Good Morning,

I'm not sure what "threads" are, but could someone point me in the right direction. I am semi-retired and want to live out some of my dreams. I grew up in the midwest and have lived in the Washington DC area for over 30 years. Sometime before my life is over, I want to go cross country in an 18 wheeler. I want to know if this is even possible and if this is the wrong forum to discuss such a "dream," just let me know. I drove to Texas from Maryland in 2006 and was amazed at the number of truckers on the road and realized that our country could not function in the way it does without truckers. I just want the opportunity to be a part of it for a very short time. Thank you for reading. Judy

Well its almost impossible these days with the insurance regulations being what they are. But the way it may work is if you could find a furniture hauler that would let you go as a load supervisor or a ride along type of there's. But going out with a driver in the regular freight business is hard to do these days unless yo u have a relative in the business. The other way i know you said you wanted to do it in a big truck but if you were to get a 1 ton PU and get a class c or better license you could haul travel trailers for a while or a hot shot rig. But thats about the only way i could think of with out going to a school and getting your CDL and starting to drive your self for a while and see what you think of trucking as a second or third career as semi retired it may be just what you are looking for to just see the world for a year or two and then go back to retirement.

Many who start trucking only do it for a very short time. Pick a bad company and your dream will come true.

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My childhood dream of becoming a truck driver turned into a nightmare!

Good Morning,

Thank you for your suggestions. I really wasn't very clear in my message. My dream from childhood is not driving a truck, but being a passenger for a very short time. With liability issues and insurance regulations the way they are, I thought it might be difficult if not impossible. I just wanted the experience of finding out what trucking is about, what truckers like about what they do and what they don't like, the issues important to truckers, and, of course, stopping at those "great restaurants" along the way. In 2006 I drove from DC to Texas (in a car) and back and was amazed at the number of truckers on our highways. For those of you in the industry, you already know. Thank you so much for your responses. Judy

Well let me help you out a little far as understanding the industry as it is nowadays. You know how they say it "sure isn't what it used to be", my father was a truck driver and I rode around with him as a kid so I know a little about how it "used to be"..

There is no glamor to truck driving as it is now..

what truckers like about what they do and what they don't like
Well they like thier truck
They like the ideal of not having sombody over thier shoulder all day long
They like the scenery
what they don't like
Everything else about the job
back in the day truck driver and cops used to in a way be friends..
Not now, its all about money to cops and they pick on truck drivers for anything..
Truck stops are over crowded and may take you several hours to find a place to park..
Laws that you may not be aware of but laws that prevent trucks from idling so the driver can keep warm or cool, trucks are not alowed to idle unless it is like around 20 degrees and I don't think there is a max temp for being cool, so another words it can be 100+ out and they expect drivers to sweat it out and sleep inside the truck without idling thier truck to stay cool..
Atlanta GA your not allowed to drop your trailer and go to a store such as Walmart(even if you don't have a trailer on) they will tow your truck while you shop inside the store..
Many many other things..


the issues important to truckers
Pretty much the same as anybody else living in America, besides thier concerns about trucking they would be interested in politics (big one for truckers lol) war, crime ext.. and family cause they don't get to be there every night..

of course, stopping at those "great restaurants" along the way
Well the "great restaurants" are few and far between nowadays.. Most of the restaurants are all about the money and serve powdered eggs and many other cheap foods..
If you do see a good restaurant it will be surrounded with NO TRUCK signs and you have to worry about your truck being towed or getting a ticket
Truck drivers are just not wanted around

There are a few (very few) restaurants that trucks can go to but they are very hard to find....


amazed at the number of truckers on our highways.
At times I am amazed of the amount of trucks I see as well..


Well, I sure hope you get to live your dream and sombody gives you a ride across country.. I have seen some really stunning views that there is no words I can think of other the WOW that is nice, very beautiful country..
I would do it for you but I am unemployed at the moment
I could care less about insurance and all that to help sombody live a dream they have had for awile as you have..


Actually I am glad sombody your age that has never worked or been around the industry has an interest.. I wish there was more like you..

You need to find someone who owns his truck (and owner operator O/O) and they may be able to have you go for a ride along with them. They carry their own insurance, etc., and it's THEIR truck so who they bring and what they do is mainly up to them.

Be very careful, of course, who you end up going with but keep on looking and posting in places like this. Go to the local truck stops where it's public and safe and talk to a bunch of truckers. It's a great way to find what you want in safety and also to get to know truckers and what it's all about.

Although you are not researching a new career, a company like VocationVacations may be of some help. I noticed that the site describing the Schneider ride along is dated in 2005 and may no longer be in effect. It is interesting that it did exist at one time, for a price: $949 for two days, $299 for each additional day.

I got that you just wanted to ride. I was getting at just be like the average new trucker. Pick a company and have your short trip that you want. A lot of them have a ride across a few states and are done with it.

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My childhood dream of becoming a truck driver turned into a nightmare!

Careful what your dreams are Judy....I gotta picture of me at # 3 yr old laying in a pool in the back yrd with daddy's truck in the background. that was 1959 In 1978 I married a farmer and in 3 yrs he turned into a full time O/O and OTR I whined to my mother and she said shut up when you was a growning up all I heard was you wanted to marry a truck driver........ now I'm a livin the life

If you want to drive a truck then a "very short time" isn't worth the effort. It's cost's lot's of money to go to school to drive a truck and wouldn't be worth it if your not willing to stick with it. i'm not trying to put you down or bust your bubble but that's a fact. If you want to drive a truck then you need to be in it for the long haul. At least 4-5 year's to make it worth it.

I see a lot of guy's go to school only to drive for a year or less and then quit to go back to what they were doing or find another career. I'm one of the few who can afford to go to school the has the drive, "want to" and motivation to get in it and stick with it for many year's to come but can't afford to do it so if you do then think wisely about it because your looking at thousands of dollar's only to do it for a little while. Good luck and hope this helps.

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"I'm not a truck driver. I'm a non refrigerated load relocation engineer".