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 truck drivers: young, confident, and highly familiar with digital technology – yet still facing daily challenges. We accompanied her for a day and were able to see just how modern and diverse her profession has become.
Brake, 10:15 a.m. A dull clack echoes across the L.I.T. Cargo GmbH site in Brake as Jantje Wulf opens the driver's door of her truck. After a rainy night, the roads are still wet, and the air is crisp. A light breeze blows while the sun slowly fights its way through the clouds – a cool summer morning in Northern Germany. Jantje Wulf pulls on her gloves and gives the trailer's tarpaulin a test pull. Today's assignment: 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 herself against the frame with her whole body. Her hands slip for a moment, and a jolt goes through her body. "Especially as a woman, you really notice: the job is physically demanding." But she remains calm, almost routine. "If it doesn't work, there is almost always someone there to help – for example, with a little trick that only drivers know."
Silicone spray instead of 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 is referring to the connection between the truck and the trailer. A spot where many an experienced driver has struggled. The tarpaulin is open, the trailer is ready. A forklift is already waiting at the Rehau factory site. Nine hubs, 36 bumpers – precisely stowed and secured. Afterwards, Jantje disappears into the office building for a moment and returns shortly after with a stack of freight documents. "The border number is on there," she explains, nimbly typing the eight-digit sequence into her tablet. The "Truck" app shows her route for the day. A QR code appears. "I need that later at the factory gate in Bremen. Without it, I won't get in."
In addition to the digital process, there is still paperwork: a handwritten note from the L.I.T. office with the license plate, freight, and recipient. Information for the colleagues on site. "It gets scanned there too," she says, almost casually, while climbing up into the driver's cab.
Even if the job sometimes pushes her to her physical limits, Jantje knows that there is always someone there.
At home on the asphalt: Between city traffic, motorways, and cow pastures, Jantje feels truly at home.
Music on, world off.
66 kilometers lie ahead of her, along the B212 towards Bremen. The sun is shining in the morning sky as Miley Cyrus plays from the speakers. "I can buy myself flowers" is the song. Jantje turns up the volume, and her fingers tap to the beat on the steering wheel. Somehow, the lyrics fit the confident 20-year-old who goes through life – or rather, drives through life – very independently.
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 actually planned. At a career information fair, she originally wanted to find out about a commercial apprenticeship. "And then suddenly I was sitting in the driver's cab of the L.I.T. trainee truck." The spark was ignited. Her parents? Initially surprised. "But they supported me right away."
Highlight at walking pace
The last houses of Brake disappear in the rearview mirror. During the drive, Jantje talks about a special experience: "Right after getting my license, I was allowed to drive the truck at the Kramermarkt parade in Oldenburg. At walking pace through the entire crowd." A friend was allowed to accompany her. "That was amazing! A real sign of appreciation." The Kramermarkt parade is part of a traditional folk festival in Oldenburg – similar to Oktoberfest, but of course much smaller and more regional. Several clubs, companies, and showmen parade through the city center with colorfully decorated floats. For many, 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, and the barrier rises. A few minutes later, she is standing next to the trailer, releasing the tarpaulin tensioners and then the over-center fasteners. These are the lower buckles that are particularly tight. Then she pulls the tarpaulin back, folds it carefully, and gives the forklift drivers more room. "Now pump up the roof." At the front and back, she grabs the crank and pumps the roof upwards. It sags slightly in the middle. 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 over. Her truck is empty again and ready for the return trip. Empty racks are going back to Brake. Another round trip awaits. "But that doesn't bother me. I love being on the road." With a smile, she looks over the site before climbing back into her cab. A new song starts playing. The next stretch of road belongs entirely to her.
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 – for her, a true passion.