So, I've got the bug, to drive a BIG truck. I'm going to take a CDL school class at a local tech college, and then want to pursue a couple of different routes.... but I have some questions for those of you on CAD.
I am not doing this for the money, rather to satisfy the bug. I'd like to take advantage of any downtime to sightsee when possible.

What is a DAC? and mt (a reference to knight trailers out there)

What about personal hygiene? I know there are showers at truck stops, and I am assuming you'd want shower shoes, but what about the rest?
How easy is it to find a laundry to wash some clothes?

What are some essentials to plan on bringing with you OTR? (so far my list includes a microwave, fridge, tv/vcr, 1st aid kit, and crock pot, oh and maybe a bicycle(on the back of the sleeper). Any advice on phone plans? What about radio/tunes? Netflix?

What about recreation/exercise? (sounds like there won't be much time for that, but that's ok.)

Any pay questions to ask other than HHG or practical miles? Any advice for sorting the BS from the real deal? I'd like to check out flatbed or van. My brother drove OTR for 4 yrs, and he said to avoid reefer unless you want to do a lot of waiting at grocery warehouses.

There are a couple of avenues I am thinking along and please advise accordingly:
OTR, and spend three to four weeks out and sightsee some on downtime.
OTR, but be back after five days or so.
Local, as in LTL or dedicated.

BTW, I have been nosing around on the forum as of late, and thank you all for your posts.

Hi to GFI and GFIW's as well as Devildice, I've been reading some of your folks posts. Thanks for your time! :wink:

 

MT= empty trailer.
Most truckstops have showers, shower shoes are adviseable, most truckstops charge 7-10 bucks for a shower, but if you buy 50 or 75 gallons of fuel you'll get a free one or you can try to bum a shower ticket of of another driver.Almost all of them will have soap and towels(scratchy and thin) in the showerooms. It also helps to keep stuff in the truck as well as you might not have time to stop at a t/s and take one. Some drivers keeps a box of wet-wipes for emergencys. I also kept a few gallons of water(for drinking or a sponge bath) a large bowl, sponge or washcloth, and some extra towels and would give myself a quick bath in the sleeper of the truck if I couldn't make it to a t/s.

For essentials it will vary for everydriver, some have to have everything including the kitchen sink and the truck will be packed! In my case, I packed light. There is only so much room in those little sleepers. But my own essentials were.
Cell phone-verizon
laptop with wireless broadband,also with verizon. I can't stress how important my laptop was. With my wireless card, wherever there was a cell signal, I had internet. I could look on google maps for good direction, and also look at a satellite picture and get a heads up on the shipper or consignees property. Also watch movies and listen to music, or play games when your waiting to be loaded or unloaded. And of coures emails and such. This is also how I got most of my news.
Tioletetries.
Randmcnally road atlas for truckers
A good truckstop guide.
Office supplies,,,pens,,pencils,,envelopes,,,stamps,,
Comfortable but practical clothes.
poncho for when it rains
box of tools,,sometimes all you need is duct tape and a phillips head screwdriver to make all the difference between being stuck on the side of the road or being able to make it to a shop.
non perishable food.
I would also recomend an xm or sirrius radio that way you always have music or talk whenever and wherever you are.

For recreation/excercise. I kept 2 dumbells and 1 bar bell and about 60 lbs in free weights in the truck, also had some of those big rubberbands to work out with also. A bike might not be a bad idea,,, but you might not have anytime or place to ride it.
I'll let the more experienced people comment on the pay and such.

 

It is a service used by employers to provide employment, background and MVR checks on applicants. Companies can also provide employment information on current or past employees as well as safety related information. DAC is also sometimes called USIS which is the parent company.

Short for empty usually meaning an empty trailer.

Not sure what you are asking here. Yes there are private shower facilites available at most truck stops and usually if you "buy" fuel at there you will get a coupon good for a free shower either at that truck stop (if it is independant) or good at any truck stop in that chain. Sometimes trucking companies have showers at their terminals. Yes you always want shower shoes. The truck stops will provide a towel and wash cloth and sometimes soap, many times you will need your own towel at the company showers.

Very easy. Most truckstops have a laundry facility in them. Also some companies have washers and driers to use at terminals.

Before you run out and spend all kinds of money on things you need to wait until you are hired on with a company and assigned your own truck. Many companies will not allow a large power inverter to be installed which you will have to have for a microwave and some other appliances. Many drivers have some sort of sat radio (XM or Sirius). One thing not on your list is a small tool kit. A multi head screwdriver, pliers, vice grips, hammer, pry bar, duct tape, 2 good quality 6 inch adjustable wrenches.

As far as phone plans go any of the big 3 (Verizon, Sprint, Cingular/ATT) work pretty well for OTR. If you have anyone at home you want to talk to a lot go for a family share plan with 2 phones.

You will have at least a 10 hour break every day. How you use that time is up to you.

Ask about what is called accesorial pay. This includes things like breakdown, layover, detention, loading/unloading and tarp pay if you are talking flatbed jobs.