My fiance has just begun driving a big rig, but has been drivin a straight truck for a few years. My mom brought it up to me, to possibly get my CDL and go with him. I just wanted a womans opinion on the industry.. I am facinated by trucks, but terrified at the same time!

TIA!

Is this the first time you ever considered driving ? .... why not go on the road with him for a month ... the more time on the road with him the better - to know if you would want to do this kind of work. If you go out for only a couple of weeks, it will only seem like a vaction. :wink: ...

This can be a good job but it's NOT for everyone - - - we're all made up different ... I personally hate the office atmosphere, and thrive when I'm running the hwys ... If you run as a team, one is a sleep while the other is driving so there's not much personal time. Sleeping in a rollin truck can be bumpy, loud, sometimes impossible to get a good rest. The job can be dirty - greasy - physically demanding ..... and on the other side of the card ... it can be the best job around for the right person who needs to feel like their somewhat free to roam .... Bottom line - - it's like all other jobs .... you'll have your good days and your bad days. ... Don't expect to be home more than 2-3 days a month ... that is if you want to make a good living. ......... Now I ask YOU .... does this sound like something you'd like to do for a living ?? ..................... I personally think this is the BEST job for me .... :wink:

Here's a consideration for running team...with anyone...
1. How much do you like each other...not love...LIKE. You will be living literally in his back pocket 24/7.
2. How well do you communicate?
3. You will be living in an 8 x 8 box, try living with your fiance in your bathroom...without using the toilet for week, or ... the sink
4. How do you handle conflict, do you talk it out? or does one of you get mad & walk away? You HAVE to be able to talk it out...you literally CANNOT walk away!

This is WHY I run solo...for 29 years...I would NEVER run team with my husband, I LIKE him too much, & LOVE him more than I can express, I want to keep it that way! :lol: :lol: I DON'T like people very much, I am a loner by nature, that is one of the main reasons I love what I do...it suits me to a "t"!

Good post, wildkat.

Thanks tweety, I have seen so many come into this industry with "rose coloured glasses" on & it's refreshing to see someone ask the questions BEFORE getting started, it can save alot of heartache & disappointment along the way.

I love this industry, but have NO illusions about it. It can be brutal on any relationship, but IF that relationship is strong to begin with .....

I see that she hasn't responded to any of the posts that have been made so maybe she came to the conclusion it wasn't such a good idea afterall. :wink: :wink: :wink:

* You have to listen HIS kind of music all the way from Bowling Green to Shreveport. AGRHHHH

* You will probably eat when he eats or starve.
* You get to take a bath when he takes a bath. ( :roll: )
* You may get to sleep some if he will leave you alone.
(Thats not going to happen.)
* If either of you cant deal with crunchy chips, popping gum, or chomping ice, there will be a problem.
* Find out if everything you do gets on his nerves. Usually, you wont find any of this out until you marry the sucker.
* He continuously farts and you have to smell it. (yuck)
* Your personal space is no longer personal.

* Get ready to do all the stuff he DOESNT like to do. (paperwork, ect.)

* Check if he gets jealous when another guy looks at you.
* Check if you get jealous if he looks at another woman. AND HE WILL.

* There are more very ANNOYING things that I cant mention on here.

But if you really love the guy and cant stay off of him, it's fun for the first few months. Then ya'll just 'tolerate' each other.

Both people have to have a made up mind & strong determination to be together, in order to "team" and be civilized for years. Your entire life becomes HIS life basically. ENJOY.... haha

* If you plan on having ANYTHING your way, STAY solo! :lol:

I could NEVER do it. Nope, never happen! I'm much like wildkat in that this job suits me to a T. I love my loved ones but I also love being alone.

No reason not to get your CDL, just keep running solo an option if teaming doesn't pan out. And don't let it ruin your relationship.

That is a Beautiful Picture!

Just started running solo after teaming for the greater portion of my driving career and loving the total independence. Like the others who have posted here, I am a loner (was even told this when I was in grade school by one of my teachers) and gave up so much to team with two different partners ( one for over 11 years out of 18 and the other for over 8 out of 12 years). You definitely have to be very tolerant of the other person if you want to make teaming work. Recently travelled with another truck for about 5000 miles and came to the conclusion that the only way to team is with 2 separate trucks. Best of luck.