docking lines

Sometimes you get the guy telling you where to back by mumbling a few words in broken english and pointing.

Just this morning I had a guy say "front" while making a 'turn around and back' hand signal then pointed to a building. So, me being the good directions follower, I back the truck up to the building. This guy comes back out and asks what I'm doing.

I eventually found someone who spoke enough english to explain what he wanted me to do. He wanted me to pull forward around the building then back it into a nearly hidden dock.

I kindly explained to the first guy the difference between "Front" "back" and "forward" Hopefully he can explain it better to the next guy.

 

If your dock's inside, the lights would help. If it's outside, the line would help.

I'm sure everyone here has had days they just couldn't back. I certainly have and just moved on down the road where I could laught about it. My big thing is the truck stops I try backing into a spot, fail miserably 2 or 3 times, then realize I could've just went around the other side and pulled through.

 

What, you don't purposely knock over a few cones to get the highway dept workers a chance to work off their donuts and coffee?

 

Well now that you put it that way

But this guy was being directed to make a left turn about 100 yards down the road. Actually they wanted him to go and make a U-turn to get back to the entrance ramp, they had closed the cross over.

He opened it back up for them

 

I back with out lines all the time. Not the best at it but I can get in there. At shop back it in between 2 trailers. Sometime a straight shot, sometimes a 45. My deliveries are usually backed into a small lot next to the building and never had a problem with those. The one place I a had a heck of a time was picking up a load of water in Kentwood, MI. I show up at 1pm. 12 or 13 docks to choose from. Not another truck or trailer in sight. Took me close to 9 or 10 pullups to get it right. I had nothing to line up with. Just threw me off. I would rather back in off the road in a small lot.

 

Painted line or lines help immensely, however you must be careful with lighting around the dock area. I prefer to not have lights in my eyes while backing. This can happen from the front while looking towards the mirrors and the same can happen with lights shining forward from the dock area. Best lighting situation would involve overhead type light. With proper overhead lighting you should easily see the painted line.

Like others said, the driver could have been inexperienced, nervous , or just worn out. No excuse for his behavoir though.