Comments By SAMUEL C.

Ball st., Birmingham, AL and Lamar Ave, Memphis. We have customers at these locations and want us there for an early morning unload, which forces us to park outside their gate till then

I guess I will add to what OS stated, if that is possible. I chose flatbed because of the mental and physical challenges. There is a female driver with our company and from what I've heard, she can work circles around many of our male drivers. I did pass her the other day as I was leaving a OSB plant in Ga. Tarping has to be the most physically demanding part of it and the extreme weather, snow rain and blazing heat. But as previously stated it's all about heart. When you secure a load and get it from point A to B safely, you have a sense of accomplishment, because what you are hauling is visible to everyone. Motorist, other big trucks and most of all DOT.

I haven't gone OTR yet, but I was wondering how Nashville was. I drove from Indianapolis to Chattanooga frequently as a kid and going thru Nashville in a car was a huge pain. Having to cross multiple lanes to get to 24 into Chattanooga was a nightmare and they give you barely any time to get to the proper lane. Also Nashville is called "the Speedway" for good reason. It seems like everyone does 90+ through there. Plus I've never been through Nashville without getting stuck in some kind of construction or traffic jam. And we traveled at all hours through there. Any thoughts as to how driving a rig is in that area?

I live in Chattanooga and frequently hit Atlanta, Chattanooga and Nashville. Atlanta, you are just plain screwed, Nashville, depends on your direction of travel. E to W on I-40, hit TN-840. It's worth the extra milage it adds. N to S on I-65 I usually run Briley prkwy, just to miss the construction at the 65/24 split. Cars driving 90 to nothing, there is a reason they call it "crashville".

I drive by the McElroy headquarters about once a week. What's all the gravel roadways with concrete blocks for? Using Google Satellite, it looks like a "don't make a mistake" backing range.

You are correct. The lower range is for "second weekers" or those who have finished orientation. The top range or "final week" range, is for after you have spent 4 wks with your trainer and they have issued you your truck.

I keep hearing how backing up is one of the hardest things for new truck drivers to learn and I agree to an extent but backing up straight I learned pretty quickly the school I went to never taught me how to back up on an angle however when I took my road test the first time I didnt turn wide enough and my back tire rollled a curb and I automatically failed I retook my test and passed the second tine but still made quite a few mistakes. I know the training I had was very minimal and will need alot more training with any company that will take me on but I still worry about turning that big trailer properly

In my opinion, besides backing, making a proper turn, could be a drivers second biggest challenge. When I approach an intersection, I size it up for my set up to make the turn. If I'm going right, I crowd the left stripe and for a left, I crowd the right, I take all the available space I can. Use extreme care on your right turns, cars will try to sneak between the curb and your trailer, watch your mirrors.

Speed creates distance. Take your time making a turn and swing as wide as you need to, if a car is over the stop stripe, make them back up, I've been known to shut down an intersection or two, do not back up!!! I sat through two light cycles, until a car realized I wasn't moving for her and she needed to back up. And don't get in a hurry or let the motoring public rush you.

Video: Elwood Police Chief Fred Hayes On The Dangers Of Semi-Trucks

Overwhelming truck traffic resulting from the unplanned, overdevelopment of intermodal facilities and warehouses in Will County is overrunning our community, creating dangerous conditions and taking lives.

While we support jobs and commerce, we are paying the ultimate price when truckers:

Run red lights and cut off drivers

Speed, tailgate and slam on the brakes

Crash through railroad crossing safety gates

Ignore signs and drive in our neighborhoods

Disregard weight limits and vehicle safety regulations

Disobey law enforcement

As a concerned resident of Will County, I ask you to:

Make truckers pay for blatant disregard of the law

Hold developers accountable for their actions and impacts

Coordinate enforcement of truck traffic

Toughen commercial driver licensing, regulations and penalties

Please join us in taking back our roads.

Source: Safe Roads Illinois

Now, if he could get his own citizens (4 wheelers) to abide by the law, it would be.....heaven on earth??? Sounds like he needs to do some more fact finding and see how many tickets the write to cars. Oh, and it is probaly an election year too. Show them big, bad, nasty trucks and I'm sure to get reelected

I am about 60 miles west of Chicago.

I was in Round Lake Park, last Thursday

Hi Parrothead. During the training for new CDL graduates, is it set up as a team, or is the trainer in the seat next to you? I would kinda think it would be harder to run a team, when y'all are home every weekend, but it is definitely possible.

McElroy is on my short list of companies i want to drive for.

Welcome to the MTL family, if you chose them. I've been with them a year and a few months now. To answer your trainer question, he is there as a mentor. If all goes well, you will spend a majority of your time on the left side of the truck. He will act a your navigator and your reference guide for load securement. As you progress, and he feels confident in your skills, it should be as if he isn't even there.

Mckee (Little Debbie) : My Cargo Keeps Everyone Enormous.

And there I was, minding my own business, turning into a church parking lot, to repent from my sins, when up outta the nowhere darkness, this demonic tree, grabbed ahold of my trailer and wouldn't let go. I tried to out run it, but it wouldn't let go...