New Here - Feedback Please, El Paso, TX

Hey all,

Hope all is going well.

I've been debating whether to enter into this lifestyle of "trucker" or not for a while. Only since 2 years or so has it been a serious thought.

In a way it seems like a dream come true!

Hoping to get someone with training from El Paso, TX for some feedback.

Feel free to debunk any of the thoughts floating about in my head, if only some. As I've been swimming in them...

-Work hard get paid well. -- Its not as easy as its made out to be.
-Choose your own hours. -- You have to get with the right company for max benefit.
-Free to choose where you go. -- You cant always choose, you are told where to go.

Are these possible?...


Laptop with Internet capability all the time. If not a cell phone with a big enough screen and keyboard to type.

Portable UV ray blocker, to block 99% of the suns UV Rays. (I'm sensitive to sunlight)



THESE ARE ALOT OF QUESTIONS!...


How much can I expect to earn my first year and thereafter by becoming an OTR?



Can I shower everyday?
Can I stop whenever I need to?
Can I workout and or exercise? I can't weightlift or can I?
Do I have to stop at all those truck weighing stops?
When do I gas up? Is it a big hassle? If so, why?

How often do you need to be changing the gears?
Are there a lot of hassle stops such as traffic jams/accidents? And can you avoid them ahead of time (other than safe driving?
Is there a lot of stopping for traffic in cities?


Do I have to sign a contract with a company usually?
Do they usually give out newer trucks to new guys?
How long was the training with an instructor? Where did you go? What did you learn?

Do I have to have a partner while OTR? What are the benefits of deciding to have one, for you?



See told you there was gonna be a test!

Thanks so much. Getting some or all of these out of the way helps more than you'll ever know.

Keep On Truckin'!
-TwentySomething