>>>That's it really. Just want to get some real life information on what it involves.
>>
>>You thinking of taking it up, CL?
>
>That or becoming a pastry chef. I know, but I have pretty diverse interests.

What an interesting filo you are :-)

>
>>I used to ride shotgun with my "cousin-in-law":
>>
>>Long tedious trips, enlivened by the practice of flashing and indicating, accepting such help from motorists, etc. to tell you you've passed him and can move in.
>
>I love doing that!

I enjoy it too - memories of how much the truckers appreciate it

>
>>Sleeping in the bunkbeds in lay-bys, or in company digs in town that's a regular destn.
>
>I just assumed they slept in the truck. Bunkbeds? Sweet! Can it get any better?

Maybe with cooking facilities, fridge, jacuzzi and chill-out room - I only rode on European rigs - the huge, big-nosed, US monsters look like they could accommodate a pool-room in back.
>
>
>>Having to keep an eye on your speed and duration cos the old tachygraph is Big Brother in the cab with you. Thus having to take statutory breaks.
>
>Good, because I hate the idea of being sleepy while hurtling down the highway with tons of steel.

Aye but you wanna get to Hicksville, where there's pur' li'le waitress, and a comfy bed, but you've been stuck in traffic, your time's up, and now have to sleep in the woods or, worse still, where the Hills have Eyes.

>
>>Lots of eating in greasy spoons
>
>Yes! It can get better!

and your cholesterol?

>
>>At the delivery point, sometimes having to wait ages for your turn to unload.
>
>Ok, that would kind of suck.

It sucks

>
>>Getting the arm that hangs out the cab sunburnt :-)
>
>Guess I'll just have to learn to drive sitting backwards some of the time...

In Captain Scarlet, in the SPV, they actually did - all the time (someone screwed up the out-the-window moving shot so it went the wrong way! :-)

>
>>Big risk of getting the old "farmer Giles". My brother drove long-haul for the British Army in Germany, then with a German firm. He knew a guy whose constant aid was a strategically-placed twist of hessian, on which he'd wriggle to relieve the itch :-)
>
>I sit all day now, but without the scenery changing.

and hopefully without the need for a twist of hessian?

>
>>The obvious separation from family (more esp. in the USA I guess, what with the huge distances and slower speed limits)
>
>Yeah, I was hoping for something that stayed close to home. I would hate being away more than a day or two at a time.
>
>>The tedium of long hauls: I knew of a guy whose week's work, every week, was to pick up a container, from Ireland, at Liverpool docks, drive that across country and take the ferry to Europe, thence to a particular factory in Switzerland then home again light. D'you know what was his cargo? - plastic cups to fill up the vending m/cs in the factory. It's not ALL glamour, you know.
>
>I would listen to audio tapes. Learn a language. Or Howard Stern. It's all good...

Who are you kidding? Two weeks and you'd be listening to hillbilly music, blue grass, or country & western?

>
>>A cameraderie of the road with other lorry drivers, but proximity of your cab mate (and his night habits)
>
>Not sure about this one. My cabmate. What would she look like?

Well, grizzly, with a three-day growth, and a mouth like a mailman's sock on social security cheque day. But may start to look cute after a few weeks driving across Texas.

>
>>Of course, you DO get to see places you've never visited for free, but mostly it's in industrial estates or docks - no time for site-seeing the nice places.
>
>Yeah, I guess you're on a schedule and can't just stop wherever you want.