You are not helping!

Multiply that by two or three and that's what I get in a Swift yard.



For some reason, when they see a little chickie driving a lease truck, they automatically think I'm the student and my mentor told me to go park. In most cases, you add their experience up and mine is still more by itself. But, they just have to "help."

It's kind of like Keystone Kops. None of them is watching what any of the rest of them are doing, so they're all trying to direct me in a different direction and at least one is standing exactly in the wrong place.

I ignore them in most cases, except to make sure I won't run one over.

And inevitably, one will ask how long I've been driving. Uh....almost five years. Long enough to know how to avoid jack knifing a bobtail. You? Answer....a blank stare.

 

It's a stereotype we all face at the major OTR carriers. People see my England truck backing and automatically assume I'm either a student or a inexperienced driver (I'll be the first to tell you I don't look my age). Also, being a relief driver on a lease truck is another slash. Needless to say, it shocks other drivers when I can do a 45 or 90 degree back with no more than one pull up (sometimes I can do a back without a pull up, depending on the yard).

I have mirrors, and I use them. I haven't hit anything backing, so sometimes it does annoy me when people want to spot. I turn the CB off at truck stops as I don't want to hear other drivers either.

 

So where are you...I want to come over and holler my helpful thoughts!!??

 

The keyword I used was "sometimes". There are instances when I do appreciate a spotter (such as a blindside 90), but for the most part, I don't need one.

 

You're no fun at all!

 

A few years ago I ran into a driver at our yard and he told me what had happened a few days before. A fater and son team came in and the son always got out and directed his father back into the spot. The trailers had roll up doors and the son was standing on the driver side up on the dock hanging out just enough for his father to see. His father came back and looked to his right then looked back and found he had crushed his son against the trailer and the building. Please be extra careful when you're backing. This happen so many years ago and I remember it everytime i go to back or see a busy yard.

 

That had to suck. Getting crushed like that. Anytime I try to help a driver back up, I make sure I can see them in their driver side mirror. If I see them I know they probably see me too.

 

I stand in the "front aspect" of the tractor I am assisting....means a bunch of running back and forth from right side to left side....but I won't get crushed!

 

I was so helping, it's not my fault you're afraid to run me over and hit my van.