Bringing a non-driver spouse along to ride shotgun

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by will7370, Jul 19, 2009.

  1. will7370

    will7370 Bobtail Member

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    Jul 11, 2009
    Grants Pass, Oregon
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    I would like to hear from other drivers who bring their non-driver spouses along to ride shotgun. From what I hear, trucking companies are fairly liberal when it comes to bringing a rider along; whether it be a family member or a friend.

    But what about when you pull into your designated motel for the night (I'm assuming trucking companies set up lodging for their non-team drivers at certain points along the way). Since having an extra person along incurs a higher rate at motels, do you just pay the difference out of your own pocket? If so, is the motel advised of the extra person ahead of time? Or does the spouse just wait until you get your room and then sneak in afterwards, fudging the whole thing? Surely trucking companies do not cover the tab for an extra person in the room.

    Secondly, don't non-driving spouses get bored easily after a while? Or do they bring something along to keep themselves busy (like needlepoint, books, or a laptop to watch DVDs or surf the internet, etc)?

    I would like to hear from folks who are making it work on the road.
     
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  3. dancnoone

    dancnoone "Village Idiot"

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    First.... 90% plus of us sleep in our truck, with our spouse. The vast majority of companies don't do the motel thing.

    Second... I own a DVD collection from hell. All bought the year my wife rode with me.
     
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  4. Crash935

    Crash935 Medium Load Member

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    Sep 8, 2007
    Wyoming Mi
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    The larger co's have strict rider policies that usually require written permission and a signed waiver from the co allowing you have have a passenger. As for the hotel, your truck has a sleeper for a reason, if you want to stay at a hotel it comes out of your pocket.

    Ive taken my wife and both kids along (seperatley of course) and they do tend to get bored sometimes, even with bringing books, dvd's to watch and the playstaion to play. It was nice for them to see what we go through during the day but they usually slowed me down a little by adding extra restroom and meal stops during the day. Much more than a week of having one of them in my truck and i probably would have been bying them a plane ticket home though.
     
  5. rockee

    rockee Road Train Member

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    Apr 17, 2007
    Pacific Northwest
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    Like they said, if you are an over the road driver you will probably spend most of your sleeping time in the truck and if you do get a motel its gonna be on your dime, unless you are broke down or something of that nature. Maybe you are thinking 'line-haul" but I have never seen anyone take their spouse with them on that sort of run.

    When I was OTR my wife went with me all the time, helped me toss freight when needed, did lots of reading and craft stuff when sitting in the jump seat. I think for insurance reasons, it is much eaiser to bring a blood relative along than just a friend.
     
  6. Texas-Nana

    Texas-Nana Princess Drives-a-Lot

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    Nana's empty nest
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    I read the title of this thread and all I could picture was this little woman with a HUGE shotgun riding in the passenger seat watching for highjackers.





    I watch to many John Wayne movies.:biggrin_25512:
     
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  7. simplyred1962

    simplyred1962 Betty Boop, One Bodacious Babe!!!

    Oh, Nana!! You so FUNNY!!! :biggrin_25525:

    Judi Kay
     
  8. Texas-Nana

    Texas-Nana Princess Drives-a-Lot

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    Now see I can SO picture you or Pony with your Shotgun yelling "Drive faster Baby the bandidos are gaining on us!" BANG BANG
     
  9. dancnoone

    dancnoone "Village Idiot"

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    I went by Gander Mountian the other weekend. Did you know, you can buy "Stage Coach" guns ? In 12 or 16 gauge :D
     
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  10. Texas-Nana

    Texas-Nana Princess Drives-a-Lot

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    Heck yeah! That's what I'll need for the High value loads. LOL
     
  11. jess-juju

    jess-juju Road Train Member

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    I wanna know who he is going to work for that will supply a motel!

    I ride shotgun with JJ but being an Australian and not really into guns I have a stock whip and cattle prod :biggrin_25511:both very efficient in close quarters:biggrin_2559:.

    OK being serious now: I talk to JJ, have a pen and paper and pick say 5 company's and count there trucks on the Interstate for half a day, read a book, play games on the computer, watch DVDs or play with the Babies.
     
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