Scared to death of Heights...can I drive a truck?

Lots of high bridges out there, this one I cross from time to time but it's the wind there that scares me,4 miles long and it can blow hard out there.
Across the mouth of the Columbia River from Astoria,OR into Washington on the Pacific Coast Highway 101.

 

The Rainbow Bridge is a cantilever bridge crossing the Neches River in Southeast Texas just upstream from Sabine Lake. It allows State Highway 87 and State Highway 73 to connect Port Arthur in Jefferson County on the southwest bank of the river with Bridge City in Orange Countyon the northeast bank.

 

biggs jct oregon hwy 97 crosses into WA state... wa is the left of the pic, OR is the right side

 

That's another Columbia River crossing where the wind blows hard.
Seems I remember a truck was blown off that bridge some years back, I had a very close call with wind on that bridge riding a motorcycle about 25 years ago, still get a little queasy when I think about that day.

 

The top deck of the Marquam Bridge crossing the Willamette River in Portland, OR always makes me nervous.
I cross this thing a few times a week usually, just a jersey barrier keeping you from going over the edge and you can look right down at the water.

 

Thats pretty impressive y2k...... Come out East and you'll see some crazy bridges. But Gorgeous pieces of art.

 

We have some artful bridges out West as well, of course everyone knows the Golden Gate in San Fran.
This gothic style bridge is in North Portland,OR on the Willamette River.
The St.Johns Bridge.

 

How bad do you freeze up ? There's a lot of midwest companies that probably can keep you in MO-OH type area, but are you gonna freak if you get sent to PA and have to cross a tall bridge or is it something you could handle as long as it's just once every couple months ?

I guess other options for you would be to try to find something dedicated like Kansas City to St. Louis, or else consider team driving and try to have your co-driver take over when needed.

 

I have flown small airplanes, have no problems going up ladders, trees. etc, but the high overpasses (the ones where you can look down at the power lines and lights) get my heart thumpin. I've found that if I just stay very focused on the road ahead and don't look to the side, it's not so bad.
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OP, to start with my condolences on your loss. As a former rock climber, guide, instructor, and with my own former fear of heights I can certainly relate to what you are saying. When I began rock climbing I loved the sport, but had to deal with my fear of heights and of falling. The cure was to fall, as in "taking falls" on the rope to get used to the concept that the rope really does work. At the start of every season I had to take a few falls before getting over that hump and be able to clear my mind to really get into working out the technical challenges of the climb. After that I would challenge myself with harder and harder climbs, taking falls to improve and push the edge, and begin to love the feeling of "exposure".

When I started trucking (shortly after starting climbing) I also felt a similar sense of height exposure, especially since I began in a cabover where you are looking straight down at the road in front of you. After a while of habituation you not only get used to the feeling of being so far above the road, you miss that high position when you get home and climb down into the seat of your car. Now when I drive a car I feel like I'm in a go cart and I'm frustrated because I can't see anything down here!!!

Habituation is the key. Get into a truck and start driving. At first you will be a little disoriented, trying to learn where you need to position your body in relation to the road to have the truck centered in the lane, etc. Time behind the wheel will give you familiarity and I'm betting that you will get so used to that position you will also feel out of sorts when you come back down to the ground.