Truckin' with Tamie
From CEOs to mechanics to truck drivers, women are revolutionizing the transportation industry. Tune in to "Truckin' with Tamie" where host Tamie explores the ins and outs of trucking, showcasing how this formerly male-dominated field is now opening its doors to women worldwide. We cover the issues affecting women entering the industry for the first time, CDL Schools and training programs, and adjusting to life on the road. We will interview women in various positions in the trucking industry, and get the real scoop on what to expect as a woman in this field.
Truckin' with Tamie
Episode 3 with Danielle Cessna
Step into the world of entertainment trucking with Danielle Cessna, a pioneering force in a field often dominated by men. Hear Danielle's inspiring story of transformation, from delivering bread in a box truck to leading a fleet of big rigs across the country. Learn how a Facebook ad changed her career path and discover the unique challenges she faces maneuvering massive vehicles through the bustling entertainment circuit. Danielle's journey is a testament to resilience, and her insights provide a fresh perspective on the gender dynamics and evolving culture within the trucking industry.
Peek behind the curtain of entertainment trucking as Danielle contrasts the differences between freight and her current role, where she transports high-value equipment from venue to venue. With an impressive narrative of her rise as the only female lead driver in her company, Danielle shares the nuances of managing diverse team personalities and the importance of seamless communication on tours. Her reflections shed light on the camaraderie, challenges, and financial aspects of the job, offering a raw look at a world few truly understand.
Listeners will also appreciate Danielle's candid advice on maintaining a balanced lifestyle on the road. From sampling delectable treats at a charming Wisconsin truck stop to her strategies for staying fit, Danielle's anecdotes are as informative as they are entertaining. She emphasizes the importance of finding the right niche within the trucking industry and touches on the adaptive measures taken post-COVID to ensure drivers remain successful. Don't miss this episode if you're curious about the life of an entertainment industry driver and the inspiring tale of a woman thriving in a male-dominated field.
Hey girl, I see you've come a long, long way. You're not alone anymore. Come sit with me and tell me your story.
Speaker 2:You've come a long way, girl. Pulled yourself out of quite the mess. Those were some dark times back then, but it's all over now. You're not alone anymore. Come sit with me and tell me your story this is trucking with tainty.
Speaker 1:Way journeys heard and your voice is free. You're not alone. Come share your story with me.
Speaker 3:Good afternoon and welcome to Truckin' with Tammy. I am your host, tammy. Today's guest is Danielle Sutma. Danielle is joining us. From where are you at today, danielle?
Speaker 4:Hendersonville, Tennessee.
Speaker 3:I didn't know, because I know you've been bouncing all over the place with the tour lately.
Speaker 4:Yeah, I just got back from Oklahoma.
Speaker 3:Nice. So Danielle is a driver in the entertainment segment. She comes to us with 14 years of driving experience, eight of those in the entertainment segment, and we're going to get the ins and outs of Danielle's trucking career and see what she has to say about those wonderful 14 years as a woman out here. So, Danielle, how in the world did you get into trucking?
Speaker 4:I just woke up one morning decided to drive a big truck.
Speaker 3:Is there drivers in your family?
Speaker 4:Anybody no, everybody went into the military or something along those lines, and I was delivering bread in a box truck and I decided to drive something bigger.
Speaker 3:So what was the appeal?
Speaker 4:So what was the appeal? The size of the vehicle, I guess.
Speaker 3:Just something. The challenge Now were you looking to go over the road when you started your career or did you think I'll deliver bread? Still, I'll just do it. You know. Dc versus to the store.
Speaker 4:I honestly had no insight on it, so I just kind of went with the flow and found a company whenever I first started, did my year and then switched to a different company and spent four years there and then came over to StageCall.
Speaker 3:So when you started your career and you started school, did you think, oh no, what did I get myself into? Or were you like yes, this is exactly the challenge I wanted.
Speaker 4:It was the challenge that I wanted and it was interesting because I was the only female in my class. Everybody else were males.
Speaker 3:And I put through that I had a couple girls of mine, because we were a pretty big group. But how did the guys handle you being there? Were they pretty good about it? Did you have? Any challenges.
Speaker 4:They were pretty good. A lot of them would apologize if they cussed in front of me or said something you know derogatory, in a way, like a dirty joke or something like that, which doesn't bother me any, but they respected that I was standing there and said, oh sorry.
Speaker 3:That's good. Were you in the Midwest or down south when you went to school? Yes, out of Arkansas, yeah, so down there they're still saying yes, ma'am sir.
Speaker 4:Yes.
Speaker 3:Yeah, I can see that. So did you go to a college for your school or did you go to one of the shorter programs?
Speaker 4:It was actually a 25-week program that happened at night, so that way I could still work during the day, and they got you ready for the written test and then also the road test.
Speaker 3:Nice, so 25 weeks at night so the one thing that everybody hates driving at night. You, literally that's how you started.
Speaker 4:Oh, I love it. I prefer driving at night. There's nobody else out.
Speaker 3:So have you stayed with nights then throughout your career?
Speaker 4:then as much as I can, especially with entertainment, because you'll load up at night and then drive to the next venue, so all your driving is mostly at nighttime.
Speaker 3:Yeah, and I've hit the entertainment industry part of it a little bit, because it's really interesting and a lot of people have a. There's a lot of myths with it. I want to say we had a little short stunt with it a few years ago with my drivers and it's different when you're in it and you know a lot of people see it differently than what it really is. I want to say, say, but before we get to the trucking industry, let's talk about how you got there.
Speaker 4:So you started out you were hauling dry van and reefer yes, so I started out dry van first, for, you know, a typical starter up company and then I hauled reefer for about a year and a half and then went right back to dry van, because that's when I switched to a different company that was out of Springfield, missouri, and stayed there for a while and then switched over to this company.
Speaker 3:So when you got your first year experience? I hear a lot of women have good and bad experiences. I myself did not have a a bad one when I came out, but you were pretty young when you started your trucking career. At that age, you were 22, um. So a 22 year old female coming out in a very male-dominated world, how did your trainers, how did that situation go for you?
Speaker 4:um, I didn't have a bad situation. Um, I did have a male trainer, um, but he was very respectful and you know nothing. Uh, weird there. Um, I still get it to this day. People ask me you drive that thing? I'm like, yes, I do.
Speaker 3:No, no, somebody else is sitting in there waiting, know, driving it for me, and I just get to look pretty in the driver's seat when I get out yeah, I, I pulled up to the fuel island there, so and you know it wasn't really me right so your first year was it what you, when you got into trucking and you were going through being away from home and over the road and doing that first year, how did that go for you?
Speaker 4:um, I think it went pretty easy. It was a little bit to acclimate to, uh, being gone and being over the road trying to plan your day, because people don't realize the necessities they have at home as far as a bathroom and shower and food all the time right there next to you, whereas as a truck driver you have to go down the road and you have to plan your trip so you're not late for your deliveries or pickups yeah, and training that ladder is one of the hardest things you have to do you know there's not always a semi-accessible restroom close yes, exactly.
Speaker 3:So what was the biggest struggle that you had? Or I don't really want to say problem, but you know our first year. There's always something obstacle, struggle, something that we have to overcome. What was yours?
Speaker 4:I would say there, the long days sitting and driving for long distances. I was not used to driving that much, so I think that was the hardest thing. A lot of people say it's the backing into the docks where I think that's where I was kind of at an advantage with the school that I went through because we did a lot of backing, so I think that kind of helped me. Once I was kind of at an advantage with the school that I went through because we did a lot of backing, so I think that kind of helped me once I was out by myself.
Speaker 3:So yours was the driving for long hours, which is exhausting and people don't realize they're like oh you just sit and drive.
Speaker 4:Right.
Speaker 3:But it's very, very exhausting. So is there any lessons you learned your first year that you think a new driver um would get good advice from you? Definitely?
Speaker 4:yeah definitely trip planning is the biggest thing because people get flustered with the e-logs and, honestly, it will help you. You just have to plan out your day for it and um learning when to stop to find parking, so you're not having to make a spot and try and sleep without somebody trying to wake you up and say you have to move.
Speaker 3:So so working nights about the time you would park? Generally that's probably a hard time to find a decent space because they're pretty full and then people have made spots, which makes it even more complicated. How do you handle that?
Speaker 4:um well, driving at night it's not too bad, especially if you plan to stop around eight or nine in the morning. Then everybody else uh will be. You know what did. What do people call them? Solar drivers will be leaving as you're coming in, so you kind of have a better chance of finding parking than you would if you're driving during the day and then trying to park eight or nine o'clock at night.
Speaker 3:Yeah, I used to ride and do. We would have to park between three and four o'clock in the morning sometimes and that is almost impossible. Yes, maneuver around the truck so I can see where eight or nine o'clock would be a much better time frame to find a spot yes, definitely, and if you do get to a crowded place, this is, I think, another thing that people don't take into account.
Speaker 4:They forget how long they are and don't use the space and they start taking out people's hoods. So, yeah, not paying attention, is you know? They really need to pay attention to their turns?
Speaker 3:my favorite is the rest areas where you have both sides with parking and people won't pull up far enough. So the rear and you're trying to maneuver in between those vehicles and you're like this, far away from the back of them, trying to get through yeah, there was one time I actually had to wake a couple people up because you couldn't get through and there was people behind me.
Speaker 4:I'm like there's no way I'm getting through. My mirror is on this person's trailer, so they're're going to have to move up.
Speaker 3:Move up, move back something let's go through. So, are you now family-like? What's family-like like for you? Are you married kids?
Speaker 4:I'm single, no kids. I have family in Arkansas, washington State, Missouri, pennsylvania. So usually as I'm going through, I'll be like can I borrow your couch for a couple days?
Speaker 3:right and go visit, which is my yes because I imagine, being on the entertainment, and here we go, we are going to talk entertainment industry here. Um, being on the entertainment industry, you have to make a commitment to it, for so you, a home time isn't uh like every two weeks or every week, like a lot of drivers like exactly.
Speaker 4:A lot of people ask you know, how do I get into the entertainment industry? And I ask them the first thing is well, how much time do you want home? Because I literally live on my truck. I don't, you know, I don't have a home of my own. Um, to give a good example, my main tour that I'm going to be on is going until June of next year and we sit so long at a certain venue, load up, go to another venue and sit again. If I get lucky enough to go through the house, then I'll stop and visit as long as I can. That's something people have a hard time with moving from freight to entertainment, because you're not getting paid by the mile, you're getting paid by the day, so you're not running for those miles, and a lot of freight haulers will come in thinking oh, I got to move, move, move, because if the wheels aren't turning I'm not making money. But then it'll click in your head oh wait, I am making money, I don't have to worry about it.
Speaker 3:Right right, I'm making money regardless of what I'm doing, so that's a good way to look at it. So how did entertainment come about for you?
Speaker 4:I found an ad on Facebook and I'm like, oh, that sounds fun, I will apply. The worst they can say is no, and I got hired after. I guess it was 2017, in January.
Speaker 3:And so backing in the entertainment industry is very challenging.
Speaker 4:Yes, it's another hurdle people come into because you're actually out with a lead driver. I know with my company, if it's three trucks or more, you'll have a lead driver. I know with my company, if it's three trucks or more, you'll have a lead driver. That person goes in between production and the other drivers. They're also in charge of setting up parking and backing the trucks in, because we will go to some places that are very, very tight. They weren't made for 53-foot trailers, let alone an extended. They weren't made for 53-foot trailers, let alone an extended sleeper cab. So backing in is the lead driver's job and the driver of that truck has to really listen and it becomes a struggle for them to listen to somebody else to back them in.
Speaker 3:But if they would just let the lead driver do their job, it actually goes really smooth. So when you apply and knowing some of the ins and outs and the difficulties of this job, especially in the entertainment industry the hiring companies how do they approach that with you? Do they say, hey, this is the good and bad about what you're looking for. Are you still interested? You know, is there a difference between applying to an entertainment industry company versus a regular driving company?
Speaker 4:I think so, because most entertainment companies will want you to have three years experience because of the challenging places we have to go, and I mean we're hauling trailers that are worth, you know, $2 million, $3 million worth of gear inside and you know you have to be on your A game to get from one place to another in time. And then, whenever I hired on, they asked if I wanted to speak to another driver and I said yes, absolutely. So I got to ask them questions Anytime. Somebody you know asked me questions about the you know the company or the industry itself. I always try to give out, you know, if they want to ever call me sometime, if they're interested, I'll give them the company's name and phone number for the recruiter and they can always call me if they have additional questions so, being in the entertainment industry, you work with a group of drivers, and each concert or each tour requires a different set amount of drivers, so you guys are with each other every day throughout this time period, correct?
Speaker 3:How many people on general do you work with?
Speaker 4:It can range anywhere from a one truck tour, so you have to deal with yourself and sometimes that's the hardest thing of all, or I know of people that are out on 26 truck tours, and that's a lot of personalities to deal with. At this company I'm the only female lead driver. I prefer the smaller. I prefer the smaller tours. It's less personalities to deal with. I hand out a little word document of you know rules to follow while out on tour. One of the things that people seem to like not follow sometimes is if you have a problem with someone, either deal with it or just stay in your truck. You don't have to be near that person. So, cause you're with each other so much, you're gonna, you know, start to bump heads every now and then, just because that's just normal.
Speaker 3:So yeah, and we're so used to be by ourselves in our truck right For hours on end. So, yeah, you start having to spend all that time with another personality and it's overwhelming for some people. So you are the only female lead, but how many actual females do you guys have?
Speaker 4:I want to say we have about 10 female drivers at this company and we're about a 100 truck company, so about 10%.
Speaker 3:That is really good percentage.
Speaker 4:Yes, actually, on the tour that my main tour we have three female drivers and then one male driver. We call him our honorary female driver and he goes along with it.
Speaker 3:Just one of the girls, so how long? Have you been a lead.
Speaker 4:I've been a lead for almost eight years or well, I guess it'd be seven and a half years. So I started six months after I started at Stage Call. That was after a recommendation from another lead driver after working with him, so I got to train under other leads and then moved into my own tour leads and then moved into my own uh tour.
Speaker 3:Yeah, so as a team lead, I mean you obviously have to to be able to manage all those different personalities. Um, without you know, you can't be too soft, you can't be too mean. You gotta find that middle ground with them. How do you do it?
Speaker 4:uh, I've always been told I'm too nice, so, but I have a very calm personality, so I think that's what helps um, everything work out. Plus, at the end of the day, I'm just another driver with you guys. We're all trying to work together as a team to get this done.
Speaker 4:So if we work together, it makes it so much easier you get much pushback with that from drivers sometimes, and I hate to say it older male drivers have a tendency not to want to listen to me, I think, because one my age and I'm a female, which I can't hold it against them too much because that's just how they are and I just try to do my job the best I can yeah, I know that.
Speaker 3:You see, I've been driving for 20 years. Oh, we get that all the time freight haulers coming in.
Speaker 4:They're like I've been doing this for 30 years, okay. Well, this is different you know, right, I'm not saying you don't know how to do your job. I'm just saying we have a little bit different way of doing it here.
Speaker 3:Yeah, and there's a lot different in the entertainment industry. It's not just, you know, somebody maneuvering you to back, it's the lifestyle.
Speaker 4:Yes all drivers are given a laminate and you have to be careful with laminates. Some people get a little overzealous with social media. You have to be very careful what you post and where you post it, because some of these tours, even when you sign on with a company, most companies have uh social media guidelines on um, if the public can post, you know, take a picture of it and post it, then you're okay to do that. Uh, my rule of thumb I just don't check into venues or things like that sort, just not, so I'm not highlighting exactly what I'm hauling, cause you don't know what people are following you on Facebook or any other type of social media.
Speaker 3:Which is not just a entertainment industry safety issue. That is a safety issue for women, regardless of the freight.
Speaker 4:Yeah, that's true?
Speaker 3:Yeah, I, as a rule of thumb, I am. When I first came out here, I used to always tag my location for family and friends, but then, as a woman, there are men who you know will find somebody that they want to target and you know your location to them could be dangerous for you.
Speaker 4:Yeah, thankfully, I've only ever had one incident. It was in Memphis and Granted, I had one of my headphones in so I was listening to music, not paying attention to my surroundings. Thankfully, I don't think he was meant meaning to be harmful. I think he was coming up to ask me for money, but he was drunk and he tripped and it caused a whole kerfuffle. And money, but he was drunk and he tripped and it caused a whole kerfuffle and uh, ended up with a nice bruise on my face and people were like what on earth happened?
Speaker 3:I'm like it's a big story yeah, drunk and unsteady is rough, but I hope you're okay, oh yeah, I was fine.
Speaker 4:there was a driver in the truck next in another fuel island. He got out, pulled the guy off of me. The security officer inside the truck stop came out and you know was talking to him and I'm like I'm fine. I ended up actually having a concussion, but didn't know it, oh my gosh.
Speaker 3:Over a drunk guy at the fuel island. That is crazy. That is crazy. For a drunk guy at the fuel island, that is crazy, that is crazy. So, uh, being entertainment industry, one of the biggest myths, I've heard a driver's think it's party time because he's going with the band completely opposite and unfortunately, that's what a lot of uh.
Speaker 4:you get the nickname as a poser if you start hanging around inside all the time, which really that doesn't look good for the driver because production's like, well, this person's not sleeping, how are they going to get to the next venue safely? You know, because while the show's going on you're supposed to be sleeping. That doesn't mean we can't go inside. You can use the restroom, get food, do what you need to do, but you're supposed to limit your time just so you're rested for the next night or that night for the next drive.
Speaker 3:So one of the perks of being a driver is the food, though.
Speaker 4:So yeah definitely free food.
Speaker 3:They set up a pretty good buffet or spread a food when you are on site on location correct.
Speaker 4:Correct. It'll usually be just the show days or if you have what they call a pre-rig day, which they bring in the rigging equipment that goes up in the air, lights and motors and things of that sort they'll set up the day before. And it also depends on the tour. The smaller the tour, the less chance of actually having catering. So that is a perk of being on tour. I have to tell people when I'm out on my Broadway tours we do not get catering, so you're going to have to plan your meals. Every now and then a venue will provide a loadout meal, but that's very rare sometimes.
Speaker 3:And what about showering facilities when you're on those doors?
Speaker 4:So I always tell the drivers you can do the showers. The older the theater, the worse the showers are, only because those are the last things to be upgraded. In an older theater, uh, you have to wait about 30 minutes for the water to get even lukewarm, and uh, the rule of thumb for showers is to be done before the artist or the cast comes in. That way, you're out of the way, so they can do what they need to do.
Speaker 3:Okay, so you are the drivers, you're also the set crew. This is a big crew with all the pieces having to work together. So is there a rhythm that you guys have so that you can schedule that you have to abide by for eating showers, so that everybody gets taken care of?
Speaker 4:Yes, with the bigger tours you kind of have to set up a schedule so everybody can get the showers done. Usually, with catering, you'll have breakfast from 7 to 10, lunch 12 to 3, and then dinner 5 to 8. And you know you can go in during those times to eat, and sometimes it depends on the venue. Obviously they don't want you hanging out in catering, obviously. But you know, go in, eat If you want to. You know, take a water back to your truck or something like that. They just don't want you to fill your truck with food and drinks because there are other people that have to eat.
Speaker 3:Right, and I would imagine the time for you are different than the actual band and the headliners their time as well.
Speaker 4:Yes, so usually band and the lead singer or whoever whatever it is, will come in in the afternoon. If it's an overnight, they'll usually travel with the cast bus or the crew buses as well to get there and they'll be sleeping during the day while they're setting up and then they'll get up and do the sound check and get ready for their show.
Speaker 3:But the access to the drivers, I think is what I'm trying to get, is they don't have access to those members, correct, well?
Speaker 4:I mean technically, yes, we do, but you're held to a higher professional standard, to. Yes, you have an all access pass, but you're not supposed to misuse that x all-access pass right.
Speaker 3:So it basically what if there's a your favorite singer and you are um driving and you're hollering for them and you see them, it can't be like, oh my god, you know, yeah, you can't turn it you can't turn into a fan girl.
Speaker 4:Uh out on tour, uh in. You want to hold a professional manner at all times just because, at the end of the day, they're a person just like you. They have a job to do.
Speaker 4:You have a job to do so now that's oh sorry, go ahead no no, go ahead oh, I was gonna say that doesn't mean if, uh, the band member or the singer you know says hi to you or starts talking to you, it doesn't mean you ignore them. You know you can be polite, um, you just don't want to go out of your way to you know exactly yes.
Speaker 3:So how do new drivers to the tour normally and do they have that adjustment period? Do you have to really um hammer that home that they can't be fangirls and fanboys?
Speaker 4:yes, and unfortunately you know there are drivers out there who don't abide by that and you know will be in places they shouldn't be and they have to have a talking to. But majority of entertainment drivers will be professional at all times. I think it. I always tell people it's a three to six month adjustment period going from freight to entertainment, because one's schedule, the type of lifestyle it is, is different than freight hauling. You are set to a specific schedule. So whereas freight you may have a few hours here and there you can just kind of, you know, do your own thing, whereas entertainment you may have a 400 mile overnight that you have to get to and there's no time for stopping.
Speaker 3:Right. So what are the biggest positives about being a woman in the entertainment segment of transportation?
Speaker 4:I don't know. I've never noticed a difference. I have talked to older female drivers in this industry. There was a lot of hazing. I guess that would happen probably 20 years ago, Whereas when I came in, none of that was actually happening. I had a great support system. My mom actually prefers me being in entertainment because I'm around other drivers. I'm not by myself all the time anymore, so I have that support system.
Speaker 3:Safer. That's what I'm thinking. Since you have that network of people that you're with all the time, it seems to be a safer environment.
Speaker 4:Yeah, you get to. You have more of a buddy system when you're out here rather than where freight you're just by yourself.
Speaker 3:So what's the biggest downplay to that downfall to the entertainment industry?
Speaker 4:I would have to say the home time for most people, for me. I'm not married, I have no kids, so it really doesn't bother me any. My family has been used to me being over the road for so long that it doesn't phase them anymore. I just had a hiccup missing Christmas because I forgot to send an email. I got so excited about going home for Christmas and I was telling everybody about it, I forgot to send an email. I got so excited about going home for Christmas and I was telling everybody about it, I forgot to send an email.
Speaker 4:So, those plans kind of got squashed and we planned it for a different time. So it's just one of those things they're kind of used to it. Oh, you know, Danielle had her moment. We'll have to change the plans.
Speaker 3:Right, right, yeah Well, at least you, you know you forgot to do it right yes it's better, when we mess up, to understand that we messed up than if somebody else messed up and caused us to mess up yes, exactly.
Speaker 4:Uh, with this industry you definitely have to be flexible. Uh, until you're actually out on the tour. Don't get set in your schedule, because I had my schedule changed three different times in one day. They're like we're going to put you on this, and then about two hours later I got another phone call Never mind, we're putting you on this. And then about four hours later, I got another phone call Squash all that. We're putting you on something else.
Speaker 3:I'm like okay, so once the tour is set, though when you're on, is there much change that that happens?
Speaker 4:typically no, because all the venues are already booked. People are buying tickets um. Most tours are booked out technically a year in advance, if not more, depending on that tour, because they have to get in with certain venues and get into their schedule.
Speaker 3:Now would your employer pull you off a tour to put you on another one normally, or do they like to keep the same crew throughout?
Speaker 4:Typically they like to keep the same people throughout, especially lead drivers. Lead drivers usually won't get pulled off of a tour, unless somebody has some sort of vacation that was planned ahead of time or, god forbid, a medical emergency, family emergency. Then most drivers will stay on the same tour.
Speaker 3:Okay, and how many months of the year are you out?
Speaker 4:I just say I'm out 365 days a year. I'll plan vacation here and there. Every year my mom and I go on a mother-daughter trip, we go on some sort of cruise or, you know, go exploring somewhere. So I plan those out and then I let the company know I'm like I need these two weeks. Everything else, you know. Just put me on what you need me.
Speaker 3:So do you guys do the tours 12 months of the year then, or does the entertainment industry have a downtime?
Speaker 4:um, I mean, typical downtime is winter time. However, you'll have some tours that will keep moving, which is good. Um, like, my tour coming up will go back out january 5th and go until June, and there's no more downtime during those six months.
Speaker 3:So you're off, so are you home then until January 5th.
Speaker 4:I'm doing little things here and there, what they call one-off tours, which is like a show you go in, deliver it and then leave, or you'll go in, deliver, load back up and then go back and take the gear wherever it needs to go.
Speaker 3:Nice, nice, nice. So let's talk money. Everybody heard about Taylor Swift's drivers getting a huge bonus, which was really nice, but how does pay work in the transportation industry?
Speaker 4:I know every company is different, but from what I've understood, most entertainment companies do do a salary type pay where you're getting paid per day as long as you're available to work and that's your base pay. When you're actually out on tour, you'll get extra pay, what they call your travel pay. Lead drivers will get extra pay as well. Certain tours will give their bonuses, but they will never be like Taylor Swift, and I have a feeling there is way more to that than people are actually saying, because I'm sure there's a catch somewhere.
Speaker 3:Yeah, that was a pretty good bonus. So what is the average size bonus that you guys get?
Speaker 4:I've heard anywhere from 500 to 1500, depending on the length of the tour, and again, depending on the size of the tour will make a difference as well.
Speaker 3:So and that comes directly from the tour to you guys Correct yes really nice for a job Well done.
Speaker 4:It is Uh, and most companies will follow uh. File a W2 or W4, whatever it is. You have to fill out the form, so you get, you have to pay your taxes on it and then you'll get the rest of it.
Speaker 3:So what's the average salary that they can expect in the entertainment industry?
Speaker 4:I've heard companies starting as low as $200 a day, so that's, you know, $1,400 a week just starting out and not doing anything but showing up. And then most companies will pay you per diem or you'll get that at the end of the year. That's the same for any truck driver. Because you're out on the road, you'll get that at the end of the year. That's the same for any truck driver. Because you're out on the road, you get that extra money there. Travel days, you get what they call hotel buyouts money. So that ranges depending on company, anywhere from 50 to 80 a day depending on the tour and the company.
Speaker 3:I think so are a lot of drivers making upwards of six figures, then, or I mean, what's the average?
Speaker 4:I know lead drivers can definitely make up over six figures. Starting out, you're looking at about $80,000 a year and then it goes up from there.
Speaker 3:That's not too bad, though. I mean, if you don't mind not being home and you know working nights and a tight schedule. You know if that's something interesting.
Speaker 4:I mean the pay isn't horrible for the environment, that you're working in, run freight and make more money. But then you have to rely on those miles, whereas in this industry, as long as you're there to and you're available to work, you're getting a paycheck. You don't have to. You know count miles, you don't have to worry about it. It's going to be the same, as long as you're available to work.
Speaker 3:Right, so you've been with your company. You're a lead driver. What's your next?
Speaker 4:step, eventually going part-time and maybe having a real life.
Speaker 3:I have no idea you think, after 14 years you may be ready for a real life Just a little bit.
Speaker 4:My goal is to eventually have some land, build a little barnaminium and, you know, just kind of hang out on the porch and hunt and go fishing and do whatever I want to do so are you.
Speaker 3:Do you have any hobbies while you're on the road that you do besides trucking?
Speaker 4:um, I'll go to the gun range a lot, especially with some other drivers. We enjoy going and just tearing up some paper and getting out of the trucks. Uh, walking around the downtown cities is a lot of fun because you get to find some of those little small stores or restaurants and you get to find some of the hidden gems of downtown areas.
Speaker 3:What's your favorite restaurant or little gems that you've found so far?
Speaker 4:It was a little mom and pop place in New Jersey. It's right across the street from a theater up there and it was owned by a Polish couple and very, very nice people. A couple of us went in there and we were talking to the owner and they were asking us questions about the trucks, about the tour and you know, we were just having a good old time talking and it was really good food.
Speaker 3:Oh man, those little mom, mom and pops are the best.
Speaker 4:They really are. We found another one. It's in Madison, wisconsin, I think it is. There's a TA and then down the street is, you know, an off-brand truck stop.
Speaker 3:Pine Cone, is that it? Yeah, so they have like a bakery and they have like the really big. Yes, oh, it was so good.
Speaker 4:We were stuck there for six days and again we got to know the owner there. It's an American-German couple who runs the restaurant. Really really nice people, because they got to know us. We came in two, three times a day just to sit and talk with them or have coffee or get one of their ginormous danishes, and it was so good.
Speaker 3:It is one of my favorite restaurant truck stops in Madison, so it's a rundown truck stop right. It's just a small little convenience store. They got a CV shop upstairs and then they got that little restaurant attached to it and they have the best bakery item and yes oh yeah, definitely we.
Speaker 4:Uh, everyone tried something different each time they went in, so we almost I think we almost went through the entire menu, wow yeah, their cinnamon rolls are literally as big as my face it took me three days to finish the cinnamon roll. I could not do it in one sitting.
Speaker 3:There's just no way yeah, they have a second location, um in the truck stop. That's uh farther down on 94 and I can't remember the name of the town, but it's east of there. Um, yeah, and I I literally have to put on blinders when I drive by. I'm no Tammy, not today. You can't take it today, yes.
Speaker 3:Yeah, when you say the word Wisconsin and I just grow so because it's so good in Wisconsin. So what's retirement looking like? So you've been driving 14 years. You're thinking about part time. When are you thinking about making that?
Speaker 4:leap, Probably within 10 years. That'll put me, you know, about 45, 46 years old, which isn't a bad time to go, even if it's just part-time, or I may change my mind. I don't know where life will take me.
Speaker 3:So not having a house, not having all those extra expenditures? Are you saving for that barn dominium so that you can get that built?
Speaker 4:Trying to the company offers. I don't know if this is all companies. I know with my company they offer a 401k and they'll do matching. So I've been trying to put as much into that as I possibly can. I have actually broken down how much money I spend on food, which is a lot. If you don't have a tour that has catering, you're definitely spending a lot of extra on food. This year I'm making a change on eating out of the truck a lot more. I bought a portable freezer from Amazon and it just plugs into a cigarette lighter. It's actually dual section so I can do one side freezer, the other side a regular refrigerator, so it'll help me get more food on the truck.
Speaker 3:So before that were you just eating out all the time then?
Speaker 4:All the time not healthy at all. That's another thing. With truck driving you don't get a lot of exercise. You have to force yourself to walk or get out and do something. Unfortunately, I have a lot of friends who are very, very overweight and they worry me. I worry about their health and I try to get them to walk with me. Sometimes they just groan and just roll their eyes at me.
Speaker 3:Well, I can put the big 5-0 this year. And so before I used to carry a jump rope with me, okay, and when I was getting loaded or unloaded I would jump rope and I would get a lot of weird looks. But it really helps with the cardio when you've been sitting all day, and I haven't done that lately. But I carry dumbbells with me, okay, to try and keep that, and some I'm just after working 14 hour days, I'm too tired and I just look at them like, hey, you, you are an ornament in my truck, but, exactly, it's really important, even if you just do laps around the semi and the trailer. Um, it's really important, especially as you get older yes, absolutely.
Speaker 4:I carry um. It's different weighted bands. I find the bands to be very helpful.
Speaker 4:Plus, they're a little bit more compact than um and lighter weight than a dumbbell might be for some people uh because you can also put them behind your seat and use it, you know, while you're just sitting in the front seat waiting at the dock or whatever you're doing, um and uh, I tried one, uh, putting it on the truck, um, and it actually worked out really nice on either the side of the truck where it has the handle, or on the back of the trailer, putting the band around that and doing you know some sort of workout outside.
Speaker 3:Yeah, I think the people use the TRX some.
Speaker 4:I have one of those as well. They're actually really nice. Focusing more on body weight type exercises yeah.
Speaker 3:Yeah, so one of the things that I, being in the entertainment industry, is you also have to keep your equipment clean.
Speaker 4:Yes, so it's all about looking professional, looking clean. Uh, every company will give you truck washes. So the rule of thumb is before you go to the venue, get as close as you can find. Uh, we use blue beacon, so uh, find a blue beacon as close to the venue as you can and get washed up. That way when you're rolling in you you don't look dirty. A lot of tours will have what they call wrapped trailers, so it'll have the band or singer's picture all over this trailer and you don't want to be rolling up dirty. You know it doesn't. That doesn't look professional at all, so you always want to keep it looking clean.
Speaker 3:How often are you watching them then?
Speaker 4:About once a week at least. If it's, if you're going through snow or something like that, some companies will give you the option. Okay, here's an extra truck wash. Go get that cleaned up.
Speaker 3:Nice. Now do you guys have to wear uniforms?
Speaker 4:No, no uniforms, Obviously. Again, it's all about professionalism. You don't want to be running around in holy shirts and you know looking dirty. But there's no strict, you know dress code for it.
Speaker 3:Yeah, so are you going to stay in the entertainment industry then until you retire, or is there something else out there that you're like, oh, it's challenging.
Speaker 4:I think I'll stick here because I actually enjoy it. I enjoy what I do. Every tour is different, so I get to learn something new each tour I go out on. Every production manager is going to be different, so I get to learn a different type of personality to work with and the same with different drivers working with different drivers. So I actually enjoy this industry. I don't think I'll ever leave it.
Speaker 3:That's good. It's always the goal to find your niche in driving. I'm a private fleet driver. I love what I do, so you know I always tell people the wonderful thing about trucking is there's so many different segments of it. Yes, you know, find what makes you happy and that fits your lifestyle. Uh, so I I'm keeping you here for a little bit, but is there for new people that are like, hey, this sounds interesting. What advice would you give them? Where would they look? What areas? Hire any? Any input you can give for people?
Speaker 4:who are interested? Definitely, uh, do your research on the company. Not every it's the same. With freight hauling, not every company is going to be a good fit for every driver. Um, I'm sure I could go to another company and make more money, but that's not important to me. I enjoy how the company that I'm with treats me. They get me where I need to be if I want to go home somewhere, and I've built it's taken a long time to build the reputation I have at this company, especially as a lead driver and a female lead driver. It's a different atmosphere. So I actually I'll probably just stay here unless something drastic changes. But you can call any entertainment company and talk to a recruiter. My advice would be to talk to an actual driver at that company, not just the recruiter, because at least the driver can tell you the trucking side of it, not the office side.
Speaker 3:Right, yeah, I mean as far as respect, I know you're respected because you were referred to me personally by someone who I respect.
Speaker 4:He is awesome, he really is. He's good, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 3:Yeah, so you know. You know you're respected when somebody's putting your name out there saying, hey, go talk to her I love it.
Speaker 4:I was shocked to see. I'm like, yeah sure, I'd love to talk about it. That's awesome yeah, yeah.
Speaker 3:Well, you know, I I love getting so for females out here. They don't always know everything that's available to them, or whether it will be a good fit, or all the ins and outs, the good things, the bad things, and so being able to provide all that information from somebody who's in it.
Speaker 4:Right yeah.
Speaker 3:You know it's beneficial, especially someone your age who's been in trucking since such a very early age. You know you've done almost the majority of your career in this section, which is, you know. So someone with me out here who don't have ties at home, who want to live out on the road, like you are, it'd be a great fit. Somebody who's balancing young kids at home, not so much.
Speaker 4:Yeah, not so much. If you ask older drivers, they're like you kind of screwed yourself starting in trucking so early because now you're kind of stuck. I'm like, well, sort of, I'm always trying to learn something new. I actually finished a bachelor's degree while out on the road. So if I ever wanted to switch careers, I technically could Not that I ever would. So what did you get your bachelor's in? Just general studies, because I couldn't figure out what I wanted to be when I grow up. So I just started taking random classes. Uh, my favorites were the computer classes and psych classes, which the psych classes actually helped me uh, in, you know, interact with other drivers. Uh, going through college helps me, uh helped me with my writing. So when I'm sending emails to production managers I don't sound like a dumb truck driver.
Speaker 3:I actually can sound professional wow now, was that something that you paid for yourself, or was that something that the company I paid?
Speaker 4:for it myself. Um, I would take anywhere from one to two classes. It was through Southern New Hampshire University. It's all online so it made it very easy to do on the road. Depending on the class, I would take one to two classes because it's a lot of work in eight weeks and depending on the tour that I was on. I was busy with the tour and then trying to do schoolwork. It was tough.
Speaker 3:It's brutal. It's brutal. Yes, With 14-hour days and your tight schedule, I was like how did you manage to fit schoolwork in with that?
Speaker 4:I got lucky because with my Broadway so I got the. My very first tour was a Broadway show and that same production company is like oh, we want to keep having you back, so I've been with. That same production company is like, oh, we want to keep having you back. So I've been with that same production team since 2017. They're talking about going out again next year for 2025, 2026. So I'll work with them for another year. So I've actually with their schedule, you sit for six days, so that made taking classes a lot easier.
Speaker 3:Oh, wow, yeah, so you're getting paid. So this is, I imagine, on Broadway. So you know you're getting paid, while they're having their multiple shows every week and you're just waiting for them to finish up.
Speaker 4:Yep, We'll load up and just move to the next one sit. Sometimes you'll have overnighters, good push, but typically you're sitting at least two to three days, if not more.
Speaker 3:So that leads me to a question when you are sitting for those specified amounts of time, especially when it's longer, will your company pull you to do anything else in between? You were just there sitting, making your appearance every day technically you're just there sitting.
Speaker 4:Um, I know with this company if there's, if it's 12 days or more, uh, trucks will be pulled off and trailers will go into what they call storage until the next time they have to go back out and during those those 12 days, if the company needs you elsewhere, they'll send you out. On that. Since COVID, unfortunately a lot of companies are going to hauling freight to kind of fill in the gaps and just kind of make up some money for the drivers having to sit and wait.
Speaker 3:Right. I've heard that, especially with our mutual friends, that they do that. So so that gives you some time to catch up on your studies and while you're, you're getting paid to just hang out.
Speaker 4:Yes, exactly, which is nice. I've in the back of my mind I've thought about doing my master's, but I think it'd just be a waste of money because I wouldn't know what the to you know focus on. I wish there was a way just to take the classes, just for the hell of it.
Speaker 3:Right, I am always looking at online classes and little training things just to keep, because we're always changing and evolving and growing and even at my age I don't want to be stagnant.
Speaker 4:I always love to learn something new. Exactly yes, that's how I am. I try to find something new every day, even if it's something little. Uh, one of my friends like, well, you could learn little facts like kangaroos can't hop backwards. I'm like, well, I did learn something new today.
Speaker 3:Then they can't hop backwards. Interesting. Now I know something new. It's because of their tail, apparently. I'm sitting here trying to picture it. What would you do with your tail, kangaroo? Is there anything else you would like to ask?
Speaker 4:I can't think of anything at the moment, but if any of your viewers have any questions, they're more than welcome to reach out to me. I'd be happy to answer anything I can.
Speaker 3:I will tag your social media when I post these up. I thank you so much for joining us today and having the spare time. I really appreciate it. Well, thank you for having me on If you want to hold on. I'm going to go ahead and end our live Everybody. Thank you for tuning in to Trucking with Tammy. You have a great day and we'll see you on the next live.
