Profile For Ralph G. ( Arejay )

A couple of well placed 12v clip-on fans would circlulate the air and help tremendously to equalize the temperature in the bunk.

Better pay as much attention to those tandems being locked as you do the fifth wheel being locked. I've seen tandems break out the back end of the trailer and leave a big mess and a big ticket fine for the x-driver more than a few times.

If you can't remember, make a list and keep it on the sun visor:

LAPS/PALS

BOL

Trailer inspection

Macros sent in

Trailer sealed/padlocked

Tandems set

Tire pressures/mudflaps/airbrakes/license plate/lights operate/registration

Hey Packrat,

What is the "LAPS / PALS" line on your checklist referencing?

Last I saw this morning, Dorian is not going to make landfall anywhere in Florida. Unless of course it turns again to the west, which is unlikely at this point. The east coast will still have some strong weather, but I wouldn't anticipate it being anything near what the Bahamas is getting hit with.

Arejay, great post about "The Big Short". I missed that one so thanks for bringing it up. I gotta watch it. Great cast. I read "Griftopia" by Matt Taibbi (sp?) about the recession. What a corrupt group of a-holes.

Thanks Bruce... I really enjoyed the movie. I've watched it a few times. It was on Netflix or Amazon Prime for a while, I can't recall which right now or if it's still on any streaming service any more.

DOT DOES NOT allow on front windshield. When I got my first truck, the lady who had before had "Pink Kitty" on the windshield, on the dash, on the cabinet doors etc. What a pain it was to take all of them off.

I'm curious how you know the truck was driven by a lady before you?

Where the heck have you been lately, Arejay?

Hey PackRat!... I've been around. I check in to TT quite often, at least a couple times a week. I must confess that I read much more than I write. After much deliberation and some life career trajectory changes, I went to Knight in Pheonix and then after completing my road training, I took a break wo work a short IT contract in Tampa. Now that I'm wrapping up that job, I'll be jumping back in a truck with Knight out of the Lakeland, FL terminal. I'll need to make a new post about my experiences so far ( I don't want to be a thread hijacker LOL )

For me, the movie, "The Big Short" was an eye-opening experience that made the whole debacle easier to understand and gives a good overview of just how nieve the world can be.

Quoted description from Wikipedia

The Big Short is a 2015 American biographical comedy-drama film directed by Adam McKay. Written by McKay and Charles Randolph, it is based on the 2010 book The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine by Michael Lewis showing how the financial crisis of 2007–2008 was triggered by the United States housing bubble.[4] The film stars Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Brad Pitt, Melissa Leo, Hamish Linklater, John Magaro, Rafe Spall, Jeremy Strong, Finn Wittrock, and Marisa Tomei.

The film is noted for the unconventional techniques it employs to explain financial instruments. Among others, it features cameo appearances by actress Margot Robbie, chef Anthony Bourdain, singer-songwriter Selena Gomez, and economist Richard Thaler, who break the fourth wall to explain concepts such as subprime mortgages and collateralized debt obligations as a meta-reference.[5] Several other actors directly address the audience, most frequently Gosling, who serves as the narrator.

The film began a limited release in the United States on December 11, 2015, followed by a wide release on December 23 by Paramount Pictures.[6][7] The film was a commercial success, grossing $133 million against a $50 million budget. The film was also highly praised by critics, with many highlighting the cast's performances (particularly Christian bale, Steve Carell and Ryan Gosling), McKay's direction and the screenplay. The film won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay in addition to nominations for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor (Bale), and Best Film Editing.

With an EZPass traveling one way, it costs $39 for five axles.

Interesting, I drove a truck across this once back in 1993. Very cool (and somewhat scary) to experience. I very clearly recall paying a $40 cash toll because I only had $40 in my pocket.

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.