A Day with Professional Truck Driver Jantje Wulf
Passionate about her work: Jantje Wulf, a professional truck driver at L.I.T. Cargo GmbH, feels more than comfortable in her male-dominated profession.
Jantje Wulf belongs to a new generation of female truck drivers: young, self-confident, and well-versed in digital technology – yet still full of daily challenges. We accompanied her for a day and were able to observe how modern and diverse her profession has become.
Brake, 10:15 AM. A dull clunk echoes across the premises of L.I.T. Cargo GmbH in Brake as Jantje Wulf opens the driver's door of her truck. After a rainy night, the roads are still wet, the air is fresh. A light breeze blows as the sun slowly fights its way through the clouds – a cool summer morning in Northern Germany. Jantje Wulf slips on her gloves and tugs at the tarpaulin of the semi-trailer, checking it. Today's assignment: to deliver bumpers for a major German automotive manufacturer from Rehau in Brake to Bremen.
“Getting the tarpaulin open is sometimes a real feat of strength,” says Jantje, bracing her entire body against the frame. Her hands slip briefly, a jolt goes through her body. “Especially as a woman, you notice that: the job is physically demanding.” But she remains calm, almost routine. “If it does not work, there is almost always someone there to help – for example, with a little trick that only drivers know.”
Silicone Spray Against Muscle Power
Jantje grins and pulls a small spray can from the side compartment. “It just works better with this. For the air connections, for example.” She means the connection between the truck and the semi-trailer. A spot where many a seasoned driver has struggled. The tarpaulin is open, the semi-trailer is ready. A forklift is already waiting at the Rehau factory premises. Nine lifts, 36 bumpers – precisely stowed and secured. Afterwards, Jantje briefly disappears into the office building, returning a little later with a stack of freight documents. “The bill of lading number is on it,” she explains, quickly typing the eight-digit sequence into the tablet. The “Truck” app shows her route for today. A QR-Code appears. “I will need that later at the factory gate in Bremen. Without it, I cannot get in.”
In addition to the digital process, there is also paperwork: a handwritten note from the L.I.T. office with license plate, freight, recipient. Information for colleagues on site. “It will also be scanned again there,” she says, almost casually, as she climbs into the driver's cab.
Even if the job sometimes pushes her to her physical limits, Jantje knows that someone is always there.
At home on the asphalt: Jantje truly feels at ease between city traffic, highways, and cow pastures.
Music On, World Off.
66 kilometers lie ahead of her, along the B212 towards Bremen. The sun shines in the morning sky as Miley Cyrus plays from the speakers. The song is called “I can buy myself flowers.” Jantje turns up the volume a little, and her fingers tap on the steering wheel to the beat. Somehow, the lyrics fit very well with the self-confident 20-year-old, who navigates life very independently – or rather: drives.
It is this mix of freedom and responsibility that Jantje loves about her profession. All alone at the wheel of a multi-ton vehicle. “I have the steering wheel in my hands – in the truest sense of the word.” Yet, the path here was not originally planned. At a career information fair, she initially wanted to inquire about a commercial apprenticeship. “And then I suddenly found myself in the cab of the L.I.T. trainee truck.” The spark ignited. Her parents? Initially surprised. “But they supported me immediately.”
Highlight at Walking Speed
In the rearview mirror, the last houses of Brake disappear. During the drive, Jantje talks about a special experience: “Right after getting my driver's license, I was allowed to drive the truck in the Kramermarkt parade in Oldenburg. At walking speed through the entire crowd.” A friend was allowed to accompany her. “That was amazing! A real appreciation.” The Kramermarkt parade is part of a traditional folk festival in Oldenburg – similar to Oktoberfest, but naturally much smaller and more regional. Several clubs, companies, and showmen parade through the city center with brightly decorated floats. For many, it is a highlight in autumn – for Jantje, a professional milestone.
Bremen, Arrival.
At the factory gate of the major German automotive manufacturer, Jantje holds her tablet in front of the scanner. It beeps, the barrier lifts. A few minutes later, she stands next to the semi-trailer, loosening the tarpaulin tensioners and then the over-center tensioners. These are the lower buckles that are particularly tight. Then she pulls the tarpaulin back, folds it carefully, giving the forklifts more space. “Now to pump up the roof.” At the front and back, she grabs the crank and pumps the roof upwards. In the middle, it sags slightly. Jantje grabs the stanchion, a long metal rod, and props up the roof. She unloads the fully packed truck with her forklift and places the packaged bumpers onto the production line.
Jantje takes a deep breath; the most stressful part is done. Her truck is empty again and ready for the return journey. Empty racks go back to Brake. Another round trip awaits. “But that does not bother me. I love being on the road.” With a smile, she looks over the premises before climbing back into her cab. A new song starts playing. The next section of the road is all hers.
Jantje Wulf on the freedom and responsibility she feels in her daily work.
As soon as the goods are unloaded, Jantje Wulf is already looking forward to the next tour – a true passion for her.