The Lionheart Sisters on tour
Truckers Anette and Nicole Müller like driving together. With their red MAN TGS 35.480, they form a unique and unbeatable team.
Nicole Müller acquired her truck driver’s licence in 2018, and her younger sister Anette decided to take the same career route: “She started it, and I just had to go along”, laughs Anette. The two had previously worked together in the office at Winkelhock in Waiblingen. The company was continually short of drivers to handle its wide-ranging transport jobs, so the sisters decided to take the issue into their own hands and train to become professional drivers.
“Being on the road is just great. You get around a lot, and meet lots of different people.”
Anette Müller
Always special and fun.
Occasionally Anette and Nicole go out on the road together, such as on lengthy jobs into Austria for example. “It’s always special and fun”, the two agree. They also like being able to give each other positive support when needed. Both have great respect for the job, and are fully aware of their responsibility in handling such a large vehicle. What could be a greater help than having someone at your side whom you trust absolutely? “Younger people tend to be a bit care-free,” says Anette, “so it’s great to have my sensible big sister on hand.”
Anette particularly enjoys her time out on the road, because she still spends a lot of time in the office: “Being on the road is just great,” the 50-year-old enthuses. “You get around a lot, and meet lots of different people.” And she also likes facing the challenging situations that can arise: “You’re often on your own, you have to be brave, but then that makes you more confident and stronger in retrospect.”
Both find it exciting that, as professional truck drivers, they have taken the plunge into what is conventionally a man’s world. In fact, since they started the sisters have noticed that there are increasing numbers of women professional drivers – especially in bus services, but also working on construction sites.
“You have to be very spontaneous in your decision-making, and often face big challenges, but that’s exactly what the job is about, and when you’ve done it right, you’re also very proud – as a woman, sometimes maybe even more so.”
Nicole Müller
The red loading crane is our favourite!
“Red”, as they affectionately call their favourite truck – a MAN TGS with a Palfinger loading crane – is a very special vehicle for both of them, and not just because its red livery stands out from the otherwise all-yellow fleet. They both love that it’s great to drive and totally reliable. And now that they are confident behind the wheel of the Red Lion, as well as the other MAN trucks in the company’s fleet, the next step is to learn how to operate the crane so that they can also load the vehicle on their own.
Until then, they know they can rely on the enthusiastic help of their male colleagues. They very much appreciate the team spirit among the drivers: “The truck drivers – both men and women – help each other a lot,” says Anette.
And when we ask whether they’d advise other women to become truck drivers, it’s a big thumbs-up from both of them. “Absolutely”; “100 percent”, they say, and they would have respect for any woman who chooses to do so. “It’s not a five-star hotel. You have to have a spirit of adventure; relish things being a bit rough and ready. Then you’ll be fine.”
Things are going great for Anette and Nicole: “We’re very proud of what we’ve achieved so far.” And we think the two sisters are definitely Lionhearts of the road!