maybe i should quit

Practice as much as you can. Everyone can't do everything perfect, but it is like riding a bike. Don't quit just because you aren't backing up correctly. Practice backing as much as you can with your trainer. You will eventually figure it out. If needed, as CRST for more training, perhaps even from a school. Or use one of their trucks in your off time to practice at their facility. Hang in there!

 

Don't give up that easy. It might keep you wondering for a long time. Pay is not great with any starter company. That is just part of the game when working for them. What does seem to go wrong when you are backing up? Do you set yourself up awkward and than have to struggle to get where you want to go or do just get flustered and over think the whole thing? Backing is one of those things that will take a while to figure out and even after years of driving you will have a day where you can't hit a dock or spot to save your life. Also don't set your self up for failure by already thinking i cannot get in there. Work some more with your trainer and if you don't understand how he is teaching you try to clarify and see where it will go.

good luck

 

Hey Bigwuz-How are you?Hey,that's a good idea.Run from whatever bothers you.Great solution.See how that serves you in later years.And in this particular line of work.Or decide some things take time.I've done this for awhile.As soon as i know everything i'll become really dangerous.Some days i can't back up if both our lives depended on it.

When i was learning,i found out really fast if it doesn't work one time,it's not going the next time either.Find out what works for you.Each situation is different.Size of the truck,room for left/right and side to side,fifth wheel position,rear axle position and your approach all make a difference.If you need to slide the tandems back when you are backing then reposition when you are backed in,do that.

This is a constant learning,thinking and changing business you are in.Let's say you decide to quit because you can't back up a truck.Apply for another job,they ask why you left,you say "I couldn't back the truck up".They think you don't have the ability to solve problems,think things through or advance your skill set.Would you hire someone after that interview?Nobody knew how to back up on day one.Even if they started driving at nine.I heard some guy on the CB say he had.

When you go to do anything with the truck and you feel anxious,take a deep breath.Then take another one.Think it through to the desired result in your head,decide how you will do that then do what needs to be done for that result.It's a time and practice thing.Take your time and practice.You'll get there if you want.Once you think you are defeated you are.Take care.Brian

 

That's a tough decision for someone to make for you bigwaz, are you unhappy because it's not what you expected and it's more than the pay and backing?
For some folks backing takes a bit of time and then, wham, " I could have had a V8" it just comes to you.
Like a lot of folks say, trucking is a life style.
I remember going to boot camp in the Army, pay was lousy, I was being yelled at, I was home sick, all I wanted to do was go home. But I had a a choice, I new it was only for a couple of months taking this crap, I'm glad I did.
If your heart is in driving and putting up with crap now and then, stay aboard and before you know it a year will pass and then you can find a better position with better pay.
Hang in there buddy!

 

I'm just a beginner here, but I really empathize. I had a dickens of a time on the backing range. The instructor I had yelled a lot and shrieked and stomped his feet and made me feel like a failure and a freak. I thought he was the worst teacher I had ever come across. He simply said "back up," and then waved his hands around and made me watch him, rather than give me tools to figure it out for myself. One day toward the end of class, I and three more students were taken to an old trucking company with another instructor, who also screamed a lot, and then, when I whined about simply not grasping what he was telling me, he said, USE BOTH MIRRORS! Wow! I felt foolish. So you angle the truck up-- straight, and take a bead down the side of the truck and on both sides you should see the two lines on the pavement. Then you back, using those two lines painted on the ground as a guide. I put it right in. It was the long dock exercise, but in real life. Then he took us out to the Crete terminal, and I put it in again, and he had us go around, and pull it out, and put it into the long truck parking spaces at the Crete terminal. I understood that I was previously looking only on one side (drivers side) of the truck and so was getting the truck at the wrong angle to go in the hole.

Okay long story, but the lesson was that a new teacher, who had a different manner of explaining the maneuver was all I needed to make me a pretty good backer at the end even though when I first started, I was the worst of the worst.

By the way, I still won't talk to that first instructor.

 

Do not quit.

You'll figure it out........

 

bogwaz, I feel your anguish, been there done that. The best I can do for you is put you on my prayer list.
I would say put in a requisition to God and I'm sure He would be more than happy to answer your prayers.
Sitting for hours is not fun it can contribute to cause stress especially if you have nothing to do. Read a magazine, a book, walk around if you can, maybe a hobby. Example, find a chess board and play a game of chess with yourself, you would be surprised the new moves you come up with. Yes I'm a chess player.

Keep me posted.

 

do not feel bad. Been driving for years.
Last week, had to back up hill and blind side. Had spotters. First shot nailed..
Then the next day, same ramp and spotters. Well it took several times. back up. pull forward and back up again.
My wife said yesterday you get it in one shot. Today took you 3 times.
Just one of those days.
Do not give up.