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Docks right off the street.

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Slargtarg, Sep 17, 2019.

Page 1 of 4
  1. Sep 17, 2019 #1
    Slargtarg

    Slargtarg Light Load Member

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    Apr 28, 2015
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    Today I had to deliver a load to one of those hole-in-the wall receivers where the dock is right next to a busy street. In order to back into the dock, I had to block 4 lanes of a very busy road for a minute or two while I maneuvered into position.

    Now I'm an OTR guy and not a local driver, so most of the time I am delivering to distribution centers behind gated and secured facilities, but this load was a backhaul where my company got any load that would pay the fuel bill to get me back to the factory to pick up the next outbound load.

    These deliveries used to scare the hell out of me during my first year, but now that my backing skills have gotten much better over the years, it doesn't bother me as much. However I still find myself cursing the receiver and dispatcher for putting me in that situation.

    My unease comes from having to block the traffic and the liability it puts me into. Although, this delivery went smoothly with 4 lanes of traffic patiently waiting without even a honk, some of the closest calls I have had to major accidents were exactly these kind of situations. Some impatient f$@! 4-wheeler trying to maneuver around my blindside while I'm trying to back into a dock. Also, all it takes is someone looking at a their phone while I'm blocking traffic to broadside my truck while they cluelessly continue on in their travel lane.

    These shippers/recievers with docks right next to a busy road seems like accidents waiting to happen, with legal nightmares in store for the semi driver if some dumb #### isn't paying attention. With all the stupid regulations I have to abide by, like not being able to take a nap because of the 14 hour clock, I would think that someone else would see these places as safety problems and more worthy of regulation than what kind of computer logs my driving time.
     
    Last edited: Sep 17, 2019
    Slargtarg, Sep 17, 2019
    Slargtarg, Sep 17, 2019
    #1
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  3. Sep 17, 2019 #2
    Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Aug 28, 2011
    Henderson, NV & Orient
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    The liability is dumped right on you and the trucking company.
    "Well, driver, if you didn't think it was safe you shouldn't have done it."
    "Well, driver, no other drivers have any trouble backing in here; are you a rookie or something?"
     
    Chinatown, Sep 17, 2019
    Chinatown, Sep 17, 2019
    #2
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  4. Sep 17, 2019 #3
    NavigatorWife

    NavigatorWife Road Train Member

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    Cental West, AL
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    Husband had one of those oh no places in the Pittsburgh PA area years ago. It was a 2 lane narrow road and there was a tree with a fence around it on the sidewalk in front of him. He had a Volvo condo back then that was a little bit longer and a pain to get into an old street dock safely. Angels must hover around taking bets I think.

    The one thing I can say is that the cars were patient waiting. The warehouse did have someone who stopped the traffic luckily.
     
    NavigatorWife, Sep 17, 2019
    NavigatorWife, Sep 17, 2019
    #3
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  5. Sep 17, 2019 #4
    magoo68

    magoo68 Road Train Member

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    st malo mb canada
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    When did they implement a no nap rule ? I haven’t been stateside in a few years but naps were permitted you just couldn’t extend clocks is all
     
    magoo68, Sep 17, 2019
    magoo68, Sep 17, 2019
    #4
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  7. Sep 17, 2019 #5
    FlaSwampRat

    FlaSwampRat Road Train Member

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    They suck but you get used to them if you do them enough. Key is to try to block the lanes as fast as possible. Once you block it you own it.
     
    FlaSwampRat, Sep 17, 2019
    FlaSwampRat, Sep 17, 2019
    #5
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  8. Sep 17, 2019 #6
    snowwy

    snowwy Road Train Member

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    You might get a few fingers and horns but just smile and wave.

    California has no patience.
     
    snowwy, Sep 17, 2019
    snowwy, Sep 17, 2019
    #6
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  9. Sep 17, 2019 #7
    FlaSwampRat

    FlaSwampRat Road Train Member

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    I'm always#1 lol
     
    FlaSwampRat, Sep 17, 2019
    FlaSwampRat, Sep 17, 2019
    #7
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  10. Sep 17, 2019 #8
    shogun

    shogun Road Train Member

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    Doing a regen
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    We’ve got a couple stops like that. I always say “this is about to piss some folks off” when I head across the lanes. Most of them don’t mind stopping and waiting, especially if you’re fast at getting on the door.
     
    shogun, Sep 17, 2019
    shogun, Sep 17, 2019
    #8
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  11. Sep 17, 2019 #9
    Ffx95

    Ffx95 Road Train Member

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    Utica ave in the Brooklyn is like that. Oh boy that’s fun.
     
    Ffx95, Sep 17, 2019
    Ffx95, Sep 17, 2019
    #9
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  12. Sep 17, 2019 #10
    Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

    20,727
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    Dec 18, 2011
    Michigan
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    There are a few on telegraph road in Southfield Michigan, and that is a divided road, four lanes of traffic on each side with a 50 mph speed limit and people doing 60. Had a driver yeasterday just pull right out in front of a group of cars to back up, people were pissed off but he didn't care ... it had to be done.

    All of those docks and buildings were build in the 60's when the road was divided but two or three lanes to the setback was over 100 feet.

    There are a few too along eight mile road, where the Detroit meets the 'burbs. Same situation the buildings were there before the road.
     
    Ridgeline, Sep 17, 2019
    Ridgeline, Sep 17, 2019
    #10
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