Driver Profile - Lynda Hudson

On behalf of International Women’s Day, Tara Patterson of Big Freight’s Women’s Empowerment Committee interviewed one of our professional drivers, Lynda Hudson. Lynda has been a class 1 professional driver for 32 years. She has spent the last six of those years with Big Freight Systems and runs with her partner, Don Hudson. We are thrilled they are a part of the team. Here is what Lynda had to say.

What is the most rewarding part of being a driver?

That would have to be the day I told my mother that I was going to be a truck driver. She would tell her friends that I was the daughter that drove a big truck, she had such a big smile on her face that told me she was proud of me. At first she went from asking me how dangerous this job would be and how often I will be home.  Years later she would be waiting for me to call her to tell her about the places I have been and the beautiful scenery, & the animals that crossed my path.  She loved hearing about my adventures!

What are your main meals on the road?

For breakfast & lunch I like to eat cereal, yogurt, fruit and salads. We do 90% of our cooking in the truck, we have a microwave and a portable stove. I can cook pretty much everything here that I can at home. Mostly for dinner we like steamed chicken with yams and squash and other times we may cook a roast with potatoes and cauliflower and broccoli. We like to cook ourselves so we can eat as healthy as possible.

What is your proudest Big Freight moment?

It was when I received my first Emerald award and a leather jacket. Any other company I have worked for never handed out anything to their drivers, so it was really nice to get this. A year later I got the Emerald Elite and continue to get Pinnacle points. Thanks to Big Freight for making drivers feel appreciated.

What is your advice to other women interested in getting into the industry?

I think the hardest part of being on the road is missing your family and friends. In the trucking world there are so many of us out here that you are never alone. You meet new people everywhere you go and all the wonderful staff you come to know so well in the office. Women need to have confidence in themselves, patience for situations like traffic and waiting times for loading & unloading. Always be aware of your surroundings, and trust if you drive with a partner because you are putting your life into someone else’s hands. It is an exciting life.

What is the thing you love most about trucking?

First I would have to say the money. I was working in the restaurant industry when my husband who was already a driver asked me if I would like to get my license and drive team with him. 31 years later  and I can say that he was right. The money is great and so are the benefits. Also spending so much time with my best friend and partner in life. The other thing that I love is travelling to all the different places in Canada and the USA. What other job can you have that you get to travel and get paid for it? It has been an adventure!! 

Where else have you travelled to (not in a truck) ?

Bahamas was my very first trip outside of the country before I became a driver. Then on our 25^th anniversary we went to Kauai in Hawaii, which was my favorite place to go. And we went to the Philippines to meet my sister-in-law and our first nephew who are from there.