Is it actually safer to do a blindside back when in tight spots?

I have blindsided a few times with a sleeper, but it requires a lot of getting out and looking. To me, a blindside is never a safe backing maneuver (unless you drive a daycab), and the only times I will do it is if there is absolutely no other way to get into the dock/parking space. Most times, though, you can do a flip somewhere to set up for a sight side back.

 

I only blindside back when its the only option, there is a reason its called blindside. I do not take added risks, no need. BTW many locations in NYC you have no choice but to blindside, ask someone from the dock to help, many times they are more than happy to hold up traffic for you.

Opinion: There are drivers who will blindside when not necessary to prove that they are great drivers (to show off), I myself have nothing to prove. I have seen guys many times get out of their truck after blindsiding and state look at that I just started driving last week.

I am not looking for any confrontations just my opinion.

 

They might be made by Greeks I dunno.

 

I often blind side into a space in an empty parking lot just to stay sharp.

 

Hope this answers A Bug's question, they don't call it "blindside" for nothing. With a daycab it's no big deal, and have done it myself many times, but with a sleeper, and no "moto-mirror", I never liked doing a blindside, and would go out of my way to spin around and do a "sight side". When I drove a daycab, I had several times, where a 4 wheeler would come up to the truck, and not know where I was going, and almost hit them.

 

All that product in the way is just plain screw the truck driver, we are not even on the priority list, much less any place near the top. But when something goes wrong we are number one to blame it on. Somethings will never change.

 

I totally agree. I would say probably 65% of the blindsides I do could be eliminated if they didn't store all that product in those areas the other 35% are just bad layouts from when the store/lot was designed. As far as the store is concerned as long as it isn't in front of the actual dock we should be able to maneuver around it. Just because it can be done doesn't mean it should. You would be surprised how many drivers get pissed when I am blindsiding into the dock and I stop 3-5 times to GOAL. It is usually a UPS, strait truck, or smaller truck that gets pissed. Most tractor trailer drivers understand. 1 of the benefits of most of the busier stores that require a blindside back there is usually 1 of 2 other trucks around delivering and most drivers are willing to spot for you and of coarse I do the same for them

 

Even when there is a guy outside with a forklift they are very rarely willing to move a few pallets. If I need a few pallets moved I usually end up calling the store manager because the idiot (some punk 19 old kid)on the forklift thinks he could back my 53 footer with a sleeper into this tiny area with uneven rows of pallets sticking out everywhere

 

Hi semi, (again, sorry for the handle infringement). I don't think they do that on purpose, it seems these places just get overwhelmed with product, there's literally no place to put it. Another pet peeve of mine, was a place with 4 docks, and 3 have trailers dropped and everybody fights over the 1 dock. I know they do that for added warehouse space, and I've already asked if I could pull out a trailer, and use the dock, but had to assure them, I'd put the trailer back, as many schmoes would not put the trailer back when they were done. It was a pain to do that, but sometimes with 10 more stops, I didn't feel like waiting 2 hours for the 1 dock. Again, my bosses loved me for saving time.

 

Like a few other have said, it's not called blindside for nothing. I do a few, a few times a day and not really a big deal but, I will go out of my way (not too much though) to sight side in. Your mirrors are good but blind siding you are further away from the pass mirror which means less visibility. Whatever works for you though.