Behind the ANDY Wheel with Teodora Stefanescu

A Q&A that shines a spotlight on what is predominantly a male-dominated industry, get ready to meet Teodora Stefanescu, a truck driver for almost ten years who has worked at ANDY for the last four. This unsung hero shares with us a glimpse of her life on the highway. Discover what makes her journey truly one-of-a-kind.  

How and why did you get involved in this field? 

I’ve always loved to drive, but I became a professional truck driver because of my husband. Two years after he started working as a truck driver, I decided to get my license too.  Throughout my career as a female truck driver, I have driven solo. However, most of the time I drive with my husband as a team on the same truck.  

What is the best part of driving a truck? 

I absolutely love travelling long-distance. I wouldn’t want to be a city driver. I’ve always preferred long distance. I feel good and I’m proud that I can do the long-haul, because it’s definitely a challenge.  

It’s not only just about driving. It would be very simple if it was just driving. It’s about knowing how to handle mechanical and technical issues that do occur when on the road.  I’m adept and can handle such situations. It’s also about making sure the loads we are transporting are placed safely in the trailer. Knowing how to safely use the metal bars, how to strap the merchandise into place. Occasionally, loads move, we have to be ready and have the experience to readjust and fix the merchandise properly so that it arrives intact at its delivery point. 

Valuable lessons learned as a truck driver? 

Since I’ve always had a love for driving, I’ve always put an emphasis on driving safely, even before becoming a professional truck driver. But as a professional driver, my attention to safety has shifted and has become even more focused. There are multiple factors that you need to pay attention to and think about. Driving a car requires a significant amount of attention and focus, but driving a truck and trailer, which are considerably larger in size, is a different ball game.  My attention and focus have reached a different level. I constantly need to be aware of the unique challenges, like blind spots and longer stopping distances, for example. There is a lot to think about and watch for. My attention is a lot more dispersed than when I was driving a car.    

What are some of the strangest things you’ve seen on the road? 

I saw a zebra on the loose once. Another time, I saw a crow moving a dead animal off the middle of the road and unto the shoulder.  

In a few words, what have been your triumphs on the road as a female truck driver? 

Driving through winter snowstorms and managing to control the truck-trailer combination in extremely difficult road conditions 

Favourite places to drive? 

Rocky Mountains. Beyond my love of the landscape that is spectacular, I like driving on and manage that type of terrain well. The road isn’t wide like a highway. When I first started driving there, the curves and turns were a challenge, but I adapted quickly and now I know how maneuver them well.

Favourite meal? 

Chinese and Asian food in general, but not easy to find on the road. The most we stop for is one hour, to change and shower and buy something to eat that is ready to go. We usually take turns eating. One of us eats while the other drives. Before we head off on the road, I usually prepare sandwiches, which are something easy to eat when you have a twelve-hour driving shift. 

What would you never leave without in your truck? 

I always have cleaning products on hand. I have a few small stuffed animals in the truck, as an alternative to a real dog.   

Any movies or shows that you watch on the road when not driving?  

We had a TV in the truck but I didn’t use it very often. Once my shift was done, between eating, washing up and preparing for bed, I didn’t have much time to watch it. So, I got rid of it. I enjoy reading literature by foreign and Romanian authors, classics, and contemporary ones. So, I have books with me that I read on the road, even if it’s just ten minutes before going to sleep.   

Music when driving?   

I like listening to 80s and 90s classic rock. It’s my music of choice. 

How often are you home? 

I’m home usually once a week, but sometimes when I’m out west, in California or Vancouver, I’m home every eight to ten days.   

Any tips for new drivers, especially, women entering this field of work?  

Be one-hundred percent certain that you want to do this as a career because safety is really important, and the truck driving course requires commitment both in terms of time and financially. You also have to be willing and ready to learn some technical skills. Over the years, there will be issues, you may find yourself isolated, your phone may not have a signal, so you need to have some knowledge to help you in those situations.  

Any lasting Words? 

Be mindful, polite, and courteous with the drivers that you’re sharing the road with. Help other truck drivers, even though you have a schedule to follow, try and help them, because you never know when you’ll need help from those same drivers on the road. Always be mindful of the weather and plan accordingly.  

Lastly, I’m proud of the work I do. My son, who is 35 is also proud of me, seeing his mom manage so well in what is a male-dominated industry. So is my husband, who I am lucky to drive with because when you have a life partner or spouse who is a long-haul truck driver and you’re not, it can weigh on the relationship. Driving together is a gift.