Hi everyone, I'm thinking of getting my CDL but I'm not sure yet too many people saying trucking isn't what it used to be. But anyway, how can I do a ride along and see if l actually enjoy it? In my mind it is a pretty cool concept to be OTR but I haven't really experienced it yet. I don't know anyone that drives a truck to ask them. Are there people out there that do this type of stuff? If hate to just walk up to a trucker and ask them... I don't think that is appropriate.
Lone drivers? Doubtful. Asking a company head? Shot in the dark, but if you are serious and put the work in, asking many companies. Then im sure you'll find one that is sympathetic. Do you have family or friends close or distant that may know a trucker? That would be a better shot at getting in the passenger seat. The biggest problem is liability. Nobody knows you from anything really. So it is a huge risk on anyones part to accept the proposal. Put an add on criagslist. Lol. You may find something, or you may find someone you never want to meet.
Ride along is nice. Enjoyable even. The first hour or two. Then "Are we there yet?" Or more precisely "Do we stop for a meal?" or better "Are we done yet?" Throw in a few months tour inside that cab the size of a walk in closet, see how you do then. It's enjoyable at times, at other times I chew on the frame over problems.
The persons insurance would dicate if they can take riders. You would have to sign a waiver. http://blog.buckner.com/wp-content/...horized-Passengers-Know-Whos-Riding-Along.pdf
can you pull over into that nice truck stop so I can go to the bathroom? There is a schedule and hours have to be watched so that is going to be a problem. You will have to get your body on the same schedule as the driver so they do not lose to much time, and pulling into truck stops takes anywhere from 15 minutes on up of work time, remember these drivers can only drive so long until it is another demerit.
Trucking is a fine career. True, trucking isn't what it used to be, but that's also the case for everything in the universe. The sky is not falling. Get your cdl and hit the road.
Truckers dont like change unless its their own idea but the industry is changing all the time so it gets us worked up. My granddad would say its falling apart in the '70s, i heard its falling apart when i started in the '80s, in the '90s it was talk of emissions making it fall apart, in the '00 it was emissions made it fall apart and now in the '10 elds are making it fall apart. It will always be something but the jobs are still here.
I'm thinking of turning my truck into a rolling B&B. Can take customers out for $200 a day, I cover their room and board. Can't promise when I will be able to drop them back at home though. Maybe the nearest Greyhound...
