How about backing etiquette?

That's when I back right up to them and set the brakes and stare at them. They eventually get the point and back up giving me the room I need.

While on the subject though, 4-ways people use them. Another unwritten rule that seems to have been forgotten. Use your 4-ways when backing, it's the same as signalling intent.

 

I've heard another version of that...

Turn the cb off, put your 4-ways on, pull the knobs and put your feet up on the dash and relax.

Eventually they'll come to realize you aren't moving. They'll either give the space you need or try and lay into you.

It's fun when try do the second one... "Oh. I'm sorry. You pulled in so closely to me and parked it there so I can't move. Figured you were okay with where I parked. Tell you what, I'll get out of your way of you think you can give me a few feet of room. Deal?"

 

For me, it highly depends on the situation. If it is a newbie, and I DO SEE this at my regular truck stop, as the newbie has either his trainer or co-driver guiding him, then I will only wait so long. If he/she is taking way too many pull ups and never seems to get it right, then frankly the person helping him/her should jump in and get it done, as many of us are getting pissed off.

Yes, how else to learn if every time someone else has to do it, but enough is enough too, as I and the others trying to get out, have to get to our destinations, I for one because the warehouse needs my freight to be reloaded onto the city trucks, and I am on a tight schedule to get back there.

So that all being said, if I see an opportunity to get behind that driver, or in front, I WILL do so and be done with it.

Now if it is a long time driver, and he/she only takes say about 3 pull ups, then I wait. But I simply have no more patience for a newbie that cannot back up safely and in short time.

Call me rude, call me impatient, call me whatever, but I too have MY job and time frame to work with.

 

I seen a lot of that yesterday at the pilot in st cloud,mn thank god I don't have too many bad days even with my spread axle flat. but I will wait for the other person to get in before I go around. 5 mins wont kill me
just use ur 4 ways and TRUN OFF UR HEADLIGHTS!!!!!!!

 

At a certain point the person backing up is the one who is out of line. If you are having trouble getting into a spot, courtesy demands that you stop and let traffic pass.
If there isn't enough room for the driver to let me pass, I will wait. If there is, I'm blowing by him after the third pull up.
Also if it's really tight and you keep having to reset, then let the people pass on the side after the second try.

 

A few years ago I had 7 drops in Montreal,the 2nd was Sysco .. About 5 minutes before I got green light a team truck pulls up trying to back in to my left . The guy with yellow headgear is directing the guy with white headgear.. I go inside and wait 10 minutes for my bills come out and see they swapped drivers after another 5 minutes I try to explain what he needs to do .. They talk to each other and point to the dock then to the steering wheel after a few seconds I realize they want me to back it in.. So it's one of my good days and I oneshot it you should've seen the look on their faces lol

 

Is it me or are some truck stops not designed with 53' backing in mind? The Pilot in Newburgh NY seems like the lanes are too close together to the point that you need two open spots just to get backed into one.

 

The lanes at TA Rockwall in TX were recently repainted much narrower too. It was very sketchy getting myself into a spot which was no trouble at all last year.

 

I've been hit twice. Won't leave my truck until I have a tuck on either side that's staying longer than I am. If it's the evening rush, and drivers are jamming in all at once, I will get out of the truck and help them. Usually, when I start this, other drivers will jump out and help. Most of the time, I stand by the right front of the truck, and eyeball the blind side for them, holding my hands up and out to give them an idea of how much room they have on the blind side. For 99%, that's all they need.