The big deal about NEW YORK

Whats the deal already? I read threads on here about going into New York but no one ever says why they despise it. Im not new to city driving but new to otr. I'll take NYC. I've never been and I am always up for a challenge. Your input here is greatly appreciated.

1. What should I expect going there?
2. Does it compare to driving in LA or San Francisco? If that is the case, then piece of cake.
3. Any known routes that you might have taken but werent aware of it NOT being truck routes?
4. Any low clearances that would pose a problem?
5. Safety issues: I know there are some rough areas in NY as any other metro city here in the US has. Any one in particular I should avoid at all cost if any?
6. Bridges: prices, weight limts, etc?

If you can think of something I have not asked please add it.

 

Let's see.
Heavy traffic
High risk of getting your load hi jacked at a stop light (or anywhere else for that matter)
NYC vs. 80ft tractor trailer and screwed up street (small, crowded, very tight turns etc.)
Hard to find place's while trying to watch where your going do to the mass amount of building's.
I'm sure there is a lot more but just what I listed there is enough for me to refuse a load. Driving around NYC in a car is a LOT different than in a truck.
Did I mention there are people EVERYWARE? lol
I was there one time delivering a load and I don't care to ever go back. I'd much rather take on L.A. before I would NYC and notice I am saying New York "City" Not the state of New York.

 

Like I said, if its like SF then piece of cake.

 

Well, I've never been to SF so I can't say anything on behalf of that. I've heard about many driver's getting their load hi-jacked right off the back of their trailer's while stopped at a stop light and didn't even know it. It take's the police a year before they respond to your call on any kind of situation.

 

That says a lot right there. never been (NYC)

 

Yeah, I hear you on that one. Here in Sf, the streets are tight, people everywhere, crazy taxi drivers and bicyclist, oh and did I mention people everywhere lol. I expect that in any metro city. Im sure if you are experienced in the city, anything else is just a walk in the park.

 

Yeah, I been there too. Big cities are a pain anywhere, but some are worse than others.

 

Sorry....NYC was what I meant to say and not refering to the state in general. Now me asking says alot right there lol. I come from and island only 30 miles long. Driving in Sf was a nightmare to me when I first started. I took what they gave me. You know the saying: you wont know till you tred it.

 

With all the post in here about not wanting to go to N.Y.City, no one can answer my other questions. Ok, number one was answered but what about the rest? I expect to go there being new to otr and if its just like driving in San Fran, then it really is not an issue. Driving in LA is nothing. Its only the traffic and the fact that people shoot at you down there. Im asking info from experienced NYC drivers. Anyone that goes there one time is obviously going to hate it. I appreciate the input and im pretty sure most new drivers out there will.

 

I have been to NYC and the surrounding burroughs many times over the years. I have layed over a few times as well and NEVER been bothered. I have walked the streets of Brooklyn, Bronx, and Queens several times in search of good food and out of curiosity. I have never been hassled.

Now for the driving. Yes it is congested. Slide your trailer tandem all the way forward and take it slow.

The bridges are measured from the curb up so the heights will always show lower than reality. As long as you stay on the interstates and get good directions from the customer for truck pickup or delivery you will be fine.

There are very few places to legally park a big truck in NYC so most drivers wait to make the run into the city until early morning hours as in 4 to 5 am. The cities are old with narrow streets, lots of 1 ways and docks that are NOT designed for big trucks. Many times you will have to load and unload in the street.

All the bridges accept ez-pass now so as long as you sign on to a company that has ez-pass you should not have to pay anything out of pocket (provided you go through the ezpass lanes, if you go to a cash only lane the attendant will expect you to pay cash this is due to ezpass not being installed in every lane). If you do not have ezpass then be sure to have 100.00 available for bridge tolls. Last time I knew (this info is a few years old so it may have gone up by now and if my memory serves me) the Triborough, Throgs Neck and Whitestone bridges were 19.00 each way into Long Island. The Outer Bridge crossing, George Washington Bridge and Goethals bridges were 20.00 to go into New York (1 way). The Verrazanno Narrows Bridge was 33.00 for the return trip thru Staten Island. Many drivers would swing around the city and go over the Tappan Zee Bridge (I287) to save money it used to be 15.00 but I think that too has gone up to 20.00. Perhaps someone else can either verify or update the bridge prices.

As for hijackings I Have never personally been hijacked nor have I ever seen anyone being hi-jacked. Many of these "stories" are just that; "stories." Its always, I heard, or a friend of a friend had this happen, or I heard on the CB. A word of advice on this stuff; "Believe nothing of what you hear and only half of what you see."

1 warning however is beware of pedestrians trying to flag you down. There is a common scam where the pedestrian informs the trucker that he is headed for a low underpass and cannot get underneath. The "good samaritan" will offer to guide you around the bridge for a "fee." Do not fall for it. Do not let these guys in your truck or you might actually be 1 of the guys that actually does get hijacked. Call the customer directly and get the directions from them or use ALK technologies CO-Pilot routing software. It is designed for truckers specifically.