Comments By Trucktographer

So tomorrow morning I finish a trip hauling 40k pounds of explosives. The final is JFK Airport in NYC. In order to get there I've had to contact the NYFD to set up an escort across the GW Bridge and through the city. Should be interesting. If any of you are going to be in the area, I apologize for any traffic issues I may cause.

Pounds to KG is pretty easy, just multiply by 2.2. That's "in your head" bankers math.

Speeds you just kind of have to get a feel for. My GPS does a really good job converting it for me into MPH.

I've recently completed several cross-border loads to Canada. One delivering to Blackie, Alberta and three picking up in Quebec. I must say I really like the HOS rules up there. Much more flexible and you can get more done without feeling like you're rushing.

This road is right in my back yard. Anyone who attempts this road is clearly not paying attention. GPS will always get you into trouble if you don't cross reference with a RM atlas. There are "no trucks" signs all over the place on the Notch Road. Check out the news clip below and how this driver destroyed is trailer.

Smuggler's Notch News Clip

Not true. My co-driver got dinged with a non-moving violation while on a road not listed in our Atlas as off limits. It was as bad as some of the small town speed traps that push legality.

Specialized, yes. Flat-bed, no. Still hailing a 53' dry-van. But our biggest customer is the DoD. We also haul civilian HAZMAT. Our company recently bought another that specializes in DoE work, so we'll be adding that as well.

To people wanting to stay a company driver, but make a bit more money, it's all about finding a niche market. Do something not every driver can, or wants, to do.

In my case not everyone wants to deal with the hassle of maintaining all the permits/endorsements/certifications/clearances I do to do this job.

I currently have:

Tanker HAZMAT TWIC Permis General Explosifs (allows me to take explosives across the border to/from Quebec) Passport DoD Clearance

My first full year of driving (8 months at Swift rest of the year at current company SLT) saw my taxes at 47k. For this year I'm on pace to make 60k.

I've visited NYC before, and love it. Yesterday I had to make deliveries there, and I must say....never again.

Two deliveries in fact. One in Brooklyn and the other in midtown Manhattan.

Made the Brooklyn drop a few minutes early (seems the penalize too early deliveries so I skated in right before my appointment time). But they took a long time to unload us since they were only utilizing one dock (of about 40) to unload. Called the broker to let them know I'd be late to the second drop and they were understanding about it.

The pic I shared is the Google Earth satellite image of my Manhattan drop. As you can see, it is off a major (4 lane) street. Backing into an unlit building. On the blind-side. As New Yorkers aren't know to be patient I moved quickly and put it in, in one. I still had cars trying to sneak past/under my fenders.

Or you could get a job that pays you whether you are driving or not.