How much free time do you have on the road?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by brown269, Nov 9, 2010.

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  1. Rollover the Original

    Rollover the Original Road Train Member

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    Have the wife keep her job until you have become used to driving and have "climbed the ladder" a ways towards a better income. That $50,000 income you might have heard is BS as this cesspool industry has cut drivers pay with some excuse of no loads. Yeah Right! In flat bedding and home construction load yes but not in food and home cleaning (Proctor and Gamble type products!)
    Just keep that income she's making for at lease 2 years. It costs a lot to just eat out here and living out of a refrigerator in a truck isn't as cut out as some make it sound!
    Untill you get experience under your belt keep her job and income as you just might do as a lot of these driver mill graduates and quit after a year or less due to the false dreams recruiters and sales people pour on you! Then after a few years and the bank account is built up then have her go through school, get her CDL and join you as a back up driver! Not a passenger!
     
    Rollover the Original, Nov 10, 2010
    #11
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  2. brown269

    brown269 Bobtail Member

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    Thanks for the advise, I am hoping that she will go and get hers as well but that will be up to her.
    Thanks
     
    brown269, Nov 10, 2010
    #12
  3. 25(2)+2

    25(2)+2 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    My wife has a Class A, but she has a job with a regular schedule and much more time off. If she were to lose the job, she might decide to drive with me, but she would probably just get another job at a nursing home.

    I had over 4 days off this week, and then under 850 miles, and it looks like that may be it for the week I was at home, and downtime is just hard to do anything with because it isn't planned, everything is subject to change.

    The driving is like being marooned together, it's great if you like being with each other most of the time, and not so good if you really can't stand that much togetherness. Some couples go solo after awhile for that reason.
     
    Last edited: Nov 10, 2010
    25(2)+2, Nov 10, 2010
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  4. REDD

    REDD The Legend

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    It isn't all doom & gloom!

    You can go see things on your down time. It is extremely easy to do! Your not confined to that truck.
     
    REDD, Nov 10, 2010
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  5. Passin Thru

    Passin Thru Road Train Member

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    I spent my time polishing my truck. A 379 with standup sleeper and a 48 ft spread and you have lots of polishing to do. I stayed out of truckstops, just make you fat, and tried to eat healthy meals. You can get killed in your own bathtub, life on the road is boring and people are getting more unfriendly. If you want to watch TV, get a satellite dish and watch your own, buy video games and books to read.
     
    Passin Thru, Nov 10, 2010
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  6. brown269

    brown269 Bobtail Member

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    Again thanks to all of the helpful responses. I know it is not going to be easy but then again life isn't easy. I just want to be able to do something that I feel good doing.
     
    brown269, Nov 11, 2010
    #16
  7. Krooser

    Krooser Road Train Member

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    IF you have wheels....
     
    Krooser, Nov 11, 2010
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  8. airram

    airram Light Load Member

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    I would look into a company that has multiple yards spread throughout the country,that way when you do get some proverbial downtime you can park the rig in the company lot and take off. I wouldn't expect much though...the only thing you might be able to do is wait until you get your 2 days off after 2 weeks out,and then do it like that,but are you really going to want to is my question??? By that point i think home would be calling my name...good luck
     
    airram, Nov 11, 2010
    #18
  9. Jarhed1964

    Jarhed1964 Road Train Member

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    Thats what I was thinking. Seems like driving would be a huge step up for him.
     
    Jarhed1964, Nov 11, 2010
    #19
  10. REDD

    REDD The Legend

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    I just spent the whole day in NYC. No wheels were needed.
     
    REDD, Nov 11, 2010
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