This is addressed to all instructors teaching how to parallel park a bus or straight truck. Don't put someone who has never parallel parked a bus in the start position and tell them "Park it". It will take them a lot of trial and error to get it. Instead, put them in the finish position and tell them to pull out into the start position, s-l-o-w-l-y, with frequent pauses to look all around and in the mirrors. Tracing the route going forward makes it MUCH easier to do it in reverse.
Like the title says he's giving input from a student's perspective. It's not like there is a bus driver instructor training school. One day you drive and one day you instruct. I've seen some lousy instructors before. Some could use a few pointers. Actually his idea is pretty good. The same with an 18 wheeler backing. It's a lot easier if a student visualizes the track in the opposite direction to get the whole picture.
The fact that I'm a wanna-be does not mean that I am a stupid kid and do not know anything at all about trucking. And while I do have a LOT to learn, if old pros like you would climb down off their high horse and actually LISTEN to feedback from students, just maybe they would find out that they really don't know everything after all and actually learn something. Look past the fact that I am new to this and take a close look at what I said. If you find fault with WHAT was said rather than with WHO said it, than feel free to contribute. If all you want to do is just criticize some one only because they are trying to learn a new trade and feel they have something positive to contribute, then please feel free to keep your opinions to yourself and allow those who are interested in learning to freely exchange ideas! nuff said
Please do note that I confined my suggestion to bus parking and not 18 wheelers. I was speaking from personal experience and although I believed what I said also applied to big rigs, I could not speak from experience. I figured if it was also a good idea for trucks, someone with more knowledge on the subject would speak up.
On the other side of it the trainer may do it that way for a reason,say to see if you can figure it out on your own.Some have the ability to be put in the situation and figure it out quickly without assistance.Saves the trainer time thus giving more time to assist the others that do need the extra help. Just my opinion though.
Now that was a well thought out dissenting opinion. In my case it was one on one trainer / student ratio. I can see your point though in a class setup. I still think my idea is good though. Maybe after an instructor sees a student having a hard time, he could have them walk it through as I suggested.
A strait truck is just a big car.... It's easy. Try blind side parelell parking a big rig with only 5 feet to spare.
