In the book I am reading Mother Trucker: An urban couple downshifts to life on the road the authors took the time to visit various attractions such as art museums while on the road. They used company cars and rental vehicles while their truck was being repaired or while they were waiting for loads. Was their experience special or will I have these opportunities as well?
From the post I've read, most company's keep the wheels turnin. And unless your truck is goin in for a large repair on the road, I doubt it would be that simple. Were they company drivers or O/O?
They were drivers for Schneirder National as a team OTR. They stated as long as they got to their destination on time the company did not give them a hard time. they were allowed 10% of miles to be out of route
Thats right, drivers can do lots of stuff while on a 34 hr restart like take the bus or cab to local places around town. Some drivers have a bike with them. I saw a driver park in a turn out off the I-80 in nevada and hike down to the rivers edge to do some fishing.
Take advantage of your resets, but you also need to make sure your tractor/trailer are secure. Company isn't going to like it much if you're doing a reset and you come back 34 hours later to find your cargo missing. Or the whole deal. But with that being said I've told my drivers it was ok from time to time to rent a car and go see the sights. I always felt better about it when they were empty.
"Free to pursue your own interests" lol..I read that somewhere, may have been the DOT handbook. But for a little insight to your question, usually you can do what ever you want as long as the load is delivered safely and on time. Like Meltom said, need to be sure the truck is parked somewhere safe. (and I dont mean just left at a walmart parking lot for 2 days) lol I have been to baseball and hockey games. gone a mississippi river catfishing trip and road the riverboat casino once. Then there are the "fun" places that have truck parking like casinos and strip clubs. But you HAVE to be cautious for your personal safety and the truck with cargo. I have had the experience to work with a few decent dispatchers, whom would route me to anywhere I wanted to as long as I gave them a proper notice. I have friends and family spread out from coast to coast and i have never had a problem spending a 34 hr reset with them. The first year I drove a truck, I thought I was bound to that truck except going into truck stops. Hell, didn't know what I was doing, but as time went on, I found there could be some fun to be had. Now, don't get me wrong, I love my wife, so don't go to thinking about all of the women out there, and yes, there are loose women out there..lmao I think my wife was more fascinated about the lot lizards the first time she seen em then when I did...Yea, i got a little off topic there, but, there is no reason to be a prisoner of a truck.
