>>>>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 :-)

Or I could do custom kitchen tile work...

>>
>>>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.

Maybe I'll get the job of driving the Swedish beach volleyball team around the states on a tour...

>>
>>>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.

Man, you're taking all the fun out of it!

>>
>>>Lots of eating in greasy spoons
>>
>>Yes! It can get better!
>
>and your cholesterol?

Lipitor baby!

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

...and probably not the good kind either.

>>
>>>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?

I'll have to look up "hessian" when I can. Towel? Paper?

>>
>>>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?

Both kinds of music; country and 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.


BTW, thanks for the info!