Question:
Ok, so going on the 8 day/70 hour rule.
On the 8th day you have to take 24 hours off. So your sitting with your rig in a truckstop or rest area. How do you pass the time? There are only so many publications you can read or tv shows to watch, and after you straighten up or clean the truck, do laundry (if your in a truckstop) what else do you do?
I won't be on the phone with family, unmarried and no offspring and after contacting my sisters then I'll have more time to pass by.
What's the best way to pass the time? Or what is your favorite way of passing this idle time?

Answer:
What time off? If 8.75 hours average is logged every day for 8 days, there is no 24 hours downtime. 8 x 8.75 = 70. BOL

Answer:
John,
You know that Swedish Bikini Team girl that's been riding with you? The naked one on the bunk behind the curtain? Well, you didn't think she was along to visit the truckstop laundromats, did you?
DD

Answer:
8.75 hours a day = NO TIME OFF.BUT, If ya do get some time off, I would catch up on my sleep, catch some fish, catch a movie, catch a cab and go into town and catch some sites, and a real sit down meal, something that is always appreciated. If you are into history like me, then most all cities, large and small have museams. I took 3 days off in Pheonix, rented a car and drove 3 hours to see my daughter. Took her shopping and to lunch in Tuson. Had a great time. Have rented a car many times and just drove around and siteseed. -->
fishman

Answer:
thats funny DD i like that one.

Answer:
With any time off on the road away from home it should be used to get caught up on sleep and get rested. Sooner or later you are going to be rolling again and being rested will make it easier.
Can't sleep no more? What do you like to do to relax? Read a book, pick away on a guitar, watch tv, etc??
Now is also a great time to really do a thorough inspection of your rig... who knows you just might find something before the DOT do.
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Be willing to let anything happen, it will anyways!


Answer:
sleep, eat, laundry, clean inside of truck, watch TV, call people, take a shower, go on the internet...
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Learning experience in progress


Answer:
You will get those days where your stuck. No real way around it. It happens to every OTR driver from time to time. In slower seasons maybe not often. But when your running hard the hours can catch up quickly.
A good thing besides the above might be to take a walk. Walk to a restaraunt or shopping center. I have known drivers who take a cab or shuttle to a lake or whatever and fish. One on here a while back would go flying. My truck in certain areas when I was out of time has found itself in a Cabellas or a Bass Pro Shops parking lot. -->
Just try to run out of hours in a good area or location. After a wghile you'll know different places and whats there. You'll also know where not to stop. --> Some Truck Stops are isolated. The Internet can be a good time waister also.
Get your rest but after that look around at what you can do. Theres things out there but many drivers are a bit to lazy to go do them. I've had my days where sleep is all I wanted. Others where I was wide awake and ready. I just had to find things to stay busy.
A man goes to church and thinks about fishing, a man goes fishing and thinks about God.” Joe Fisherman
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RC Universe


Answer:
Once you've...
Slept 10 hours (to catch up on your sleep debt)
Fueled the truck
Taken a free hot shower on your shower/fuel card
Cleaned the truck, and did a safety inspection on all the equipment
Been to the truck stop laundromat, done laundry, and waited by browsing and spending money in the shop
Called your family
Eaten a few meals in the truck stop
Driven to the nearest Wal-Mart to stock up on things in the cab
And talked some B.S. on the C.B. radio...
Your 24 hours will no doubt be over and you'll be ready for another nap, meal, and shower.

Answer:
First and foremost I'll get in a good workout followed by cleaning up and eating. Other than that knock out laundry. Now if it's on a weekend my butt will be watching football! Will be making all my phonecalls also. More often than not will go and catch whatever new movie has come out that has caught my interest...can credit "X-Men 2", "LXG", "Matrix Reloaded", "Pirates of The Caribbean", and "Open Range" to idle time -->.
Like Stuffs said, once you learn an area you're bound to know where some good hangouts are. If the carrier you drive for has repetitive freight lanes-especially when you know you'll get a day to sit back and relax between loads (as mine)-you quickly start to figure out where the restaurants, movies, shopping centers, etc. are. A lot of it just has to do with what you like to do and can pass time with -->...
Carlo 0351/8151/6531 I.Y.A.O.Y.A.S
Truck #176
"Pain is weakness leaving the body."
"Nobody ever drowned in their own sweat."

Answer:
If I can, I go shopping. Wal-mart, K-mart, what ever is available.
The internet keeps me busy!!