to all drivers with no ties. how long did it take to get used to the lifestyle?

My question is to all who have no ties to family, kids, wives or hubbys.

How long did it take you to get used to the trucker lifestyle? It is quite the change in lifestyle and I wanted to know if anyone out there had the same hesitation that I do.

I am not married, no kids (that I know of......) and my end goal is to get my cdl, get a year in and then go either local or another gig with more home time.

Thanks,

 

That's a great question.

 

I thought suit and tie.... phew .. no responsabilites i mean attachments ? I'm out

I do recall taking a mandatory break in a grocery store parking lot.. what ??

no further comment

 

I'm still getting used to it. First year was OTR. NOw got a semi local gig. Takes awhile.

 

After spending my childhood camping across the U.S. in a Pop Up camper w/my folks the transition was easy years ago when I started OTR. I am married to a very supportive woman which is a tremendous gift...what's easier now too, when I need to stop and pee the old man isn't w/me to get upset over having to pull off the road!

 

Surprisingly it didn't take me long at all,even with a trainer I didn't mind it.Traveling thru different cities took time getting use to though because I haven't never left my city except on a one day trip and always stayed in Iowa..Taking showers at truck stops and terminals didn't bother me like I thought it would..It really depends on the person.Time on the road for me went very fast and my family would call me wondering why I haven't called.They missed me more then I did them and my state.

 

I've done a lot of camping and back packing and the like myself but not in a grocery store parking lot.. at the time i thought ruck stops were there for that. duh.. doesnt matter anymore.. didnt take long to adjust to the absence of conveniences

 

I have traveled all over the US and Canada by car and have lived in 5 states so I am no noobie when it comes to being in different places.
Even us with no ties have routines that we live with and i was curious to how you have adapted.

Thanks for the input.

 

you never get used to it.

you work with what you have.

you then get to finally appreciate a home, friends, family, a clean bathroom with-in running distance, grocery stores nearby and street hookers.

life on the road is not as glamours as the movies make it out to be.

 

there's a lot more 24/7 c-stores and others today then there were when I started.