One of the things I had looked forward to driving OTR was seeing the country. But what I had never bothered to think of was that I'm driving a huge truck that needed to be parked in some truck-stop somewhere. And unless you really like to walk for miles, there is no way to get anywhere to see anything.
I see a lot of comments from guys wanting to enter this job about going golfing in their time off, museums, sightseeing....etc. After your working day is over there is usually some paperwork to do. Maybe log books, map planning for tomorrows route and stuff like that. I usually only wind up with a few hours to myself before getting some much needed sleep.
And how do you suppose you are going to get anywhere to go sight-seeing?? My company will not let us leave a trailer at a truckstop and "bob-tail" the truck anywhere. These truckstops (especially the newer ones) are usually built a little ways away from other businesses. It's not really reasonable walking distance to go anywhere. Sure I have parked at malls and home centers overnight. But you're not going to find many places that you can squirrel a truck away in some corner of the parking lot. And the few truck stops that have stuff to do nearby are always full with no spots left open by the time I get there to park.
A few days ago I was at Niagara falls. 5 miles from the falls (which I had never seen). No way to get there. 5 miles is a little to far for me to walk. And with the money I'm making I can't go blowing money on cab fares.
The Pilot in Green bay Wisconsin looks just like the Pilot in Bordentown NJ. That's about all the scenery you're going to see in this job.
A misconception I had regarding "Seeing the Country"
Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by PineyRider, Jul 29, 2011.
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and they thought it was the best paid vacation anyone could have
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Sure, the only thing an 18 wheeler and an RV have in common is they're both big and slow. But every once in a while if you have a few minutes you get to see some cool stuff.
I took this first picture after climbing up a cliff next to a pullover area on I-90 overlooking Coeur d'Alene in northern Idaho. And I took the other picture from the Space Needle in 2005 while I was taking a 34 hour break at the Flying J in Tacoma. I split the cab fare with a Werner driver who was also on a 34 and we walked around downtown Seattle for a few hours.
I used to carry a folding bicycle in the truck, but the truck I'm in now doesn't have room.
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Fratsit, Jarhed1964, The Duchess and 5 others Thank this. -
You can see the whole world if you join the military! If you don't mind dodging bullets.
Get a load to El Paso. They'll take you to Mexico for $10.
$30 for a great time
$500 for the doc when you get back.
I know what you are saying about Niagra. Done the same thing. I could see the top of the spray. Wow!
Utah is my favorite. I don't need no museum. -
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"little things"???
Like the LITTLE amount of time you get to be home?
Like the LITTLE amount of pay you get to take home?
Like the LITTLE bit of respect you get from 4 wheelers, law enforcement, the media, and even your fellow truckdrivers???
You're right! It is about the little things!!!
Summit23, Rubber_Duck, Logan76 and 12 others Thank this.
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