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No Go on Backing

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Gunny376, Oct 22, 2018.

Page 1 of 6
  1. Oct 22, 2018 #1
    Gunny376

    Gunny376 Light Load Member

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    Apr 24, 2017
    Alabama
    0
    Sooooooo, I've gotten through the PSD and TNT "Training " at Prime, Inc.

    Have my 30,000 miles and change under my belt. BUT, I've opted NOT to get off the truck with my trainer and go back to Springfield, Mo to upgrade.

    My reasoning is based on the following.

    #1 I've virtually NO experience driving in Winter weather with a four wheeler let alone in an eighteen wheeler. Being from the deep South , where just a small amount of snow? School, businesses and roads shut down. Multiply that with driving in Winter on downgrades.

    #2 Being a Veteran, my contractual obligation is only 9 months with Prime. I've 3 of those 9 completed. I will have completed my contractual obligation by April of next year. I would, if as plan go back to Springfield around March of next year

    #3 Backing (The main thrust of my query here) In a word I suck at it. I've not a great deal of experience with it, and the times I've attempted it (Less than 8 ~10) gets aggravated, tells me to get out of the way.

    I passed the backing portion of my CDL Test by the skin of my teeth. I've got my Class A CDL's.

    Any comments or suggestions?
     
    Gunny376, Oct 22, 2018
    Gunny376, Oct 22, 2018
    #1
    CrappieJunkie and layover6 Thank this.
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  3. Oct 22, 2018 #2
    Puppage

    Puppage Road Train Member

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    Best of luck to you.
     
    Puppage, Oct 22, 2018
    Puppage, Oct 22, 2018
    #2
    Badmon and Gunny376 Thank this.
  4. Oct 22, 2018 #3
    kemosabi49

    kemosabi49 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    If you have 30000 miles and you have only backed up 8-10 times, you need to make some noise. Either let your trainer know you that you must get the baking down or go over his head and get a new trainer.
     
    Last edited: Oct 22, 2018
    kemosabi49, Oct 22, 2018
    kemosabi49, Oct 22, 2018
    #3
    Trucking in Tennessee, LoSt_AgAiN, Trucker61016 and 12 others Thank this.
  5. Oct 22, 2018 #4
    Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

    77,660
    184,034
    Aug 28, 2011
    Henderson, NV & Orient
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    I'd go solo anyway. You learn super fast without someone watching every move you make and commenting on it. Get rid of the trainer and go solo. The trainer is the problem, not you.
     
    Chinatown, Oct 22, 2018
    Chinatown, Oct 22, 2018
    #4
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  7. Oct 22, 2018 #5
    SteveScott

    SteveScott Road Train Member

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    Nov 10, 2015
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    How the heck did you drive 30,000 miles and only back 8-10 times? Your trainer sounds useless.
     
    SteveScott, Oct 22, 2018
    SteveScott, Oct 22, 2018
    #5
    Paddlewagon, Gunny376, Tb0n3 and 6 others Thank this.
  8. Oct 22, 2018 #6
    TravR1

    TravR1 Road Train Member

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    Why dont you ask your dispatcher if you can go back in a day before you are due to leave and practice backing into some holes by yourself and see how you do.
     
    TravR1, Oct 22, 2018
    TravR1, Oct 22, 2018
    #6
    Gunny376 and Farmerbob1 Thank this.
  9. Oct 22, 2018 #7
    MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

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    Baltimore, MD
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    This “trainer” wants the extra money without the extra work, and the potential productivity hit. He’s only thinking about himself.
     
    MACK E-6, Oct 22, 2018
    MACK E-6, Oct 22, 2018
    #7
    Gunny376, Tb0n3, LoSt_AgAiN and 9 others Thank this.
  10. Oct 22, 2018 #8
    TravR1

    TravR1 Road Train Member

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    TX
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    That sounds about right. When you are out there you get into a hurry. They might be tired and just want to get it parked so they can sleep, get a shower, etc. Not saying it's right, but saw it happen to me also... My backing improved a lot when i got a codriver that just slept all the time and backed on my own and used GOAL to check blind spot.

    Now the guy i am with insists on spotting every back and my backing went back to crap again.
     
    TravR1, Oct 22, 2018
    TravR1, Oct 22, 2018
    #8
    Gunny376 Thanks this.
  11. Oct 22, 2018 #9
    SteveScott

    SteveScott Road Train Member

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    Nov 10, 2015
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    Having somebody spot you is great for the first week of training, but needing it regularly after than doesn't do you any good. You need to learn how to GOAL and get the job done solo, otherwise you'll never figure it out.
     
    SteveScott, Oct 22, 2018
    SteveScott, Oct 22, 2018
    #9
    Gunny376, Tb0n3, Farmerbob1 and 1 other person Thank this.
  12. Oct 22, 2018 #10
    nomikona

    nomikona Bobtail Member

    35
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    Aug 12, 2018
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    Trainer was using you, for the miles. Get your own truck or team drive with someone so you can upgrade your pay.
     
    nomikona, Oct 22, 2018
    nomikona, Oct 22, 2018
    #10
    Gunny376, austinmike, Farmerbob1 and 2 others Thank this.
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