Gimmie the scoop on WS

Good advise.
Thanks.
Like most new drivers, I suck at backing up without a bunch of pull ups, so the more I practice, the better.

 

We all started that way and the only way to improve is to do it A LOT, and not in a practice scenario, in the real world...Just take your time and in time, you'll get the "feel"...When I started I only parked at truck stops when I had easy spots to hit, now, give me something made for a horse and buggy and I'm good!...I run LTL/shortline and have anywhere from 10-15 stops a day, from easy Lowes to, as I call them, 'horse and buggy docks'(seems they were built in the horse and buggy era)...Once you build that confidence, it won't matter what they throw at you, it'll just be another day at the office!...Be patient, don't let others(or yourself) pressure you, USE YOUR MIRRORS like your job depends on it(as it does) and GOAL as often as needed...Even now, I have some blind side docks into tiny places and I'll still get out 4 or 5 times, if I can't see, I can't see, but I'll be ###### if I'll just "back up and hope"...I'm not losing my job over something I could have avoided with a 53' walk...

 

Hi Axe,

Sorry to steal your thread jakecat, but I can't pm yet. My bad for being too much of an observer on forums even though I used to be in high tech.

Axe, I expect to do orientation in Conover, as I am in Georgia right now, but am intending on moving to Washington, Lakewood, ASAP. An email for me is [email protected]. Can you email me, so I can ask some questions about the work out of Lakewood. I'd really appreciate it.

FWIW, I am hoping to start orientation 08/13, but it might slip to 08/20 depending on how long it takes to get my permanent license after taking the road test.

Apologies again jakecat, and thank in advance!

 

email inbound

 

Do you think WS is the right company for someone who has never been in a Semi?

I really like what I read about it, but I wonder if for someone who has never been in a truck the training period is a must... of course, if you get a bad experience...

 

I was never in a semi until my CDL school...

 

I've been driving about 20-21 months now and I still need pullups. I suck...

 

They hire new drivers fresh out of CDL school all the time. I was one of them. It comes down to, do YOU feel confident that you can handle this job without a trainer in the truck for a month? I don't think going out with a trainer will make you learn any faster. After 2 or 3 loads you will either get it, or you won't. Personally, I can't stand having anyone else in the truck with me. I can do fine on my own. WS gives you enough info in training, and a very useful binder full of instructions to keep with you on the road.

 

I am not very smooth either, but every time I get into trouble at a dock, I just pull over and think it through. I got incredibly frustrated at a dock the other day, and after about 20 pull ups, I just parked, had a smoke, and backed right in first shot. Funny how that works.

 

I do anywhere from 10 to 12 stops a day now, 28' to 53' trailers...some days I can back like a champ, others....not so much! lol