Outsider seeking advice

A strong relationship to start with, along with trust are key. Knowing and discussing what it's going to be like is another key.

As a former driver and wife of a driver, I have been on both sides of that fence. The one at home has to be able to handle things on their own. If you own your home, then they need to be able to take care of minor repairs or get someone in to do that stuff.

With cell phones and computers, staying in touch is much easier than it use to be. Agreeing ahead of time on the types of things that will or will not be discussed via phone may be a good thing. My hubby and I are able to talk about pretty much anything no matter what, so it was never an issue for us.

There are some highlights/starting points. There will be plenty of others in here with more.

 

That depends on your marriage, Lots of stuffs shuts down those contracts now. To be a happy trucker, I suggest you have trucking in your blood, It is not a Job where I think I might like this.
You don't get to go home after 8 hours, Ever. You get stuck at places where you can't just go see the sites. and you wait for loads for up to many days on in. You are lied to, cheated on, hated, etc.
The work itself is easy, but the hours are not. You don't have time to eat right or get the right exercise. Thus you get fat. People don't tend to like truckers,

But I LOVE my Job.....

 

I agree with Lilbit totally on this. You have to have a strong marriage(relationship) to start with. Communication and trust is key in any relationship and can be tested to the utmost in this job if their was a problem to start with. My wife once asked when I started trucking, what if I found someone else? I replied who wants twice the trouble, Lol. Besides where would I plan on meeting the new love of my life? in a truckstop parking lot? I think not! I have a beautiful wife and 3 count'em 1, 2, 3 daughters ages 18mo., 9yrs, and a 15yr old to boot my wife is a very special and TOUGH lady to say the least and as if that was'nt enough for her to handle she gets to take care of our house and rental property. But we have a plan and it is working accordingly that helps. We talked many hours through several possible scenarios before this decision was made. I would suggest anyone considering this life do the same. But it can work out and be a very beneficial and rewarding life if the proper steps have been taken and you have a goal or plan to begin with. We don't have everything figured out and all is perfect that's not what I'm saying but I will say I do not see this job/lifestyle being one that lends itself to poor planning, and lack of communication. The last thing you want is to be out here hundreds or thousands of miles from the house and have chaos at home while dealing with the chaos on the road. I couldn't imagiane that scenario working out long term for anyone.

 

Yup communication and trust. Without those two things your marriage will fail, trucker or not. And it is a hard life, don't kid yourself, and it is more than a job it IS a lifestyle.
Another thing that may help her to understand the life is that once you are on your own for a couple of months on the road, bring her out for a week or two. She will definitly get a better appreciation for what you have to contend with and may actually want to do it herself, or may not. Never know starnger things have happened.

 

I agree with Lilbit, you have to have a solid marriage to start with as it puts a strain on both of you. You have to TRUST each other and decide who is going to make what decisions regarding bills, the house and the money. Cell phones and the internet has made life alot easier but there still is the "gap" between you of not being there.
You have to love being a truck driver. It is more than a job, it is a lifestyle. You eat, work, and sleep on no set schedule. You deal with people with attitudes against drivers. You have to have good people skills and be organized in your life, paperwork habits and sanity. Good Luck...

 

You'll be dumping a lot of household responsibilities on your wife . When a lot of new drivers are only taking home $300 a week and the wife is stuck with bills that aren't being paid it can be very detrimental to a marriage . Ask the recruiter how many drivers he has hired in the past year and how many trucks they have added to the fleet . Odds are the fleet size has decreased yet there have been plenty of drivers hired . That's because plenty of drivers quit . Ask the recruiter to explain why drivers keep quitting .