The best way to back is(to not back at all) but seriously, If you have ever driven a forklift, it will tell you.Always steer with the tandem wheels.When alley docking, you just back crooked.Start with a slight angle in the direction you want to go and give yourself enough room to let thetrailer do the work.BUT!!!! WATCH THE BRICK WALL!!! There always is a brick wall!!!

Good post. I think it is just a matter of time and getting used to the way the trailer is pivoting.

I too struggled with alley docking, but have improved. I still marvel at the you guys that can get it in one shot.

I too have astigmatism. Can anybody explain how that affects our ability to back the trailer in?

Good job driver on overcoming your problem. It always feels good when u overcome an issue and lets face it some days it's hard to feel good out here. I've helped alot of drivers overcome there fear of log books back when we were running really hot and it feels good to help another driver out with a problem. Be safe out there and keep up the good backing.

GREAT post!!!

PRE-HIRED BY:
Wernier.USXpress amd other starter companies....

Sherry

What kind of school are you in?
You've only been driving for a week and your going to test on on tues.
Most trucking co.s require 160 hrs. of training before you get a CDL.

Who do you have a pre-hire through?

I'm finally home now for the weekend. I just spent mon-fri learning how to drive truck, and so far I love it!! It's a 96 T600 Kenworth. To be honest, I was scared at first, but thanks to my wonderful instructor, I'm doing great. Next tuesday will be test day. Wish me luck guys!!

I have not started driving --yet...
(See 1st entry of this blog)

I am waiting until after the 1st of the year, possibly March...family situation.

Now with this darn economy--who knows if there will be sufficient freight for all driver's....

(I have been pre-hired. though)

I love Vernors G.A. The only place I can find it out here in Oregon is at Albertsons. I dont know if Albertsons is out that way, but I do know that it's connected to the Kroger chain wich is out that way.

What area are you driving in?
And who are you driving for?

Yep, from good ole Metro Detroit area and I am a storm chaser in the lower part of Michigan......
I miss the Vernor's ginger -ale plant/facility that was located on Woodward Avenue ! Sorry, I do not remember Calders Chocalate milk, I do remember Borden's milk on Fenkell when it was in Redford Township many years ago !

Thanks for the advice chaser.
I see you're from Detroit?
Detroit just so happens to be my home town. Dearborn actually. I haven't seen that place in ten years...I really miss Calders Chocolate milk.......

Cpassey,
Wishing you success in school and in the New Year !!
Make sure you are comfortable with Alley docking and Serpintine...these are a couple of things you should be able to do for the company's driving tests...........

I start school Dec. 15th. and have been told that there are plenty of jobs.
I've also got pre-hires to Gordon and May.

Yep, I hear ya and that is what the streets and trucker's are telling me.....one guy I met at the unemployement office is a trucker for a company that hires graduates like crazy. He tells me the miles were good at 1st and then he could barely take home $300/ week. He quit his job and that company has him listed as on medical leave. The guy said they barely make ends meet and thank goodness that his wife was working two part time jobs.

Personally, I would be tempted to hire the experienced driver's...yet I would also want to give a few new guys the opportunity to gain experince.........groan, this darn economy !

I hear ya loud-n-clear, I have been driving since May and it seems like I can not get any miles but yet they are hiring like crazy! My wife is about to join me and she has to wait until after the first of the year to start school, which is fine for us. Here is what I do know, the company I am with is focusing totaly on experienced drivers. This is because a lot of companys are shutting their doors and that leaves a lot of experienced drivers with no jobs. What would you hire first? Experienced or Unexperienced?
Good luck.

I am happy to say that I finally did my first ally dock !
Thank goodness ! The instrucker has the patience of a saint ! My group and instructor cheered ! Now I am getting a small tatoo that sez "1st ally dock" along with the date that it occurred. It isn't easy and that is
I do have a tendency to over analyize things.
You are right, shut out the world and relax.

Hey
Tomorrow is the first day of the rest of your life.
So relax.
Don't beat your self up, if it were easy every one could do it and no one would need class/ school.

Next time close/shut evry thing out except you the truck and were your putting it. Their isn't a time clock, it's not a race. You can do it.
I have had the worst time when my boss is with me or watching. Oh ya when he is telling me how to shift or back up .....
I took the truck to an open parking lot and spent hours there. Backing all the way across the lot and alley docking between cones.
I was doing good after that. That was with a 53' trailer. We also have a 30 yard dump trailer it's about 28'long and 45' dove tail flat bed. They all are evry differant to back up. Bet you can't wait, until you block a five lane road as you back into a drive way to a lot you can't pull into. Most of the people think you are a big jack***. We Just have to shut most things out and do our profession. It's not Just a JOB.