Posted: 7 years, 10 months ago
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Well after much research I think after school in a week I will be headed to Melton. Any comments?
I've heard a lot of good things about Melton, however I don't have any first hand experience. Go into it with a will to succeed and chances are you will!
Posted: 7 years, 10 months ago
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Upshifting after quick stop in traffic
Hello fellow truckers So my trainer is a cool guy but i dont think he understands what i mean maybe you guys can help me out? While im downshifting thru towns i find myself sometimes coming to a complete stop usually when im in 6th i kick it in neutral once the light turn im suddenly upshifting again im around 5mph so either gear 4th or 5th i grind it hard all the time i can just see my trainer crinch up everytime i do it i start panicking now ive lost all momentum and have to stop completely still grinding gears can you please help me
What you describe is frustrating. At first I had the same issue. The solution? Anticipate! (and lot of practice) Sounds easy, but much harder to do in practice. Always give yourself ample space, even in traffic. Brake smoothly. I float all my gears. In stop and go traffic as you describe, be ready to flip the splitter and drop it into the appropriate gear, usually 2nd or 3rd. Once you know what speed will allow you to drop it right into gear at an idle, you will be all set. I always get into 2nd before coming to a complete stop, but almost never have time to downshift through every gear to get there. Never touch the clutch unless I have to completely stop. Hope some of this makes sense!
Posted: 7 years, 10 months ago
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He was probably ticked because you took him away from guarding the local Dunkin Donuts.
BTW Nice job Paul getting yourself out of a jam.
Posted: 7 years, 10 months ago
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This state will fine truck drivers up to $2,000 for using this road
OK this is hilarious. At about 1:40 in the video of the article you linked to, the reporter is standing by the rock that most drivers get stuck on. In the background you can clearly see a "truck downgrade" sign. On the road prohibited to trucks. What the heck???
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.
I saw that too. It is standard signage for "steep downgrade".
The more interesting part to me is the footage of the road and the semi hung up on the boulder. This just doesn't compute in my mind. You'd have to be just creeping and to not see your tandems about to get sheered???
Posted: 7 years, 10 months ago
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This state will fine truck drivers up to $2,000 for using this road
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.
Posted: 7 years, 11 months ago
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The nice thing about being tailgated in the truck is that they are so far back that it's easy to ignore them. So that's what I do. If they are stupid enough to take that risk, so be it. I just drive normally. Sometimes when pulling a steep hill I get down to about 40 - 45 mph and they still won't go by. I call it a special kind of stupid.
Posted: 7 years, 11 months ago
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Prayers of comfort and healing for Moose and thanks to God for putting Keith in his life.
Posted: 7 years, 11 months ago
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Pick Your Nightmare 1, 2, 3, or 4
Put them in order from what you would least like to happen to you.
1. Winter driving over very icy roads.
2. Rush order run where you find yourself face to face with a low overpass.
3. Broke down on the side of Highway in the middle of the night in freezing temps, no heat or sleeper berth.
4. On a wide open expanse shoulderless two-lane Highway with 70+ mph winds
3,4,2,1
I'm a mostly local, sometimes regional covering northern VT, NH, ME, NY, and Canada
1 In northern regions we drive on ice and snow a lot. Black ice is the worst and you hopefully anticipate and get yourself off the road.
2 If this happens, I failed at my job.
3 is the scariest up here because if you break down on a mountain pass or other remote spot in the middle of the night, no one is going to come and rescue you in a timely manner. You'd better be prepared with -30F down sleeping bag and extra dry warm clothes. This situation happens quite a bit up this way.
4 If I'm fully loaded, it's a lot less scary. If I'm shuttling an empty, I'm worried.
Posted: 7 years, 10 months ago
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Pam/Driver solutions Contract
I have to say I'm in the camp that says honor your contract. All research should be done prior to entering any contract. It's not like the company changed the conditions of the agreement. I was brought up that a man's hand shake (or signature) was his word and you make good on it. What is this mentality that you can just jump ship on a whim and think there are no consequences? The will be consequences. Brett's post is spot on imho. Sorry if this sounds harsh, but think hard before you make a big mistake.