July 17th, 2010 by
Over the years, things have really changed for long-distance drivers like me. It’s not like it was say 10, 15 years ago, when I started out as a trucker as a young lad. Because of the advancement in technology and development of GPS, you can rest assured that you will pretty much never get lost. I personally spent a lot of time working out which navigator would be best suited to my needs. My wife bought me one that I ended up exchanging but I was grateful for her for putting the idea into my head. The one I have also has a lot of different options including what voice you want to help you on your way. I made sure to choose one that wasn’t too relaxing as that would send me straight to sleep! In the end I settled on a lady’s voice (which is of course softer) but one that had a bit of toughness to it, reminding me a little of the principal of my old high school and she certainly had a way of keeping me on track! I even named her Gladys since that’s what we used as a nickname for our principal all those years ago. What I really like about Gladys is that for such long journeys when you’re on the roads alone, you feel like you have some company. And believe me, when you’ve been driving along for sometimes six hours at a stretch, you like to have someone else in the vehicle with you…or at least feel like you do. So I would advise anyone who has to go on long stretches to get their own personal Gladys in the car to accompany them at all times. Plus, of course there is the most basic part of GPS that will ensure you will never have to worry about getting lost again! In my book, that sure does count for a lot.
July 7th, 2010 by
So many days seem to turn into nights and nights into days when I have a long road trip with my truck. One way to avoid the pitfall of boredom (which by the way, I am sure you know anyway, can be extremely dangerous to one’s driving) is picking up hitch-hikers. Of course, you have to be careful, but I’m pretty confident as I’ve been doing this for years. No one can ever be 100% safe (but let’s face it; who is in life anyway?) but I know I can get a pretty accurate feel for it.
Anyway, I’ve found that picking people up makes my journey way more interesting and keeps me alert. I analyze people. Most of them for sure, never tell you the real story about why they are, where they are (i.e., in the truck with you) so I’ve got pretty good at working out my own story for them. Of course, it doesn’t matter if I’m right or wrong; it’s just great that I have the ability to keep my mind alert while driving! As far as I’m concerned, whatever works. And my job pays the bills so I have no complaints.
June 23rd, 2010 by
Sometimes it can be pretty tough to stay awake when you’ve been driving for so many hours. As a long-time trucker, people are asking me about this all the time. They want to know how I do it; drive for hours on end and not fall asleep! Well, first of all, I guess I am fortunate in the fact that I don’t generally need all that much sleep. I know that because I compare myself to my wife who seems to always need to sleep. Me, trucking or not trucking, I am able to carry on with about 4 or 5 hours. But still, there are some tips I can give those who want to make sure they stay alert on long journeys:
1. While it’s a good idea to keep your mind stimulated while driving (perhaps listening to an audio book or something), it is also important to stay focused on the road.
2. Get out the car every once in a while. You will get to know your body and what it needs. Some people need to take a break every 2 hours; others every 4-5. Whatever it is, listen to your body and take a break to stretch.
3. Find great music. And sing along to it if you enjoy singing! This will definitely keep you awake!
4. Limit phone calls. It’s not a good idea to spend hours on the phone while driving, even on a hands-free since research has shown this distracts the mind.
Basically everyone is different. There are no hard and fast rules for what will help you keep alert on the road. Listen to your body and mind and see what you need. Remember: even if you feel that stopping so often is going to delay you, there is nothing more important than your safety and the safety of others on the road as you drive.
June 9th, 2010 by
It is a well-known fact that if you want a great cup of coffee while driving on one of America’s super highways, if you stop where all the trucks are parked, you won’t be disappointed. My question is, however, where do truckers go if they want a great cup of coffee? In other words, what does a trucker look for in a great truck stop? Here are some pointers for when you are rolling down that long highway and just need a little break to keep on trucking.
Some truck stops are really well endowed. In some of them you can find showers, laundry facilities, cash machines, pay phones and more.
Right on Interstate 77 in Canton, Ohio is 77 Gulliver’s Travel Plaza. This astounding truck stop also accommodates all types of travelers with 24,000 square feet of restaurants, shops and other traveler focused conveniences. Gulliver’s is the largest and most well-equipped stop in the area. The restaurant boasts accommodations for 200 diners, a huge stone fireplace, 35 foot high vaulted ceilings, and an additional 100 seat banquet hall. A full menu can please any taste or budget.
At Gulliver’s you can also experience the convenience of 17 refueling stations, private showers, TV lounge with cable, laundry, Table Top Telephones, Billiards Room, Electronic Game Room, CB radio repair shop, Hair and Tanning Salon and Free Parking for more than 125 trucks.
For this kind of luxury you might want to schedule a trip to Northeastern Ohio on your next cross-country trip. And I hear you can get a really great cup of coffee at Gulliver’s , too.
May 30th, 2010 by
Sometimes I hear things about the trucking industry that are just plain not true. I never hold it against people when they complain about trucks being road hogs, or road hazards or, what I really gets my goat, that we are a polluting industry and we just don’t care. I just assume that most people simply don’t know much about the trucking world and are voice their opinions in ignorance of the truth.
Most of the truckers I know, and I am included, love the majestic beauty of our amazing country. We drive from one coast to another, north, south, east, and west, enjoying the delightful landscapes and breathtaking views. We see clearly the differences between the smoggy cities and the pristine mountains, and we really want to help keep the country’s rivers, land and especially air as clean as possible.
Understandably the great challenge of the trucking industry is to minimize the impact the release of the byproducts of carbon-based fuels have on the environment. Well, there is a little known company (outside the trucking world) called IdleAire, which has recently announced its intention to explore more green alternatives for their function. IdleAire specializes in reducing air and noise pollution, reducing the waste of fuel by idling trucks, while allowing truckers to continue to stay warm and comfortable while stopping at rest areas or waiting to load and unload.
I hope that clears up some misunderstandings about us truckers. We love our environment as much as anybody else, maybe even more and perhaps more than some other industries, we are trying to do something to help.
May 12th, 2010 by
It’s funny, as a bus driver, I keep discovering more and more fantastic places to live. If I had my way – I’d have moved to at least 30 cities already that I’ve recently encountered! But, alas, since I can’t pick up and move, I can at least enjoy the experience of passing through these great towns.
My latest adventure took me to Boulder, Colorado. What a beautiful, majestic place! Nestled in the foothills where the plains meet the Colorado Rocky Mountains, Boulder is only one hour from Denver and close to many ski resorts and other attractions. It has beautiful, crisp days during most of the year, while also enjoying 83 plus inches of snow during the winter.
After doing a bit of research, I found out that Boulder was recently rated the #1 Sports Town in America by Outside Magazine since it offers so much year-round recreational activity including hiking and biking trails, skiing and so much more.
I had one night off in Boulder, so I was able to enjoy a great dinner and a browse through one of the 30 art galleries in Boulder. Boulder also has four local museums, the Colorado Shakespeare Festival, the Colorado Music Festival, over 300 restaurants, and loads of other culture and entertainment.
I’m certainly hoping to make my way back through Boulder so that I can enjoy some of this bounty again!
April 26th, 2010 by
I passed through Austin, Texas this week and I was amazed by the city. It’s not a place where I’ve spent much time, but I couldn’t believe how much Austin has to offer. First of all, it’s beautiful and there are parks and lakes everywhere. They have a really cool music scene and I had the chance to check out a few pubs and to enjoy some fantastic underground music.
While I was chatting with a few locals, I learned about Austin’s many “green” initiatives and I was amazed by all of the things that this city has done to promote a healthier, more green environment. Did you know that Austin will actually pay its residents rebates if they install extra attic insulation or high-efficiency washing machines? They also have discounts for rainwater collection barrels and they offer low-flow toilet purchases at really amazing prices.
They have advertising all around that promotes a more green living environment and I think that it raises this important issue up higher in the city’s collective thoughts.
Yes, I felt a bit bad getting into my truck after spending time in a city that is trying to reduce the urban footprint! But, my visit did make me more determined than ever to find ways to be more ecologically conscious and to try to be more green in my life as well.
April 12th, 2010 by
These days everyone seems so intent on running around like headless chickens. No one has time to stop and smell the coffee. There always seems to be so much to do and not enough time to really enjoy any of it. Ironically with the increase of gadget time-saving devices, people statistically have less time, not more.
But that is probably why I love my job as a truck driver so much. I actually do take the time to stop and do things others wouldn’t do. After a six or seven hour driving shift, I usually take a pit stop at one of my local roadside cafes. You would think that given that I end up at so many of the same places so often, nothing would be new to me. But in fact quite the opposite is true. I love the staff there (there are a few regulars that I have gotten to know now and I always end up striking up a really interesting conversation with them), and I usually get talking to one or two truck drivers I’ve never met before. Or, I might even meet a nice young lady with a kid or two in tow, trying to find a new way of life in some faraway land she’s still seeking out.
The point is, this job gives me not only the opportunity to meet and stop people, but the desire to do so as well. After spending so many endless hours alone just staring at the road ahead, I’m delighted to look straight into the eyes of someone I would, under other circumstances, never have the chance to meet.
March 4th, 2010 by
I’ve been on the road for quite a few years now and I enjoy my work most of the time. Sure, it gets tiring driving a truck for hours at a time, but if you really think about it, it’s not that different than sitting behind a desk all day. The main difference is that I”m out on the road – and I get to see the scenery, the people, and the action.
When I’m not driving my truck and running my small company, I’m interested in all sorts of other activities. I’m an avid exercise fanatic – burning off that energy that’s pent up while I’m trucking. I also love to read and I certainly enjoy spending time with my two teenage boys when I get to see them.
I figured there aren’t too many trucker blogs out there – and that people could use some information about us truckers. We’re an interesting group, really, and one that many people have misconceptions about. Let’s dispel those and enjoy some time getting to know each other – on the road and off!
