Netherlands
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My name is Angelique B.S. de Boer and I
live in Haarlem, the Netherlands. I'm a lady truck driver (lorry driver) but started that profession a little bit late. After school (MAVO and later HAVO) I worked for 3 years as a data-entry typist here in Haarlem, but didn't like that very much. |
So I went back to school, HBO-informatics (=higher education computer-science) but left school (university level) when I got bored with it. Too much talk ... I rather do the mechanic part of everything what has to do with computers. Here I was getting trained to be a computer programmer or consultant, those jobs you have to talk and talk much with others. And I'm like "this is it, let's do it that way NOW"! I'm not a person who can discuss those things for three hours or more and still don't have a solution.
| I worked in the computer branche for some years. Even with ICL Sorbs as a Field Service Engineer what I'd really liked to do! O yes, in those days I already had my drivers licence for Straight Trucks and drivers diploma/certificate (like CDL is in the USA). I got into trucking through Harry Vis, a driving school which I used to get my car-license. I helped him with buying a computer and using it the right way ... as Harry didn't know anything about computers I invested a lot of time in him. When he asked me what he had to pay me ... I said that I would like to get a driving lesson on a truck. This was how I got into trucking! I always liked big trucks to. But as it was considered to be a male's job...so I didn't go for it earlier. Only about 2% of all truck drivers here in The Netherlands are females. |
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It is still hard to find a job (nowadays 2005 a bit easier) --- there are still companies around who won't give them any chance. And it's even more difficult when you just have your driving licenses and papers but don't have any experience in trucking! Then (at least 9yrs back) it was almost impossible. But things are changing for the better lately and that is a very good thing indeed. Nowadays you see more female truck drivers and there is a scolarship for 10 woman to get their Drivers licences and Truck drivers diploma every year This is called the "Peijs Scolarship" and 10 woman get their education for free, this in order to get more woman into Trucking.
Years back it was
difficult to get a job as a truck driver. But than I met a nice guy; he is an
owner-operator and we teamed up so to say.
I learned a lot about
trucking from Anthon. But the relation ended and I had to find a job once again.
This now was a little bit easier. And so I got to work for the VNK in Haarlem.
After working for them for 6 months I went to Comtra ... a REAL transport
company!!! With the VNK I had long working days ... LONG! More than the 'Rijtijdenwet'
(Hours off Service) admits, sometimes almost 6 hrs of daily rest period. (Should
be at 11 hours, but may 3times a week be as low as 9 hrs).
Comtra was a lot better.
It was really EASY for me!!! Only 5 till 6 deliveries a day and that was peanuts
compared to the VNK. And a far better pay: euro 250, - bruto per month extra!
And Ed Formanoy, my employer was really nice to me ... he often said that I had
done a good job. And that was totally different than with the VNK were almost
nothing was good!
I wasn't used to get a pat
on the back so to say!
I stayed three years with Comtra.
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Since January 1st I work for Kuijken Trucking. We haul sea containers and I drive this DAF95XF
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