How Do You Keep In Touch With Family Members While On The Road?

Hi everyone. I am new here. I would like to say thank you this site has been very helpful. You have answered many of my question. I will give you a little history.. my husband and I have researched driving truck for about 5 years now. We have grown children and 9 and counting grandchildren. So when things happened with my job of 12 years, I cashed out my account at work and figured this was the right time to jump in with both feet. My husband and I are currently in school, he is working on getting his CDL , I have mine (I started before him) and I am fine tuning my backing up, I know it will be a while before I can say I know how to. We also know its not going to be easy, but we are looking forward to seeing the country and enjoying the time we have left. We are still young enough to go out on an adventure of a lifetime. So now we have to decide which company we want to go with (not an easy decision) , that being said I would like to know the best way to stay in touch with the family. Is it best to use my cell phone and video chat or the computer Skype. Also if anyone has an opinion on phone companies. Which one has the best coverage, and rates, does the trucks have internet for personal use? Thank you in advance.

I, like you have many folks that wanted to be updated on a regular basis. I decided that if someone what's to see what I am up to/location I use FaceBook. For me, I have found that to be about the best medium to use.

As for internet/phone access, it seems that Verizon has about the best to offer as far as coverage goes. I do realize they may not the cheapest, but seem to have the best to offer overall. For internet, you either use the wireless @ the truck stop (you have to pay for it), or provide your own.

My family & I have talked about possibly Skype, but have yet to set anything up.

Ernie

I also use Verizon and have good signal strength virtually everywhere. Facetime, Facebook and cell phone are my primary communication tools with the family.

Forget texting ,Facebook or all those other things. Simply pick up the phone and call. Way better than those other things.

I just switched to an IPhone for one reason. My wife has an IPhone and we can face time. That way I can see the kids and my wife each night even though it is on a screen.

For all those Android phone users (or folks w/ laptops) - Google Hangouts is similar to Apple's Face Time and Skype. You can have up to around 8 ppl on a video call. Probably what my family and I are going to use.

Thank you all for your help I am going to do a little more research with the information. Stay safe !

Forget texting ,Facebook or all those other things. Simply pick up the phone and call. Way better than those other things.

I'll agree to disagree. With FaceTime I actually get to see my wife instead of just hear her voice. And we don't talk an exorbitant amount of time so it doesn't use much data at all. And texting is good for those situations where you may not be able or be in a position to talk on the phone.

Except texting while driving...no matter the reason why is a bad idea. And since you have to be stopped to text you might as well call. It's more personal.

Yea face time is great except for signal strength. The data signals are almost most places but there are more than a few really weak spots if you use at&t. Especially west of the Mississippi river.

Except texting while driving...no matter the reason why is a bad idea. And since you have to be stopped to text you might as well call. It's more personal.

Yea face time is great except for signal strength. The data signals are almost most places but there are more than a few really weak spots if you use at&t. Especially west of the Mississippi river.

Heartily agree on both points. Texting while driving is a very bad idea. I would never advocate it. I do however have software on my phone that actually lets me select, compose and send a text with one push of a button on my Bluetooth earpiece. Everything is voice activated and I never even have to look at the phone.

Signal strength is definitely a factor in mobile communications. I used to have Sprint and it really wasn't that good. Ever since I switched to Verizon I have had virtually zero signal problems.