A Question FOR New Drivers and Wannabees

At my last place of employment, because of space issues there were many OTR trucks that could not back in so we would have them drop the trailer and we would put it in the dock. Lol they always were able to pull out though.

 

I'm still in school right now and completely agree. They brag about having a 100% pass rate, but in my mind that's ridiculous. Instead of focusing on getting people to just pass, there should some form of weeding out drivers that can't or won't apply themselves.

I've heard several students say something similar to, "Don't worry, they won't let us fail." It blows my mind.

The test should be harder, there should be a finite amount of times you can attempt it, and if you fail there should be at the very minimum a time period that passes before you can attempt again.

Now as to the original question... I would prefer not to pay someone to do a job that I'm supposed to be able to perform.

 

Depends upon if I had been drinking before I got there

Seriously, I’ve been to a couple places I’d have gladly given the yard jockey some cash. That’s me dropping the trailer….no way they’ll drive my truck.

Wolverine in Detroit..is one of those places that’ll make or break you.. Mostly all the mega’s with their new drivers are there..

 

When you, Newbie, were supposed to Learn how to ride a Bicycle, who did it for you??

Who pushed you off a cliff on your brand new sled?? No one? Oh, right, you were not there.

How does one go to a Truck Driving SKOOL and NOT LEARN??

 

If you guys are like Australia, I think there will be market for valet parking.

We have quite a few immigrants turning their hands to driving for larger companies. They do 12 months local deliveries in 4x2 pantecs, then hit the open roads in semis for 12 months, then advance to B doubles. Recently I watched a lad in a semi fail on entering a ramp with an incline. He sat there skidding and revving, kangaroo hopping and getting nowhere. Eventually retreating back to the curb to park it up after a few goes at that also.

Not sure what happen next as I left, but it appears the lad had no idea what a cross lock was, its uses, or how to engage it. Just seem to lack basics, or look for solutions, or understand their truck.

To have someone drive it in, reverse it, or whatever I think will have some appeal to a small market. I doubt very much if insurance or ownership crosses their minds as its not their truck. Think a company if they are that way inclined, could easily target this group with valet parking selling it as safety, or speed, or nothing more than a toll; we park it but you pay.

 

I had a guy cone up to me and say, “My dispatcher told me to drop my empty and pick up a loaded trailer, how do you go about dropping a trailer?”

I told him I didn’t know, go ask they grey haired guy over there dropping one, he’ll tell you.”

I figured he was just talking junk, but he went to dude.

These are what’s out here now, demanding respect.

 

I remember dreading the days of going to Wolverine. It sucked even after you got backed into a dock, because you are on the street in Detroit for 3 hours or longer, with shady folks knocking on your door.

I'm also lucky that I got to practice at Wolverine before going to some place worse, like EW Grobbel, which is a couple blocks north of there.

 

Yep, and with the doors open you had about 10 inches on each side. Didn’t dare go into the sleeper because someone would take out the side of your trailer.

 

Somebody backing my truck? Hard pass. Yard dog offering a service for me to drop the trailer, would depend on the situation back then. Glad I didn't have the option, as those HEAVY G.O.A.L. days increased steps, and skills.

 

Maybe I’m getting old and memory foggy
But I don’t remember Wolverine being a problem
Unless they had dropped trailers too close to gate and in middle of yard...which was often the case
Been 10+ years since I’ve been there??