Help a trucker wannabe out!

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WTF !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!






Where's
The
Followup ?

 

Love 'em and leave 'em!!

 

I reckon you could say it has something to do with distance,
but not following.

Yes you have.
No doubt about it.

You very well should be.

Gettin' the hang of shiftin' as quickly as you have, is unusual.
Not to feel confident about certain aspects of the yard skills portion of education is not unusual.

Quick Question: You typed "(which"...
Did you mean to type (wish ...... ?

I have a name for that kinda situation. Simply complicated.
Once you figure out the formula that gits-'er-dun, by golly'
you'll git-'er-dun.

Those who make it look easy are
the ones to talk to.
And not just about backin' either.
Also keep in mind that the Big truck does not make the driver.
The driver makes the Big truck.

If you can, ignore the Big truck being driven and focus on the driver instead, and observe what they do and how they do it, when they do it, the time will come when you'll know why they did what they did when they did it, congratulations!
You just learned something that you can add to your list of
How To _________ .

Strike up a conversation with drivers who impress you.
Pick their brain about better companies, or about which routes they prefer, and why. Whatever comes to mind that you're interested in at that time.
Follow your instincts.

I know that feelin', amigo.
I had the same problem. Messed up mostly, and on the rare occasion I managed to git'er in thar, I didn't really know how I did. Just luck.
I was up after lunch for the blind-side test.
Three practice attempts earlier that day all were failures.

On the way to the lunch room, the ol' yard coach catches up to me and mentioned he saw I was havin' a hard time with blind-side backin'. I told him, not only that, but if I failed, it would be the first failure, --- and that right thar is hard to take as well.
He told me a secret that worked for him.
Imagine there's a big picture window in the back of the Big truck, with a complete view of the trailer and dock, --- then feel 'er back thar.
I thought about what he'd just told me.
You're crazy, old man. Is what I was thinkin',
but I said thanx, I'll give that a try.

What's just as crazy, is I did give 'er a try.
Even crazier yet, ........... it did work.
Not even a pull up.
Jaws dropped to the ground.
I just casually stepped out of the Big truck,
and said, "yeah, I'm bad" --- as I was still sweatin' bullets.
And shakin' a tad, too.

Who knows?
It might work for you, too.

Also consider that what you're seein' in the mirrors in relation to real time in reverse, takes some time to get used to. It's not easy to judge distance and/or recognize angles accurately. Think compensation. Exactly like compensatin' for windage with a rifle,
only different.

When you're at real docks, you can use a wheel chock, or anything handy, to use as a target. When backing, you'll know that's where your tandems need to be to be properly lined up with the dock.

Don't depend on lines painted on the ground. Often times, they aren't even close to being square with the docks.

Who told you that?
We're they bein' serious?

Now listen up!
We'd much prefer that report than you reporting that you backed over a Pete's long nose, --- after workin' for a good company for a month.
Personally?
I think you'll do fine.
I'd tell you to relax,
but, if you're like me,
you can't.
I'm told that's a good sign.
That doesn't relax me either.

Man-0-Man!
That's like a whole weeks pay at some Big truck truckin' companies.
Very generous of you.

Ain't that what they call serendipity?

In NASCAR, that's called points racin', or goin' for points rather than a win, and the additional risks involved that could result in a DNF.

If you can figure out unique ways to accomplish a goal, apply them.
Maybe they oughta give you extra points for doin' that.

I think you're a thinker who isn't confined to a box or contained betwixt any lines. What I've noticed about you is that you tend not to do the same thing over and over, expecting different results. If it doesn't work, you try something else. Probably after thinkin' about it.
I remember sayin' lucky is the company that hires you.
I'm gonna have to revise that.
Extremely fortunate will replace lucky.
Please make a note of it.

See folks?
He's STILL thinkin'.

You'd be perfect for a job that paid
by the hour instead of by the mile.

A proactive thinker.
Keep it up and I'll have no choice but to revise the revision I made.

HuH?
Whuzzat?
Say again?
Which way?
Well, ....... upward, ...... of course.
What were you thinkin'?

I'd even go a step farther, Sammycat.
I'm thinkin' it's a Must Read & Re-Read --- and take notes both times.

I gotta admit, this is the best play by play, complete with personal insight, that I've ever had the privilege of readin'.
This is a High Value Thread.

I came in while the show was already in progress and was immediately hooked. By the end of the first page I knew this thread had the potential to excel. ORG's writing style is easy goin', easy to understand, educational and entertaining, -- all at the same time. And his candid inclusion of what he's thinkin' and how he feels is triple chocolate icing on a Dutch chocolate cake.
I want more.
And I already have a CDL-A.
So, why am I readin' this?
To learn.
And the entertainment, too.

By readin' we're learnin' without even realizin' it.
Doesn't even hurt either.
It just makes us want to read more.
It's all good.
How cool is that?

Openroadguy?!
Where?!
OH, gee ---- you don't suppose he heard us talkin' just now,
do ya?

 

He must be logging on with a device that he cannot transmit with.

I suspect he shall update this thread by tomarrow evening at the latest !!!

I wish him Good Luck !!.... and hope all is OK !!!

 

Hey ORG, we want an update!

(Altogether now,)

WE WANT UPDATE, WE WANT UPDATE, WE WANT UPDATE!

 

I just hope he didn't meet Karasu1982, or Foodmojo, for lunch !!!

 

Aftershock: NICE POINTS and I took out some of the best!!

As you said some company will be lucky to have him but then revised to say fortunate! ORG: just make sure with your style of communication that the companyd does realize that too! Some how down the road I don't see as just a driver or truck number but you will be a face and name.

I commend you also on your easy going writing style-Like I said before I almost feel as if I was going to get my CDL-A I would have a huge head start by reading just this thread!!!

 

ORG not for nothing or to give you a big head cuz we really enjoy what you are writing but I am ALL WITH BIG DON here-WE WANT AN UPDATE!!!!

 

This is a family forum. No way will giving head be allowed. Big or otherwise!

 

Best advice an old driver ever gave was " An ugly driver can make a pretty truck look bad"! meaning both have to look good and ACT right.