Trucker babe Helga on the road

Helga Dröscher, known as "Trucker Babe Helga" from the ATV docu-soap, knows what it means to be on the road day after day. For 30 years, she has been driving trucks weighing several tons and does not shy away from any challenge. The editorial team of vida.at invited the Styrian to an interview. We talk about Helga's dream job as a truck driver, about the challenges on the road and about the commitment to colleagues in the trucker industry.

vida.at: You are a truck driver. What fascinates you about your job?

Helga Dröscher: Clearly freedom. There's nothing like driving across Europe on the highway and knowing that you're in control of your trip. It is an indescribable feeling to drive a truck. You sit high up, overlook the traffic, feel like the queen of the road. And of course the different places I get to visit and the people I get to know. Every journey brings new adventures and friendships.

vida.at: How did you experience entering a male-dominated industry?

Helga Dröscher: It wasn't that easy. I was laughed at at first. There were almost only men in the truck industry. Nobody quite understood why a woman would want to drive a truck. But I didn't let myself be discouraged. I've been in the driver's cab for 30 years now. And fortunately, today there are many women like me who have asserted themselves and fulfilled their heart's desire.

vida.at: What are the biggest challenges in the workplace on the road?

Helga Dröscher: Driving a truck is a hard job. Our working days last between 13 and 15 hours, and you often race against time. We are on the road for many days at a time, park where we can find space, live and sleep in the smallest of spaces. We are away from home for a long time and often miss important moments in life. In addition, our job requires a lot of physical endurance. You have to concentrate fully on the road traffic. It takes a while before you can correctly assess and assess the vehicle. Over time, however, you develop a certain feeling for the street and the job.

vida.at: What advice would you like to give to other women who are interested in your profession?

Helga Dröscher: Girls, don't let prejudices and doubts stop you. If you love the job and feel like it's right for you, go for it. The job has its challenges, but the freedom and feeling of doing something great is totally worth it. I have always been very lucky with my employers. Because my gender has never mattered, only my performance, and at the end of the day, that's what counts.

vida.at: You wrote a book about your experiences as a trucker. Why?

Helga Dröscher: Writing was a way for me to share all the stories I experience on the street and to let people look behind the scenes of this profession. It was important to me to show that truck drivers lead real lives, with all the ups and downs, and that women can also be successful in this profession.

vida.at: Your home is not only the street, but also the union. What is close to your heart here?

Helga Dröscher: It is important to me that truck drivers know not only their obligations, but also their rights. I want to motivate others to unionize. I would like to encourage them to work together for better working conditions. Even though the job brings many challenges, it is also one of the most beautiful professions. And the whole world should know about it. That's why I'm making common cause with the trade union vida and will soon be able to hear about me and my trucker stories in a podcast.