Finally over THAT hurdle

You can laminate it. Most truckstops do have healthier food but the cost to portion ratio is ridiculous. As far as time out, sky is the limit. Some live on the road.

Welcome to trucking driver

 

I'm surprised they didn't give you a laminated card. Mine is always laminated even so it's taken a beating.

As for the truckstop food cost is ridiculous, if possible try and pack food you can make yourself in the truck lunch meat, etc (given truck has a fridge) I carried canned food for the longest time through it on the manifold and cooked it that way you can wire a metal lunch box to the manifold as well. Cheaper and better if you ask me.

As for long stints out that's a matter of who you talk to old neighbor is out about 355 days a year, Almost never home, if I spend more than 10 nights a year in my truck I wonder what the hell I did wrong. All a matter of what type of person you are. I don't think the company is going to complain if you don't want to come home I surely wouldn't

 

Say no to truck stop food, unless in a pinch. Tell your company you want to install an inverter to throw in a fridge and microwave. Some drivers go for the pork and beans or ramen noodle route, while their health heads towards the gutter. Most of us don't exercise so try and at least maintain a decent diet.

My first year I stayed out in 3 month increments to get a grip on things in a hurry, but passed by the house every month or so for at least a day. After each of those 3 months I took a week off. Definitely pace yourself and not try to do too much too soon or you'll get burnt out.

 

There's gold here.

Ive not much more than a couch and a tv to come home to as well and my plan was to stay out for months. But I think I need to build myself up for that. Took me a month and a half and I needed a couple days to unwind.

Don't force yourself to stay out if your stress levels are going through the roof because of it. Build up the tolerance, life on the road is fun but quite different from anything else out there

 

Heres what you do. You shop at walmart most walmarts allow truck parking there. Cook in your truck there are tiny plug in ovens that you can use and like the above poster mentioned get an inverter and put a fridge in there if one isnt already there. Truck stop food will break your wallet. And even their "healthy" alternatives arent really that healthy and they dont have enough of a variety for you to stay healthy.

Then what you do is put a little calendar in that truck and mark it down 6 months after your orientation date at PAM. As SOON as you hit 5 months start applying to any and all local companies that accept drivers with 6 months experience (you give yourself a month for the application to process and you to get back from your last trip and so forth). The reason being is OTR is a disgrace paywise and it will tear your body up healthwise despite your best efforts. OTR drivers are all worth 100k+ and 99% dont make anywhere near that so dont even entertain these clowns until they raise their pay. So once you hit 6 months make sure you dont get any tickets or hit anything and get the #### off of that road asap.

Good luck.

 

Seems the average: stay out 21 days take 3 days off.
The other day you take off to do something fun on the road.

Congratz you can now park at the rest area east of Louisville a few in new mexico/Arizona.

I've drove for around 20 years and had to parallel park maybe 25 times. Probably not even that.

You can go to grocery stores.
Walmart has an atlas online for rvs.

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You'll soon stop supporting Walmart and many other brands you used to enjoy....just.....you.....:uckers lips:: wait ::finishes puckered lips::....

::evil hand rubs::

Don't forget.....no fresh stuff thru the border or you get raped.

 

The problem I have taking hometime is that I understand that it is costing me $$$ to not be out driving. Right now I am waiting to take delivery on my new truck and I am going crazy.

I need a three week gig.

Anyway, they are all telling you good stuff. I stay out as long as possible and only stop at the house when driving by. I lived overseas for years and the wife and I are use to being alone. I do miss the girlfriend though.

 

Congrats on joining the industry.

I never laminated my physical card and it's taken a beating. On my third card. Laminating can be done if yours is deteriorating.

Regarding truck stop food, I have one word of advice: DON'T.

If PAM doesn't have a refrigerator in the truck, then get a decent 12v cooler. I paid about $80 for the Koolatron brand Funcool (about 26 liter) and that paid for itself within a month.

Plan on restocking with fresh groceries about twice a week at Walmart. Use Google Satellite View to plan how toget in and out easily. Many Walmart purposefully make it next to impossible to get in the main parking lot, so look for the truck entrance.

Getting that cooler was instrumental to my losing all the 45 lbs I gained within six months of trucking. You will be far healthier and live far more cheaply than eating fast food or convenience food from the truck stops. In emergencies I do by actual food at truck stops, stuff they can't screw up, like water, bananas, oranges, or hard boiled eggs.

 

You know....I actually gained 60 pounds when I came OFF the road otr. Hated spending money on food. Heck some days I'd forget to eat.

Kinda freaked out seeing how real food tastes again.

Lol