After 70 days.....

Getting backing down takes everyone longer than they expect. And some guys never really get it. And some guys, like me, can do it well 8 out of 10. But the 2 out of ten will make ya pull your hair out. Some days, it just doesn't work. lol As for the snow and ice, better to stay a day ahead or behind.

 

Not much longer now. I just started TNT and can't wait to be in your shoes.

On the way out to Salt Lake last week we hit a few miles of black ice in Wyoming. My trainer was in the back sleeping. When the truck in front of us hit it's brakes and I could read Fedex on the side of his trailer I told him he might want to get up. LoL. Coming down Parley's in the snow was fun too. I definitely learned some things about winter driving on that trip.

BirdBrain

 

Are you including the roughly 10K miles you did during PSD? I thought that the 10K went into the 40K meaning you needed to get 30K during PSD to go solo?? Maybe I misunderstood.

 

Backing was a trail and error when I got on my own. It took some time to figure how to set it up right in different situations or at least get it to where I would be able to get it in there with some pull ups. Some days I amaze myself getting into some tight areas. Other days I can't even back up straight. Lol! Get out and look and if you need assistance, ask! Somebody will help you and it doesn't make you look bad as a Driver. I would rather ask for help vice tearing up mine or somebody elses equipment because of some pride thing. It isn't worth it in my book. Yes I have asked for help a few times at customers because of how tight it was. As for driving in snow and ice. Like Mr. Ed said if you stay ahead or behind you will be good. I just adjust my driving to what the road conditions are and if it is bad enough to where you don't feel comfortable shut the truck down. No freight is that important. Your safety and those around you overrides that. Good luck and stay safe out on the road Driver.

 

mr ed is absolutely right...you can be on the road for 10 weeks or 10 years (or apparently 19 years), and backing will NOT always be a breeze. moral is, get out 20 times when you need to, and dont be the guy who worries more about how stupid he looks getting out and looking several times than how he will look after he plows into the other trailer, or the concrete barrier, or something like that. and trust NO ONE. do accept help with backing from a spotter, but do not substitute that for getting out and looking. the snow and ice...always bad. getting to know the difference between bad and treacherous is what experience will get you. remember, snow is always preferable in this season to rain. rain always means potential for black ice when its near freezing. watch your tires for spray, when the spray stops is one good way to tell that you are in a potentially VERY dangerous situation. congrats on mostly finishing training...be safe. merry christmas.

 

You're almost there dude, Keep up the good work, 2 things, You will never get good at backing till you are out on your own. You will have much more confidence then, Also, if your trainer is a scumbag, AFTER you are finished, make sure his fleet manager knows. You should not have had to live like that.

 

At the beginning of my solo driving when I first picked up my truck I would choose one of the hardest spots to get into at each truckstop I went to. If traffic was not too bad, I would try to put it into the hardest spots. Sometimes I would succeed, and others I would drive around to the easy spot. No shame. I tried the hardest and kept trying. It really helped me develop my backing skills, and when I get it into those hard to reach spots it is that much more satisfying. Just remember
G Get
O Out
A And
L Look