How can a new guy avoid the NE?

i do NOT want to frak any new guys out who are out there ... but the northeast is bad if you dont know where you are going ... here is a great rule of thumb and if you ever run the northeast .. you will see it but this is something for now .... never ever never drive on a parkway ...

the rest is pretty simple .. it can be a nighmare if you never been there ... i drove the northeast for many yrs ... you cant ever be afraid of it .. but rush hour traffic is a nightmare.. always has always will .........

 

Is there a city that any of you drivers would consider "easy" to maneuver through?

 

once you get use to the northeast you can pretty much make you way around anywhere ... but you have to get use to it .. first few times in a truck is a mierable time , you may even think of quiting, but hang in there, you will be fine ... and then wonder why you didnt do it sooner ... so my answer will be anywhere in the northeast is easy once you know it pretty well ...

 

One thing you will learn about truck drivers real quick. they like to b tch and bellyache and cry about everything. Listen to those stories and discount about 75% of it. The worst thing about the Northeast is the big cities there tend to have narrower streets and tighter turns, traffic is always a problem and a lot of the people can be downright nasty. A lot of the receivers will charge you a gate fee just for the pleasure of driving onto their property, and you need a small bankroll to pay the bridge tolls and lumper fees. I went to the docks in Brooklyn one time and had to pay $50 to get them to pull 20 pallets of the truck with a fork lift. If you are going into NYC make sure you have good directions for a truck. And never, like someone already said, get on a parkway. Those are reserved for 4 wheelers. Some of the clearances are less than 10 ft. Any of the major carriers will give you a steady diet of the east coast. If I was starting out again and know what I know now, I would probably go with a flatbed, or a dump. More physical work, but a lot less of the headaches that go with a van or reefer.

 

So, Johnny, this wad of cash that one needs to traverse the NE? Don't suppose the company fronts this money to you prior to dispatch?

How long (if ever) does it take to get reimbursed? I would have a hard time shelling out cash to someone just in order to do my job, in hopes of prompt repayment. I am sure the company has more money that I do.......

 

What about Watkins Shepard? Have you looked at them? I think there's a few folks here that run for them. I think they hire new drivers with little or no experience. I think. Hubby was looking at them (but he's got almost ten years driving), but they said minimum time out is three weeks. Which is great if you've got no one at home to worry about. Do a search on here for this company and see what all is posted. I'm sure I read a thread somewhere about working for them, the orientation, training, etc. There are some companies that say they will pay you an extra "bonus" for running east coast, or some say extra for NYC. You'll have to just research the companies, call them and talk to the recruiters and such if they don't have a website.

Good Luck.

 

When I worked for a tanker co in the Midwest we would draw pettycash from the terminal mgr and turn in the receipts on the backhaul. When I worked for a number of van companies we would have to get approval from dispatch for toll reimbursement prior to going up there, then I would get a comcheck advance to pay the tolls with, and turn the receipts in with my bills. I guess some companies have EZ Pass and toll cards but I never worked for one of those companies. I would not pay the tolls with my money under any circumstances.

 

You might want to look at Gordon (GTI) I believe they run almost exclusively West to Midwest...

 

from what i've seen here, watkins shepherd offers training. also there are of companies ( i won't begin naming names) that pay an extra nominal amount per mile in the ne (actual areas vary by company). there are also lots of companies that pay an extra flat rate for certain burroughs of nyc.

 

Just be patient with us. We hate everyone so don't take it personally.