New driver fired after 7 weeks

Yep, We get distracted at times. Just Curious, were your Tandems Forward, Center, or Rearward? Did you USE ALL AVAILABLE ROOM to set up for entry into the Shop Bay?

The following are mere questions......of an inquisitive smart ###.

Your Lights were on Yes? The automobile had lights on yes?
With Yes to both, how could it ever possibly have been "pitch black"?
You had mirrors yes? Were they clean?
I'm lost as to how it was

You sound like an Intelligent Person (because you didn't begin your post with whining about how everyone is against you) and it appears you want to persevere in Trucking/Transportation so I'll stop with this curiosity post.

What questions would YOU ASK given You were Interviewing someone in your Stead???

 

I literally will say this under my breath to myself., “The truck don’t move if I don’t know what’s going on all around me“. And that includes changing lanes. It really is that simple. You gotta kinda live by this or you will die by it on the flipside. Literally say it to yourself because your vocal words become conscious thoughts., “The truck don’t move if you don’t know what’s there“.

as far as hitting the post, you can never ever forget you’re pulling something as big as a house behind you. When you get in the driver seat say to yourself, “I am towing a 53 foot trailer behind me“ and then drive accordingly. This includes in and around truckstops, end of the fuel station, pulling out of parking places, every time you sit in the driver seat remind yourself you’ve got a long ##* trailer behind you!

 

First of all, thank you all for jumping in and trying to help. I truly appreciate all the advice, instructions and list of companies I can apply to.
I know that I screwed up and have been questioning myself as to if I should continue in the trucking profession. I loved the driving, the challenge of learning to back up the 53’ trailer and working on using my hours of service in the most efficient way. I enjoy the challenge of it all. And as I stated earlier, I am beyond grateful I didn’t hurt the driver I ran off the road. I still thank God daily for His hand in that.
As far as taking my eyes off the trailer when I pulled into the truck bay, there’s no excuse. I shouldn’t have done it; I should have watched the guide leading me in AND watched my trailer. I recognized that as soon as I hit the bay post. But of course I can’t go back and undo that. I just learn from it.
As far as not seeing the driver I hit in the black of night, again, I know that is totally my fault. I know to check my mirrors every 5-7 seconds and especially before and during changing lanes. I don’t know why I didn’t see his lights. I only know I didn’t see his lights or his car and I could have killed him. I was taught in training that we’re not driving a truck, we’re pulling a trailer. I try to keep that in the forefront of my mind when I’m driving.
Again, I appreciate all of you who have reached out to me. You’re a great community of truckers and I’m glad I “ran into you” on the web.