Personal experience: how a woman works as a truck driver in America

Clarissa Rankin, a 36-year-old resident of Charlotte, North Carolina, is a professional truck driver who hauls a variety of goods, from diapers to televisions to canned food, across the East Coast, reports NBC.

Photo: IStock

“People always have the image of a truck driver in their head—a man with a big belly, a big beard and overalls,” she says. “People always ask me if I drive the truck myself.”

Rankin loves her job, and her trucking company made $144 last year. But getting there wasn't easy. Here's how she built her successful career and how she changed people's minds about what trucking can really be.

"I showed him how I can drive this big old thing"

Rankin is married with two children and attended criminal justice school but was unable to find work in the field. Instead, she took a job as a substitute teacher, earning $1900 a month. This was not enough to help support her family.

On the subject: A letter from the other world: a new service allows you to send messages to your loved ones after death

Rankin's husband used to work in the trucking industry himself and suggested that she make a major career change. She immediately realized that she loved to drive a truck. The work was outdoors, which was much preferable to office work, which kept her from leaving the house all day.

After the exam, she got a truck driver's license.

“I showed him how to operate this big old thing,” she says of the instructor. “And I got it right the first time.”

"I've been rejected so many times"

Despite her immediate love for her craft, Rankin had difficulty finding work. “I’m not your average truck driver,” she says. - I'm a girl. That’s why I was rejected so many times.”

She was eventually hired after her sixth interview, but she was making less than $50 a year and felt it wasn't enough either.

Instead, she decided to start her own trucking business: JC Rankins Transport.

"Having your own truck gives you more freedom"

The Rankin company has been in existence for four years.

She works irregular hours during the week, depending on the frequency with which she finds work in applications such as Truckloads, which show countrywide shipping orders that various companies need to complete. She drove north to Massachusetts and south to Florida. “Having your own truck gives you a lot of freedom,” she says.

There are costs, however: in 2021, her truck was rented at $49. Maintenance cost $200. The fuel cost $2665. But in the end, her salary was $19, which is significantly more than she earned in other jobs.

In addition, Rankin is now making money by documenting his life as a trucker on social media. networks. She has almost 2 million followers on TikTok and was able to earn an additional $2021 from ads in 36.

"I love being that superhero"

Despite finding a job she loves, Rankin still faces challenges. According to the American Trucking Association, women make up less than 8% of professional drivers. Truck stops, roadside service stations for truck drivers, including restaurants, gas stations and sometimes showers, do not serve women and do not necessarily provide items such as tampons or pads. She is also criticized by male drivers for what she wears, such as shorts in the summer. And people condemn her life choices.

You may be interested in: top New York news, stories of our immigrants, and helpful tips about life in the Big Apple - read it all on ForumDaily New York.

Rankin's husband works from home as a videographer and stays with their boys while she's on the road. “We are told: “Why is she on the road, and you are at home with the children? She needed to be at home with the children. She is there with other men,” she says.

Still, Rankin wouldn't change what she does. “I really love my job,” she says, because she enjoys providing services and providing people with the goods they need. “I love being this superhero.”

Read also on ForumDaily:

The population of the Earth has reached 8 billion people: what are the forecasts for the future

Regrets of American college graduates: which specialties should not have been chosen

Biden's granddaughter's wedding will be held at the White House: who else got married there

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.