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Also, I don't know much about Maverick but I do pull boxes for Schneider so if you have specific questions about them I might be able to answer them and if I can't I'll get you the answer.

 

As long as you don't hit anything a miss is better that bunting another trailer.

GOAL 5 or 10 times. If you feel others are laughing at you, imagine how hard they'd laugh if you tore a racing stripe the length of the trailer on your right side.

Many times others aren't so much laughing at you as it is jogging back memories of their beginning in the Big truck truckin' industry. Makes 'em laugh at the memory of themselves tryin' to look evah so kool.

Giving your best?
Hmmmm, -----
Consider giving it your all

Lord tells us He doesn't give us more than we can handle.
You DO believe that, .... right?

So will your Big truck truck drivin' job.
It's all there for the taking.
You CAN do this!

WheW!
I'm relieved to read that.
Those who don't care about their performance don't usually encounter any doubts. Those who are conscientious are the doubters.
Aptitudes can improve, especially if one's attitude is properly adjusted.

See?
I told you.

Absolutely, prayer is important. Don't leave home without it. And try your best?
Hmmmm ----
Might I suggest DO your best?
Wanna know a little secret?
OK, nobody is reading this except you, --- I don't read what I write.
Just betwixt you-an'-me, I know that Jesus gets a real kick driving Big trucks. And you make that possible for Him.
I kid you not.

I once saw a license plate frame that read:
"Jesus Is My Co-Pilot,".
Really?!
I asked that Big truck truck driver if he'd ever consider putting Jesus first.
Blank stare.
Footprints in the sand, who's on first?
Hello?[/QUOTE]

WoaH!
Hold on thar!
Don't just try your best, amigo.
Give it your all!!
All you can do is "try"?! your best?
No, No, No,!!!
What mindset you need is, what I will DO is do my best.
Failure is not an option.
Git-er-dun!!

I know you can do it, and pretty soon you'll know it, too.
Mark my words.

Back in the day, when attending driving school, I recall test day for backing, I was convinced I'd totally flunk blind side backing. I was sure of it, and I was next in line to test.
As the student testing right before me finished and was exiting that ol' cab-over, my knees began to shake, --- then I heard the instructor yell,
~~~~~~ LUNCH TIME!!.
Saved by the bell, --- as well as Jesus, Who saved a wretch like me.
I know. Amazing, huh?

Yeah, like I could eat at a time like that, all nervous and doubting.
One of the older instructors who ordinarily said very little, sat down next to me and said very little. But what he said made a big difference.

What'd 'e say?
I'm glad you asked.
He said, "look back into the bunk area, right at the back wall, see it"?
He didn't wait for my answer, just continued sayin' very little, ... more.
"Imagine there's a big picture window back thar and you can see yer wagon plain as day, ... see it?
At that point he sat up and walked away sippin' a cup-0-coffee.
Crazy old man.

After lunch, now sittin' in the driver's seat, checkin' my mirrors, .... i thought about what I had been told. I chuckled, but I couldn't help looking back in the bunk area, hoping that I'd see that picture window, --- as I was in the process of blind side backing. For a quick moment I thought I imagined what that view looked like. I continued to back, still checking my mirrors and looking out that back window, not really thinkin' 'bout how I was doin', --- when I glanced in my left mirror I saw the reflection of a Big truck truck and semi trailer perfectly centered and square to the dock, --- confirmed by an instructor's voice yellin',
"YO, man!
You just put 'er right in thar, --- one shot, --- no pull ups.
Perfect score.
How'd you pull that one off? he wondered.
I glanced over at the older instructor and smiled, --- he just winked at me. So I told 'em 'bout lookin' out the picture window in the back wall of the bunk.
That kinda stunned 'em.
And from then on I was known as that crazy trainee, --- who is a better backer.

Advice?, .... listen to any road stories instructors tell. You'll recollect those stories when you encounter a like situation that you probably didn't understand when you first heard the story. A light bulb will glow brightly above your head as you realize, OH! NoW I get it.
And you will, too.
And, as an added bonus, you'll immediately know what to do, and you'll do it, ... and look evah so good doin' it.

Bummers 'bout when that happens, and you want a crowd watchin' whatcha just did, but there'll be no one watchin' like there always seems to be when you goof up.
I don't know why that is, just that it is, whatever is, is.

You can relax, Drpparker.
When your hands know what to do but your head screws up, --- that can be a problem.

God will be pleased to know that you know Who to thank.

In reality, pull ups are free.
With unlimited refills.

That's exactly the way you'll feel when backing up, as soon as your confidence builds up. Trust me on that one. I know, --- been thar, done that, and now I'm writin' the book.

Good advice right thar.

Well, ..... don't go that far.

Could be.

When anyone keeps tellin' you something, chances are good there's a reason why they do.

That click you hear is your seat belt. The sound you're aiming for is a distinct BumP. Not too hard though. More like a kiss, .... when bumping the dock.

B I N G O !!!

 

That's good to hear, truly. Keep that up. And heed the above post from @AfterShock ; maybe even print it out for future reference. It may seem harsh to someone new, as yourself, but he's just speaking from a ton of experience, and has a few REALLY great analogies in there, that should stick with you for some time. Keep us posted, best wishes always.

 

Why does that not surprise me?

Keep the faith, amigo.
And always remember, ....
NEVER drive faster than your guardian angel can fly.

Should be no problem while in reverse, backin' up.

 

Is that a good thing? Sorry, I've been out of school for a number of years and don't know what that means.....

 

Good. Forget that 10speed. It's worthless