Two questions

The shifts will depend upon your company. Ours would have us run around the clock if possible. Me drive my 11hrs, then take my 10hr break while hubby drives his 11hr, repeat. Running at 60mph, we can get in about 1300-1400 miles in a 24hr time period, allowing only for fuel stops where we also use the restroom and purchase food. We have done that numerous times, but at our ages, it is very difficult to do so continuously. We prefer to each drive 8hours, then shut own for 8. We are still able to do about 900 miles in a day. It is extremely difficult to get adequate sleep while the truck is bumping down the road at 60mph.

 

Your best option is either a truck stop or Walmart.
If you buy from a website you have to ship it somewhere, like home, and then get there to pick it up.
If it fails and you need to return it, same deal.

Buy from a truck stop chain or Walmart and it is a lot easier to return if the need arises.

If you wait for sales, truck stops can be as cheap as anywhere else.
And Walmart, if they have what you want, is usually near the bottom end of pricing.

As for a TV... If you are also going to have a laptop computer all you need is a USB TV tuner.

 

also, google Dieselboss. He has some good stuff for the rig. Or google 12v truck accessories. Hope that helps.

 

I don't think it's so much the gender but the personality and experienced trainer you get. There are good and bad out there. Some of these mega carriers are making trainers out of 6 month drivers.

You can request a female if you like.

Also look down in our electronics forum for good posts on appliances and TV's. Walmart is good for TV's. I like Target for mini fridges. But read down in the other forum is a wealth of info.

Truck stops sell garbage IMO. The only thing I would buy at a truck stop is a CB.

 

I was fortunate enough that our company let my husband be my trainer, he had 2yrs with the company and 20yrs in Class B HazMat. I have female friends that have gone out with female trainers and others that went out with male trainers. Typically, a company is very thorough in placing female students with male trainers, ours required a minimum of 2 (private) calls weekly to a counseler from the trainer and the student to make sure all was well. It seems that the bigger problem with trainers is the smoking/non-smoking issue.