>>>>>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...

Nah, I think the cab's already got that.

>
>>>
>>>>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...

What? in a truck? Oh, mind you, there's only 2 to a team so ... very snug.

>
>>>
>>>>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!

You didn't say you just wanted the fun aspects.

>
>>>
>>>>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.

Depends what hich-hiker you've picked up ;-)

>
>>>
>>>>Getting the arm that hangs out the cab sunburnt :-)
>>>
>>>Guess I'll just have to learn to drive sitting backwards some of the time...
>>
...
>>>>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 stuff that traditional sacks are made of, or that lines the underside of your bed: i.e sacking.
Alternatively, the King George II's hated germanic redcoats that your lot fought against

>
>>>
>>>>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!

de rien.