mikey b's prime experience

Hey Mikey,

At this point in your training, have you done any backing in the truck stops.....you know like a soft 45 degree, where you have like 50-55 feet between the rows, or will that come later in your training process? Just wondering if this comes during this phase or later when you start your over the road training, after you get your CDL.

 

From what I can tell, a lot of the instructors wait till you get back to the pad to work on the backing. You might get some time bumping docks or practicing at an empty TS, but it is safer for everyone involved to do the practice on the pad.

 

Except for those walking on the pad lol I miss backing on the pad, there's so much room out there. Wish I had that much now lol

 

yeah the philly market was fun. Can't believe I slipped it right in. Then tonight nice open space took 3 resets. I am getiing to the point if I think about it I get swrewed up if I just do it I am fine

 

You would think that a trainer would be training you from day 1 Backing is probably the hardest for a newbie. You should be getting the practice while with a trainer over the road because in a controlled environment it's easier than a truck stop or shipper/receiver. Any way Good Luck and MERRY CHRISTMAS.

 

I fully agree with that statement! When I was in school, I thought I had it all figgured out.......then came my first paper plant outside Atlanta. I had to blindside around 3 other trailers getting loaded and the forward room between the dock and where the pavement dropped off into a muddy hole was like 145 feet. Well I finally got in the hole and the the guy comes out and tells me I need to adjust my tandems all the way to the rear before the can load me!!

 

Hey MikeyB. Good to hear from you today. Backing up is a "good thing" as Martha Steward would say. I look at it this way: for the first 100 hours of training - learning to go straight, staying within your lane, using air brakes, learning the differences between braking distance with load and unloaded at various speeds etc, should be the main focus.

But what do I know? Anyway, sounds like you are having a great time and doing well on the road. Best to you and ReptiJ.