Quality of Life and Trucking??

These must be some kind of misconceptions or something. I know there may be some really anal companies out there, but most are nothing like this. All you have to remember is this.....

Get the load there on time and safe!

Thats about the biggest rule. I shop where I want to shop. I could work out anywhere I want as long as I can bobtail in there safe and legally. I go to casinos. I go to movie theaters. I go to museums. Hell, I went a few miles out of the way to go to DEI headquarters! If you manage your time well, your quality of life is not only good, but maybe better then most. One thing many drivers do is just drive and sleep drive and sleep drive and sleep! Stop and see this nation! Asphalt all looks the same. Pull over and see a museum, natural beauty, a movie, or whatever!

As for the 11 hour rule, if you max your log book out every day you can, you will make far less due to having to reset all the time. That pisses fleetmanagers off too. They have a load for you and you tell them you are maxed on your 70! If you do 9 or 9.5 hours a day, you should be able to streach that logbook out and not have to reset. That way, you dont have to worry about having a day of NO miles at all! That was one of my first mistakes.

 

Chances are after putting in a 14 hour work shift (11 hours of driving) you will be in no mood to work out. Truck stops do not usually have any kind of a gym or workout area. They want you to get fuel, spend your money in the restaraunt, and then get out so they can service the next "customer."

Unless you are on a dedicated route, you will be at a different place, in a different city, and in a different state each day. Finding a gym will not be a high priority when you are trying to find a customer or you need sleep.

You may in fact use the bobtail as a personal conveyance at many companies but you better check with them first so you dont get into hot water (especially for trucks with computer tracking). Many parking lots have prohibitions against truck parking (the pavement isnt designed for heavy trucks) and towing/ tickets can result.

Eating healthy has improved over the years but if you are serious then an inverter installed on the truck and a cookstove or microwave should be seriously considered. Again be sure to check with your company regarding an inverter.

 

I would say what accounts for different views is different personalities and experiences. I don't really see us saying necessarily different things. I am just saying its easy to be happy on the road and do what you need to do. He is just saying, watch out for some pitfalls. Anal companies, local municipal laws, company rules (I.E. Call ahead before showing up in a tractor), and factoring in other life on the road issues. I am saying do what ya got to do. He is saying becareful if you do and don't be ignorent of other issues. Thats all. You would not be asking the question at all if you did not think there was no trade off's at all. But its really not that big a deal to live on the road, just like you live at home. You just have to modify to accomplish it!

As for me, I am a divorced veteran and don't really sweat the small stuff. As long as the loads get there on time, I really don't work myself into the ground. I enjoy life. Just because I go on the road for weeks at a time does not mean I can't enjoy the down time. Most major truckstops don't put in gym equipment, that is a fact. But lets face it, why should they. This occupation is not known for its gym crowd. There really is not a problem with you going to a gym per-say, that is my real point. But what you might be able to figure out quick, these gyms normally have memberships. You may not know where a lot of them are across the nation (at least in the beginning) even if they offer a national membership. This is pretty time consuming. One factor in the trucking industry is parking also. People ask me what the hardest part of the job is. I always tell them, finding a place to park at the end of the day. It will be very important to find a parking spot at a truckstop, then go to a gym first. Some municipalities make it hard to drive a truck anywhere in town, let alone park there.

What I am getting at is this. To your main question, your quality of life is whatever you make of it. Its up to you what you do as long as you can plan your schedule to accommodate your lifestyle. I love movies, malls, and casinos, and I find I have plenty of time for that and the ability to get to them.

As for your specific lifestyle. Its not the easiest on the road. But you know its a sacrifice in the first place. You just need to modify your workout to accommodate your job. There is plenty of space in most Truckstops to do the cardio thing. I know you realize that. But working on the big chest and power legs you will have to be more inventive. Nothing wrong with old push ups. Just bring a mat with your. There is room for not only that, but free weights. Just secure them. Create a routine with those free weights. I have seen guys use the trailer itself and do pull ups face up like an upside down push up under the trailer. There are ways to stay in shape. Its only an excuse (an easy habit/routine to fall into mind you) to not workout on the road. Eating right will continue to be your biggest challenge. It will be more important then ever if you DO fall into more laid back living on the road. Almost all the major Truckstops have started serving lots of salads and fruit meals. There is plenty of healthy options now a days at the major locations. This I disagree with the stereotype. The bad is still there, but there is good available. Careful of some of them. Sometimes its just masked by lots of evil toppings. But normally the real problem is the price factor. I use to shop at Walmart or something and used a refrigerator in the sleeper. I also had a microwave and a slow cooker. There is always a way! Its up to you. I would suggest looking for a company that lets you install inverters. You sound like me and need all those comforts. I ran all that, and a desktop computer and Sat TV. I have a 3000watt inverter. You may not need one that big, but at least a 1000 or more for a microwave. HAHA Anyways good luck!

As for who do I work for? Right now I am off the road. I worked for Willis Shaw Express who I can say very little negative things about them. You can do a search for my review of them on this forum. I then worked for a smaller company locally here that ran regionally that I had problems with them wanting me to run illegal for very little miles. Since then I decided to go back to school. I am now at the point in my education i can do the rest on the road if I want. I am getting the itch and looking to go back on the road. I have looked and looked and looked, and Willis Shaw did me right the first time, is the only one that seems to offer my baseline, and was not broke so why fix it. I will most likely head back to them and reevaluate in a year or so. Not the biggest spenders in payroll, but they are honest.

Like I said, Good Luck

 

Good post.

I have heard that some guys take a set of dumbells with them to work out with. With a set of dumbells...you can cover alot of movements. I think you can pick up a set of those adjustable dumbells (of course it won't be a Golds gym....but you have to make the best of it).

My question is...how do you drop off your load and proceed to a gym...if you can't drive the truck there.

Sounds like a Joining a couple of national franchise gym chains is the solution.

 

It's not as rough as some make it sound
From the time you start your day (lines 3 or 4) you have 14 hours to get your 11 hours of driving in (line 3 only). If you split break it helps keep the truck rolling a little more with the fact you get to stop for that 2 hour break and relax and eat a healthy meal (if you find a healthy place to eat that is).

You are allowed to use the truck (depending on the trucking company you work for) to eat, laundry/personal use and log it as off duty time.
Now the 10 hour break you should really try and park where you are going to take that break, however you can drive to a restraunt to eat etc. The 10 hour consecutive break can be a combination of lines 1 & 2.

 

I'm not a driver yet...but it Sounds like you will spend most of your break at the truckstop....is that correct?

 

Only if thats what you choose to do. Its not a jail.

 

Hey WC...

No...i was commeting on the remark directly above mine.


I do like what you said...Sounds like you have it down. I also like your attitude of "don't sweat the small stuff!"