East Coast

I was just curious as to why a lot of drivers do not like driving on the east coast?

The East coast was built before our modern trucks. For example, when they built the bridges they didnt exactly build them with 13'6" vehicles in mind.

The streets are less wider. There are much less truck routes and even sometimes the truck routes seem like they're not for trucks.

The drivers are also unbelievably rude. You have to watch out for bridges at all times especially when driving in a city. And there's not exactly many miles to drive over there. I mean, everything is so compact. I could drive 600 miles in the central part of the US and only hit two cities and two states but 600 miles in the East would mean like 4 states and 7 cities if you know what I mean.

Why do I dislike the NE part of the US...let me count the ways...

1. Toll roads....out west we are just happy to have roads that aren't gravel. 2. 2 lane roads if you don't take the toll roads...We have lots of 2 laners...but they are ctually wide enough to accommodate 2 trucks meeting, without someone mowin' the roadside grass. 3. Rude drivers, shippers, and receivers. Now we are used to rude drivers..they are everywhere. But dant it, we pull in to help a company make a living, and they give me 'tude !!! Really ?? Us cow folks ain't used to that. 4. No truck stops....Now it may be a ways in between em here, but atleast when ya get to one theres parking and you can fit in the spots... 5. The price of fuel. Whats with that ??? do they have to fly it in on space ships or something ?? I know out west, we are closer to the AK pipeline...but thats crude oil... 6. Big city driving, with every other sign tellin' ya "no trucks"...yeah, they want their crap...but don't you dare bring that big ugly truck down this street to deliver it". Westerners still remember freight wagons, and the privilege of getting RFD deliveries..and being thankful for them, irregardless of what hauled it in. I've been to the new england area, both as a truck driver, and as a person in my private cage....and rude must be taught in school up there......jmho

Just to add to what Starcar said, the condition of the roads themselves. Is it really necessary to spend millions of dollars installing potholes and speed bumps on the interstate? Also, quite a few of the warehouses in the area were built long before anybody even imagined a 53' trailer, much less one being pulled by a sleeper cab, and getting in and out of doors can be...shall we say, challenging.

Wow, I guess living on the east coast Ihave become immune to most of the complaints. I do understand about the rude drivers, and being from the Philly area it gets worse the farther north you go... This is why I asked the question because I never figured on the bridges and size of the roads.

Thanks for the input everyone it is definitely helpful info...

Now, I am wondering if I should stay in my area and go to a private school instead of going somewhere company sponsored?

Wow, I guess living on the east coast Ihave become immune to most of the complaints. I do understand about the rude drivers, and being from the Philly area it gets worse the farther north you go... This is why I asked the question because I never figured on the bridges and size of the roads.

Thanks for the input everyone it is definitely helpful info...

Now, I am wondering if I should stay in my area and go to a private school instead of going somewhere company sponsored?

Put yourself in a truck and you'll notice real quick just how small those roads are. A truck already doesn't have much room but in the East we drive on the shoulder. And 4 wheelers don't look at bridge height so that's probably why you never notice that either :)

We have tons of articles here about choosing from a sponsored school or a private school. Where you live shouldn't matter. Just make sure the companies you're going for hire out of your area. Main difference; in a private school you pay a lot of money unless you get a grant and its usually up to you to find a job afterwards. In a company sponsored school you pay very little, they pay for all expenses such as hotel and transportation and above that they give you a job upon completion of training. You sign a 1 year contract in most cases but that shouldn't bother you, you must stay for a year at your first company anyways. Thing is, with company sponsored schooling its kind of like bootcamp but private schooling is much more focused on you because you're a paying customer. It's all up to you.

Daniel B. thanks for your input! I was just wondering being from Philly there are schools here that put you thru the city in their training program. I just thought that might give me experience with city driving, most company sponsored training is held in the midwest or farther west.

Believe me when I say I am interested in the company sponsored programs as I have no funds to pay for schooling, nor do I want to finance and have to re-pay more money thru financial aid.

If company sponsored schools are right for you then go for it man. What do you have to worry about? The company will pay for transportation, some will provide a meal a day, and they'll pay for a hotel for the entire stay. Make sure you bring some money with you for food and some require 100$ fee before orientation but that's it.

Where you live has no effect on the company you choose. You could work for a company 1600 miles away it doesn't matter. So pick which company suits you not based on where you live. No one will have a problem getting you home.

My whole reason for saying that was I might get better city training by staying here and doing private school vs. company sponsored...

I like the company sponsored because of a guaranteed job after completing the training. I am not opposed to one or the other, they both suit me quite nicely.

Another thing about the east coast is the appalachian mountains. Mix that in with rowdy 4wheelers and tight lanes and you'll be suckin in seat cushion through the backside the whole time. Especially when you get up towards Conn and Mass.

Traffic is a bear in NY/NJ/DC, as are the roads and... well... the bears (not the furry kind either) VA has horrible road signs, and really skinny streets. And the roads ...omg, the roads and I'm not just talking about the interstates. Intown, traffic and one way streets will drive you batsh*t crazy in all the above mentioned states.

And here's the kicker.... I'm not even a truck driver yet. I just know this from my 4 wheel experience. God help me when I get into a rig.