Profile For Chuck G.

Also, why I mention the miles in a day if because you said you did 500.

The fact is that you probably did 500 at high speeds. I travel at 58mph and 62mph if I'm being schedule or need to make up for lost time. So doing 500 takes more time in a truck, plus we have setbacks like mountains, 30 minute break, 15 minute fueling, etc. On top of that, 500 miles is really an average drive for us and like I said we can go a whole lot more. We also have to deal with erratic sleep patterns so we are often tired as it is, especially when we work up to 14 hours per day with only a 10 hour rest break.

It's a whole different world.

Actually, no... those were days with riding in twisty, windy, curvy roads in the mountains. Speeds of 10-15 mph were not uncommon, hairpin turns were stressful. I rode cruisers, never those crotch rocket types that the adrenaline-seeking junkies ride. The most I ever did in a day was 600+ miles, and part of that was twisty, windy roads.... but mostly freeway and 2-lane highway that particular day. My typical riding day was around 5:30am to around 7 or 8pm. I was completely exhausted by the end of the day due to tremendous concentration... and I'm sure you must experience being ultra tired at the end of the day too.... but you guys do it every day! Many experienced bikers will stay away from big rigs, or get around them as quickly as possible because the drivers are frequently tired.... as you stated.

I thought of comparing the two because of the concentration / attention involved in driving each. Take your eyes off the road for a split second on a motorcycle and it can all be over... whereas a split second off the road on a truck can probably be gotten away with (having a wheel go into a large pothole won't kill you.... but it can take bikers down). A tiny SmartCar or MiniCooper that "just" touches a bike can knock it down, but no worries about that in anything with 4 or more wheels. A tire blowing out is a disaster on a bike. Hitting an oil spot on the road is a disaster, as is hitting a rock or uneven road, or gravel on the road, or even a simple puddle of water.

Granted the bike is miniscule in size when compared with a big rig... they're two opposite ends of the scale... which makes it interesting to compare one extreme with the other.... especially in my case, where the motorcycle was for pleasure... and now I'm considering moving up to the big rig end of the spectrum to make a living because I'm closing up my business in a couple of months (due to bad economy). So it was easy for me to start thinking about the differences between the two. You guys have an enormous responsibility! Much respect to you all.

Each require their own kind of concentration, but I think you already answered your own question. Driving a commercial truck carries way more responsibility, and requires more concentration - it's also a different kind of concentration. When riding my motorcycle, I'm aware and concerned enough to make sure somebody doesn't kill ME - it's more self-preservation, from other motorists and even those blasted small animals crossing a country road that could send you airborne if you hit them right. With a commercial truck, you're concerned about others' safety, your own safety, and the responsibility of handling your company's load - not to mention being sure to obey all the numerous laws that come with handling a commercial vehicle.

Riding a bike requires you to be more aware than probably other motorists, so on that note, you may already be at least more conscientious than your typical steering wheel holder.

Excellent response! That pretty much nailed it. I don't have big rig driving experience yet, but had lots of motorcycle riding experience. I can definitely see now where more concentration would be required on the part of the trucker... although I do agree that its a completely different type of concentration. Thanks for the response!

I used to ride a motorcycle but had to give it up a couple of years ago for medical reasons. I loved riding the motorcycle, and would ride up to 500 miles a day! That takes stamina / concentration.

But I'm curious... I'm wondering what takes more stamina / concentration - driving a truck or a motorcycle?

I know one thing, getting into an accident when driving a truck can kill people! An accident on a motorcycle usually only harms/kills the motorcycle rider. That being said, I'm beginning to think driving a truck might require more stamina / concentration... on the other hand, the same amount of time on 2 wheels is no easy feat either.

The thought popped into my head, so I was just kind of curious as to what you all think from a trucker's perspective. Anyone have experience with both?

I only have motorcycle riding experience and am seriously considering trucking school.

I'm wondering if I'm out of mind to think someone at 55 years old who has never even been in a big truck before can start a new career as a truck driver? I have owned my own business for over 13 years and due to the economy I was forced to close it. I have always been interested in truck driving but never pursued it. I talked with my local career center agent about qualifying for the WIA Program and was told they thought I would. I'm considering John Wood College in Quincy IL for classes. Am I wasting my time at my age? Will anyone hire a new driver who is 55 years old?

I'm in the exact same boat as you - 13 years in my own business and will be closing the doors in a couple of months due to the economy. I'll be 59 next month!

Not sure what they ask if you something is found in your system cause I have never had a positive drug test. Like I said go to a DOT certified doctor and take a Dot physical to find out for sure. They are less than $100 and that's only the first step. Each company has their own doctors they use and they also have to have approval.

Now don't let this scare you. It maybe a simple thing as your doctor verifying you are OK with this med and and working to get a waiver. Don't give up before you get started but you have some leg work to get done.

Thank you, Guy... will do!

The reason Hydrocodone is in the quotes is because it's one of the drugs included in Norco.

Yes, Hydrocodone is the narcotic portion of the drug. Its an opiate-based analagesic. Same narcotic ingredient that's found in Vicodin. You're very thorough in your responses, Guy. I appreciate that.

I looked up the drug. For one it's classed as a pain reliever. And 2 I found the paragraph in quotes below in the drug warning literature. This two thing along with all the other side effects including possible self harming if taken in more than the recommended doses will be another thing that be added to why that drug will not be approved.

I would seek a Certified DOT approved doctor and get a Dot physical from them but from the little I read I would say no. The thing is pain relieving drugs alter the chemicals in the brain and that's exactly what you don't need while operating a big truck. While I am not a doctor by any means I would seek to get the drug changed for an alternative. Those if you have a chronic pain condition not sure what you could be changed to.

Hydrocodone, like all narcotics, may impair the mental and/or physical abilities required for the performance of potentially hazardous tasks such as driving a car or operating machinery; patients should be cautioned accordingly.

Thanks for the quick reply, Guy.... much appreciated! But due to another condition that I have, I'm not allowed to take ibuprofen or aspirin, so I'm stuck with narcotic pain relievers... that's why I'm on this drug as opposed to over-the-counter alternatives. I know about the warnings - not to drive or operate machinery until you know how the drug affects you, but I've been on it for 8 years, that's 8 years with no traffic citations or accidents. In fact, I was able to ride a motorcycle on long rides (up to 500 miles/day) while taking that drug. Unfortunately, I had to give up motorcycling a couple of years ago.

I guess that I'm trying to establish whether this drug will disqualify me from trucking before shelling out money for driving school and then finding out later that it was for nothing. I can produce a valid prescription for it, but do they ask how long you've been on it? Or is it just that it shows up as a positive on a drug test and a valid prescription would negate the positive?

Hi all! I'm new here - go easy :)

I'm going to be 59 years young next month, and after being in my own business for about 13 years, the economy has taken its toll on my business and I'll be closing the doors in a couple of months :(

I'm very interested in trucking at this point, but according to everything I've read, I may have a problem. I'm taking a prescription narcotic (Norco) on a daily basis for a chronic condition that I have. I've been taking this drug for about 8 years.

Will this be a problem? Or is it something that's ok as long as I can show that I have a legitimate prescription? Thanks in advance.