Hello everyone

Let's see. I am a friend and housemate of a trucker who is currently running local but considering going back OTR. I don't have an official handle yet, but I suppose that will come. In the meantime, I don't really know what else to post. I am new to the trucking industry and probably seem like the greenhorn I am....LOL.

 

Thank you for the welcome. We are gearing up and getting ready to move out sometime soon, I think. I am feeling a little apprehensive about it, since I know very little about road life. I am thankful that my housemate already has OTR experience, because I know I have a LOT to learn. I'm just afraid of blundering around and inadvertently getting us into trouble. I'm also worried that I will eventually get bored silly in the truck. I've always been a very active person who holds down a job. I know I tend to get bored when I don't feel I am being useful and don't have a job. My housemate came up with an idea, though. Since I am a writer, he suggested that I write a book about the trucking life, much like Linda Greenlaw's book The Hungry Ocean. I am not too sure, though, that people would appreciate me writing about them.

Anyway, if anyone can think of anything that they feel a newbie should know before she gets into the truck, please email. I would welcome advice. I don't always respond quickly (we don't have internet at our house; I go and ping off McDonald's), but I am reading and appreciating everyone's posts.

 

Thanks! I appreciate the encouragement. My "handle" comes from a nickname I got while working as a camp naturalist. When campers couldn't remember my name, they just called me "that nature girl." My housemate is trying to bring me up to speed, but he admits that there are questions I have that he really doesn't know how to answer. We are shoving off in two weeks, and I am trying so hard to educate myself. It's a different world than the ones I have been in....so much to learn.

 

Okay, first one: How should I pack for a week in the truck? I am not the driver, just the rider. We will be coming back on weekends, so how much and what do I take with me? I am not merely talking about clothing, either. Safety pins? Wet wipes? Extra deodorant? What??!!

Second, what can you use to safely cook while going down the road? I know that it has been done many times by many people, but I am clueless. We're trying to see if we can fit a dorm fridge into the truck (I already have one), so that would be one less expense. Can you put a coffee maker in it? I am guessing a hot plate is out, but what about a microwave? What else can safely be used? We'd like to try and cook healthy, if possible...cut down on fast food and prepackaged stuff as much as we can. Any good suggestions??

Thanks for all your support. The countdown until we roll out has begun. He goes to orientation early next month, and they will be swinging by to pick me up after that. I appreciate the help people are giving me. Maybe when I get my handle, you'll pass us and hear me greeting you on the road, right?