OTR: A Day in the Life?

I have to agree, a freeway is a freeway is a freeway. Doesn't matter where it is or what is close to it, those lanes always look the same 14 hours a day or however long your driving. You can tell how bored the drivers are by the stories they make up on the cb. And although the driving can be boring the worst thing is the waiting to get unloaded or loaded.

Having said all that the hardship must be appealing as i know many drivers who keep going back, and i miss it too and will be back at it here soon, another country however i am sure from reading this forum that although the country is different, the job is identical.

I have met some great people driving and run into some absolute idiots, the only consolation is i don't have to deal with the idiots face to face as much in a truck. Also if you get road rage driving 4 wheels then prepare to have a lot more in a truck, you will be struck dumb by some of the antics you see on the road all day

It takes a special mindset and a hint of masochism to stick long haul, the fact that i have done it and don,t get too phased with it has me questioning my motivations sometimes. I guess the best way to find out is to go do it and you will know fairly quickly if you can deal with it, the upside is that hopefully the pay will get better eventually and you will get better trips.

Disclaimer, this has been written from the perspective of my experience driving long haul in Europe, although from reading these posts i feel there is relatively little difference (apart from the ferries free food and showers) any experienced drivers here who feel my post is not pertinent please feel free to tell me to shut up.

 

Thank you for taking no offense Panda. You are right, I am burnt out. I am so tired of life just passing me by I could cry. I see people celebrating, having parties, shopping with their family or whatever else they do, while I sit in my prison, the truck.

I am jaded, seen it all, done it all. I wish there was a way out of my rut. Well, on the bright side, I got hurt on Friday and am on sick leave for two whole weeks, so no truck....yeah.

I wish you good luck in your endeavor and hope you will go in with both your eyes wide open. It is not a bad way to support yourself. It can be fun to see new things, I just went through Amish country in Indiana, and I thought that was awesome. And last week I went US50 thru Colorado, breathtakingly scary. So even I get some joy out of it.

My husband is the one who got me into driving and now he is gone and it's not the same. I don't know how to get out of it, I need to live too. One day.

So good luck. Just remember that it is a tough life, and it gets lonely and boring. But I hope you have more of the bright spots to keep you going.

Sabine

 

Thank You,..I DID,....I really like local ltl as a city driver,...I get to sllep in my own bed,..Use my own bathroom,....AND make a lot more money!!!

 

What about portable heaters and air conditioners?

Need an APU which many companies don't provide

What made you decide to become a trucker?

Differs from person to person

Is it safe to drive around to different cities and areas about which you know nothing?

Not really

Have you ever been stranded?

Yup


Has anybody ever died or become hospitalized from frostbite or hypothermia?

yup

Trucking ain't for everyone. It involves a hell of a lot more than just holding the steering wheel and driving from point A to point B.

 

AMEN!!! It ain't no fun anymore. I retired last year and people said I would miss the OTR and go back to it. Don't miss it! Hate the thought of even getting in a #### truck! It is not for everyone! BUT if you survive the 1st year, get used to the loneliness, and the BS you can make a pretty decent living at it.

 

stepnfetchit - 30 years, wow. That's a hell of a journey. I bet you have a lot of stories.

I'd like to go OTR myself for a year or two and then return to local driving. That's if I make it. I take heed in all the warnings I see here. I know it's a tough life, and I'm still contemplating it.

 

stepn probably recalls the good ole days when HoS and other DOT rules weren't such a pain in the ###.

 

If you have brains or ambition, do not take an OTR job.
Like sin, it will keep you longer than you planned.
And cost you your life as a husband, a father, and a citizen.

 

I would have to agree that this is the worst part. Otherwise I'm enjoying my talk radio shows, audiobooks, podcasts.

--Wake up and brew 10 cups of coffee to pour into thermos
--Use electric razor for a partial shave and wet down hair with water
--Wet wipes to clean up, deodorizer, and clean clothes put on

--close out logbook from yesterday
--punch in route on GPS
--pour dry cereal in a cup to eat while driving along with graham crackers
--get on the road
--a typical 600-700 mile day means hardly any breaks

--after 200 miles, brew another 10 cups to pour into thermos, heat up tortillas in microwave with ham or turkey to eat while driving

--repeat after another 200 miles

--exercise

--repeat etc.

--all the while I'm listening to a variety of talk shows on Xm or audiobooks and podcasts

--if I started early I can most likely find a parking place depending what area of the country it is

--but I usually start late because I like to sleep in and drive late

--so I may end up driving awhile longer to find someplace to park

--heat up microwave dinner or fix nachos, maybe eat out once or twice a week

--get online, check email, forums, news sites

--watch pre-recorded dvd's Battlestar Galactica or the Sopranos at the moment or online streaming tv. possibly even regular tv if any good shows are still on by the time I quit driving.

--go to sleep, wake up

--repeat

--get a motel/hotel room once a week (this is an important part of my routine)

It has taken a number of years to reach this level of comfort, but it really kind of is like a prison of sorts. You're pretty much cut off from society. I have accepted my punishment for now. It could be worse.

 

It ain't all that bad.
I ran hard my last trip,so I would get to St Paul, MN Sunday morning. Parked the truck and got a cab ride to the Mall of America. I checked the stores out and ended up in a Mexican bar and restaraunt during a soccer game. It was packed with Mexicans that went crazy when Mexico won. A great day.
Today I deliver and sit around a truckstop, I'll pick my next load up tomorrow and head for Dallas.