Gertrude Ezell

Years With Prime: 2

What inspired you to make a career switch and become a driver?

I was working retail, and it took a pretty bad toll on my health. I was looking for another job and started doing some research about trucking. That’s when I came across Prime, and it made it to the top of my list because of its safety record and new equipment. At the end of the day, I saw driving as a way to make good money for my family, and it was something different.

What did it feel like to pass your CDL test?

Passing my test and receiving my CDL was quite an accomplishment. I was thrilled. I couldn’t sleep that night; I was too excited.

What has been your favorite part about driving so far?

Even though I’m away from my kids, they’re taken care of. There’s money for everything they need and want. I can get them experiences now. We took a week-long vacation in Myrtle Beach, and we did fun stuff the whole time. There was no stress about not having enough money to do things. It’s about being able to provide a life for my family. We’re working toward buying a home, and life is not a struggle anymore.

How is life on the road for you?

I drive team with my boyfriend. We actually met in Pittston. He’s a lease operator who came back to the industry after being retired for awhile, but he had almost 30 years experience. We try to keep moving since we drive team, so that usually means we’ll be on the road for two months at a time before we head home. I actually prefer to drive nights, so I like to listen to audiobooks and the news. I like murder mysteries and science fiction where you have werewolves.

What do you do during your downtime when you’re on the road?

When we do stop, we love to go find great restaurants to go to. Last Friday, we were in California and went to Flemings Steakhouse. And then a few days later we were in Boise, Idaho, and found a sushi spot.

How has Highway Diamonds helped you plug into a community of drivers?

I get a lot from the Highway Diamond Facebook page. People share their success stories and their favorite places to stop. They’ll share experiences in this life and share which truck stops are terrible or fantastic. They share things that are relevant in our lives right now that other people wouldn’t understand.

What was it like to attend the annual Highway Diamonds Gala for the first time?

I didn’t know what to expect, but my boyfriend already knew what was going on, so he encouraged me to get my hair and nails done. I had no clue what was happening, and I’m a very shy person. I like to sit back and observe everything. But a couple days before the event, I had met Long Haul Gypsy. We went to breakfast at the Big Biscuit and she introduced me to a lot of the women drivers at Prime. It was eye opening—not just the award but meeting so many people that day.