The big deal about NEW YORK

The first company I worked for had an account in Brooklyn with a place called JOLEE. we picked up Avon products there. it was on 12th st.

the first time I went there was nervous because of all the stories Id heard about the city. I'll admit. it was tight in spots, especially if you miss a turn. but after going there a couple times it wasn't bad, I actually looked fwd to picking up there because I knew what to expect. and I knew I was headed home from there.

I did however, have to deliver on W. 34th st in Manhatten one time, a load of bottled water from Hollis Ctr, Me. down Broadway past times square, then Broadway turns into Fashion Ave (one way) white knucles, kamacazie cabbies, pedestrians looking at you like your an allien, (48' dry van no 53) then when I get to 34th st. Oh, no right turn!, had to.

Parked on the street, to unload. meter maid was going to write me a ticket unless I fed all three of the meters I was blocking.

then, after getting unloaded, No silly you cant go back the way you came in, (one way street Fashion ave is, up 2 blocks turn right, follow that to 10th st. turn right, back to Broadway, then left.. I was never so glad to see NJ in my life. almost kissed the ground at the Vince Lombardi. (I didnt though, I quickly realized where I was.

Oh, well what don't kill ya makes ya stronger, right?

Wheels up,

we had a lot Honda dealers up there also. fortunatley we had drivers that liked running the city. did it a lot, got to know the place well.

 

NYC isn't too bad. I drove the 5 boroughs daily for years (P&G dedicated), and I actually enjoyed it more than running the eternal straight lines out West. I'll take NYC any day over Philly or Boston. As with any city driving, you'll be in pretty good shape if you get good directions and trip plan a route and a back up in case of traffic, construction, accidents, etc. Phone number to the receiver also helps, if you can get one. The city is basically on a series of islands, so one way or the other you're gonna be paying tolls to cross some bridges - make sure you have the means to do so . Knowing the rush hour times is also a big plus - you haven't lived until you hit central Jersey at 7 in the morning or the Cross-Bronx at 6 at night, for example. Slide the tandems forward, and just take it slow and easy, and you'll have no problems. Don't worry about the traffic - it will move when you start to creep in its direction . Never had a hijacking, never had an accident, and I never got stuck at a bridge because I couldn't pay LOL. Have fun.

 

For whatever its worth, i was born and raised in brooklyn n.y. (sheepshead bay area) and in 1976 i went to Commercial driver training (name of the school) in Lindenhurst L.I. and got my commercial license.Back then, we took our road test in Maspeth queens and our hi-way part of the road test was on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway . Granted that was 33 years ago and traffic wasnt as heavy as it is now, but that city is still that city. Ive driven in most major cities and its no better or worse than any other except for the fact that there is no real truck by-pass to use.
Truckers being robbed or hi-jacked is the biggest Bull s--t story from 30 years ago.
You stand just as good a chance of getting robbed at nite in Milwaukee, chicago new orleans as in N.Y.C. which is now one of the largest safe cities in the u.s. But make no doubt about it, the city is not 53' trailer friendly.

 

I was never afraid of being robbed /Hi-jacked or anything like that, my biggest fear was low bridges, or making a wrong turn and not being able to get back out.

seems most of the people that don't mind Driving in the city, are... wow, from the city.

I didnt mind it either, once I had been there a few times. Its just part of the job.

Safe driving awards aren't hard to get when all you do is run wide open highway. Drive Boston, Chicago and the 5 bouroughs for a year or so. if you get your award, you earned it.

 

I went to CDT also, took 3- 90 minuter classes. My road test was in Freeport though and that was 21 years ago. #### I am getting old. LOL.

The place where hi jacking was happening was Hunts Point Market in the Bronx, whenever I went in there you just have to make sure where you are going. If it is at night, I would not stop at the stop signs or lights, more then once I saw guys standing on the corners with 4x4 or 6x6 to slide between the tandems to try to get you stuck so their friends can pop open the back door.

This was also about 18 years ago, so things may have changed there.

The thing to remember about the city(Manhattan to those not from there) Is be aware of everything around you, using signals is not recommended! There are some good caring people and there are scum, but this is everywhere.

If you can get in at night, much better idea, just read the signs on the street before you park.

 

The guy that started this thread 1 1/2 years ago, hasn't been here since then. Guess he's still trying to find his way out of NY

 

I noticed that too Hitman! LOL

If you aren't familiar with NYC BUY A PAPER FOLD OUT MAP! Yah, sure, you "got directions" in but how about getting out? HMMM? That $4.95 you pay for a map with will be one of the best investments you can spend! And it's tax deductible! Don't get that Quick Map as it's as useless as that NYC pages in the Rand McNalley! Gives you a general idea but no wheres close to the full picture! You can also see where the rails are for an idea if it's a low over pass!

I've been driving NYC for 30+ years! Yes it was bad 25 years ago but NYC and especially Hunts Point has cleaned up its act! I was dedicated from Rogers Ar to NYC for almost 2 years because the whiney assed LP drivers "don't do NYC" and the company needed a driverr to make multi drops taking 2 days until someone spilled the beans on how much I made as a company driver going in there! Last W-2 was 78,000! Now I miss NYC because I met a lot of nice people there and I could actually eat there cheaper than at the truck stops! The funny thing is the company almost lost the account because those moron LP drivers didn't want to have to spend a night there and kept aggravating the customers about "needing to get MT" crud! I got so many calls from "my customers" on my cell it wasn't funny! Too bad that company fired all of the company drivers that were to smart to take the LP plan! They finally lost the account and I'm hoping to buy my own and pick it back up for myself!

I will tell you that a truck and trailer at 76'6" is long but in the 5 Boroughs it's not that bad of a problem IF you route yourself and call the customer as most of them have figured out how to direct drivers in to where they are. Years ago, if you called you ran the chance of not finding anyone who could speak English (well that still can happen LOL) or would tell you to take a "PARKWAY" or "I take the "L" line" to work! Those were the days! Glad I figured out that a street map can become your best friend in some of these big towns! I'm still waiting for someone to come out with the "low clearance overpass map" like the one for Chicago!
I LOVE NYC! Go read the other threads about NYC that I've written in!

 

Since this thread started the tolls have went up at least 4 times. I was just in NYC last week. Most bridges are $40 now. This is enough reason to stay out of the city. My big problem is the clearance being wrong. One place it says 12' 6' and I slide right threw but then the next sign says all trucks over 3 axles must exit. Well do I believe that one or is it lying too?

As far as getting highjacked. The guy I work for has had his trailer opened in Chicago while he was pulling out from a traffic light. He also had a truck and trailer stolen in Atlanta. So it does happen but not the reason I can't stand NYC.

I can't believe that no one has mentioned the smell.

 

It smells there? LOL!

Sorry, 39 years living there, it smells normal.

Oh and 12'6 bridges are actually at least 13'6, but where it says 3 axles must exit, I would exit.

 

The smell? OH you mean all of the different restaurants and the wonderful aromas of different foods being cooked! Yeah NYC does smell nice doesn't it!