Just TRIED to do my first alley dock out on my own

I'm a new driver and haven't gotten the backing thing down great just yet. About 1 out of 4 swings right in like a glove, and we won't discuss the others just now.

I have noticed that when I have a good setup it works like a charm.

I had to back in a tight dock last week that was built when trucks were the size of pickups and trailers 40 feet long. Took me a while but I finally worked my truck and trailer around.

The another driver pulled in and backed up to the next dock over in one try.

One day we FNGs will be wondering why it was so hard back then.

 

The right set up is the key. Set up makes all the difference in the world, with any backing maneuver. The more you do this, the better and more confident you will become. Just remember though, that drivers of all experience levels will occasionally have those times when things "just don't work right."

Maybe you haven't had your morning coffee yet, maybe you are stewing over a butt chewing from your boss, or maybe you are worried about things at home. THESE are the times when you are likely to have a problem, because your mind is somewhere else.

 

Sitting at a TA. You know how most of theirs and Petros parking is slanted? Just sawa driver pull in and start backing.

Thought he was going to back in next to me as he was going with the grain.

Nope. Across the aisle, against the grain. Only one pull up and he was in.

#### show off.


Maybe one day I will be able to do that.

 

It took me over a year to learn how to back a trailer, and truthfully, there are still situations where I couldn't do it. Im not what you'd call a natural, but really few people are. Lots of nervous practice will eventually do the trick...

 

Almost 1.5 years doing this (still a rookie) and I still screw it up at times. Can't wait until I can do it like the old pros.

 

Backing terrifies me, it still does. It is inexperience, not inability. I'll get good at it some day. I have a real good gig coming up. I will be driving as a city driver. Backing up all the time. I want to become an expert at it.

 

Good for you, Kate. But just a word of caution. No matter how experienced you get, never get to the point where backing, (or for that matter, anything else in the trucking world,) is strictly a ho-hum experience. Way too many experienced drivers have killed people who did stupid things behind a truck as it was being backed up.

Even if you are in your company's yard, you still have to watch for yo-yo's who are walking (or whatever,) with their heads completely buried in their arse.

 

It doesn't matter how many tries as long as there are no attempts that end in contact with anything but the dock bumpers.

No shame in getting out to look three or five times, or setting up as many times. In fact, you will gain more respect for taking your time, realizing you are uncertain and ensuring that you do not hit anything.

Mikeeee

 

There was this one place in Tennessee, I wish I remembered where it was, I had to back up going up the hill, then it leveled out to the dock. I couldn't see the building from my mirrors, all I could see was the pavement, steep incline. Took me forever.
I finally figured it out. Open the dam door stuck my head out and steered. There wasn't anybody to help and direct me.