Profile For Ralph G. ( Arejay )

That is some cool stuff. In the last picture of the entire truck up in the air, if we assume that's all the way up, it's a 31degree angle. The maximum grade allowed on the interstate is a 8% grade, if I'm not mistaken. A 8% grade is a 33.75 degree angle. So it's possible that many of us have pulled that steep of a grade.

Hey Bruce... that actually was not all the way in the shot I posted... below is another shot with the lift all the way up. Looks to be closer to 80 degree angle to me.

YouTube - Wood trucks unloading chips

I am based out of Denver! Old School is, as far as I'm aware, the only other active Knight driver here.

That's good to know! I wasn't aware that Old School is with Knight.... another something good to know! I was just made official yesterday, got my Knight driver code and my range invitation to start in Phoenix on April 1. I guess that will make me number 3 on here with Knight. As big as Knight is, I'd really be surprised if there are only the two of you who are active on TT.

I run dry van, but Knight's terminal is maybe about three miles away so I can grab a Lyft over sometime

Hey Keith! I'm glad to see that there is at least one active member on here that works at Knight! :-) I'm curious, are you based out of the Denver terminal?

Maybe van trailers need heated roofs but that would be a problem for reefers

Bruce did you read the link I replied with?

Funny, before any of this was posted, I was thinking, "hey, just put Radiant Floor Heat in the trailer roof!" LOL

I wouldn't think a heated trailer roof would be any trouble for a reefer. Think about it, the roof of a reefer is already well insulated to protect the contents from the great big solar heater in the sky (the sun). I'm actually thinking a reefer might be better suited for a roof heater since it's already outfitted to provide it's own power for heating/cooling the interior of the trailer.

I think with enough demand, there will be services to clean off the snow & ice. The first thing I thought of while reading this thread is that every airport with commercial operations has equipment for de-icing airplanes, most of which are quite a bit larger than the average tractor trailer. I can imagine that any truck wash operation could easily offer de-icing similar to what they do at airports without too much trouble. I can also imagine that mobile truck washing operations could easily do the same by adding a cherry picker to their rig so they can easily spray down an entire rig from the top. Now I wouldn't advocate they use the same chemicals as the airports do, there is a growing concern of ecological implications of allowing the fluid to just runoff into waterways, etc. but if we could de-ice with an inexpensive and more environmentally safe variation, this may be one option in the snow/ice removal "toolbox".

I'm in a very similar situation as well. I originally earned my CDL over 20 years ago, and even drove for CRST for a short time (less than a year) before coming off the road to deal with some personal stuff. Fast forward a couple decades and tons of consideration later, I'm finally in a place where I'm ready to take a much needed break from IT to answer to the calling of the road. I renewed my medical certification last year and re-upped my Class-E back to a Class-A CDL and put in my full application with Knight. I'm set up and going to what they call DQP or Driver Qualification (Orientation) next week, on March 4th. I'm planning to write up a new, more detailed post on my experience so far for anybody looking for updated info on going to Knight Transportation.

Thanks for the update Tyrone! Glad to hear your training is progressing. I have to say I was concerned that maybe the updates stopped because you quit or something. Also, I do hope you are feeling better from whatever was ailing you last week when you replied. I did apply to JP, but unfortunately was not selected. The only thing my recruiter could tell me was that they only select 5 or 6 candidates from over 600 applications they receive each week.... so my search continues.

I'm in exactly the same boat. I originally went to school and earned my CDL about 23 years ago now. My license was downgraded when the new medical certification requirements kicked in back around 2011 or 12(?). I checked with the DMV here in Florida and I only have to get a new DOT Medical then bring that along with $85 to the DMV and they will happily re-instate my CDL with no re-testing required. Of course, I'd have to test for any endorsements needed (Combinations, AirBrakes, etc)... but those tests are cheap, $7 each. I agree with Old School to find out, you will for sure want to call your DMV office to inquire about your status and what options you have if your license has indeed been downgraded. Out of curiosity, what state are you licensed in?

Hey Tyrone! Any updates? I hope you are still going at it in the JP program and doing well?

I've been following this post with great interest. It has been a good read and provoked a lot of thought about different theories and life styles. Ive been pondering what I could add to the conversation then the insults started flying in the direction of the OP.

I seriously don't beleive for a second that NE means any insult or injury in stating his opinions. And by sticking to his guns and not caving in to peer pressure, people are becoming offended. Folks, in my humble opinion, that is the biggest social problem we face in this great country.... people are too quick to become offended over other peoples thoughts & ideas. I hate to say it, but some of the anger filled name calling responses have been far more offensive than anything NE has said yet.

Im sure most folks already know this, but be very careful with any meds/sleep aids, even over the counter that have a sedative effect... some are banned and could put you of service for a couple days.

Abot? Geez, that should have said 'a bit more' lol.... i wonder sometimes if ill ever get used to writing on my phone. Good Grief.

Hey there Johnnie Mac, congrats on your decision and progress so far. I must ask though if you can describe abot more about the training program you are attending. If my math is correct, this is a 21 week course? Is that full time, or part time on nights/weekends?

Must say that I was pleasantly surprised to see Hoekstra on the fleets to watch list. I was raised in that area and even interviewed for a driving position with Hoekstra back in 1995 before I went off course from trucking & logistcs and into the IT world for the past 20+ years.

Yeah, this definitely is not a new phenomenon... when I first started driving OTR in 1994, I was taught to always back into the trailer (with the trailer brakes locked) to ensure the kingpin was locked before rolling the truck forward. Bare minimum, id always do a quick walk around the rig to look it over every time i got out of the cab. That along with a back in / tug test and I never had to wonder when or if I would drop a trailer.

No. No employer can violate the ADA.

Seems there are some exceptions to the ADA rules. I recently went on a tour of a local winery and they had a sign at the door saying " no pets allowed on premises, INCLUDING No service animals. " i presume that must be due to health code or some other such reason.

Even though the coverage is still a bit wonky, T-Mobile is now offering unlimited free video streaming from Netflix and some other services in addition to the free music streaming. I would consider using a T-Mo phone with a generous data plan whenever I can and keep cheap a Cricket or Verizon pay as you go phone for phone calls and backup data where I can't use my T-Mo device, although T-Mo has been rapidly improving their coverage over the past two years. My math says that combining two devices and services together is more cost effective than trying to buy a massive data bucket from VZW that you may or may not use and then get hit with massive overages if you under buy and accidentally use more than planned. That and you have the added benefit of a backup phone when and if needed.... nobody has perfect service everywhere.

You two should be ashamed for even saying that word lol. On the other hand, it was 72 in NYC yesterday.

A) I live in the hills outside of Buffalo in one of the nation's fiercest snowbelt regions. Doesn't matter what you say, snow is coming hard and fast soon enough

B) It was 72 here yesterday too!!!

72 sounds good! It was 92 yesterday in Tampa!

I see where you're coming from Erol, but at a point I think I'll have to disagree with your analogy.

Feeding the driver is a personal expense to maintain the driver, therefore yes that is on the drivers dime.

However, paying for parking (especially when no reasonable alternative is available) is a cost of doing business.

I think we can all agree that it is a good business practice to minimize expenses, that objective must also be balanced with the good business practice of mitigating risk as well. If paying for parking will help to keep the rig, the freight and the driver out of harms way (ie, parking on a ramp) then it is a justifiable expense, just like a toll or scale ticket, part of getting the freight from A to B.

I say you both agree to disagree. Either way, companies do not reimburse you for parking fees. As Errol stated, you may be able to claim it as a work expense on your taxes.

I'm cool with that. :)

I'm certainly not trying yo start an argument or anything (not my style), I'm just curious if there are any carriers who will reimburse for parking?