What's Life On The Road Like?

Cory D asked:

What's sleeping in the cab like, do you pull off to the side of the ride or sleep in one at a truckstop?

It's literally like sleeping in a walk-in closet. Quite comfortable when the truck is stopped. A whole different kettle of fish when it's moving (while teaming one person sleeps while the other drives). Stopping on the side of the road to sleep is not a good practice, and in many places will earn you a citation from the local police. Truckstops, mall parking lots, rest stops and similar places are a better and safer choices for taking a sleep break.

Not sure if you have read Brett's Book or reviewed the Truck Driver's Career Guide.

These two works will be very beneficial as you progress through your decision process.

Cory: The answer to your question is determined a lot in your attitude and personality. I am now retired from Trucking since 2004. Wow! It has been that long! Well the road still has a pull on me but I am contentedly working at home. Their are many things which will help you in the transition. Once you go through trucker boot camp, it sounds like you will be a company driver. I would suggest that whomever you drive for be sure to establish a relationship with your dispatcher. Since you are new, you won't know much about real life so here are a few pointers. As a new company driver you will be given a variety of loads and you won't have much, if any say about it until you get a little experience under your belt. This is the real life solo extension of your training. Do you speak Spanish? The reason I put that out there is I recall when I first started, dispatch sent to the border only to be held up 8 hours loading, a little at this dock, a little at another until the trailer was full of produce - needless to say when your wheels aren't moving, your not getting paid. So I let my dispatcher know I didn't want any produce loads. Then there was Frito Lay in Salt Lake, another 8 hour wait in which I didn't dare climb in the sleeper because they won't wake you up. Scratch another shipper off my list. Beverage loads are HEAVY, Bud overloaded me twice - scratch bev loads as these companies have scales but the only weight they will give you is your legal gross weight not your axle weights. So if they overload your tandems or your drives, you may be able to adjust at a commercial scale but I had to return and have them reload. Guess what--wheels are not moving = no money. Since I don't know you, I really can only give general suggestions and things to consider. Remember, It is best to establish a good relationship with your dispatcher, who is/was a driver! Ask questions! Avoid giving him a hard time, he's got to please the company and you. Oh, If you own a laptop computer-great! I tried a couple of trucker map programs, I am sure they are more refined than when I drove but I wanted to see the streets, etc of where I was going...often my qualcom in the cab gave me inaccurate directions. The CB radio is handy in some situations but there are areas in which it terribly misused and abused. Don't respond to wise cracks, etc. some people are angry and looking for trouble, don't respond, turn off the thing. What area of the country are you from or interested in driving in? The best is to talk to dispatch and get in a good freight lane. Washington state is a union state, I once took a load up there and two weeks later I got a load out. I was somewhat fortunate though as I had a girlfriend up there so I wasn't lonely. Just down the road in Oregon is a great truck stop - Jubitz! My truck stop of choice is the Flying Fish Hook aka Flying J as far a a chain goes but it somewhat depends on your company where they fuel although you can park and sleep wherever you are legal. Often, I would choose to park at Walmart (but be sensitive and very careful) as I witnessed at least one driver take off a car bumper which makes it hard for Walmart to allow Big Rigs in their lot. The Walmart superstores have almost everything you need from food to clothes. If you want to stay healthy avoid the temptation to eat junk food or truck stop meals. Best to get yourself set-up with a cooler, etc. If you don't change your eating habits you will find yourself with a spare tire around your waist. After a 10 hr drive the last thing you want to do is take a walk but I highly suggest it as a regular routine and eating lots of fruit and vegetables. Coffee will not keep you awake, but for a very short time and then your blood sugar drops and your tired...It is ok to drink it, just don't expect it to keep you alert...only sleep will do that...I ran my A/C even in winter to keep me alert if I felt tired but had enough sleep. Your nights will become days and your days will become nights back and forth so be sure to sleep and avoid the truck stop scene - you have a truck and load to be responsible for and remember your primary occupation as I used to say is, "I SAVE LIVES EVERYDAY" You see a lot of stupid and dangerous things on the open road so stay alert and drive safe. Another thing is remember your teeth, drinking soda all day or eating all day junk food without taking care of your teeth will limit your lady friends except if they are from a part of the country where they complement one another by saying, "nice tooth!" At the docks, be cautious and respectful. If another driver gets upset thinking your were unloaded or put in the dock ahead of him go get in you cab and stay there. Remember, some drivers are not getting the sleep they need, some are mean spirited and some are quarrelsome to put it politely. I had to call the sheriff in Texas a couple times and he said, that usually when he gets a call about two drivers fighting, one is either stabbed or shot. Speaking of Texas, avoid the Pilot on the east side I-20 Exit 470 I believe, I had trouble with the black drivers with attitudes and called the sheriff who escorted me out of the truck stop for my safety! I was trying to get in to fuel but several drivers had left their trucks after fuelling in the fuel lane.

For someone's first post, this is exceptional.