Advice for new Drivers

have you been driving long?

this from your Bio, so i suppose the only driving you do, is back and forth to your counter job at the J-hook

Location:Flying J Occupation: Sales, Accounting, Administration, Driving


i think not, (that you are any sort of truck driver), otherwise, you would have known that drivers do this, so they can actually get some sleep. what i find most annoying, is that you took amusement in her dire need for help, sorta makes you look like an azhat to many of us. i do not see her getting ANY truck(s) towed, why should she pay for that?

she most likely got help from a gentleman who was actually of some help to her, rather than someone like you, that just stood by and watched.

remember this Mr.Flying J employee, what goes around comes around...

or, Karma can be a #####.....

 

I saw a driver nose in at a tight parking truck stop. He had not set the air brakes yet when a driver came on the CB and advised against his maneuver. Luckily the guy wiggled out of the spot immediately. I was amazed that it took him a while to get backed out of that spot even with an empty spot beside him. Two of us were spotting for this driver or he would have really had a hard time getting out of that spot.

I just can't stand not lending an extra set of eyes to spot for a driver backing in tight quarters. We have all been there before in one way or another.

 

this is what sets us apart form the sarcastic watchers, we actually help others.

 

I'm not going to be an enabler for ones stupidity or laziness. They're going to have to do that on their own.

 

Often drivers will squeeze into a spot that doesn't leave room for backing the extra 10' or so needed to back out of slot when the driver parks nose-in. Even pulling straight out is often a problem, you have to get a driver to move for you. I'm sure you've seen that happen.

It's a pain the way drivers will squeeze that way. Rude. Drivers who squeeze into parking that makes the lanes too tight, drivers who speed thru the parking lot, drivers who take their 30 at the fuel island (note on this one: sometimes drivers will leave their rig pulled up after fueling, go inside and order a sandwich or a meal, go to the restroom, and buy product at the fuel desk - leaving their rig blocking that fuel lane? I hate that, it happens all the time, but it's like these people think it's OK for some reason) all these inconsiderate and selfish practices seem to be getting more popular, like it's OK to cause other drivers problems. Right.

Pattyj speaks truth, nothing wrong with parking nose-in. However, that's only page 1. STexan makes a point that parking nose-in leaves the back end of the trailer sticking out an additional 5'? Sure, if your tandems are pulled up into your shorts, that's true. And drivers can allow for that, park in the open area, turnaround area, like that. Like Pattyj and Xrayman said, you can park nose-in if you use your head about it. Or back in, same thing.

Parking for your exit is a lot more practical than parking for convenience, or close to the food.

I sometimes park nose-in to get farther away from reefers, APU's, and idling diesel engine noise and exhaust fumes. Life isn't easy for a light sleeping cancer survivor.

And like Razorwyr mentioned, parking nose-in isn't any easier overall.

My $.02.

 

On one hand you say help them and don't stand by. But on the other hand you berate the poster for trying to offer sensible advice that might be welcomed by new drivers. SMH

(Talking to somebody 2 or 3 comments back)

 

Ya just can't fix stupid. Arrogance either.

 

Nothing wrong with parking nose-in, so long as it's done correctly.

 

I prefer to stand my truck on end; it's a bit of a hassle but requires much less room than the conventional "wheels down" parking method. There are no worries about someone taking off my bumper or clipping my mirror. Lot lizards are never a problem. Nobody can pull my fifth wheel or tamper with my brake lines. And The Hot Chick enjoys the view. Only downsides are that midnight bathroom breaks are a hassle (as well as food runs), and getting started in the morning can be a little hard on the suspension, as well as any rigs parked a little too close. Or pedestrians. But if more people did this we could eliminate the parking shortage as you can fit several semis into a single existing parking space.

Stop nosing in and start standing your rig on end. You'll be glad you did.