Hygine & Other Questions

[hankrearden2000]

Greetings everyone. I've been lurking here on & off for a year or two without posting much.

I can retire from my present job with a federal law enforcement agency in five years, and am considering trying Trucking as a new career. I have a few questions.

1. I have to bathe every day. How difficult and expensive is this on the road?

2. I have had a little back trouble dating back to a couple of high school wrestling duals. Just three or four compressed disks. Nothing that has required medication or surgery, just a regime of exercises and monthly chiropractor visits. How hard are these trucks on the driver's back & neck?

3. As a retired LEO I will be authorized by federal law to carry a concealed handgun in all states and US territories & possessions. What is the typical trucking company's policy on handguns in their trucks?

Thanks!

[terrylamar]

Greetings everyone. I've been lurking here on & off for a year or two without posting much.

I can retire from my present job with a federal law enforcement agency in five years, and am considering trying Trucking as a new career. I have a few questions.

1. I have to bathe every day. How difficult and expensive is this on the road?

It depends on many factors. There have been a few times when I was unable to shower. Sometimes you are caught away from a truck stop and you don't have that option. For those situations it is as good idea to have baby wipes along.

2. I have had a little back trouble dating back to a couple of high school wrestling duals. Just three or four compressed disks. Nothing that has required medication or surgery, just a regime of exercises and monthly chiropractor visits. How hard are these trucks on the driver's back & neck?

The truck has never effected my back or neck one way or another. Someone with chronic back or neck problems will come along and give their take. Now, lifting tarps has effected my back. My FM gives my a pain in the rear all the time.

3. As a retired LEO I will be authorized by federal law to carry a concealed handgun in all states and US territories & possessions. What is the typical trucking company's policy on handguns in their trucks?

Typically, they will not allow you to have one.

Thanks!

[Uturn2001]

1. I have to bathe every day. How difficult and expensive is this on the road?

If you plan well you can usually get a shower every day. There are times however that your day may stretch into a day and a half or two even. If you can not get a full blown shower every other day then you are doing something wrong. Many drivers who like to maintain a reasonable level of cleanliness will carry a gallon or two of water and some "baby" wipes with them to clean up on those occasions when things just never seem to go your way. As far as expense goes, all your major truck stop chains give shower credits when you fuel. "Purchase" 50-75 gallons or more and you earn a free shower which can be used at any of the chains stops.

2. I have had a little back trouble dating back to a couple of high school wrestling duals. Just three or four compressed disks. Nothing that has required medication or surgery, just a regime of exercises and monthly chiropractor visits. How hard are these trucks on the driver's back & neck?

Trucks do not ride like a car, and they can be a bit rough on the back, but today's trucks are fairly comfortable. Most trucks any more have air ride suspensions as well as air ride seats which help a bunch.

3. As a retired LEO I will be authorized by federal law to carry a concealed handgun in all states and US territories & possessions. What is the typical trucking company's policy on handguns in their trucks?

Most trucking companies have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to carrying weapons of any kind. Also many factories and warehouses have the same policy.

[dle]

Is your need to bathe every day because of medical or religious reasons? Like others have said, If you Plan very well - you can do this. When you are with the trainer - Different Story. How much it costs, depends on where you are. I have seen them Free to as much as $10.00. I have also run across the ones where you can pay a towell deposit (usually around $5.00) and the shower is free.

Concerning the weapon - why do you want to carry one? Most companies have policies against it. Crossing the Canadian border is another issue with that.

[hankrearden2000]

Thanks guys.

[Orangetxguy]

Greetings everyone. I've been lurking here on & off for a year or two without posting much.

I can retire from my present job with a federal law enforcement agency in five years, and am considering trying Trucking as a new career. I have a few questions.

1. I have to bathe every day. How difficult and expensive is this on the road?

2. I have had a little back trouble dating back to a couple of high school wrestling duals. Just three or four compressed disks. Nothing that has required medication or surgery, just a regime of exercises and monthly chiropractor visits. How hard are these trucks on the driver's back & neck?

3. As a retired LEO I will be authorized by federal law to carry a concealed handgun in all states and US territories & possessions. What is the typical trucking company's policy on handguns in their trucks?

Thanks!

Unless you positively absolutlely gotta drive a big truck, after retiring from that job...why would you move away from the field you know?
There are plenty of Oil and Chemical companies that would be willing to place you in their security offices, and I do not mean as a "gate guard".
Most of the "Major's" have a security staff that is made up of former law enforcement officers and fire department officers. These are the people that do internal reviews of company safety policy implementation, plant inspection's, and contractor training.

[wot i life]

3. As a retired LEO I will be authorized by federal law to carry a concealed handgun in all states and US territories & possessions. What is the typical trucking company's policy on handguns in their trucks?

Thanks!

Can,t you just carry a wee stick or something? Guns are a bit severe. We not like em over here

[Creek Jackson]

Is your need to bathe every day because of medical or religious reasons? Like others have said, If you Plan very well - you can do this. When you are with the trainer - Different Story. How much it costs, depends on where you are. I have seen them Free to as much as $10.00. I have also run across the ones where you can pay a towell deposit (usually around $5.00) and the shower is free.

Concerning the weapon - why do you want to carry one? Most companies have policies against it. Crossing the Canadian border is another issue with that.

My, my aren't we the nosey one.?

Uturn answered your questions very nicely. On the subject of showering.

1. I have to bathe every day. How difficult and expensive is this on the road?

It depends on how hard you run. If I drive 10 1/2 hours I'm pretty damn beat and I take my shoes off and as soon as my head hits the pillow I'm out for 8-9 hours. Some guys can function on as little as 4-5 hours of sleep every night. If I sleep for 9 hours and wake up, get my stuff together and go into the truckstop and have to wait an hour and fifteen mins. and then the shower takes 45-70 min. your 10-hour break has just become a 12 hour one.

Also skipping 1 day without showering is no big deal. Yes most of us if we had a job where we were home every night would shower/bathe everyday would. Going 3+ days without showering is unacceptable. Carry baby wipes and "spot-clean" if necessary, dry shave and put on deodorant as needed. And for god sakes brush your teeth, so many truckers have terrible oral hygiene, it's disgusting to be standing in line at the fuel desk and the guy next to you hasn't brushed his teeth in 6 months and his breath is floating around making me nauseated.

[mbadriver]

Uturn answered your questions very nicely. On the subject of showering.

1. I have to bathe every day. How difficult and expensive is this on the road?

If I sleep for 9 hours and wake up, get my stuff together and go into the truckstop and have to wait an hour and fifteen mins. and then the shower takes 45-70 min. your 10-hour break has just become a 12 hour one.

10 Hours is the minimum break. Nothing wrong with taking 11, 12, or whatever you need. Something about a sh#t, shower, and shave in the morning that keeps me feeling like a man, versus a bum. If you consistently need 14 hours a day to do your job, then the system is flawed. 14 hour days also indicate a lot of fudging line 4 to line 1. Otherwise you burn your HOS in 5-days. Just my opinion and certainly not trying to pick a fight. Many people don't shower and shave on a daily basis. It is my daily routine. If I don't do it, I don't feel READY. Kind of like the routine a batter goes through between each pitch.


Also skipping 1 day without showering is no big deal. Yes most of us if we had a job where we were home every night would shower/bathe everyday would. Going 3+ days without showering is unacceptable. Carry baby wipes and "spot-clean" if necessary, dry shave and put on deodorant as needed. And for god sakes brush your teeth, so many truckers have terrible oral hygiene, it's disgusting to be standing in line at the fuel desk and the guy next to you hasn't brushed his teeth in 6 months and his breath is floating around making me nauseated.

Good advice. An electric razor is also a good investment. Baby wipes are a must. Even if you shower every morning, it will amaze you how much crud you pick up by lunch time. Don't use "smelly" deodorant, stick with anti-perspirants. And don't dump cheap cologne on yourself - you are the only person that likes the smell of that junk. Brushing your teeth a few times a day is pretty standard (except in WV - just kidding). A pack of gum doesn't hurt either - especially if you smoke, drink a lot of coffee, or eat lots of onions and garlic.

It is stunning how many total pigs are on the road. Grossly obese, their butt crack showing, hair a mess, and ZZ Top beards. It is just disgusting. If they don't care about themselves, then ...

[RottsATruckin]

Hank, what ever happened to the steel mill you owned? :wink:
What's a guy need to do to haul some of that rail?

[terrylamar]

3. As a retired LEO I will be authorized by federal law to carry a concealed handgun in all states and US territories & possessions. What is the typical trucking company's policy on handguns in their trucks?

Thanks!

Can,t you just carry a wee stick or something? Guns are a bit severe. We not like em over here

That's why we left! 8)

[Dispatch_This]

Hank, what ever happened to the steel mill you owned? :wink:
What's a guy need to do to haul some of that rail?

He was never the same after Dagney dumped him. :wink:

[Useless]

Greetings everyone. I've been lurking here on & off for a year or two without posting much.

I can retire from my present job with a federal law enforcement agency in five years, and am considering trying Trucking as a new career. I have a few questions.

1. I have to bathe every day. How difficult and expensive is this on the road?

Thanks!

And you call yourself a "Wannabee Trucker", HR2000 ??

Them showers in them thar truck stops are just for sissy, candyass posers!! If you want to become a REAL trucker, then leave your soap, deodorant, shampoo, razor, shaving cream, toothbrush, toothpaste, and mouthwash at home!!

[Soladad]

My worse shower story is 5 days of bouncing between shipper and consignee and staying on their lots with no time during the day to swing into a truck stop. Baby wipes were the only option.

Soladad

[gmh]

Hank, what ever happened to the steel mill you owned? :wink:
What's a guy need to do to haul some of that rail?

[ICS]

I am big into hand gun laws and I heard about the federal carry for LEOs but there is a law not allowing guns in a commercial vehicular especially in traveling across state borders. regardless if you are a LEO or not. In fact you arn't supposed to have a knife longer than 3 inches even. I carry a 4 D-cell mag light in my cab it is the only thing that you can claim the has a use and don't claim a tire thumper.

[gmh]

I am big into hand gun laws and I heard about the federal carry for LEOs but there is a law not allowing guns in a commercial vehicular especially in traveling across state borders. regardless if you are a LEO or not. In fact you arn't supposed to have a knife longer than 3 inches even. I carry a 4 D-cell mag light in my cab it is the only thing that you can claim the has a use and don't claim a tire thumper.

No more than three inches? That in FMCSR? (Not doubting you, just wanting to look it up.)

No ASP baton either, I suppose?

[terrylamar]

I am big into hand gun laws and I heard about the federal carry for LEOs but there is a law not allowing guns in a commercial vehicular especially in traveling across state borders. regardless if you are a LEO or not. In fact you arn't supposed to have a knife longer than 3 inches even. I carry a 4 D-cell mag light in my cab it is the only thing that you can claim the has a use and don't claim a tire thumper.

Really, why don't you cite this law? Don't even bother looking, there is no such federal law. In fact there is a federal law saying you can.

[Roadhog]

Hank,
Allz I'm sayin'.. you've been undercover here since April 16, 2003.
For you to be sticking your head up now, you must be likin’ someone here for what it is your lookin’ at him for...dis guy, but just is who you’re lookin' at, allz I'm sayin'. But you must be likin’ him for it..dis guy.
You still have 5 more years to retirement, so I don't get the new strategy. Must be some new Home Land Security tactic passed down from the Testical Officer.
Obviously you have a file on all of the main players here.
I'm guessing Twilight Flyer is hired you for some internal investigation. CAD bein’ in direct competition with the media market, which we know is corrupt and there could be drugs involved and street dealings and such. I’m not sayin’ you figure he’s da guy, it's good to be upfront about what is, and so forth, just more needs to be found out, but you must be likin’ dis guy.

As far as any back tension. When you walk onto the docks, pull the first forklift driver aside, and give him a shake down. For his safety and yours, check him for weapons, and if he tenses his muscles any, throw him to the floor and put him in custody. That should keep the knots out of your back.

Carrying concealed. That isn't going to fool any lumper. You'll be doing all you own loading and off loading. Once the lumpers get a fix on you, they all will be bolting out the back, tossing suspicious wrappers, baggies, and all sorts of contraband.

Baby Wipes aren't gonna work on getting rid of that pepper spray smell. Best to rub some dirt on it. :?