.
But I also really enjoy all the communication with my colleagues, the dispatchers, all the people with whom I have daily contact.
.
What is it like with the male colleagues? Do you have the feeling that they accept you?
Christina: Well, you do get one or two stupid macho comments, that will always be the case. You can’t get certain prejudices out of people’ heads so quickly. Television formats that supposedly want to polish up the image of female truck drivers don’t help either – quite the contrary. But if you know how to defend yourself verbally as a woman and prove your skills, then you can handle such situations.
Here at Brüning Logistics, I can only report positive things. My colleagues are all very nice, helpful and I feel completely accepted.
Doris: I agree with my colleague. At Brüning Logistics, working with colleagues is really very relaxed and completely unproblematic.
But I can’t really complain about anything else either. On the whole, I feel on a par with my colleagues out on the road. I even have to admit that sometimes you get a little “bonus” as a woman, which of course makes the work easier. On the other hand, it sometimes happens that people look very closely or even deliberately put you in challenging situations as a woman, just to see if you can really do it. But that is the exception.
.
Was there any special experience during your time as a driver?
Christina: In the many years I’ve been driving, I’ve certainly experienced one or two things, but I can’t single out one very special event. It’s just a great job overall that I enjoy!
Doris: I can’t name a special experience off the top of my head. But I once went on a trip to Lake Geneva, for example, where I had never been before. I was blown away, the landscape was simply impressive and it felt like a holiday. That’s one of the many little moments that make up this profession.
Of course, it’s always nice when you’re faced with a difficult situation, you doubt whether you can do it and then you manage it the first time. That’s a great feeling.
.
Thank you very much for your time and the interview!
.
[1] Truck traffic: one third of all professional drivers are aged 55 or over (destatis.de)