10 question,and advice needed

You may get many different responses due to the fact we are all different and have a different set of experiences and skillsets we refer to and use for our opinions. That said here goes;

1. It varies. Some people have a love of driving (I was this way) prior to ever becoming a truck driver. Others drive for a paycheck and really do not like the job at all but cannot find a better paying job in the area they live in.

2. In the past when I have become sick on the road I take over the counter remedies such as Dayquil, Immodium Ad, vitamin C drops, ibuprofen, etc. to combat the symptoms. I inform my dispatcher I am unwell and ask for more time on the load, a re-power, or to be routed home to see my family doctor. Lots of sleep, lots of soup and liquids otherwise.

3. Finding a place to stop at the end of the day is becoming more and more difficult especially on the east coast. Many truck stops have closed and states are closing rest areas due to a lack of funds to keep them clean, supplied, and staffed. The answer is you do what it takes to get off the road to a safe location regardless of the hours. Many of us have learned to park behind strip malls, large warehouse type stores, industrial parks, and other truck friendly sites. The key to parking in these areas is do not tear up the parking area, do not leave your trash, and do not block customer parking areas or service areas. Most places will not bother you.
The second part of your question is regarding tracking. Most companies now a days have some kind of on board computer system with gps technology that tracks the vehicle. These computer records can be (and will be) cross matched to a drivers log in the event of an accident, dot audit, or internal safety compliance review.

4. Sleeping 2 extra hours or goofing off for 2 extra hours at a truckstop will only affect your day if you have ALREADY started your work shift. Meaning your 14 hour clock is running. Otherwise there is no penalty and when you begin your work day after your 12 hours off you will have 14 hours from that point to complete your (maximum) 11 hours of driving.

5. In the event of inclement weather YOU and only YOU will decide wether it is safe for you to continue driving. NEVER let a dispatcher or other driver browbeat you into continuing when you feel "unsafe." My skill set and your skill set will vary. Just because you see me or others "still" out on the road does not mean you have the skills to keep up. My rule of thumb is; "if I cannot safely travel at least 40 mph through inclement weather then I am better off parking for a while to let the road service crews do their job and clear the highway (in the case of snow). In rain storms I will continue at a reduced speed knowing that I will pass "through" the heaviest part in a as little as a few minutes to an hour. The biggest thing to be aware of in these cases is following distances.

6. Every time you stop a truck it will take around 15 minutes out of your day. If you go to a truckstop figure at least 30 minutes. Even pulling over to the shoulder of the road will take away 5 minutes of time between deceleration, parking, peeing, and accelerating back to highway speed. Try to stop every 3 to 4 hours for bathroom breaks and stretching your legs. Give yourself 30 minutes at each stop to maintain a healthy life style. Unless you have diabetes and a severe urge to pee every 15 to 30 minutes you should be fine. Otherwise you can use gatorade bottles, or gallon jugs to pee in when necessary. Just be sure to empty the bottles in the grass before throwing them in the trash.

7. No hemorhoids for me (yet). Be more concerned of your back though. Stop carrying your wallet in your back pocket and start carrying it in your front pants pocket. Sitting on that wallet will cause all kinds of trouble. Also be sure to keep your air ride seat low with your feet flat on the floor and no pressure on the backs of your legs from the front of the seat. Having the seat too high will cause blood circulation problems in your legs.

8. I stop every 3 to 4 hours to stretch and use the restroom. It helps keep me awake, alert, and refreshed during the day. I also change my socks during the day. A fresh clean pair of socks is very refreshing as well.

9. Sure you will dream about the road once in a while. Its normal. After a while it will only be the close calls and the anxiety created by other motorists doing "stupid things" around you which may have you dwelling on those events even during sleep.

10. Believe it or not we do not keep our "focus" all day. This is a recipe for burn out, ulcers, and heart attacks. An old instructor of mine explained the best drivers actually will be able to "dis-associate" themselves from the job. This means you will actually place your body on autopilot while on the interstates and allow your mind to wander to other things such as friends, family, vacations, music, talk shows, books on tape, etc. When in heavy traffic, inclement weather, backing up, or local driving this will not be possible. These are the times when your full attention and focus will be used.


Many carriers will want you to park the truck at a terminal or secure site. Hire on with whichever company is closest to your home. This will make it easier on you in the long run when it it time to go home for a break.

 

Good reply. My truck is always stocked for any situation. Medicine on board. Anything from flu to green apple quick step attacks.. I stay in the zone when needed, but am always aware of my surroundings. I feel more comfortable in a truck. When I get in a 4 wheeler I have a hard time adjusting.

 

I don't recall ever getting sick while out on the road. Only when I came back home. Possibly decreased contact with people while driving?

 

Some truck stops have clinics with a doc on board. Other than that it is hard to park a 4 wheeler at most walk in clinics... 18 wheeler,,, uh oh...

 

Depends on the driver and how he drives. I'd prefer to match my driving to my body, rather than the other way around.

Carry a large supply of plastic bags. I also jump on a cold with a zinc product (I like Cold Eze) asap. Hammers it down flat in no time. Other issues.. work through them as best you can - or go to the hospital.

The correct answer is "no". Compliance at your company WILL catch you- they know when you started that day, how far you drove, and when you arrived at the dock.
The practical answer is STILL 'no'. You may get away with 5-10 miles. No way you should be able to get away with 50, much less 100

You just start your 11 and 14 two hours later (as far as logging goes. As far as delivery/driving - that depends on circumstances.)

Judgment call. Rain? no. Bad storms? No (tornadoes excepted). Snow? Not normally, but a blizzard would be a good reason to stop. Ice. I dunno about you, but *I* ain't driving on it.

as it happens, I DO have to pull over - just about every 2 hours. Love my meds. A little foresight and there's never an emergency. My gatorade bottle is still clean.

No - it's from the DM and compliance. Sitting in the truck has nothing to do with it

All kidding aside - that's probably from 30-40 years ago, back when trucks were wood and the men were iron. Or somethign like that.

Since I HAVE to stop every couple hours, yes. I get out and walk - usually quickly - about 200 feet. Then I walk more slowly back to the truck.

At the end of the day, if the weather supports it (temp less than 75) I walk about a mile.

Why are you wearing that dashed white line on your face?

Terror. sheer, unadulterated terror. Those 4-wheelers are nasty.

Actually, that's the second purpose of the breaks. When you feel your mind wandering, it's time to take a station break.

Taking the truck home is becoming more and more unlikely. For example, I live only 20 miles from my terminal. At (a generous) 7 mpg, that's about 6 gallons for a round trip. Assume fuel is $4.75/gal - that's $28.5 in unproductive travel. Just for me, on any given day. Multiply that by the number of drivers a company has..

Some companies pay for orientation, others don't. Almost all pay during the 'training' phase (out on the road with a seasoned driver). W&S doesn't pay for orientation - I believe in part because you are turned out as a driver on the road in only 10 days. It balances out - if you can make it that far.

Training is also of varying lengths of time.. some companies (like W&S) don't have any at all. Others make you train for 8 weeks, 60K miles, or until your face falls off.. that sort of thing. Myself, I prefer a company that trains you - and turns you loose after an assessment test indicates you can probably drive without bending the truck.