Profile For Kenneth L.

Exactly. That's them directing you were they want you.

Do they want to weigh you? They'll put you in the weigh lane.

Do they just want to take a look at you while you slowly drive? Then they'll put you in the bypass lane.

Be sure to always follow the green arrow. Not following the scale masters orders is a ticketable offense.

Thank you very much for your answer. I appreciate it. I will be heading out to Utah in 2 days so I will follow the arrows and lights this time.

This is a quick question I'm sure very easy to answer.

I drive interstate from Idaho to Utah. The Inkom, ID port of entry southbound is under construction so I go through 3 scales on my trips.

So there are two lanes in these port of entry's. One is where you go over the actual scales and it reads you your weight and you go no more than 5mph over the scales. the other you just drive by going like 10 or 15mph. I've ALWAYS gone on the right lane going over the scales that read you your weight.

But when I go through these port of entry's, sometimes (almost every time) The right lane has a Red X on the lights before you enter the scales like the left lane has a Green Check and the right lane has a Red X. And when I saw that the first time I thought it meant not to drive down that lane. Well I didn't get stopped. but on the way back I saw the same red X and a long line of trucks going over the scales so i waited in line and went over the scales.

I'm completely confused at this? What is the deal with the two lanes, the red x and green check?

Thanks if anyone can answer this question for me.

-Kenny

I am currently a CDL student with SAGE Technical Services. I am trying to gain some additional insights or tips that would help me with alley docking. I have made the alley dock twice, but all other attempts so far have put me in ,what I can only describe as, the spot right next to where I want to be. I understand my issue is timing since I can clearly make the necessary turn to complete an alley dock. Is there some cue or specific situation I need to watch out for that would help me to make the turn on time? This is my biggest obstacle right now, and I want to be able to nail this thing on the head every time.

I graduated from SAGE as well, what location are you at?

My instructors there were great at teaching me backing maneuvers as well as overall driving. I NEARLY broke the school record by only a few points in their old Peterbilt. I also scored a 0 on my backing maneuvers for the final CDL test. which means no mistakes!

I've gotten pretty rusty with my alley dock back because I never use it anymore. during school I was great at it and could do it with no pull ups sometimes. first try.

My tips would be to watch your angles between your truck and trailer. never go too much or else it will put you right next to your target when you try to follow through to straighten up. What I would do is watch your rear corner of your trailer and the first corner cone and use that as a guide to where you want your trailer to be. at a certain point after your trailer begins to enter the "dock" you will want to start chasing your trailer to straighten up. Also if you feel like you are off course try to correct it before the problem gets worse instead of having to start all over again.

If anything, use your instructors as much as possible. Ask questions, when you are doing your alley dock just stop and ask them if you are unsure. They will be your best bet for help at this point.

ALSO! GET OUT AND LOOK! in the real world you have as many "Get out and looks" as you want. if it helps getting out and looking every 10ft. do it because it might help you with seeing your angles from a different point of view. maybe after you start your approach you stand at the entrance of the "dock" to see if you are on course. After a few successful docks you will be doing it with no problem, maybe not even having to get out and look until you have the last 5 - 10ft to the back.

Good luck to ya and hope you get it down!

Nice looking truck. Freightliner or KW? Looks a little like a KW, but not sure.

Good luck and best wishes. Hope it all works out for you.

Keep it safe out there. Joe S

It's a 1995 Freightliner Classic XL It's been a great truck for me so far.

Thanks for your input.

It's not so much about being "over the hill" being 34 (although i appreciate the humor) It's more of me being impatient. 10 years seems like a long time in my eyes. But if that is what it takes, that is what it takes.

I did get lucky with the guy i am driving with. I am making good money, it's just not a consistent job mon-fri. type thing. also it's only seasonal. either way I'm not complaining, im driving, getting experience and loving every second of it.

P.S. Good luck with your school and drive tests. I know when i went to school i had a blast learning everything and driving was the best part. especially when i out performed the other students and I was the youngest!

Here's a picture of my truck i am driving now

I "recently" graduated from an accredited CDL training school, got my Class A CDL, and all endorsements. almost broke the school record in their old 1991 Peterbilt. Had a great time learned a lot and to this day I use a lot of knowledge learned from school and training in everyday truck driving.

I have a few questions regarding my current situation with my Driving record as well as a personal issue. (me getting into some trouble regarding a pre-employment DOT drug test at my first OTR driving job)

I just want some opinions and options as to where I should go next.

Right now I am driving for a local home business. I drive dedicated routes and various deliveries locally and interstate. nothing OTR.

I have complied and passed ALL of DOT's regulations regarding a positive pre-employment drug test. I have all the paperwork approved from a professional. It is all documented and legitimate. But recent job applications to companies have rejected or said I do not qualify for employment simply for a past mistake.

Am I doomed to never drive OTR? Will a large company or good company never touch me simply on a mistake I made that I have corrected now? Should I quit and go for another career? I am a outstanding driver and I love it and want to pursue driving commercially. I just can't get a break.

For example, Knight Refrigerated said they can't even talk to me for 10 YEARS after the date of the positive drug test. I'll be 33 - 34 years old by then, I can't wait that long til I can drive...

Thanks to anyone that can provide feedback or any options or help. I live in Idaho and am relocating to Boise, ID towards the end of this year. looking for work anywhere in Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Colorado. (Utah if I have to) Even oilfield work in the dakotas, pretty much anything. my options are wide open for relocating and different trucking environments. I am a very adaptable person.