Melissa González, a 25-year-old Cuban who works as a flatbed truck driver in the United States, went viral on Instagram with a video showcasing her entire workday.
He promised his viewers that he would make $3,000 in a day, but the reality is different. This is hard work that demands responsibility and effort, and it is not always as well-paid as many people believe.
The reel, published on March 15, accumulated more than 930,000 views, and numerous comments, with a massively positive reaction from the Cuban and Hispanic communities on social media.
The video starts at 7 in the morning with Melissa already ready to go: "Join me to make $3,000 pesos (dollars) in a day of work. It's 7 in the morning and I'm already pumped."
During the day, the young woman undertakes two trips of approximately two hours each: the first carrying general cargo protected with plastic, and the second transporting cement, which she claims is "easier to secure" and does not require a tarpaulin.
Between trips, Melissa manually ties and unties the cargo with straps, one of the most demanding tasks in flatbed transport. "It's sunny and unbearably hot, but well, you have to keep going," she comments while working.
He also humorously mentions that he wants to buy a drill to collect the tapes more easily, something he already accomplished in April.
"Well, if you've made it this far in the video, let me tell you that I didn't make 3,000 dollars. I made a lot less, but I said that to keep you watching." The confession, far from causing rejection, elicited applause and laughter.
Melissa also took the opportunity to introduce herself: "I am a truck driver, I am Cuban, and I am 25 years old. And I love my job; I really enjoy what I do."
The comments reflect the admiration she inspired among her followers. One of the most upvoted captures the general sentiment: "She's tough. And there are still men who complain. Good luck."
Another user wrote: "My respect because at that age, driving a truck takes real guts."
A truck driver with his own fleet of flatbed trucks also mentioned that he doesn't reach that figure in a day with just two hours of driving, which puts into perspective why the title was so striking.
Flatbed transport is one of the most demanding specialties in the industry, as it requires the driver to manually secure the load with straps and tarps, involving a physical effort that goes far beyond just driving.
The average salaries of these drivers in the United States range from $349 to $500 per day, although top operators can exceed $95,000 annually, which explains why the figure of $3,000 in a single day generated so much curiosity.
The case of Melissa adds to a growing trend of Cuban women working as truck drivers in the United States who share their experiences on social media, becoming role models of perseverance for the immigrant community.
According to the Association of Women in Transportation, only between 7% and 9.5% of licensed commercial drivers in the United States are women, which makes figures like Melissa particularly noteworthy.
"You are a goddess. I believe that only a Cuban woman is capable of so much," wrote another follower, summarizing the pride that the young woman inspired in those who saw her work.
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