GONE TRUCKIN’ - Karen Thomas

GONE TRUCKIN’

Legend Nominee: Karen Thomas

This Legend nominee represents a growing class of influential drivers within the trucking industry. She is a woman joining the reigns of the many trailblazers before her, redesigning the stereotype of professional drivers by creating a new image of today’s trucker.

Similar to females in pursuit of a successful career in a male dominated work environment, she was expected to fail – understanding the challenges and persistence necessary to achieve her goal enabled her growth of self-confidence and determination. Proving to everyone who doubted her abilities was no easy feat; stepping out of her protected comfort zone was the first step of many that began her journey into the seat of a semi-truck.

As we lean toward risks, rewards unravel; opportunities of the unimaginable become available. Eventually, one can look back and recognize the risk in itself was minor, suffocated by fear. The true reward is the birth of who we become while standing at the top of the mountain. Personal growth is priceless, as self-worth is the highest currency one can obtain.

THE LONG ROAD

Known for her tenacity and strong-will, this Legend has overcome every obstacle in her path and hopes to inspire other women who also seek a positive career change. As the fresh wave of truck drivers continue to make head way, Texas native, Karen Thomas has discovered a new identity – one that embodies independence, courage, and a sense of pride. Her zealous spirit represents female truck drivers; a fireball driven by ambition. Relatable to the underdog; often overlooked, though always comes out on top. The wallflower of our society; the outsider, but content and humble.

Karen is the epitome of who our trucking magazine chooses to highlight. In our business, change is inevitable, and the turnover is a constant rise and fall; the one common denominator throughout generation after generation are our professional truck drivers. By focusing a bit of attention on the drivers who deserve recognition reminds us that there is an entire mass of outstanding men and women within our industry worthy of acknowledgement and respect.

With a background in medicine as a former medical assistant and phlebotomist, Karen invested two decades before crossing over into the trucking industry. Currently an owner operator leased on to Landstar, she has accumulated over 2.5 million lifetime miles throughout her 23-year driving career. Prior to running long-haul, pulling dry van, Karen had only ventured outside of Texas state lines once at the age of 14. With her CDL in pocket, she remains over-the-road two to three months at a time, returning home for up to a week.

Beginning her driving career in 1996, Karen starts her daily routine the same each day; shower, fresh bed prepared for after work, and a stroll with her two dogs, Bobo and Diesel. 10-year old Bobo is a Dapple Dachshund rescue and Diesel, a Chihuahua-Dotson mix is 4 years old.

“When my truck is clean and in order, I feel better about my day. Then, when it’s time to rest and call it a day, I can relax.”

Karen enjoys cooking and reading during her spare time. Adding,

“This job is perfect for me, because I’ve always been somewhat of a loner most of my life. I’m comfortable in my own company, that is important when living on the road. The amount of isolation in this profession can be empowering if you embrace the independence of it all. As a truck driver, I can do things my way on my own schedule. Some would say it takes a lot of dedication to stay committed to a certain schedule, but for me it’s perfect! I know what needs to be done and I don’t have to rely on anybody else to make sure it will get done properly. That’s why I believe driving a truck for a living is ideal for women… we are natural at balancing a healthy work-life when a large number of factors are involved. Also, organization, planning and communication are strengths that women skillfully possess.”

Karen says that facing adversity head on has ultimately empowered her confidence as a woman driver. The trucking industry has become more female-friendly and open to accepting women as professional drivers. Truck stops have evolved over the years to accommodate women’s needs and ensure safety measures. Along with shipping and receiving locations becoming co-ed, the equipment is also more assessible. Explaining how the intimidation of the opposing gender is evident, though not as blatant as generations past, she encourages women to see past a few sour apples and focus on the good bunch, as a whole.

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

Striving to excel in all aspects of the business, Karen manages most of her own maintenance work; learning through trial and error – again, never giving up. She credits long-time friend and mentor, Joe Reed as her greatest supporter and biggest influence behind her success. Two pieces of advice she received have played an instrumental part, from the very start of her journey and on into today. Follow the money and don’t be afraid to explore the unknown.

*Meaning, there is always freight to be transported, but not all drivers are willing to travel certain areas – often drivers select loads for convenience – Karen tends to stay out West during the winter season for that precise reasoning. When others choose to avoid hazardous driving conditions, she drives into the storm (literally) and it pays off.

*And when a person explores uncharted territory, they are forced to observe and acquire information in order to gain knowledge. Learning helps you adapt to unexpected changes and welcomes new opportunities.

By applying Joe’s advice, Karen’s driving career continues to fare well. Just last year, Karen switched from driving for a fleet owner to becoming an owner operator, purchasing a 2015 International Prostar. As a business owner, she is able to lean on her time spent as a driver trainer when in need of poise and patience. Her next goal is to graduate into a new truck with a custom sleeper. At the same time, keeping her current truck on the road with another driver in it. Who knows what the next five to ten years has in store; with Karen’s ambition, she may end up a fleet owner when it’s all said and done. Also having ran team, Karen has experience pulling refrigerated and dry van, pneumatic tankers, end dump and belly dump trailers. She is the recipient of several safe driving awards. As for the comparison, driving as a company driver versus an owner operator is expensive, but satisfying. Stating,

“When my truck breaks down, everything is out of pocket… that alone can cause stress, but I still love it! Honestly though… it’s the freedom of it all; knowing that I’m my own boss, I pick my own loads, the whole nine yards – there is no better feeling. I’m a huge advocate for women wanting to find their own independence. I don’t regret a thing; it all has led to where I am today. And I’m with the best company there is if you own your own trucking business; Landstar. There are so many wonderful people involved with this trucking company, I’ve had the pleasure of building lots of relationships (business-oriented and friendships) over time that I may not have had the opportunity to do, if not for the connections here at Landstar.”

LIFE’S TREASURES

Born in Dallas, Texas, Karen’s official home is the city of Bedford. Musically inclined, she took piano lessons at the age of 6, and was fond of writing music. Once in grade school she sang in the choir, later joining the marching band playing the clarinet. At 14, she secured a job at the local hospital working as a nurse’s aide. She spent the following 20 years in the medical field and raising three children; sons, Daren Jr. and Josh, and daughter, Marlaina.

Karen introduced all of her kids to the trucking lifestyle at the launch of her new career. Traveling mostly during the Summer time and in-between school holidays, their adventures took them as far as one coast to the other, making memories to last a lifetime. She says, “I’ll never forget the trip Marlaina and I had taken out West; it was in July and we stopped at a rest area in Colorado. She was only 12 at the time. We were walking in the river along the bank, enjoying a nice, warm day and she was mesmerized by the snowy mountains in the distance. It was quite a sight!”

For Karen, the picture-perfect scenery never gets old, especially traveling further up north throughout the provinces of Canada. In Oregon off of I-84, one particular area known as, Multnomah Falls offered semi-truck parking; Karen would walk the short trail that led right up to the 611-foot waterfall. The wildlife in passing and the changing of the seasons all across the states always catches her eye.

Driving a truck over-the-road has provided a means of exploration, as well as, healing and self-love. In 2010, Karen had gastric bypass surgery – stating that her decision to undergo this type of surgery was in part to witnessing her parents failing health caused by obesity. She has dropped an astounding 227 pounds; half of her body weight. Weighing in at 457 prior to surgery, she is now 230 pounds. She continues managing her weight by cooking her own meals and following the keto diet. She also has had two knee replacements, one on each leg; the right leg five years ago, the left as recent as two years. Her long-term recovery while continuing to drive has proven remarkable. She says,

“I have learned so much about myself from being out on the road alone for all these years. It’s something about this lifestyle that has that effect on you, I guess that’s why this job isn’t for everyone. Only the strong survive… but the way I see it is, if I can do it, anybody… and most especially, any woman can do this! It made me realize that I am a stronger person than I ever thought I was.”

Looking back over her career, Karen says that her biggest moment was purchasing her first truck. And her greatest accomplishment is her family. She visits with them during her home-time, otherwise she’s gone truckin’.