Patience

Well it seems like everybody is for themselves because they are! Sad but true..... If people are hassling you while you take your time to properly back into a parking spot, turn off your CB radio, focus on what you are doing and park (take as much time as needed.) If you want to turn your radio back on after parking, wait 5 to 10 minutes. Something else will catch their attention and they won't be paying you any mind.

 

No old timer was ever a beginner. They were hatched with 5 years experience to begin with.
On a side note. Drivers with 3-5 years experience are mostly to roll over their truck. After people get a few years under their belt they become over confident.
After 4 years straight truck and 17 years over the road, I still feel like I'm a junior driver. When taking off ramps I go 5 less or even slower than what the sign say. After all this time backing up is usually a breeze, but some days I think my mother could do better.
I don't think people should give others a hard time for being a beginner.

 

The world is cruel. Suck it up and back that 53 foot trailer in the space and don't worry about anybody. Take your time and don't hit anybody. Forget those cb bullies.. You hit someone truck than you have a problem. Js

 

I hear what the OP is saying. However, I just want to emphasize that there is another part of this that is required on the part of the new driver. The new driver must be capable of learning from his mistakes, and learning by watching experienced drivers. I can be tolerant of a lot but I'm not very tolerant of those who can not or will not "learn" in a timely manner.

A lot of truck driving should be learned in the first few weeks solo [the hard way, perhaps, but learned just the same]. Many of the issues here are the same there. You must be observant, quick to learn, and capable of learning. If not, and you still get hassled 3 or 6 months from now for the same things, maybe you should seek another line of work.

I'm going to get flamed for this, but I feel if you can not acquire certain levels of basic skills in the first 6 weeks solo, you're probably not going to make it. If it's going to take you a year to become fairly proficient at typical truck stop backing, we're going to have a problem.

 

I sense sarcasm.

 

When I'm backing or see someone pissed off b that I'm in their way and start honking I take 2/3 more times to finish what I'm doing.

The other day I was backing and this guy started honking over and over. I pulled the air brake and felt the need to double check my doors were shut, then gave my trailer and tractor a nice once over before getting back in and s.l.o.w.l.y finishing my task.

He was so Pissed off.... Blood pressure was probably though the roof. All for nothing...

 

All I have to comment on this subject is this: As much as it would be nice to shut the C.B. off (and shut the drivers up) while backing, it is not recommended. Heck; that is one of the ONLY times I will actually turn my C.B. 'on'.
You got the bone-heads flipping you crap...BUT, you also have the guy/gal that warns you if you are about to hit something or someone etc... For the most part people suck...but you DO find the ones that are still helpful.
I would rather hear a little crap that I know I can shut off eventually, than hit something and risk an insurance claim and/or bad record or DAC.

 

in a word....nah.....