Profile For Joseph L.

A week ago or so Pre dawn hour. Heading down I44. Looking ahead I just see the normal drive lights of other trucks. I check my mirrors and look back up.

For a second my mind started screaming something is wrong. It took me another half second to recognize the danger. A truck in the right hand lane his trailer angles into the burm. He's getting onto the road at a very slow speed no signal lights going.

I managed to swerve into the left lane (thank goodness I was just checking) I traveling along side his trailer I notice maybe a foot or two sperating us.

Half a second more I'd have been inside the guys trailer. I'm positive the grim reaper had stopped in for a chat that day I'm just happy to be alive

Oh I wouldn't have done it if it wasn't for day and hour.. Luckily I could see both ways before backing.. That's not always possible

This lol.

I remember getting an arm pump once from a skinny little arm hanging out the rear passenger side window of a four door car as they passed me. I let 'er blow loud and long. Then they stuck their whole head out to grin at me. It was a little old lady that had to be close to ninety years old! She was grinning from ear to ear just to say thanks. People love to hear those air horns - let 'em have a little pleasure in their day!

5 months for my first official one.. And I pulled that horn hard lol.. Remembered what that was like as a kid

My TNT driver has two rules 1. No drugs on the truck 2. Pull that gone when given the signal or get off the truck.

I fallow both still

Only way I see it would be what I did this morning.. Turned into a business driveway.. Backed up across the street into the opposite driveway (parking lot) until I could make a slow turn.

To be clear this was at 6 in the morning in a industrial park on a Saturday.. No cars for miles

Delco Dave asks:

Question for you all! I understand true U turns are not permitted. Is a 3 point turn considered a U turn or is that an acceptable procedure to get out of a jam and turn truck around?

What do you consider a 3 point turn? Do you mean one of these?

Only if you can make it outside of a 23+ foot circle near your GOAL.

For a semi, that would mean you need to back up on a roadway, sort of like making a 90 alley dock in the middle of a street. This is very much frowned upon, so much so that you might get in more trouble with that backing up than you would with the U-turn.

City technically.. No HOA thank goodness

A lot depends on anything from city laws to HOA (Home Owners Association). HOA is the toughest, depending on their rules. For example, I could not change the brakes on my own car in the driveway. I got a letter from the HOA about it.

I assume you are in some suburban community. First find out if there's an HOA for your neighborhood. then check with the city/local planning office that handles zoning.

So wondering if anyone knows of any rules about a tractor being parked in residential area..

I got lucky home time bobtail Won't be blocking the road. Going to shut everything off and shut down apu. And no truck restrictions on the street.

I will technically be blocking the side walk but it's common on my street

58 and 65 for prime.. Company /lease

Yes! Speed limiters, great idea, that nobody cares about. Most trucks are capped at 65 to 70, unless you're prime then it's 45, so what's the point to all of this. Next they're going to focus on every truck having mirrors.

Now there's a pallet shortage. I give up.

As close as possible maybe a hours drive

Looking for drop yard for rent, truck stop truck parking any place willing to let a truck stay a few days.

Found kingpin parking but all reservations are full anyone know similar places?

You looking for somewhere for hometime or just a spot in general? Also how close to Pittsburgh do you need to be?

I was told by logs unless I didn't leave the sleeper at all I had to switch to off duty status. DOT may ask if you spent the entire 34 sleeping according to them and if you said no it's a violation

May I take a 34 hour reset in sleeper berth status or not?

I'm currently looking at a flying j in bentonville or a TA ion wheeling

Looking for drop yard for rent, truck stop truck parking any place willing to let a truck stay a few days.

Found kingpin parking but all reservations are full anyone know similar places?

I did a tug test, I was very lucky no damages to the freight or trailer. Just shredded air and electrical lines. My TNT trainer fixed them while cranked a 40k load off the ground.

When I look at my freightliner the locking jaws go all the way across the kingpin. On that peter the first goes across the second only goes out a few inches. So it was in position but not fully locked.

I triple check every time now

What if your improperly taught what to look for... I've dropped one trailer because i didn't realize the locking jaws on the Peterbilt looked different then the freightliner I trained on

Did you do a tug test as soon as it hooked and push in the handle to make sure it's all the way in?

You're lucky it dropped and didn't make it to the interstate by resting on the fifth wheel.

Yes I was. Problem came from another truck who parked in the middle of the road/throughway about 6 feet from the curb. Forcing people close to me to avoid him

One more question. Were you parked on the end of a row of trucks? Those spots are dangerous. I try to avoid them when possible.

What if your improperly taught what to look for... I've dropped one trailer because i didn't realize the locking jaws on the Peterbilt looked different then the freightliner I trained on

Maybe he'll be on here Monday, inquiring about companies that are hiring?

There is NEVER, EVER an excuse for dropping a trailer.

Yea I was parked at a truck stop

Did this happen while you were parked at a truck stop?

Shoot, I was run into three times in 14 months at truck stops. It seems to happen more often.

Was it a Volvo?

No it was another freightliner guy was green himself

They stuck around. The had their truck nearly a month apparently. I got the head light fixed and removed the other fog light.. Basically enough to be DOT legal at Pittston no tow so that was good.

I'm hoping to make it back to Pittston to get the rest fixed this weekend

That's a tuff break, Joseph. Did the person who hit you stick around? Did the police have to get involved? Were you able to drive it to Pittston for repairs? Did you need a tow?

Yep.. That's my truck

Been solo for a week and a half got my passenger side bumper, lights, and good got smashed in by someone's trailer I'm PA turnpike truck stop.. Just wtf..

Oh wow, that sucks!

Look at the 'BRIGHT' side...at least YOU weren't the one doing the smashing, LoL~!!!!

Also . . . is that 'fresh, new' avatar your pre smashed truck?!?!? (NICE~!! .. or was.. sorry~!)

~ Anne ~

Been solo for a week and a half got my passenger side bumper, lights, and good got smashed in by someone's trailer I'm PA turnpike truck stop.. Just wtf..

Sorry I didn't get to replying.. It's been going fast slowly.. Trainers truck has been in the shop slot sadly. Did my first back into a dark narrow dock (maybe a inch or two on either side of the trailer of that) had another prime driver come over and congratulate me.. Could tell we where tnt.

Got home time coming in a week.. After 8 weeks out looking forward to it.

How's it going Joseph? I'm going to be starting orientation with prime in about 2 weeks. Curious as to how it's going so far? I'm exited, but nervous at the same time.