Alley backing from street

In general I agree with your take. However I have seen city cops issue tickets for blocking traffic. It is a crime and truck drivers are not exempted. Also another thing that can get a driver in trouble is not having someone blocking for you. Like I said in my first post. It's all about balance.

I have edited this to add that some places across the US is starting to get tough witb trains blocking crossings for long periods of time.

 

Quickly, no, efficiently, yes. Takes time, patience, practice. I would have said instruction also but it lookes like any instruction other than in how to be an ### isn’t available.

 

If he was a seasoned trainer he would take you someplace to practice with absolutely no traffic. He would watch to see that you don’t jackknife too far damaging something and otherwise keep his mouth shut. Once you get comfortable in an environment without distractions you will do much better on the street. However it could take years for you to get really comfortable doing it. He has 2 years experience, he barely knows what he is doing and has no clue how to teach you. Take your time and don’t rush when you do it. If you let others rush you and dictate the speed you do this, you will eventually hit something. I occasionally have to back in to dealerships from busy roads because they don’t have room to turn around on property. I would much rather back in than back out. After 31 years of doing it I still won’t rush, because when you rush you will tear something up. I do it as fast as I can do it safely.

 

Take your time and avoid accidents you will feel better and the co will love you for it they won’t have to pay out for repairs and also most important is you keep your license clean

 

THIS is the 64 thousand dollar answer! The primary problem is most of today's trainers have ZERO interest in teaching like this is because unless those wheels are rolling they are not making any money. I can't tell you how many times I have seen trainers out in old abandoned docks and yards showing the students how to do things. I once saw a trainer out one morning around 2AM teaching a student how to back from a road into an alley because there was very little traffic. Good trainers are worth their weight in gold. Trainers that are mere steering wheel holders and basically teach this I hold in pure contempt!

 

If both of you don't agree on the hand signals in advance you might as well not have any signals. You have to enjoy going as slow as necessary to get the task done. You also have a duty to back up every time you pull into a truck stop . You will not improve without practice. Every time you avoid backing you are volunteering to suck at the most important skill in your job. Practice.

 

Companies sell becoming a trainer as a way to make more money. As a solo driver you make more by driving more. That carries over to new trainers.
GO GO GO !

 

Doing it right the first time is faster than needing to do a pull up because it was rushed. I would say it's better to spend less time in the street than necessary, but I wouldn't say your trainer is correct.

Just do your thing, ignore the arm flapping, speed will come in time.

 

Screw the cops, too!




P.S. We all know those train engineers block the road and then take their lunch break. They just bump it forward and back a few times to watch all the car drivers squirm every time they think the train is about to move. They have a good laugh, then go backto their lunch.