If someone asked you to back there truck up to a dock would you do it?

First I would attempt to talk you through it. You will never learn unless you try. If I seen it was a lost cause or someone super tired then I would if they asked. Even the most experienced driver has those tired moments his brain turns to jelly.

Some will say the insurance thing which is true, but they aren't there looking. I know nothing, lol.

 

I'd take it around the block a time or two to see if he would stroke out first

 

LOL!!!!!!! That was outstanding.

 

Cameras.

They're watching you...

 

I did it once for a driver (o/o) with a large car that couldn't hit a dock with a 53' van. He literally had 150' of clear and empty concrete to work with, with the expansion joints lined up nicely with the dock. I arrived when he was trying to hit the dock. I hit the dock with my trailer, dropped it, grabbed an empty, went inside for paperwork, and when I came back out he was STILL trying to hit the dock. He finally stopped me and asked me how the h3ll I hit the dock in one try. I hung off the side of his tractor and tried to walk him through it - no dice after three tries. Finally he pulled the brakes, jumped up and said 'you do it!' I got in and hit the dock on the first try. He simply said 'thanks - I have no idea how you do that' and went inside.

Of course, this was twenty-five years ago before liability became what it is today. Still, why not help a brother out....

 

I would not do it for someone but like others I would try to help coach and spot him, just like I will not let someone take control of my truck either, im the one liable if anything gets hit.

 

Have done it in the past would likely do it again. There are places where company's send newer drivers or inexperienced drivers that likely they shouldn't have after 15 or 20 minutes the driver was burned out and no matter the level of coaching on how to get in the spot the driver wasn't going to do it. The shipper was getting mad at driver if I wouldn't have helped he would have lost it and done more damage then was needed.

Other thing is snow. Have helped drivers get out of snowy situations before. I never volunteer to do it for them but if all else fails and the driver is basically pleading for help with it I would rather do it and help them out rather than see it turn into a worse situation then needed.

 

Eons ago, back in the days of all cabovers, I was at a warehouse and a lady driver was having a tough time getting to a dock. Another driver offered to back her truck in for her. She gladly and quickly accepted. The guy hopped in, and the truck moved a few feet, and he hopped back out and said "I can't drive this truck, it doesn't have power steering!".
Then the lady got back into her truck, and proceeded to finish backing into the dock.

 

No I would not.In this world of lawsuits all it takes is to bump another trailer or graze an object in the customers yard and you're out a job and possibly some money.