Back in the saddle, question about being out of the truck for a while

6months off shouldn't be a problem.... I came back on the road from taking 5years off, now that was almost like starting over. Once I got a few days behind the wheel it was like I never left. Seems to me if your going to be a yard jockey, your test will probably have a o lot of different backing situations.

 

Hi dogchimp, I wouldn't worry about it either. Through out my career, I've taken time off and did something else and came back to trucking, and you'll be bored in no time. I haven't driven now in almost 8 years, but it's not like I can't remember how to drive a truck. Yard spotter isn't a bad job, I've thought about it myself, but it is a little boring. One thing for sure, you'll get pretty good at backing a wagon in a dock. Someone said a refresher course costs like $3,000. Good heavens, I have 2.5 million miles in a truck. I don't mean to sound ####y but I'd consider it a slap in the face to pay that kind of money just to satisfy some insurance company that thinks I don't know what I'm doing.

 

If you spent a year, you should be fine. I can back a truck anywhere, but not my camaro..

 

+1
That was me a few weeks back, 18 foot trailer delivering car to a friend, The back side of his cow path stumped me a good bit.
Chalk it up as not on duty and if anyone complains, yell 2 week old driver, Just one of those days of brain farts.

 

Most YD spotters have super Power Steering and it's easy to maneuver but they are short so the trailer goes the other way fast. It can be a fun job in a busy yard. Be kind to the guys who drop and hook and hel find trailers if you have time. I always liked the guys at Rubbermaid and other yds that did that. Makes for a pleasant experience.