Question:
I'm in need of as much advice any of you might want to share. I am now on Workers Comp, and have been given over 10 months to decide what to do with the rest of my life. I've decided that no matter how scarey it may seem, I MUST do what I've always wanted to do; drive OTR!
I registered with TruckNet on 10/30, and have heard from CGI Reddog and Hoss so far. Really need all the input I can get so I can be prepared as much as one can, when they are conversing with those actually "doin' it". Until I complete training and get a job, I am living vicaroiusly through all of your experiences.
Thanks in advance, for any information you care to share. I've already learned so much by logging on to TruckNet.
Ann T. M.
... over the rainbow!

Answer:
Like I stated in my reply to your post in the Clubhouse Cafe, use the search feature here and do A LOT of reading.
If you think of a question, ask it here. Don't be afraid, we don't bite.
There's a virtual gold mine of information here at TruckNet, both in the forums and the archives.
So, clear your schedule for the afternoon, grab your drink (of whatever), your smokes (if ya do) and pull up a chair and start reading and asking questions.
Come back often, you will anyways, cuz this place is addicting.
Have fun.
*******************************
"Got the bird dog on...
Dodgin' the scales...
80 miles an hour and a step outta jail..." From "Rollin' Home, Pirates of the Mississippi)
*******************************
"I've always been different with one foot over the line.
Winding up somewhere, one step ahead or behind.
It ain't been so easy, but I guess I shouldn't complain.
I've always been crazy, but it's kept me from going insane." (from Waylon Jennings)
**************************
Member: Happy Dweller Society
Owner Operator Division

Answer:
Not sure of your reason for being on W/C but if it is a back or neck injury that could be a problem with driving a truck..I say this only from experience..
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away

Answer:
My apology for not responding to you both sooner. I have limited access to the Net. I had to give up my apartment when I was laid off last December, after I had injured myself in work last Veteran's Day. . . . . I now share the time I can get on the Net with my very kind girlfriend, her husband, and two sons.
Hello again, Hoss,
As a newbie, I'm still not sure if I am replying to one or both of the responses to my last post. In either case, I want to thank you Hoss, for your suggestions. I'm finding T/N to be a great resource for me. I know that I will be purchasing a laptop before I hit the road. Man, there is a wealth of information here for anyone considering a life as an OTR driver. I've also found some really good suggestions for life in general. Thanks! I'm so glad I found this site.
Little Red,
Thanks for the welcome.
To answer your question, my W/C "time out" is for a full thickness tear in my left rotator cuff. I had surgery to repair it last April, and SHOULD be ready to resume a "normal" life soon, according to my sursgeon. I DO hope it's soon. I'm beginning to go a little stir crazy.
Ann T. M.
... over the rainbow!

Answer:
Come back often, you will anyways, cuz this place is addicting.
You got THAT right! Almost as addicting as the asphalt ribbon out there.
Don't rush your decision, but look at your options carefully, and try to see the up- and down-sides of everything.
According to Charles Kuralt, "Thanks to the Interstate Highway System, it is now possible to travel across the country from coast to coast without seeing anything."
Semisweet


Answer:
Hi Lightfoot,
Thanks for your advice. I really do try to weigh my decisions very carefully. At my age, the only thing I am sure of is that if I don't follow my heart, I'll be too old to EVER follow it, if I wait much longer. I have been wanting to take this path for at least 20 years. Now the time has come to _h_t, or get off the pot.
I'd like all of you out there to hit me with ALL the negatives, as well as the positives. I really DO need to hear all sides of this career choice.
Be safe, and thanks again for your reply.
Ann T. M.
... over the rainbow!

Answer:
Sometimes you can fall into that right away if you have no desire to be gone. For months at a time. Away from familly and friends.
I say this because this is the route I took. In my area there is always something to drive, so here I am. Also, I think I like my wife, and I think she likes me, so I want to be around her.
That and I dont want to miss the birth and life of my newest addition. stay tuned.....
Good luck in what you do, and be carefull out there.
TJ
Welcome to Fantasy Island...All warm and FUZZY, all the time
.....Grab a chair and some gourmet food, cooked in our KITCHEN ON WHEELS
and remember kids, its not a lifestyle, its what you make it. Work 100 hours a week, log in the allowed 70, get paid (if your lucky) for 40 hours of said time. You are cookin with butter now.....

Answer:
Thank you, Asphalt Hauler, for taking the time to respond to my request.
Local, is certainly something I have been thinking of. I THINK I'd rather go OTR, but what do I know. I haven't even started school, yet. I am pretty attached to my family, but I have no children of my own. No responsibilities, except me. I have to say, this site is the best thing I've hit upon is a long, long time. I am definitely getting a lot of very useful information.
Thanks and best of luck with the birth of your "newest edition".
Ann T. M.
... over the rainbow!

Answer:
If you can, try to schedule your driving school so that you graduate in April or preferrably May. Traditionally, freight and thus the trucking business slows down the first quarter of every year. If you graduate in the second quarter of the year, you should be right on time for the increase in demand for drivers. This also affords you more time to research the industry and specific companies.
Just a thought.

Answer:
Thanks xcis,
I was trying to figure out when would be a good time to apply for school. The school I am planning on going to has new classes about every two weeks.
I have another question you can probably answer. I was telling a couple of male friends about my new career choice, and they instantly began telling me about the dangers of driving OTR. They thought driving local would be better for me (beign a woman and all). Local is not out of the question, but I really THINK I want OTR. My question is, do you think there is a need for me to take some firearms lessons, and get a firearm? They, my two concerned friends thought it was a necessity. I personally thought a can of mace might be just a good. I'd probably wind up shooting myself if I ever needed to use a gun.
Just wondering.
Thanks for your reply.
Ann T. M.
... over the rainbow!

Answer:
Forget the gun and develop truck sense and awareness this is adressed very strongly in the women drivers forum If you don`t act like a victim you won`t be one...good luck

Answer:
This is just my oppinion..But I don't feel that it is any more dangerous for women than it is men..
If you pay attention to what is going on around you..
As stated above forget the gun..It is not aloud in the truck..Sure some guys/gals do carry them but if they ever get caught it is their A$$..
You keep talking about your age you are a few years older than me but I've been doing this as long as you have been thinking about it and if I had to live my life over I would still go into trucking.. The only thing I would change in my life would be my choice of husbands
As far as being away from home for months and months at a time, If that is the case then someone made a poor choice in picking a company..
Only during your training period should you ever be gone for that amount of time..
Again if I was going to start all over again I would rather do my training in the winter..That way you are in the truck with a trainer and have some one there to help you in bad weather..
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away

Answer:
Ann.....forget about carrying a firearm!
With all the different ordinances (local, state, federal), you could wind up doing 20 years just having it in the truck in a case, if you're caught in the wrong town...you know, one with zero tolerance for possession of firearms.
*******************************
"Got the bird dog on...
Dodgin' the scales...
80 miles an hour and a step outta jail..." From "Rollin' Home, Pirates of the Mississippi)
*******************************
"I've always been different with one foot over the line.
Winding up somewhere, one step ahead or behind.
It ain't been so easy, but I guess I shouldn't complain.
I've always been crazy, but it's kept me from going insane." (from Waylon Jennings)
**************************
Member: Happy Dweller Society
Owner Operator Division


Answer:
Hmmm, just noticed the user name. So Aunty Emm where's Dorthy and that wicked little dog Toto?
Man, got to pay closer attention. There are some creative people here.
John Q.
"If men were angels...No government would be necessary."
51st Federalist Papers"If men were angels...No government would be necessary."
51st Federalist Papers
"Nichols' Fourth Law says, "Avoid any action with an unacceptable outcome"

Answer:
Safety for anyone!
Carrying a gun Ann T.M,not a good idea. Legalities aside,it might prove dangerous for you or some unsuspecting person that unwittingly surprises you.
Suggestions...
A tire thumper or even a aluminum base ball bat will help in deterring a badie! Or just scare the bejesuses out of them!<Lol>
Take a self defense course. Most YMCA's run these classes,for women and men as far as that goes.
Being aware of your surrounding is imperative. Also never walk anywhere with your head down! Keep it up and scan the area as you walk.
Park only in well lit areas,if you can't don't leave the truck.
Keep those doors locked at night and I heard the use of bungee cords from one door handle across to the other can help in keeping the doors from being opened,add some sleigh bells,cow bell to add noise and if someone does get the door open,you can hear them at least.
Carry yourself with a confident attitude! If they think your afraid,odds are you are a prime target!
Never tell anyone your driving alone,if someone asked you on the CB,tell them "nope,your co-driver is asleep in the sleeper."
Never tell anyone what your hauling. Never tell anyone on the CB what t/s your gonna sleep at.
Use common sense and never let them see you sweat.
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A real princess can be known because she can feel a
pea right through twenty mattresses and twenty eider-down quilts.
Nobody but a real princess could be as sensitive as that.