About to solo soon!

Just my opinion; when I back and someone asks to spot me, I ask them to only yell at me if I'm close to hitting something. I'm glad that spot worked out for White Dog, but 90% of the people I've come across have never even sat in a truck. Who are they to know how to handle it? Are you willing to trust someone you met 2 minutes ago with this?

 

^^^^^This has been mostly my experience as well^^^^^^^

 

What El CanadianVaquero and Mudguppy says is right don't put too much trust in a stranger, let them know to tell you if you are too close of something.

I know a a....hole who like to guide others with his CB his goal is for you to hit someone then he goes silent....real piece of work!

 

You can tell the spotter that knows what he's doing by where he positions himself to spot. If spotting a blindside, the spotter should be at the tractor, not in your mirrors. Most of the people spotting at shippers will spot your blindside standing in your blind side mirror. Just a little steering input, and you lose sight of the spotter.

Most of the time if I spot blindside, I spot at the tractor, where I can make eye contact with the driver and see down the trailer at the same time. If it's a normal back, and I'm on the drivers side of the trailer, I stand at the rear of the trailer, facing the driver, eye contact, 1 hand motioning direction, the other hand making circular motion for which way for him to steer (this is normally for rookies, as most will only need me to get the blind side right.)

 

Oh God, have you ever driven in a snow storm? Have you ever blind side docked at night while its raining? Have you ever had to chain up on the 70 in sub zero temps?

You are unsure of your backing STOP.
You sound concerned about winter STOP.
Your trainer left and you want... STOP STOP STOP.

Stay Team, At least graduate middle school before you go and try out for the High School Varsity Football Team.

 

we all had to do it once by ourselves the first time
running team rookies makes about as much sense as in the 70's when i was too drunk to drive the cops followed me home
guess they could pick up the pieces faster that way

 

As Cranky Yankee said.... We all had our 1st time. I never had schooling to drive a truck other than moving drill rigs around on the mountains and across creeks as a young'n. I always have and still do personally get out and look at all questionable areas. Keep in mind.... That red bucket setting on the left by the corner of that building, it will be on the right in your mirror! I still look at all details and spot them in my mirrors. When pulling the Lowboy I sledys look at curbs, post, anything low as well as high. My first winter experience? 1973 K100, and a 1976 Freightliner hood pulling 45' dryvan...WV to Mass and back. Your best Freind in all scenarios is good O'l Common horse sense, and looking before you back. Wish you the best.

 

Yeah, I've had this happen a couple times in 20 years. Pretty amazing when you think about it.

 

I see your point. I have trucker in my blood. I learned from my grandfather before school. I drive safely with confidence.

It is terrifying to think that the truck headed toward me on an icy two lane hwy might be some nervous little #### that just started last month.

But, I guess we all have to start somewhere.

 

me too Leon but it is all different today when my uncle said go deliver that load of gravel. I said i can't drive a 2 stick.
He says by the end of the day you will be able to
or you will know how to rebuild a transmission by Friday
this was 1972 try learning like that today