docking lines

For him I would say both Is he a Rookie?

 

I've found that even having just one line painted on the left side where the trailer is supposed to end up is very helpfull. But for him it probably wouldn't have made any difference.

 

A lot of times, it depends on how tired a driver is. But, a line can and does help tremendously. Especially if it's on the left side of the truck.

I won't sugar coat it, and tell you that I can back a truck anywhere, anytime. If I'm tired and have to hit a dock with no lines...I'm in deep ####, cuz I may get it the first shot...I may get it the 20th. But, I'm not going to raise hell with anyone on the dock. I may mention to them it would help to have a line. But, I'm not going to blow a gasket or anything.

As a rule, I keep a set of soccer cones in my side box...and make my own lines if there's any question in my mind about a dock.

 

I've been at this a long time and since I pull a tank I don't unload at docks, but when I was pulling a dry van I always found it easier to have a reference. I have had my share of *off* days, too!

Pavement lines would be a real help but even 2 vertical stripes on the outside edge of the dock corresponding to the trailer sides would do it for me.

This driver may have been new, tired or otherwise mentally preoccupied (ie: problems at home) but IMHO I'd say even a tired driver shouldn't have that much trouble.

Some drivers get real nervous if they're being watched. In any case, this guy's pride took a beating so he took it out on you (always easier to blame somebody else, you know). Unfourtunate, but part of human nature.

 

If you do decide to paint lines please make sure they are in the right place. I went to a dock in indiana and was perfect on the lines but the guy kept telling me i was way off and had to move the trlr to the right more. I had to go inside and look for myself lol. The lines didn't "line" up.

A line is only as good as it's accuracy.

 

AMEN to that one. I used to have one customer that had lines painted just a little bit off the 90 degree angle needed. Just off enough that if you were where you should be on the line, the dock lock would not lock in. And with the setup they had, if the dock lock didn't lock in, the dock plate would not extend.

There was no bypass on the dock lock so you were pretty much dead in the water.

Considering the personality of the dock manager, I always figured that he had the line painted that way just to screw with the drivers.

 

Bad idea. Most of these guys would run over the cones...

 

LMAO...and you would be correct. I started using them when I was training. It seemed to settle the new guys down a bit.

But more than one cone got run over during that time

But NONE of my students topped the guy coming out of the Flying J in Olive Branch MS. He wiped out 3 full size cones, with the highway department trying to guide him the whole way. And this was an "old timer".

I was laughin so hard I almost cried...you just had to been there. It was a Kodak moment for sure.