Profile For ChefsJK

Not sure if this would be a normal practice for most drivers, but when i was with my trainer he always saved a bit of diesel after we filled up from the fuel filter when he drained it to get out anything that was in there. He kept it in a spray bottle and anytime we disconnected he sprayed it around the jaws and anywhere he could reach in there to keep the grease on the looser side. I did the samething and never had an issue with things, like I said not sure uf that us a common practice or not.

Not being a smartass with this response, but literally drive up and down the NJ Turnpike, i see at least 10-15 waste hauling, municipal waste trucks daily on there.

I have been running nights for the past 3 months with a start time of usually 7 or 8pm and i love it. No traffic which is wonderful up in North Jersey, NYC area, just makes things easier. And get two sets of black out curtains, one for the inside closest to the window and one for the outside, closest to the room and it will be pitch black and cover any areas the first curtain lets any light through.

It doesn't look like he rearended another truck, looks like he ran into something that sits higher up. Very unfortunate either way.

On the plus side you will be able to do your sleep study in your truck or I was able to at least in Carlisle and your DBL shoukd have set everything up for you and all you have to do is show up to the test.

Expressways are your friend and parkways are your worst enemy, stay the hell off of them in NYC. There are huge signs stating that everywhere, lol.

How did you maneuver around that city. I heard they have freeways that don't allow trucks.

I've been to NYC as a rookie. I survived, its just another city that you have to pay even more attention to. But don't avoid it at all. Sure its tough, but its a fantastic learning experience as well.

I wasn't saying to trust your gps like that at all, if people don't get that by now with all the info on this site, then maybe they should look into another profession, lol. I also have weitten directions handed to me if I have never been to the place before and also short hand those directions on my windshield for a quick reference, next week I will be headed into Brooklyn all week so im sure that will be fun the first couple of nights, but I also have the route given to me already so I can look it over and adjust it all over the weekend.

Google maps and common sense. Honestly, do not EVER trust your GPS whole heartedly. My rand McNally will warn me of low clearances that are not there, weight restrictions that do not exist, dirt roads, and some times it doesn't even know I am on a road at all. Google maps is best with its accurate traffic and road closure information and the capabilities it has such as zooming in on local routes or shippers and recievers. Street view is also an excellent capability. It is used for cars obviously but if you can't get passed that then no GPS is suitable imo.

Ok so after a couple of weeks of use, I will give you my thoughts on the Verizon Navigation app that Verizon users have on their Android phones this weekend when i am off and have some time. Been working a lot of ot lately, which is never a bad thing. Stay safe

I think the only time I ever secured a load while working for Schneider was a Anheuser-Busch load, i used to ask if I needed to when i picked up at other places but they always said no, so I stopped asking. I figured if they wanted it secured the BOL would say something or they would let me know at the shipper.

It was most likely meant to stay that way, most companies like that are quite good at floor loading their product, and most likely it is a light load. Did the boxes go all the way to the roof of the trailer and wall to wall, left to right, if yes then you should be good with no securing of the load. Plus if it is a drop and hook at the delivery, you wont be getting any securing equipment back, so you would have to grab more at the closest OC.

I was hauling a load from Frito-Lay's, the boxes was not on pallets, just stacked from floor-to-ceiling, it was almost all the way to the back, it was one row of boxes from being to the door.

Did you let your DBL know of the situation on hand? I was stuck on 476 for 6 hours when there was a fatality accident and i ended up taking my 30 minute while I was stuck there since everything was shut down and no one was moving, probably not the legal way to do it, but in that situation I didnt have any other choice and I was informed to do so by my DBL.

Either did I, a UPS feeder driver told me about it so I figure I will give it a go and see how it compares to the directions I am given tomorrow night.

Has anyone tried Verizon Nav on their phones? They have a truck setting, i am just curious about it and have yet to try it, will be testing it out on Monday along with directions written on the window.

I would be interested to know more. I didn't know VZ Nav had a truck option.

Has anyone tried Verizon Nav on their phones? They have a truck setting, i am just curious about it and have yet to try it, will be testing it out on Monday along with directions written on the window.

With Schneider you don't have to complete your 160 hours, I only drove maybe 50 hours the one week I was out with a trainer right after I obtained my license from private schooling, and then I was given my truck to go solo. Also in my area UPS Freight as well as ABF hire right out of school, both union positions where I live.

Okay here's a better question:

Vincent, here's what I don't get about you...

How is it that you trust us to give you good guidance with your questions when you clearly don't trust our input on how you can accomplish your goals while keeping your hard earned cash in your own pocket?

I don't need a loan for 3,500 dollars. Is there some kind of problem, or even a difference between who pays the bill for CDL school? What if I simply prefer paying my own way? What's the difference? It's literally the exact same school I'd be attending. Again, it's a little bizarre...

Why wouldn't they prefer someone pay their own way? Companies don't do things like that because they're just nice. There's some sort of profit motive behind it... I'm not saying I'm buying into the "free agent" myth. Obviously I still need training...but I don't think I need to spend 3,500/reimburse something "valued at 5000 dollars" and sign a lower paying contract on something I can easily pay for up front, myself. Yes I realize I still need to stay at the first company for a year anyways, I get all that...but I still prefer not to enter any binding contracts, if it all possible.

Okay, I understand you have the means, but your suspicious about the motive of companies paying for your schooling. Their motivation is that they need drivers, and they've discovered that the drivers they commit to oftentimes end up committed to them. Our friends Rainy, Big Scott, and G-Town are excellent examples of this very behavior.

Vincent, I was able to easily pay for my CDL training, and in fact I did exactly that. I attended the Lufkin Truck Driving Academy in Lufkin, TX. Due to some completely unforeseen issues I started getting rejected everywhere I tried. I actually got sent home from three different orientations, and can give you a long list of companies that just flatly rejected me because they "had better candidates." Had I gone through the Paid CDL Training Programs, all those problems would have been dealt with before I even got started on the whole journey. I promote it because even after committing my own funds, I barely got started at all. After some time had passed, one company sent me home on the first day of orientation because they decided my training certificate had gone stale. Too much time had passed from my schooling until I got there for my "on the job training."

I work for Knight Transportation, and have over a half a million miles in with them. If anyone had an interest in my promotional efforts it would be them. If you are suspicious of my efforts, try and find where I have been outspoken in promoting their company - you'll waste your time and effort. I am not paid by anyone, including Trucking Truth to advocate Company Sponsored Training. I completely volunteer my time in here to help others like you. My experience at paying my own way into this career did not go well. I made it in eventually, and have done well, but brother I could have given up a thousand times.

My reasons for advocating the Paid CDL Training Programs are purely based on my personal experiences. I would have saved myself a lot of money, and a lot of grief, had I known then what I know now. You have no reason to be suspicious of my advice. It's pure and simple, based on my personal journey into this very rewarding career.

Your comment about signing a lower paying contract is comical to me. Nobody is going to pay a rookie driver with nothing to offer but a shiny new license in their possession any sort of really amazing wages. In fact I would challenge you to find yourself an entry level trucking job that would pay you more than Prime would agree to pay you after completing the training that they will not only pay for, but also pay you a 700 dollar minimum weekly amount while you're in the TNT portion of their training.

It's a win win combination for new drivers. That's the reason you'll hear me promote it.

That is actually quite scary to be honest.

Thanks again for all the information and insight. As soon as I pass their physical and UA I will be driving a fuel delivery truck.Fortunately all their trucks have 10 speed manual transmission so I will still be able to get that experience.

Granted there are ways around it to be honest, lol. A couple of ICs showed me some tricks.

I had a 2016 when I worked for them and there was no way to keep it from shutting down if ut was between the temps listed, your best bet when it is on the warmer side out park next to and between other trucks to keep it warmer, the thermometer is behind the passenger side mirror or was in my truck at least.

You could always use your daughters address in Ohio for that purpose and it would give you a reason to head up that way and there is always freight leaving that state, lol.

Yeah welk that Loves you are at is super tight all around the fuel island. Some spots should only be for bobtails and it is always jam packed in there regardless the time of day, I only work a mile from there and fill up there twice a week.

Should have said hello, lol.

I bet you went to the Graingers in Bordentown for you empty huh, lol.

Yep. 😆