Northeast Region question

Like Gizmo said, it definitely takes some skill and an experienced driver to navigate through your day up Nort!

This is one reason why local gigs require experience and prefer drivers who have spent some time over the road. Not just for the companies benefit but for yours also. If you don't have the proper training and experience it can make your life hell up there! If you aren't totally comfortable with your current driving abilities then give it some more time before you tackle the great Northeast! It can be a hell of lot more stressful up there! Gizmo drives up there daily and I'm sure even though he has a lot of experience, has his stressful days up there. Takes a lot out of you...

 

With a years experience, I moved to PA and started running NE regional out of Mechanicsburg. We did out and back grocery warehouse runs as well as direct deliveries to the actual stores for bulky items that were on sale like Gatorade and cereal. It was a real challenge on a daily basis. You end up learning the tricks and where to park that the BFI drivers don't know about. Even though it's been almost a decade since I ran up there regionally, I use the tricks I learned every time I go up there. My advice is to get a year under your belt, practice your backing as much as possible, especially blind side. It will give you the confidence and skill you need to do the job. I would also stay away from grocery hauling unless they are running paper logs, or drop and hook.

 

I ran OTR 3 years before finally sticking to North East Regional. I do the GWB twice a day and get paid well to do it. I would talk to a few drivers at different places to get a feel for what companies are hauling what to where. At this point it's starting to run in the drivers favor again. More jobs than drivers. The good jobs are the ones that aren't listed in advertisements.

 

just last night in fact, (Friday Aug 24th), as i was approaching my street in downtown Boston, a large car was stopped at the intersection. i thought, OMFG, what now, no one EVER STOPS there...!

well as it turned out, a bakery truck, (18 wheeler) had to back into the bakery there on the street i need. that driver HAD TO literally go up and over the traffic island in order to back INTO the building's loading dock...!!

since i have been doing this run, back in November of 2011, i have NEVER SEEN an 18 wheeler deliver there....

there have been times, in fact about 3 weeks ago, not only DO I HAVE TO climb up and onto THAT traffic island my self when the street is partially shut down for construction, but some times, i have to literally drive on that traffic island for several yards (my left side of the rig/trailer), then get off it, all to clear my turn...now mind you, i too have a 53 footer...!!!

oh the friggin' joys of very tight city streets driving, or is it (literally) sidewalk driving...?????

 

just last night in fact, (Friday Aug 24th), as i was approaching my street in downtown Boston, a large car was stopped at the intersection. i thought, OMFG, what now, no one EVER STOPS there...!

well as it turned out, a bakery truck, (18 wheeler) had to back into the bakery there on the street i need. (so this is why that large car was stopped), because that bakery truck driver HAD TO literally go up and over the traffic island in order to back INTO the building's loading dock...!!

since i have been doing this run, back in November of 2011, i have NEVER SEEN an 18 wheeler deliver there....it's always been 6 wheelers..!!!!!

there have been times, in fact about 3 weeks ago, not only DO I HAVE TO climb up and onto THAT traffic island my self when the street is partially shut down for construction, but some times, i have to literally drive on that traffic island for several yards (my left side of the rig/trailer), then get off it, all to clear my turn...now mind you, i too have a 53 footer...!!!

oh the friggin' joys of very tight city streets driving, or is it (literally) sidewalk driving...?????

 

Going into a ne regional as a new driver can be a trial by fire exp. You might do great, you might fail. The tight roads, heavy traffic, a hole drivers make it difficult. Being from ma you have a idea what it can be like. I do ltl in jersey and the philly area and did truckload flatbed in nyc, ct, nj and pa. Learning the area and remembering what roads are off limits and such is the biggest thing. A good level headed attitude is also a big thing. Not getting mad at every 4 wheeler that cuts you off will make it much better. It is possible to be a new driver and do the ne, i did it but it is not for everyone. So like others have said, try to get more ne loads with your otr company to get a better grasp of it then see how you like it. You might love it and get a local or regional job up here or you might hate it and stay otr.

 

It wouldn't be so bad in the northeast if they would build a north-south highway through massachussetts with no exits.

 

I was thinking a few tunnels , one from fredricksburg va and come out north of baltimore md . One from ex 9 on njtp and come out in ct .etc...

 

but then...how would the idiot 4 wheelers get off...???

how would truckers that need to make pick-ups or deliveries get off...???

 

495 and 128.... And I90.