Comments By Cleft_Asunder

I'm required to buy an atlas before orientation and I would like a good trucking atlas. Does walmart sell them? Also, I was going to bring a large suitcase and a carry-on bag, but I was told that there is very limited space in the trucks. It measures 3' x 2' x 1'.

Thanks.

Sorry I'm slow...I do have a life...and alot of the ladies here are drivers and don't get online all the time. But...to answer your question: No firearms are allowed per FEDERAL LAW....and if that ever changes, trucking companies won't allow them because of the liability issue. That being said...you can carry a stun gun ( do you want someone that close?), pepper spray, ( a little better), a walking stick ( my personal favorite), a tire thumper, or even a can of 20 foot wasp spray....BUT its more about how you carry yourself....Walk like you own the truck stop, don't go in dark areas, NEVER let anyone talk you into going into areas that are not readily seen by others....and never get into a truck you don't know the driver...

This is what came up when I did some research.

The Department of Transportation’s official response to CDL’s carrying concealed is clear enough. “Carrying concealed weapons is a matter of state law. Your question can best be answered by the appropriate state government.”

There are two ways to see that. It is either crystal clear that they don’t care, or they’re passing the proverbial buck. Either way, it’s not their concern.

Robert, for most company orientation and training programs you will not even be road tested until after your time with your trainer. So you should get around four weeks of practice with the proper trailers before you are ever going to be tested. That's plenty of time to get the "feel" for a real trailer.

I think it might be different for May Trucking. They test you on orientation day with a short drive to see if you can shift, and also skills tests. Prime does the same thing, but it's on a simulation rather than an actual truck.

There will definitely be an adjustment period. But remember that the shorter the trailer the harder to back it up, shorter trailers respond very quickly and as soon as you oversteer there's hardly any chance of you recoving without doing a pull-up.

A 53' trailer is a lot longer but its much more forgiving than a shorter trailer.

I think you should be fine. If you were good at backing a 30' trailer then you should be able to back a 53' trailer. Just take it slow and remember to consider that a 53' trailer has a lot of extra trailer beyond the trailer tandems. This acts like a tail and can whip across your lines. So when backing it up make sure you keep in mind the very back of the trailer to ensure it won't cross the lines.

My instructors said the same thing, that if you can back up the smaller trailers you can back up the 53 footers for sure, so thanks for confirming.

During CDL school I drove kenworth's that were more for construction duty with 30 foot trailers. They were very sensitive to oversteering. I never drove an OTR truck with a 53', so am I going to have a tough time passing my orientation? (Off-sets, alley dock, straight-back)

Thanks, just have to decide between Werner and Swift now by the end of the weekend.

Both good companies. My DOT certified instructor worked for werner for 15 years. She likes them a lot.

You gotta love this one. He locks his keys in his truck and complains that JB hunt charged him 125 for his mistake.

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/report-a-bad-trucking-company-here/258831-jb-hunt-dog-wont-hunt.html

I just did this myself... Man felt like a dumbass... Now I keep a spare in my wallet as that's always on me.

I think I will go for a magnet key case attached to the front bumper, because I could lock my wallet in the truck too. Wrap the key up in plastic to prevent moisture from getting in, and it keeps it from rattling inside.

You gotta love this one. He locks his keys in his truck and complains that JB hunt charged him 125 for his mistake.

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/report-a-bad-trucking-company-here/258831-jb-hunt-dog-wont-hunt.html

What is "TR"?

truckersreport.com

Congrats.