Whats the deal with Chicago?? - Truckers' Trucking Forum | Message Board

sjtrucker · **^ Top** #1 12.04.2007

I know why truck drivers hate driveing in cities on the east coast such as New York, because the roads were not desined to handle big rigs, but I was given some advice on one of my other threads that I should "hope I don't get stuck with all the Chicago runs"

So my question is what is the reason we don't like Chicago is it the same reason we dislike the east coast or is it the amount of traffic, bad 4-wheeler divers, or what?

by the way I finaly got my start date for school with Monson Trucking out of Duluth MN. I will be starting school January 2, and I can not wait to get this show on the road,, WISH ME LUK, and I will keep you all posted as to how school, and work for Monson goes...

379 Peterbilt · **^ Top** #2 12.04.2007

The only thing good about Chicago is that it's good for a backhaul.

Not to dampen your upcoming driving spirits, but you'll grow to hate that city. You see how the F.I.B.s drive up here? It gets worse down there. Driving a big truck on the city streets is no biggie, it's driving through on the interstate that is bad. The only good time to run through there is around 3-4 am. The drunks just got home, and the rush hour traffic has yet to get going.

On the south side headed into Indiana is always a big bottleneck, as every big truck from the west, coupled with us from the midwest needs to go through 80-90.

Hey good luck with you new opportunities.

bullhaulerswife · **^ Top** #3 12.04.2007

For my hubby, Chicago was a nightmare because of the low bridges. Just when you think you have a straight shot to deliver, you find that there is a bridge that you can't get under and you have to reroute out of your way to get where you need to go.

wallbanger · **^ Top** #4 12.04.2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by bullhaulerswife

For my hubby, Chicago was a nightmare because of the low bridges. Just when you think you have a straight shot to deliver, you find that there is a bridge that you can't get under and you have to reroute out of your way to get where you need to go.

Yeah, no kidding. When I drove for Covenant, they were renting space in a dump of a yard (near I55 and I94), and to get there: you'd have to jump off 55 (if heading north) and double back to the previous exit (that is ONLY on the southbound side).Then turn off onto a residential side street(because the main street the yard was cornered on had a LOW clearance), and dogde cars and pedestrians going there and back. Oh yeah, and NO parking on the yard, if you were waiting for a relay, you'd drop your loaded, and then go back to I55, 'cause there was an accident investigation pull-off that you could park in (and CPD wouldn't bug you).

Get good directions, and PAY ATTENTION! Do that and driving in Chicago isn't that bad.

bbkeo · **^ Top** #5 12.05.2007

As long as you are paying attention and have good directions you should be ok. There are a ton of low bridges around and traffic can get pretty bad, but it's not any worse than most other large cities. Good luck with school.

wc5b · **^ Top** #6 12.05.2007

Lets not forget all the Union Road Work. There is projects on going on Chicago area peices of highway that has been going on far beyond my time on this earth. The worst right now is south end, by far.

sjtrucker · **^ Top** #7 12.05.2007

Thanks guys sounds like it will just take a little geting used to. I don't know why a company would expect the newbies fresh out of school to deal with all that but I guess it would be the ultimate baptisem by fire

heyns57 · **^ Top** #8 12.05.2007

The Chicago "elevated" commuter rail line was not elevated high enough. The oldest section dates from 1892. I assume that "teamsters" of the day had no problems with it. [LINK POSTED BY MEMBER] Only Members Can View This Truck Forum Link.

I remember being able to walk to my consignee on the other side of a low clearance, but finally had to call our Chicago terminal manager to send a city driver to lead me in there. The city driver bobtailed around until he figured out a route.

Mr_Dude · **^ Top** #9 12.05.2007

Chicago is ok, the Drivers in Illinois are good (I was trained under the IL system when i was 16), South side is under construction though, West and North is fine, except around O'Hare.

379, I'm from Illinois, but not Chicago. NorthWESTERN illinois which might as well be an extension of Iowa and Wisconsin. I understand that's your big beef up there is the City and Suburbian Weekenders go up there. Over in NW IL, We're Deer huntin right next to you, soaked in female deer urine.

jugg · **^ Top** #10 12.05.2007

when i went threw cr englands driving school

8 years ago they gave all the new class drivers a map of all the low clarence bridges and walkways around the city will have to look to see if i got it or not still.. prob not i did my year and told the to F off tight at 1 year and 1 day... good luck i am sure you could find a map on the internet to post all low clarences...

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