What do you Guys and Gals do at the end of the day to fill your time? Or are you so tired you just go to bed? Do truck stops have wireless internet access you can use from your truck or can you get tv reseption?

Griz

It depends on the time of day. If it is still early I may have dinner and get a shower. If it is closer to midnight I will finish my paperwork and go to bed.

As for wireless connections yes there are some places you can still get online but normally it is a fee based access. You can get some free internet portals at hotels, hospitals, coffee shops, travel plazas, etc. I would recommend getting an air card. For 60 bucks a month you can log on anywhere you have a wireless signal.

Tv reception is possible online but it is slow and you will see alot of stops and starts due to buffering. Some drivers have opted for a satellite dish and have it installed on their truck. They pay a monthly fee for the service just as if you were at home.

Most of the time I do not have any time for television. It is usually work, eat, shower, sleep. Repeat.

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Knowledge is Power

Some days I am so tired I can barely climb out of the seat and into the bunk. Other days (like today) I have too much free time on my hands. Since I'm at the terminal I took some time to practice backing, but usually I just hang out online with my wireless card. Most truck stops I've seen have WiFi but often charge for it. I watch DVDs on my computer too, or just read a book.

I Have A Tv/dvd With Rabbit Ears Works Real Well Near A Big City.
I Have Xm Radio Just Got A Laptop With Att Wireless Card. And I Keep A Stock Of Good Books With Me.
I Only Run 500 Or So Miles A Day And Rarely Stop For More Than 30 Min. Total Per Day So That Gives Me (usually) Plenty Of Free Time At The End Of The Day.

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tip for new truckers: to err is human, to forgive is not D.O.T. policy.
"i've been working all week, and i'm tired and i dont wanna sleep and i wanna have fun... it's time for a good time!!!!" alan jackson

When I was OTR many years ago I either ran team or overloads. Overloads were nice because you had to shut down when the sun went down. I had plenty of time to fuel, eat, shower, and watch a little T.V.. No computers back then. But I never had any trouble finding parking stalls and I was already to go in the morning. However, when I was empty it was back to the grind like everyone else. Then I'd be real tired but still would eat, shower, and fuel. It all depends on how hard to run and how well you trip plan. When I was running team forget the truck stop except to eat.

I run between 500-600 miles a day and take a 1/2 hour break somwhere in there. I do not dick around and run hard and knock out my day as quick as possible. I have plenty of free time working like this. I have XM & Sirius satellite radio for driving entertainment and sports while driving and games not on tv. MLB on XM and NFL on Sirius. Also, a Directv dish mounted on mirror for tv. It is only an extra $5 a month for the additional reciever if you have Directv at home. I have a wireless card from Sprint for $60 a month. I highly recomment Sprint because I run all 48 and rarely do not have service. Also, if your a sports fan this is a great job! If your near a large city check and see if there is a game going on. I have caught many games since driving. Get on the CB and split a cab to the stadium or take a bus to the stadium if your near a bus stop. I also have a Sprint cell phone and have 900 minutes for $60 a month. Again, I highly recommend Sprint because I have NEVER been without cell phone service. They also have started a new thing where you get unlimited everything (tv, gps, minutes, texting, etc) for $100 a month. Great deal if you use those things but I found the 900 minutes was fine with me. I also have Trucker Laptop 11 for GPS and it is very good. Also, a laptop w/dvd and a tv. Thats the end of my toys and entertainment. Hope that helps. Have fun.

One thing that is very important is exercise. Unless you are running LTL and doing a lot of your own loading/unloading, you need to find time to move the old bod around some.

Walking is one of the best there is. Take the time to do it. You will feel better, and be more healthy for it!

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Well this one time when I was stuck in northern washington state I sat in a mall parking lot all day redaing a book because I didn't know at that time if I was going north or south. Most other times it has something to do with messing around with the truck. Putting stuff in the hotel room. Then gathering with everyone to go and get food. That takes place very late at night. I am use to eating supper at 6 pm. When I go on trips I eat supper at 9-11 pm. Get up at 6am and start all over again.

The internet! I play World of Warcraft; email and im, and watch dvds on the computer. We dont have a tv for some reason. If we aren't on a load or we have time to stop I like to play that giant horse racing game some truck stops have. I have like 60 horses... from that.

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I am a Camaro Girl because IROC!

You have unlimited chances to go too slow, but only one to go too fast.

world of warcraft lol i would stay up all night playing that, if i was driving i would probably forget that i had to go drive

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