mistakes that let everyone know youre a rookie

He's lucky that the tandems didnt separate from the trailer. I saw a 20 ft container chassis with the sliding tandems about50 ft behind the trailer on hwy 80 in California.

 

One my first solo run I was in oh backing in a spo a ta. There I am backing up all going great. A guy on cb calls and says Burlington pull up man. I did and be runs over to me. Says "I think u hit something". We walk back and sure enugh I uad flattered a pick up truck. The electric company will be pissed in Morning. He was like I wouldn't be here if I was u. I asked if he sen anything. He said, I ain't seen nothing. I drove accross street to old speedway. In moring I was to ta to fuel and see cops starting there laughing. I play dumb and.ask what happened. Was told some driver destroyed a pick up the ic bumb flatten it in. And left.
I an like ####. Hate to be him. Lol

 

That's funny. I bet that pickup was holding a spot for someone.

 

... actually, I try to pull straight in if I have to take a 10 at a truck stop in order to get some peace and quiet from the "temperature challenged" that idle their trucks all night long no matter the outside temperature. This is only safely practical if I can back straight out. If there aren't any safe places to park straight in then I resign myself to backing into a slot and sticking ear plugs in for the night.

 

many will idle their engines so they don't hear outside noise, like people standing in front of your truck talking. Or are worried about being in certain truck stops with their windows open, like Bordentown inNew Jersey. There are more accidents with trucks backing out of a stall than backing into one.

 

I get plenty of "white noise" from my fan, so I don't have any need to run my engine and contribute to more exterior noise pollution and air pollution. I open all my vents and install those screens in the windows, shut the curtain, and as long as I'm well away from idling trucks I can get a pretty good night's sleep.

It's true that you are more likely to have an accident backing out of a slot and into a slot, that's why I rarely pull straight in unless there's a clear, straight shot to get out of it. I'd never go straight into a slot if there's a chance I would have to angle or jack out. Sometimes out in the corners, farthest away from the main building, there will be some good spots for straight in parking.

 

The pickup truck belonged to power company. They had their bigger trucks parked at ta too. Guess they learned not to part little truck in back where its dark and is parking for big trucks. There is always parki g in car lot. That was back in 99 and knock on wood my only "accident". No report so all is good. I agree with op about pulling into spots. I am to lazy to back up if I don't need to. Considering I shut down by 7 pm I can get easy pull through spot.

 

Pull through spot at 7pm! Not anywhere I have been...

Mikeeee

 

I can't believe the guys/gals that idle when it's a nice cool 50 degree night out. Very annoying to those of us that don't like to idol unless it's necessary. Had to close my windows the other night or die from carbon monoxide poisoning due to a truck idling right next door.

 

Exactly. Anymore you're lucky to find any spots left at 7pm. T/S are so busy anymore and much earlier.