I picked up a “dad” and “15 year-ish son” once. The dad was artificially friendly. The son threw up some white stuff and the dad asked us to just drop them off on the freeway after that. I always wonder if they had plans to hurt us and the son got nervous and threw up.
The other comment is sound advice. Rolling down the windows and fairly frequent stretching. A good nights sleep is the number one though. 8 hours minimum.
Other tricks I've learned is staying hydrated. Energy drinks are a bad idea. At least for me they make me incredibly tired just about an hour after drinking one. I learned early on that's not the way to go. Coffee too.
Staying hydrated, playing mind games such as trying to stay perfectly in between the lines helps. The last thing is junior mints. If I start feeling like I'm getting sleepy, I'll pop one of those in my mouth and that combined with plenty of water works wonders. Music, podcasts, and audiobooks help as well!
No. That said I've had to do similar things when driving on interstates through cities with not many available places to stop for trucks. I'm a clean trucker and person though so a piss jug is definitely not something I want in my cab with me.
Moving while driving is something I do. I'll do small excersizez with my arms and legs to keep the blood flowing. You can feel when they start to need it. Pulling over is a must as well to stretch and walk around. It's definitely easy to gain weight, especially if you're an over the road or regional driver like I was before going local. You have to be creative in order to eat healthy. Excersize in the middle and at the day of your day is important. Now that I'm a local driver, I get most of my excersize by playing outside with my kids and just doing daily tasks outside and around the house. You'll see a lot of over the road truckers doing various excersizes outside of their truck at truck stops. Yesterday, I saw a guy doing walking dips with 30lb weights in both hands.
I dont think that's what he meant, and poor joke if so.
My initial question was going to be how true the stereotype of truckers is, that you've known of. (SA)
Once I was in a situation where I thought "oh great! Truckers!" And that immediately turned to "oh great.. truckers"
You have your stereotypical truckers, of course. But I was also very surprised to see that most aren't like that. I'm sure you pass by many more truckers or former truckers whenever you're in public than you realize. They come in all forms. I've seen many female truckers who get out of their big trucks, and they have makeup on and their nails done. You usually can't tell a trucker apart from any kind of regular person.
I do yes. This is especially true in Utah. I'm not looking to get a ticket or cause road rage. I have one last stop at the end of the day that's the most important. Going home to my family.
Ha! My current job is local, so I get to sleep in the bed with my wife every night as long as I don't get delayed or stuck in a city due to weather for example.
I've always enjoyed driving, so of course, the driving itself. But I also enjoy looking out my office window and seeing many different kinds of scenery every day. I currently drive through mostly Utah and Colorado, so there's plenty of beauty. Having time to listen to podcasts & audiobooks to learn about new topics is great too.
My least favorite things are probably the occasional 16-hour day and dealing with cargo that has shifted but those things don't happen too often, thankfully!
I love my job. The pay is decent, $31 an hour but what makes it great is I'm Union. So even if I work 39 hours a week, for example, I'm guaranteed a 40 hour check. Anything over is of course overtime. So I usually make around $6000 a month. It took me personally about 8 weeks of schooling to obtain my CDL not counting the time it took to study and then nearly 6 weeks of over the road training with my first employer to land my first driving job.
I've got a friend who has suggested I come to work with him where he works as a commercial bus driver. I'm on the fence. Any advice on if I should or not?
If it's something you think you'd enjoy, go for it! The advice I have for you is pay close attention during classes, training, or orientation.
Never stop asking questions from more experienced drivers.
Anything with air brakes is quite a lot different than your average vehicle. Don't underestimate how dangerous it is to speed in them, especially in weather.
There is so much knowledge related to CDL driving. Treat it like the most important thing you've ever studied and learn about all that you can!
Always do a pre and post trip. Know your vehicle like the back of your hand!
If you become a truck driver, always visually confirm that the lock jaws of your tractor are secure around your tractors kingpin. Never skip this step!
Good luck!
6 days during an over the road company training. I was with an owner operator who was absolutely filthy. Being a very hygienic person, it was awful. Never again!
Do you always stop at a truck stop? Do you ever stop to maybe take a photo (not sure if that is legal or safe to do) or to just look at something that might have caught your eye or b/c it just so beautiful?
Absolutely, if theres a place to park safely. I'll often stop at scenic views/overviews. I would often try and avoid truck stops, especially near the end of my regional career. They're just all very similar, and I got tired of them. That said, I won't stop on a shoulder unless it's an emergency that can't wait. You'll see plenty of truckers do this even for a routine break. But I don't think those truckers have seen the shoulder related accidents that I have. It's very dangerous.
I will usually listen to informative audio. Driving has given me the motivation and ability to pursue learning like never before. When your driving you can't do much of anything but listen to music; or in my case, podcasts, documentaries, and instructional videos. I've been learning a lot about business, investment, stocks, real estate, crypto, history, political science, and philosophy. Even then, it's impossible not to get bored from time to time. You have plenty of time to think and reflect. When you've done all that, sometimes you just have to put up with the boredom and focus on staying alert instead.
I probably won't become a real estate agent, no. But I do plan to invest in real estate in the future! Stocks are something I plan to get into more and more on the side. I currently hold some dividend stocks but am holding them long-term with no plans on trading them. Dividend stocks are best to hold onto most of the time as they pay you for holding them.
What do you do to not have to spend money on food out on the road? What types of gear and gadgets and coolers and items do you carry in your truck? TV? Wi-Fi?
Now that I work a local route, I just pack lunch from home, mostly sandwiches and cold dishes. When I worked a regional job, I had a crock pot and an air fryer. I delivered for Walmart, so when they were unloading or shortly after, I'd go in and pick up groceries as needed. It wasn't cheap to eat well, but it beat the taste, prices, and nutritional value of gas station and fast food.
For gear, I use a lot of items: Flashlight, leather gloves, reflective vest, waterproof cold weather clothing, steel toed boots, headlamp, wrench, screw driver set, socket set, dead blow hammer, tire pressure guage, tire tread depth tool, tire patch kit, knee pads, tire chains for adverse weather, spare fuses, red reflective triangles, fire extinguisher, wrags, bungee chords, windex, paper towels, load straps. Oh, and a role of toilet paper, just in case...
I'm sure I'm quite a few other items I can't think of right this moment, too.
As for gadgets, I have a blueparrot headset that allows for the hands-free operation of my phone. I can answer calls and shuffle between music and audiobook/podcast playlists without taking my eyes off the road. I never had a TV while I was over the road. I would read and use my phone for the internet and some games. I'd say most over the road truckers have a TV. Many have PS5s and Xboxs, too. My buddy subscribes to an internet hotspot through his phone that he uses for online gaming like Call of Duty. Some companies provide wifi options, I believe, but my company I worked for while regional driving did not.
My man! That information was pure gold, and I’m gonna copy and paste that entire thing and call it “my list of stuff to get” lol. Thank you so much for the in-depth response. I had no idea the trucking community would be as awesome as it is, but I’ve been on Reddit just a short while and the kindness of everyone has been spectacular.
Absolutely, I'm happy to help! I was also surprised when I got into trucking at just how friendly nearly all truck drivers are. While at truck stops, many will smile at you. On the road, many will let you infront of them while changing lanes, or blink their tail lights as a thank you if you do the same for them. I think a lot of it has to do with so many being lonely and just craving a conversation. So many are over the road or regional that they might go days or weeks without a meaningful conversation. If you ever have more questions, feel free to reach out to me or just ask a trucker. I've never approached one that wasn't willing to answer my own questions.
Drinking water will keep you awake much better than coffee or energy drinks. Energy drinks are pretty dangerous, in my opinion. I relied on energy drinks a few times, and the crash from them forced me to pull over and regain my composure. So I highly recommend not drinking energy drinks while driving.
Other than that, rolling down windows, fairly frequent stops for stretching and walking, listening to music and audiobooks/podcasts, and eating a junior mint when im starting to get sleepy are how I stay alert. Something about the mint really keeps me alert personally.
The first thing I do after waking up is to drink plenty of water. Hydration and a good night sleep are key to staying awake. Also rolling down the windows, playing music and trying to keep your mind occupied on things like staying perfectly in between the lines of the road help. Junior mints work great for me too. If I feel like I'm about to get sleepy I'll pop one of those in my mouth and it makes me more alert. I also listen to plenty of audio books, podcasts and documentaries.
How do you feel about driverless trucks? Do you think they will be safer?
My cousin is a semi driver and he is currently training them down in Texas. He said it was going to happen regardless so he figured he’d at least get compensated for it.
I don't forsee them being safer than real drivers, at least not in the near future. There are just so many instances and variables in driving that require a human mind to make the right decisions. But that said, I'm not up to date with the very latest technology behind driverless vehicles either.
I've seen it done plenty of times so if I had the right tools I likely could. The company I drive for requires roadside assistance or to stop at specific tire shops, however.
Absolutely. It's a different kind of feeling coming home and talking to my kids and wife, knowing I was just hundreds of miles away from them, sometimes even a few states away that same day.
Probably Montana. There are long stretches of road there without a single sign of civilization other than the road. In some areas, there aren't even power lines. It's absolutely beautiful!
There are many of each.
Some Pros: Freedom, time to listen and learn about different topics via audiobooks and podcasts. The ability to see much of the countryside and explore a little during 34 hour resets if you drive regional or long haul. It's great if you enjoy driving but you REALLY need to enjoy driving. Good money with the exception of your first few years, you likely won't make anything near what you're told you'll make by recruiters.
Cons: Long haul and Regional can get very lonely. You'll find you're often outside of your truck at few places other than rest areas, truck stops, and warehouses/suppliers with the exception of your 34 hour resets where you can do more exploring.
It's difficult to eat well and it takes discipline to keep up on excersize while not driving when you're not a local driver. Of course if you have family you won't see them often as a long hauler or regional driver.
These are just a few pros and cons.
We see truckers depicted in all sorts of contexts in movies, from serial killer to everyman hero and everything in between. What movie(s) gets truckers and the world of truck driving right? Conversely which ones make you roll your eyes at how wrong or cliched it is?
I actually havnt seen any movies about truckers. They don't really interest me. While I love driving I don't really see myself as a classic truck driver. I would say any movie that labels them one way or another has it wrong. Truckers come in all forms. From dirty overweight shaggy bearded men, to clean shaven slim and very hygienic. I've seen plenty of good-looking female truck drivers who wear makeup and get their nails done who you'd never expect to be truck drivers.
It wasn't easy at first. Now a days, plenty of sleep, staying hydrated, packing healthy lunches and snacks while remaining active on my weekends have helped me not gain weight. I did gain weight, however, when I first started driving regionally. I eventually bought a crock pot and an air fryer so this allowed me to eat a lot better than I did in the beginning. Excerise for me back then was difficult though. Many truck drivers will jog, lift weights, do crunches etc at the end of their shift. For me, I was absolutely drained and the last thing I wanted to do was exercise in the parking lot of a truck stop. This is a big reason why I started driving locally.
It's quite a different beast. Driving a box truck for me feels like driving a go-cart. While different, once you get the hang of it it's like anything else and comes pretty easy. I'm more comfortable driving a truck with a 53 foot trailer than I am driving a car. I also feel a lot safer in a truck. I just have so much more experience and familiarity with trucks.
Legally you are only allowed to drive a commercial motor vehicle 11 hours per day. 600 miles is usually the max amount of drive time you can reach in this time, sometimes a little more. The reason you can usually only travel around 600 miles in 11 hours depends on a few variables but mostly: speed limits, red lights, waiting to pass vehicles and hauling up hills and passes.
Nope! If you're found to go over 11 hours of driving, you can face steep fines though. Hundreds to many, many thousands of dollars. You will also be forced to stop driving for the day, possibly longer.
No. In some instances you can get a hefty ticket or even lose your license for just picking up a phone. I have a blueparrot headset so I'm able to answer phone calls and shuffle through songs, my audio books and documentary playlists that I'll add to on my days off with buttons on my headset.
When I was a regional driver, I slept in my cab atleast 6 out of 7 days a week. Sometimes, I'd go weeks or even close to a few months without being home. But now I'm a local short haul transport driver so I get to sleep in my own bed every night, weather and things that are out of my control permitting.
If the key is in the off position, the truck is off, no electricity. However, a lot of modern trucks have a feature called optimized idle, which allows for the use of electrical ports in the truck while the engine is off. In cold climates, the engine will kick back on as the heater relies on diesel fuel to function. Trucks do have AC. Beyond that, some have a feature that allows the AC to kick on automatically when the temperature in the cab rises too much for your specified comfort level.
I don't own my truck, no. Right now the market for owner operators isn't the best. Fuel these days can easily reach $3,000 a week or more. A single tire on an 18 wheeler can be $250-$700 per tire. If you clip a mirror, the big ones can be around $1000. And these are just some examples of things you may need to replace or have to maintain, not including permit costs, tolls, licensing etc. It's not cheap to run your own rig!
I'm paid per hour. Mileage pay is not for me! Most people who are paid by the mile don't get paid for the first hour they are waiting while being loaded. Many don't get paid at all while being loaded. This is commonly called "stop" or "detention" pay.
Differences in speed limits, red lights, waiting to pass slower vehicles etc makes it difficult to pass more than 600 miles a day even as a long haul driver. Being a short haul local driver now, my longest route is just about 300 miles each way. My truck is governed at 70mph.
This doesn't account for slow downs when waiting to pass slower vehicles, slower speeds around winding roads, stop lights, etc. 600 is around the max amount most drivers can pull off a day. 700 is pretty rare.
Not op but retired trucker. You have (at least when I was on the road) to write a log book if you drive 100 miles in one sitting. A local driver with multiple stops between the 100 mile limit is exempt. Long haulers always do logs and put as many miles as they can before running out of hours. I hear it's all electronically recorded now.
No. I keep logs. 600 miles is about the most you can drive in a day. This doesn't have to do with what's legal in terms of miles, but what's doable in terms of the time you're legally allowed to be driving, 11 hours.
That kind of technology has a long way to go to be introduced in trucking last I've seen. But if it happens sooner than I think I will likely take go back to working on maintenance and cleaning of pools and hot tubs until I'm able to accomplish my dream of starting my own business.
The head honchos will check on drivers from time to time, and there are cameras outside the facility. It's not something I necessarily agree with but I can't say I disagree either. I don't want to be driving on the road with truckers who don't do their pretrips anymore than anybody else.
If you’re ever in SE Wisconsin, check The Pine Cone in Johnson Creek. They have cookies and eclairs and brownies as big as your head. The food off the menu is good too. Right off I-94
No, those things are only able to go about 200 miles a day on one charge. Pepsi bought an entire fleet of them and are regretting it. Electric vehicles sound cool but we have a lot of progress to be made before they replace deisel trucks.
Yes, I think they'd be a lot of fun to drive. Certainly better for the environment. You'd come home a lot more clean, too, I'd imagine. The range necessary for them to replace deisel engines depends on a few factors, including how much infrastructure is in place to support them. Right now, at least in the states i drive in, it's nonexistant. Basically, all major truck stops across the country would need charging stations. Better than that would be a form of interchangeable batteries. I have seen some videos of vehicles in foreign countries experimenting with this concept. A battery that allowed for 600 miles would be ideal. I really couldn't see electric vehicles become mainstream until they were able to reach at least 300 miles or more, and that's only if the infrastructure was in place to support quick charging stations for trucks or easily interchangeable batteries.
Do you ever pick up hitch hikers? How’s that like?
Not on the job, no. I'm all for helping people out but it's against policy for the company I work for.
I picked up a “dad” and “15 year-ish son” once. The dad was artificially friendly. The son threw up some white stuff and the dad asked us to just drop them off on the freeway after that. I always wonder if they had plans to hurt us and the son got nervous and threw up.
Yikes, I'm glad it didn't turn (too) ugly!
Do you ever stay in other cities and do you hook up with chicks from tinder when you do?
No, I know plenty that do, but I'm in a happy relationship and have 2 kids.
What's your favorite sandwich?
Haha you must know a trucker. Probably a good old fashioned Turkey and Swiss.
Ham and cheese on wheat is my goto......
I enjoy a good ham and cheese on wheat, too. I don't think you can go wrong with just about any kind of sandwich!
except a knuckle sandwich!
My kids make those for me all the time!
Do you have any tricks for staying awake? I regularly have a 400-500 mile drive prob like 1-2x per week and it’s so hard not to fall asleep.
The other comment is sound advice. Rolling down the windows and fairly frequent stretching. A good nights sleep is the number one though. 8 hours minimum. Other tricks I've learned is staying hydrated. Energy drinks are a bad idea. At least for me they make me incredibly tired just about an hour after drinking one. I learned early on that's not the way to go. Coffee too. Staying hydrated, playing mind games such as trying to stay perfectly in between the lines helps. The last thing is junior mints. If I start feeling like I'm getting sleepy, I'll pop one of those in my mouth and that combined with plenty of water works wonders. Music, podcasts, and audiobooks help as well!
Truck driver here, open your windows and let the air recirculate every 30 mins. Stop and stratch every 2 hours.
How many lot lizards have you had ?
Where I drive, I've never even seen one! From what I hear, they're generally in specific areas in or near larger cities.
Do you piss in a gallon jug so you don't have to stop
No. That said I've had to do similar things when driving on interstates through cities with not many available places to stop for trucks. I'm a clean trucker and person though so a piss jug is definitely not something I want in my cab with me.
Have you even seen the show Trailer Park Boys
Yes unfortunately LOL
Do you have a CB radio?
No. Being a local company driver, I don't have much of a need for one!
what are lot lizards?
A lot lizard is a slang term for a prostitute.
Prostiutes that frequent truck stops
thank you.
How do you physucally deal with sitting so much and is it easy to gain weight?
Moving while driving is something I do. I'll do small excersizez with my arms and legs to keep the blood flowing. You can feel when they start to need it. Pulling over is a must as well to stretch and walk around. It's definitely easy to gain weight, especially if you're an over the road or regional driver like I was before going local. You have to be creative in order to eat healthy. Excersize in the middle and at the day of your day is important. Now that I'm a local driver, I get most of my excersize by playing outside with my kids and just doing daily tasks outside and around the house. You'll see a lot of over the road truckers doing various excersizes outside of their truck at truck stops. Yesterday, I saw a guy doing walking dips with 30lb weights in both hands.
How many victims?
Hmm... If I understand your question right, none. I have a clean driving record with no tickets, accidents, or violations.
I dont think that's what he meant, and poor joke if so. My initial question was going to be how true the stereotype of truckers is, that you've known of. (SA) Once I was in a situation where I thought "oh great! Truckers!" And that immediately turned to "oh great.. truckers"
You have your stereotypical truckers, of course. But I was also very surprised to see that most aren't like that. I'm sure you pass by many more truckers or former truckers whenever you're in public than you realize. They come in all forms. I've seen many female truckers who get out of their big trucks, and they have makeup on and their nails done. You usually can't tell a trucker apart from any kind of regular person.
Do you wear flannel
Mostly just plain T-shirts. I dont think I own a single flannel shirt anymore!
Do you actually obey the signs that say “no trucks left two lanes”? Do any truckers?
I do yes. This is especially true in Utah. I'm not looking to get a ticket or cause road rage. I have one last stop at the end of the day that's the most important. Going home to my family.
Are you single? lol jk my dad was a truck driver. It was really long hours. How often do you actually get to sleep in your own home?
Ha! My current job is local, so I get to sleep in the bed with my wife every night as long as I don't get delayed or stuck in a city due to weather for example.
What do you like most about it and what do you dislike most about it?
I've always enjoyed driving, so of course, the driving itself. But I also enjoy looking out my office window and seeing many different kinds of scenery every day. I currently drive through mostly Utah and Colorado, so there's plenty of beauty. Having time to listen to podcasts & audiobooks to learn about new topics is great too. My least favorite things are probably the occasional 16-hour day and dealing with cargo that has shifted but those things don't happen too often, thankfully!
Is the pay good? Do you enjoy your job? How long did it take for you to get a license and start driving?
I love my job. The pay is decent, $31 an hour but what makes it great is I'm Union. So even if I work 39 hours a week, for example, I'm guaranteed a 40 hour check. Anything over is of course overtime. So I usually make around $6000 a month. It took me personally about 8 weeks of schooling to obtain my CDL not counting the time it took to study and then nearly 6 weeks of over the road training with my first employer to land my first driving job.
I've got a friend who has suggested I come to work with him where he works as a commercial bus driver. I'm on the fence. Any advice on if I should or not?
If it's something you think you'd enjoy, go for it! The advice I have for you is pay close attention during classes, training, or orientation. Never stop asking questions from more experienced drivers. Anything with air brakes is quite a lot different than your average vehicle. Don't underestimate how dangerous it is to speed in them, especially in weather. There is so much knowledge related to CDL driving. Treat it like the most important thing you've ever studied and learn about all that you can! Always do a pre and post trip. Know your vehicle like the back of your hand! If you become a truck driver, always visually confirm that the lock jaws of your tractor are secure around your tractors kingpin. Never skip this step! Good luck!
What’s the longest stretch you’ve gone without showering or brushing your teeth? If you don’t do those daily, how often?
6 days during an over the road company training. I was with an owner operator who was absolutely filthy. Being a very hygienic person, it was awful. Never again!
Do you always stop at a truck stop? Do you ever stop to maybe take a photo (not sure if that is legal or safe to do) or to just look at something that might have caught your eye or b/c it just so beautiful?
Absolutely, if theres a place to park safely. I'll often stop at scenic views/overviews. I would often try and avoid truck stops, especially near the end of my regional career. They're just all very similar, and I got tired of them. That said, I won't stop on a shoulder unless it's an emergency that can't wait. You'll see plenty of truckers do this even for a routine break. But I don't think those truckers have seen the shoulder related accidents that I have. It's very dangerous.
I'm glad you make sure you are safe. Thanks for answering my question.
Of course!
What do you do to keep yourself not bored while driving for that long
I will usually listen to informative audio. Driving has given me the motivation and ability to pursue learning like never before. When your driving you can't do much of anything but listen to music; or in my case, podcasts, documentaries, and instructional videos. I've been learning a lot about business, investment, stocks, real estate, crypto, history, political science, and philosophy. Even then, it's impossible not to get bored from time to time. You have plenty of time to think and reflect. When you've done all that, sometimes you just have to put up with the boredom and focus on staying alert instead.
Wow, that’s actually a good use of your time, would you like to eventually go into the stocks/real estate field?
I probably won't become a real estate agent, no. But I do plan to invest in real estate in the future! Stocks are something I plan to get into more and more on the side. I currently hold some dividend stocks but am holding them long-term with no plans on trading them. Dividend stocks are best to hold onto most of the time as they pay you for holding them.
What do you do to not have to spend money on food out on the road? What types of gear and gadgets and coolers and items do you carry in your truck? TV? Wi-Fi?
Now that I work a local route, I just pack lunch from home, mostly sandwiches and cold dishes. When I worked a regional job, I had a crock pot and an air fryer. I delivered for Walmart, so when they were unloading or shortly after, I'd go in and pick up groceries as needed. It wasn't cheap to eat well, but it beat the taste, prices, and nutritional value of gas station and fast food. For gear, I use a lot of items: Flashlight, leather gloves, reflective vest, waterproof cold weather clothing, steel toed boots, headlamp, wrench, screw driver set, socket set, dead blow hammer, tire pressure guage, tire tread depth tool, tire patch kit, knee pads, tire chains for adverse weather, spare fuses, red reflective triangles, fire extinguisher, wrags, bungee chords, windex, paper towels, load straps. Oh, and a role of toilet paper, just in case... I'm sure I'm quite a few other items I can't think of right this moment, too. As for gadgets, I have a blueparrot headset that allows for the hands-free operation of my phone. I can answer calls and shuffle between music and audiobook/podcast playlists without taking my eyes off the road. I never had a TV while I was over the road. I would read and use my phone for the internet and some games. I'd say most over the road truckers have a TV. Many have PS5s and Xboxs, too. My buddy subscribes to an internet hotspot through his phone that he uses for online gaming like Call of Duty. Some companies provide wifi options, I believe, but my company I worked for while regional driving did not.
My man! That information was pure gold, and I’m gonna copy and paste that entire thing and call it “my list of stuff to get” lol. Thank you so much for the in-depth response. I had no idea the trucking community would be as awesome as it is, but I’ve been on Reddit just a short while and the kindness of everyone has been spectacular.
Absolutely, I'm happy to help! I was also surprised when I got into trucking at just how friendly nearly all truck drivers are. While at truck stops, many will smile at you. On the road, many will let you infront of them while changing lanes, or blink their tail lights as a thank you if you do the same for them. I think a lot of it has to do with so many being lonely and just craving a conversation. So many are over the road or regional that they might go days or weeks without a meaningful conversation. If you ever have more questions, feel free to reach out to me or just ask a trucker. I've never approached one that wasn't willing to answer my own questions.
How do you stay awake during the longer drives?
Drinking water will keep you awake much better than coffee or energy drinks. Energy drinks are pretty dangerous, in my opinion. I relied on energy drinks a few times, and the crash from them forced me to pull over and regain my composure. So I highly recommend not drinking energy drinks while driving. Other than that, rolling down windows, fairly frequent stops for stretching and walking, listening to music and audiobooks/podcasts, and eating a junior mint when im starting to get sleepy are how I stay alert. Something about the mint really keeps me alert personally.
How do you stay awake? What’s the first thing you do after waking up?
The first thing I do after waking up is to drink plenty of water. Hydration and a good night sleep are key to staying awake. Also rolling down the windows, playing music and trying to keep your mind occupied on things like staying perfectly in between the lines of the road help. Junior mints work great for me too. If I feel like I'm about to get sleepy I'll pop one of those in my mouth and it makes me more alert. I also listen to plenty of audio books, podcasts and documentaries.
How do you feel about driverless trucks? Do you think they will be safer? My cousin is a semi driver and he is currently training them down in Texas. He said it was going to happen regardless so he figured he’d at least get compensated for it.
I don't forsee them being safer than real drivers, at least not in the near future. There are just so many instances and variables in driving that require a human mind to make the right decisions. But that said, I'm not up to date with the very latest technology behind driverless vehicles either.
Not a question; just wanted to say this was a great AMA.
Thank you!
Can you change a truck tire yourself or do you have to wait for one of those giant tow trucks to help ?
I've seen it done plenty of times so if I had the right tools I likely could. The company I drive for requires roadside assistance or to stop at specific tire shops, however.
Does it ever blow your mind that you drive that much?
Absolutely. It's a different kind of feeling coming home and talking to my kids and wife, knowing I was just hundreds of miles away from them, sometimes even a few states away that same day.
Where’s your favorite place you’ve been?
Probably Montana. There are long stretches of road there without a single sign of civilization other than the road. In some areas, there aren't even power lines. It's absolutely beautiful!
Wow! Sounds like an adventure.
It has its ups and downs. But most of the time for me, the scenery makes it well worth it all!
im actually considering doing that as a job when im older, pros and cons?
There are many of each. Some Pros: Freedom, time to listen and learn about different topics via audiobooks and podcasts. The ability to see much of the countryside and explore a little during 34 hour resets if you drive regional or long haul. It's great if you enjoy driving but you REALLY need to enjoy driving. Good money with the exception of your first few years, you likely won't make anything near what you're told you'll make by recruiters. Cons: Long haul and Regional can get very lonely. You'll find you're often outside of your truck at few places other than rest areas, truck stops, and warehouses/suppliers with the exception of your 34 hour resets where you can do more exploring. It's difficult to eat well and it takes discipline to keep up on excersize while not driving when you're not a local driver. Of course if you have family you won't see them often as a long hauler or regional driver. These are just a few pros and cons.
We see truckers depicted in all sorts of contexts in movies, from serial killer to everyman hero and everything in between. What movie(s) gets truckers and the world of truck driving right? Conversely which ones make you roll your eyes at how wrong or cliched it is?
I actually havnt seen any movies about truckers. They don't really interest me. While I love driving I don't really see myself as a classic truck driver. I would say any movie that labels them one way or another has it wrong. Truckers come in all forms. From dirty overweight shaggy bearded men, to clean shaven slim and very hygienic. I've seen plenty of good-looking female truck drivers who wear makeup and get their nails done who you'd never expect to be truck drivers.
How do you manage to stay healthy while always on the road?
It wasn't easy at first. Now a days, plenty of sleep, staying hydrated, packing healthy lunches and snacks while remaining active on my weekends have helped me not gain weight. I did gain weight, however, when I first started driving regionally. I eventually bought a crock pot and an air fryer so this allowed me to eat a lot better than I did in the beginning. Excerise for me back then was difficult though. Many truck drivers will jog, lift weights, do crunches etc at the end of their shift. For me, I was absolutely drained and the last thing I wanted to do was exercise in the parking lot of a truck stop. This is a big reason why I started driving locally.
You ever been convinced that your truck was secretly a transformer on a secret covert mission?
Not once, but now I'm disappointed. ;)
How does it compare to a 16ft box truck? Appliance hauls. I’ve been considering getting my cdl for quite some time
It's quite a different beast. Driving a box truck for me feels like driving a go-cart. While different, once you get the hang of it it's like anything else and comes pretty easy. I'm more comfortable driving a truck with a 53 foot trailer than I am driving a car. I also feel a lot safer in a truck. I just have so much more experience and familiarity with trucks.
Why do you stop at 600?
Legally you are only allowed to drive a commercial motor vehicle 11 hours per day. 600 miles is usually the max amount of drive time you can reach in this time, sometimes a little more. The reason you can usually only travel around 600 miles in 11 hours depends on a few variables but mostly: speed limits, red lights, waiting to pass vehicles and hauling up hills and passes.
Does your truck shut off at 11 hours?
Nope! If you're found to go over 11 hours of driving, you can face steep fines though. Hundreds to many, many thousands of dollars. You will also be forced to stop driving for the day, possibly longer.
Do you ever look at your phone while driving
No. In some instances you can get a hefty ticket or even lose your license for just picking up a phone. I have a blueparrot headset so I'm able to answer phone calls and shuffle through songs, my audio books and documentary playlists that I'll add to on my days off with buttons on my headset.
I love listening to audiobooks when I drive!!
Me too!
Do you sleep in your cab
When I was a regional driver, I slept in my cab atleast 6 out of 7 days a week. Sometimes, I'd go weeks or even close to a few months without being home. But now I'm a local short haul transport driver so I get to sleep in my own bed every night, weather and things that are out of my control permitting.
Do the cabs have amenities like mini fridge or anything? Or is it just a bed
Yep! Most sleepers have a mini fridge or atleast the option to put one it. Same with a microwave!
So does electricity keep running while the truck is off? Do you have AC?
If the key is in the off position, the truck is off, no electricity. However, a lot of modern trucks have a feature called optimized idle, which allows for the use of electrical ports in the truck while the engine is off. In cold climates, the engine will kick back on as the heater relies on diesel fuel to function. Trucks do have AC. Beyond that, some have a feature that allows the AC to kick on automatically when the temperature in the cab rises too much for your specified comfort level.
Do you own your truck? What does the upkeep on it cost?
I don't own my truck, no. Right now the market for owner operators isn't the best. Fuel these days can easily reach $3,000 a week or more. A single tire on an 18 wheeler can be $250-$700 per tire. If you clip a mirror, the big ones can be around $1000. And these are just some examples of things you may need to replace or have to maintain, not including permit costs, tolls, licensing etc. It's not cheap to run your own rig!
Are you paid per Mile or hour?
I'm paid per hour. Mileage pay is not for me! Most people who are paid by the mile don't get paid for the first hour they are waiting while being loaded. Many don't get paid at all while being loaded. This is commonly called "stop" or "detention" pay.
How come you don’t drive 700+ miles a day? Are you governed at 65 mph?
Differences in speed limits, red lights, waiting to pass slower vehicles etc makes it difficult to pass more than 600 miles a day even as a long haul driver. Being a short haul local driver now, my longest route is just about 300 miles each way. My truck is governed at 70mph.
600 = 10 hours of driving at 60mph, plus stops maybe adds another 2-3 hours. Is this accurate?
This doesn't account for slow downs when waiting to pass slower vehicles, slower speeds around winding roads, stop lights, etc. 600 is around the max amount most drivers can pull off a day. 700 is pretty rare.
I drive between 500-550 miles a day and that’s accurate for me lol
What car would you never buy?
A Prius!
Isn’t that 100 miles over legal?
Not op but retired trucker. You have (at least when I was on the road) to write a log book if you drive 100 miles in one sitting. A local driver with multiple stops between the 100 mile limit is exempt. Long haulers always do logs and put as many miles as they can before running out of hours. I hear it's all electronically recorded now.
It's 150 air miles now.
That’s what I heard about all electronically recorded.
No. I keep logs. 600 miles is about the most you can drive in a day. This doesn't have to do with what's legal in terms of miles, but what's doable in terms of the time you're legally allowed to be driving, 11 hours.
What are you going to do when self driving truck replace you?
That kind of technology has a long way to go to be introduced in trucking last I've seen. But if it happens sooner than I think I will likely take go back to working on maintenance and cleaning of pools and hot tubs until I'm able to accomplish my dream of starting my own business.
Are you a “home by dinner” truck driver or a long haul
These days, home by dinner! It's a blessing and I feel very lucky. Most truck drivers who drive the miles I do rarely get a home cooked meal.
Do you ever come to Carlisle Pennsylvania or there abouts
No, Ive driven in the Western states for my entire career.
Do you do pre trip inspection every time?
Yes, the company I work for doesn't keep people who skip them!
How do they monitor people doing their pre trip?
The head honchos will check on drivers from time to time, and there are cameras outside the facility. It's not something I necessarily agree with but I can't say I disagree either. I don't want to be driving on the road with truckers who don't do their pretrips anymore than anybody else.
Do you race the elephants, or do the elephants race you?
Lol, come again?
If you’re ever in SE Wisconsin, check The Pine Cone in Johnson Creek. They have cookies and eclairs and brownies as big as your head. The food off the menu is good too. Right off I-94
I’m localish and never knew
I’m telling ya, if you’re ever over there. They take good care of their truckers.
Have you hit a deer?
Not yet, knock on wood!
Looking forward to the electric semi? https://www.tesla.com/semi
No, those things are only able to go about 200 miles a day on one charge. Pepsi bought an entire fleet of them and are regretting it. Electric vehicles sound cool but we have a lot of progress to be made before they replace deisel trucks.
When the range increases, would it be more compelling to you? What would be a satisfactory number of mileage per charge for you?
Yes, I think they'd be a lot of fun to drive. Certainly better for the environment. You'd come home a lot more clean, too, I'd imagine. The range necessary for them to replace deisel engines depends on a few factors, including how much infrastructure is in place to support them. Right now, at least in the states i drive in, it's nonexistant. Basically, all major truck stops across the country would need charging stations. Better than that would be a form of interchangeable batteries. I have seen some videos of vehicles in foreign countries experimenting with this concept. A battery that allowed for 600 miles would be ideal. I really couldn't see electric vehicles become mainstream until they were able to reach at least 300 miles or more, and that's only if the infrastructure was in place to support quick charging stations for trucks or easily interchangeable batteries.
How often do you edge while driving?