Women in Touring – Aurore

Hailing from Southern France originally, Aurore was always fascinated with trucks. After running a fashion boutique and an ethic hair salon in her home town, she felt confined within the four walls of her business and decided it was time for a change. So five years ago, she got her license and bought her own vehicle. But she didn’t stop there; she built the truck into an RV and enjoys life on the road without having to worry about making it home!

So life on the road must be magical to you. Yes! What I love most about truck driving is the sense of freedom life on the road gives you. Traveling makes me feel alive. Because I live in my truck, I’ve got all the comfort of a small apartment but with a different back yard whenever I want!

How did your family react to this sudden change in lifestyle? Well, they were quite surprised when I said I wanted to be a driver and to see the world. They were concerned for my safety at first. The question I get asked most is, of course, what if I would want to have children someday? And I guess I don’t have an answer to that. I really admire and respect women who somehow manage to combine family life with life on the road, but I have no idea how I would manage that myself. I love what I do and how I live my life. In my van! laughs

What’s the craziest thing that happened to you on the road? There are so many stories I could tell you. It’s hard to pick just one story or one moment in time- I think every moment is magical, every border crossed, both on the map and for myself personally is special.

Like, last year, I got the opportunity to work on the Rolling Stones tour and that was just so impressive. The production itself, being able to go behind the scenes, traveling all over the place- there are so many advantages to this job.

It’s often been said that life on the road is a man’s world. What are your thoughts on that? Well, there aren’t that many women in touring I don’t think. I mean, there are more of us than when I first got started- it was just me and one other girl back then. I think there are more of us women to bring some sweetness into the macho world laughs. But really, it shouldn’t matter if we’re male or female. The job remains the same and we’re all here because we’re good at it. Of course I’ve been made to feel uncomfortable by men on the road sometimes. I feel some of them like to underestimate me. At the end of the day though, that’s their problem, not mine. We’re all on the same mission and that’s to get our gear from A to B in time, and safely, and to have fun getting it there. It’s been getting better over the years and I’ve made a lot of new friends, male and female. That’s what matters to me.

What’s your advice for women considering life on the road? Live your dream if that’s what you want! Don’t let anyone tell you what you can and can’t do just because you’re a woman. Of course, touring can be hard, and lonely, but it’s worth it. Arm yourself with patience and courage and don’t be afraid to make your own decisions. And if you can: join Pieter Smit. It’s very different than other companies I’ve worked for. This job is a privilege in itself. Every border crossed, from Russia to Copenhagen and from France to Portugal is an important milestone. There’s nothing like it.