Entertainment/killing time

Baen Books has a pretty good sized free library of selected books for free download...if you like Science Fiction.

I'm a big time reader...and ebooks take up space on your harddrive, but not in your truck. I'd have several of paper books, too...like you posted, thrift store is a good place to pick these up...I also like to hit the bargain priced books at the bookstore...I've gotten some pretty good deals on books this way in the past...

Walmart has the $5 DVD bin to look through, too, if you like movies. They've got a bunch of old western movies and TV shows, if that's your thing, and plenty of other stuff.

Some people roll with stuff like a TV and playstation or xbox, too...but if you don't have that stuff already, that can be pretty $$$$...

 

All that are great ideas, but in all honesty, realistically speaking, you won't have all that extra time, especially when you first start out.

My "extra" time is spent as follows:

SLEEP
shower
SLEEP
eat
read
SLEEP

you get the idea.

10 hour break may sound like a lot, but it really isn't. By the time you have waited in line to fuel, in line for your shower, in line for food, all you want to do is sleep.

Driving is a lot more tiring than you may think. Especially at first, when you still get used to things.

 

I would not get too much into the books on tape while you are driving. At least for a while. Get yourself used to your truck, and the general "feel" of the job, keep your mind on your driving. Keep your CB on for traffic updates, etc. (I know, I know. I've said in past posts that I hate the CB. And I do. But it is a tool, and it does have its place.)

Once you have some time and miles under your belt, the books on tape are great. I think you will find that doing a little reading before turning in is still a good idea. But before you pick up that book, get out of the tractor and do some walking/jogging/running. Something to get the blood circulating and the lungs working!

One of the worst things about this job, is the lack of exercise for an OTR driver. Local and LTL drivers often get a LOT of it, but OTR drivers usually don't. Keep yourself in decent physical condition, and you will find you have a better outlook on life, and much better sleep when you want to.

I think about the only time you will find yourself with extra time on your hands is if you have to shut down for your 34, or when you are held up at a shipper/receiver. That is when you will likely need to use your "entertainment" to your best advantage.

 

I always had Time magazine, Reader's Digest and TV for the longer waits. However, once under a load, there is no time for entertainment. What I remember is driving until I was dangerous to myself and others, and then passing out in the sleeper. I always looked forward to a night off in a company paid motel. Motels were like oases to me. I planned to lay on the bed and watch Johnny Carson. Sleep deprivation took over and I slept away all of that luxury.

 

I pick up truck related magazines and sales magazines in the truckstops.I glance thru them until I fall asleep a few minutes later.Sometimes I turn on the stereo and lay in the sleeper.Sometimes I just go to sleep.

 

Like the other posters said, when you are under a load there will not be much time for entertainment. You will want to eat, shower, and then sleep.

For the 34 hr reset and waiting on shipper and recievers is when you will have the most time on your hands.

 

if i aint driving im sleepin, i do bring my laptop, check the weather once or twice a week, and sometimes browse the load boards but thats bout it, xm radio is all i need

 

I certainly identify with this statement. There is no such thing as "no thank you, I'm just looking." At least not for me. I never go to a store without knowing what I want.

And when it comes to the rip off prices at truck stop stores, that is cast in stone. I've spent way too much over the years on junk that I didn't need. . . because,