Untrained Drivers on the loose

We all have days when we cant back up jeeze sometimes I look like its my first time. Poor lighting at some recievers, weather and just poor judgment . Were all human

 

I've been driving 10 years. I grew up in this industry. So technically 36 years I've been out here. I cut my teeth in NYC, NJ and Philly along with all the Northeast and New England. Now that I've got my trucker cred out there, there are spots in that Denver pilot that I have a hell of a time getting into. Sometimes as an old pro, you have an off day. It happens to every one of us. We aren't perfect. But so what if the driver in question was a rookie. We all start somewhere. We all didn't leave the womb being able to blindside alley dock in the middle of the Bronx at 9:15 am. (maybe my dad did, RIP. but he was just a bit more crazy than me). You know how us "pros"
Got to be as good as we are? Remember that guy struggling to get in that spot. In a few years he may be the one getting you out of a jam. We were all that guy. Humble yourself young buck or you won't last long.

 

The other thing I agree with the OP about was his stating this was a straight line back. Straight line is the first thing they teach you in school. You can't get your CDL if you can't straight line because that's one of your three (usually) backing tests and the easiest one to not get any points at.

The point the OP is making is that the company was sending them out from their original training inexperienced enough to not do the basics. I don't expect someone to do a hard 90 at a Pilot in rain at 3am after 11 hours of driving, but a straight line during the day... WITH A SPOTTER, should be accomplished within a few minutes, tops, even with a rookie guiding a rookie.

 

How about being parked at a truck stop, sleeping soundly and the next minute you are tossed from the bunk onto the floor by a swift driver dragging his trailer across the front of your truck, and as you compose yourself and get out of your truck you see him trying to leave the scene. He then exclaims "I touched your truck" once I got him to stop! My entire front end was torn off, and he calls that touching me! He barely spoke english and was fresh from Nigeria. Should I have responded with empathy and been kind to his situation as well? There are way to many morons out here that shouldn't be riding bicycles, much less maneuvering 80,000 lb big rigs down the road, and no, I am not perfect and had to learn just like the rest of you, but where's the common sense? Bet if those two trainees who can't back were to tear up mr.nice guy helper's truck and inconvenienced him, he would turn into the mr.####### in a hurry.

 

That's a different situation entirely. I had the same thing happen last year in Greenville,VA at the Pilot off of I-81, xt 213. I was in the fuel island, I just pulled up to get my receipt. As I was getting out of the truck a PAM driver ran into me, tearing off the hood and did about $23,000 in damage. I could see getting angry about that. But if someone's backing in and they have trouble, that's no reason to get angry and pitch a fit about it.

 

I'm glad that they both want to work. I am a new driver and have asked several other driver's for help or advice. I am not embarrassed because I have not received a great deal of training. That was the hand I was delt and ask for help so I can learn the job.

 

Is that the pilot with the parking lot that dead ends because of the truck wash entrance?

 

I wear reading glasses that have seen more miles than you have, but when a driver is struggling I get out and help him or her and do not be little them. So next time here is a idea, get out and offer some assistance!

 

The one that always gets me irate is when drivers crowd a guy thats doing all he can to get in.
Sit there a few extra minutes,and let the guy set up,and do his thing.
As other posts have stated,I too have driven all day through rain,traffic and fog,and was just shot out when
trying to park,and couldnt hit a barn with an elephant.

We need to all try and take care of one another,if at all possible.Help a brotha out from time to time.
When he finally does get parked,give em a nice "that a boy pat on the butt".Shower him with hugs,
shows your sincere,and glad he parked next to you.
Sure,it may seem a little strange at first.Two grown men huggin,and ### slappin one another,but we gotta
break down these walls of the tough trucker image.
Offer to share your urinal from time to time when you see the others are full of trucker brethren,and dont hesitae
to just walk right up and use one thats currently occupied.Just tell em were all in this together,and everything should be
just fine.

 

I was once parking in a flying j off of I 70 in Ohio I think ... ,tired, almost out of hrs and trying to 90 it in. was there for about 15 minutes trying to nudge my way in there. Getting out and looking at every inch, then finally this foreign guy (possibly Turkish by his accent) was the ONLY person decent enough to help me out. He showed me a better way of getting it into that tight spot. it was still daylight out, people walking by, sitting in their trucks and no one but him helped me. I can comment on how sad and self serving we're becoming but I rather reserve it for now. There are a ton of different backing scenarios. A lifetime will probably cut short in learning all of them.