Running In NYC - Tips, Encouraging Words, Fair Warnings ;)

Going into trucking, I want to have the most positive attitude possible. I've always been a big proponent of positive thinking. You don't have to be a naive Pollyanna (showing my age?) and be blind to the fact that bad things can happen to you. Nothing wrong with recognizing adversity and staring it in the face - it's how we handle it that determines our character.

I'm thankful that the good folks on this website make it a point to be honest and positive. That's why I'm drawn to this forum. So, in keeping with that honest tradition, I'll tell you guys that I'm worried about navigating a huge truck as a rookie in NYC. Let's just broaden the topic from NYC to any big city. You can read so many horror stories about NYC - I've read Brett's. A lot of companies use the 'no forced NYC dispatch' as a selling point for recruitment.

On the positive side, I'm looking forward to trying. And I don't want to make a mountain out of an anthill. I read a recent post and a veteran driver on here (Guy?) shared his experience of never turning down a load. I want to be that guy. I don't want to be a doormat, but I certainly want to do what I'm paid to do, and then some. I've learned enough from reading and listening to you people that your relationship w/ your dispatcher can almost be like a marriage - there is some sacrifice, some give and take.

So, any encouraging words of advice from you vets on NYC runs? Thanks in advance!

Here's my tips:

Avoid the rush hour.

The center lane has the best bridge clearances on the interstate.

Do not come into the city being stressed. Use your head, and take your time.

Drive at night if possible.

Remember that the clearances are much shorter than the actual bridge clearance. But if you're not sure. Then get out and look!

Study the local directions until you have it memorized.

Call the customer to verify directions and things you need to watch out for.

Use Google Earth to scan the area.

The better prepared you are, the easier it'll be.

Triple check all directions!

That's all I can think of off the top of my head.

I will add a few cause I have driven NY and NJ and I am not afraid to go back.

Look where yOu are going to be turning BEFORE you turn. Often they have no truck signs where they are hard to see. Beside you want to know what the turn looks like before taking it and you can be aware of any trouble spots before you make the turn.

Take your time. Allow traffic to go past you. With traffic moving faster than you you will more likely start seeing patterns in the traffic forming before you get to it therefore able to avoid sudden stops or cars that would normally cut you off.

Music really does soothe The savage beast. While in traffic or in the city find music that will help relieve stress. Avoid hyper songs. You don't want to be listening to "East bound and down" while in city traffic. I listen to Pop or country. Nice beats though the words are only background noise.

Learn to let stuff go. If you are not hurt and they are not hurt and no accident occurred then let it go and move on. Avoid road rage. It happens to all of us and it's going to happen to you. What matters is how you handle it. Take a deep breath and let it out while cussing them out loud in your truck and move down the road. It's never worth the pay back you would like to give to them.

Learn your job. I don't mean driving or about your company. I mean learn that traffic and rude people are apart of our job. That's everywhere. No avoiding it. Learning to swallow Your pride if you need to.

This next part I can not stress enough. TAKE YOUR TIME. Trust when I say that if the customer wanted the freight at 9 am they will really want it at 10am. You can not make up lost time due to traffic so don't try. That is how accidents heppen.

Don't be afraid to ask for help. I can not remember how many times I have asked people for help in NY and NJ. Believe it or not there are some really nice people even in the inner city.

And one last one that I think has already been mentioned but I will say it again...Take Your Time. Slow down and watch for traffic patterns. Learn to read them. After a while you will be able to tell what a other vehicle is going to do before they even knew they wanted to do it. That's the truth. Ask any driver out here and they will confirm this.

Watch out for Yellow Cab drivers! Some of the worst drivers I've ever encountered! Another thing: I678 always seems to have massive traffic. I495 often has some serious traffic as well, though not always.

Thanks for all the input guys! I really appreciate the detailed responses.

The companies offer no forced NYC dispatch for a reason.....THEY don't want drivers goin' in there that don't want to go there...for insurance reasons. They can send a seasoned driver in there and get the load where it needs to go, without alot of hassle. So it benefits the company as much as it does the drivers who don't wanna go. Personally...they can have it...the only places I lke to go that start with NEW and New Mexico, New Orleans, and any that are sough of Virginia...

It really is not that bad up here. I think mostly drivers just psych themselves out about NYC. We all get spoiled driving those long straight interstates in the rest of the country, so when we come near a city we panic.

Like guyjax said... take your time, be extra careful to look before you turn, and don't get angry.

It really is not that bad up here. I think mostly drivers just psych themselves out about NYC. We all get spoiled driving those long straight interstates in the rest of the country, so when we come near a city we panic.

Like guyjax said... take your time, be extra careful to look before you turn, and don't get angry.

Being from PA myself, I don't want to psych myself out about NYC. It's bad enough you hear drivers that are used to the west coast complain about the east coast in general. Funny how I'm now paying attention to low bridge signs, even while driving my car. Guess I'm trying to anticipate what it might be like to have to pay extra attention to all those signs that I've never bothered looking at before (signs for truckers). Same with being more attuned to traffic patterns, drivers around me, etc. Back to the topic at hand...

I appreciate your response ThinksTooMuch. I don't plan on moving from PA, and I'm planning on going with Crete / Shaffer. No use in getting worked up about driving in an area that I live in, and that has a lot of driving opportunities. I better get used to the fact that I will be doing most of my driving (if not all) here on the east coast, and mostly in the north east for that matter.

Yeah you are doing the right thing. Start paying attention to signs and drivers around you. Look as far as ahead as you can try to anticipate things. But don't be overconfident. Don't be in a rush. Getting lost or missing an exit out in Kansas is way less stressful than getting lost or missing an exit in the Northeast. So you definitely want to take your time and be attentive to detail.

Go to the NYC DOT website and order a truck route map for the city.

I have been there many, many times. Almost all of them have been driving a bus. A tour bus.

The map gives you the routes you are allowed to go on. As Guy and others have said. Always look at your route before hand. Use Google Earth and the Sat view on Google Maps. Look at each turn. Each intersection. And most of all make sure you are on an authorized route.

If you go by your company's or the receiver's direction and they take you on a non truck route, the cops don't care. I think they get paid extra for giving tickets to commercial vehicles, because they give out enough.

I can't remember how long ago it was, but they have banned trucks over 4x feet from Manhattan. I can't remember if it is 40 or 43 feet. But 53 footers are no longer allowed.

Keep it safe out here, the life you save might be your own. Joe S