help with decision

You are welcome. I'm not trying to discourage you but give you a deeper in-sight to the business, there's no way to explain it to some one that is thinking about this profession other than to give them the facts. It's the toughest job/lifestyle you'll ever have.

 

Keeping in shape is harder in some aspects in trucking I think than in any other profession. I made up my own exercises to do in the truck both when I was moving and parked. I don't eat junk food nor do I eat a lot at one time. I'm small enough 5' 2" so I can stand up and drive if I want to which I have to keep the circulation going in my legs. You can lift weights and things to keep the rest of the body going. It's all in what you want for yourself.
Don't get me wrong I have problems now but only because I was injured in an accident. But I can out work most half my age.

No I never socialize on the road. I am at work then and do not mix personal and business together. It's a job, not a social gathering and it's about making money. I enjoy myself without others being around as I am the proverbial "Lone Wolf" type and don't care if I talk to anyone or not most of the time.
Besides being a woman, when you start that then over time you get the reputation of being a sleeper leaper whether or not you actually did or not.

 

Wow, I thought I was the only one who didn't socialize.

 

Nightwind - your right, my hubby doesn't want to get the "trucker" belly, he walks alot and never eats and then goes to sleep. That's his biggest pet peeve - the ones who belly up to the buffet and then sleep. He's also a loner, that's why OTR is good for him. He'll talk to people when he wants to, but most of the time, he drives, eats, showers, sleeps, drives some more. He always has excellent times on his deliveries, I think it's because he is a loner, no socializing. My brother-in-law tried OTR, hated it, said he couldn't get his timing for delivery down - it's because he was to busy talking to everyone around him, when he was filling, eating, even in his sleeper (cb,cell phone)! Hubby says that what home time is for - 34 hours of socializing - then he leaves again. Good Luck everyone and be safe...........................lori

 

My hubby usually travels by himself as well...Usually when our trucks start out at the terminal together he will stay with them for a spell and talk on the cb as he knows these guys.

But when he's alone, he listens to the CB but hardly ever talks on it and has this motivation to get where he is going and to not stop unless he really has to.

When he get's to his destination for the night...he is a walker as well. Walks everywhere for exercise and eats healthy. Iam proud of him for wanting to take care of himself and he does that quite well.
When he is home for a couple of days he has a weight room where he exercises and lifts weights which he says makes him feel really good.
I guess it's all how you exercise and work around this type of job that helps you keep your energy and muscle tone.

 

Not to offend anyone, but I never have understood the ones that do get the "Dunlap" disease or gain a lot of weight. I just couldn't figure it out then still haven't. I'm not a health nut or crazy about exercises and I come from a family that has a tendency to be overweight. I decided a long time ago I would NOT be like the rest of my family. Other than the physical problems from my injuries in the accident (hit by a tractor) my health has been great, and I want to keep it that way. Your health is something that is priceless.

I found that to succeed in trucking as a driver, owner operator or company owner you have to decide what your goals and priorities are and stick to them. You can do you job or run your business and enjoy what you do without being a social butterfly.

Most, not all of the drivers that play video games,or sit around telling stories are the ones that never have a paycheck because they don't make their appointments or meet their obligations and spend their paycheck in advances.

I've always had high morals and figured out that if I acted like the men do then I'd get the reputation of being trash. It's just the nature of the business and the perception of the people around you. I think if you act in a profession manner where ever you are then for the most part people will treat you as such.
My rules were simple.
Plan your trips
Leave early
Stay clean and neat, there is NO reason that you can't take a shower every day.
Keep your truck clean inside and out as it's a reflection of YOU and how you live. People judge a book by the cover not what is inside.
Be polite and act in a professional manner no matter the circumstances. Profane language or road rage never solves the problem and just make you fit the stereotype that we in the trucking industry have managed to earn by the un-professional behavior of a few.
And remember it's a job not a social event, a dating game, or a place to vent your frustrations that you bring with you from home or that you may get from the different people that you may come into contact with.
The first impression is the one that people remember.