Planet Money Big Rigged (Classic)
11 snips
Jan 18, 2023 
Kimberly Sikorski, a resilient long-haul truck driver, shares her journey in the trucking industry. She reflects on the freedom trucking once represented and contrasts it with the current mountain of debt drivers now face. Kimberly discusses her transformative move into trucking as a single mother seeking independence and highlights the harsh realities of financial struggles, the impact of deregulation, and the challenges of navigating her career. She emphasizes the hidden costs of affordable goods and the emotional toll of an industry in flux.
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Kimberly's Trucking Dream
- Kimberly Sikorski, a single mom, turned to trucking for better pay and to see the country.
- She previously worked multiple low-paying jobs and wanted a fresh start inspired by Proverbs 31.
Prime's Training Program
- Kimberly's training at Prime involved four days of classwork and two weeks of parking lot practice.
- Some trainees started driving across the US with minimal training, raising safety concerns.
Trial by Blizzard
- On her second day of training, Kimberly drove through a blizzard in Pennsylvania while her trainer relaxed.
- This experience highlighted the demanding and potentially dangerous nature of trucking.
