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Released on my own after 3 days with a trainer... I'm having one problem

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by BigD09, Apr 14, 2013.

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  1. Apr 14, 2013 #1
    BigD09

    BigD09 Light Load Member

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    I posted about 2 weeks back about getting hired by a company right out of school that usually doesn't take newbies... I had a good recommendation and took a driving test and got hired. Well I was with a "trainer" for 3 days and the guy had driven 35 years. He told me my driving ability was there and I've been doing local runs for right now. Then eventually out of state runs. It seems I can back into the craziest spots and never have to pull forward once. Somehow i get it perfect the first go. But when i go to a distro center I have trouble! The distro centers with wide open lots and painted lines to the dock. I don't know why this is more difficult but it is. Anyone else ever have this problem?
     
    BigD09, Apr 14, 2013
    BigD09, Apr 14, 2013
    #1
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  3. Apr 14, 2013 #2
    jbee

    jbee Medium Load Member

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    Only 3 days with a trainer? Seriously?

    Not knocking you or anything, but the problem you're now having could have been easily addressed by having the trainer-still there with you.

    With that aside, how do you frame the other backing events mentally? If you can do it in (Your words) the craziest of spots, just reference the dock areas as a "Crazy Spot" and try to apply the same dynamics you have been successful using elsewhere.

    Sometimes when you play that mental mind game with yourself, and feel defeated before you ever begin, it will beat you each and every time.
     
    jbee, Apr 14, 2013
    jbee, Apr 14, 2013
    #2
    Driver of the year, The Challenger, bullhaulerswife and 2 others Thank this.
  4. Apr 14, 2013 #3
    heavyhaulerss

    heavyhaulerss Road Train Member

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    close quarters corral you in better than a wide open area, sometimes.
     
    heavyhaulerss, Apr 14, 2013
    heavyhaulerss, Apr 14, 2013
    #3
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  5. Apr 14, 2013 #4
    BigD09

    BigD09 Light Load Member

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    Well I've had to back down alley ways and going around dumpsters, parked cars, etc at the same. I've been down little subdivision roads and having to back off them into docks that can barely fit into. But when I have open space and lines to guide me I seem to come in crooked and I get frustrated because its embarrassing to me. The places i go that are hard to back into, the recieving warehouse guys can't believe I'm new and got in there so good. Maybe I'm just over thinking but i gets me frustrated then i can't think of what i need to do
     
    BigD09, Apr 14, 2013
    BigD09, Apr 14, 2013
    #4
  7. Apr 14, 2013 #5
    passport220

    passport220 Road Train Member

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    Des Moines, IA
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    1.Humble Brag

    When you, usually consciously, try to get away with bragging about yourself by couching it in a phony show of humility.
     
    passport220, Apr 14, 2013
    passport220, Apr 14, 2013
    #5
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  8. Apr 14, 2013 #6
    chemsoldier1

    chemsoldier1 Medium Load Member

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    Lufkin, TX
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    Its funny you mention this......but I can easily back into a dock, safely, in the most crowded warehouses. Yet when I go park on the back 40 at truck stop early in the day, when its wide open, it seems to take me 10 mnutes to get backed into a spot with nobody else around. Its like I can't seem to get the truck backed in straight the first time when I have no obstacles to manuever around. I've never quite understood it.
     
    chemsoldier1, Apr 14, 2013
    chemsoldier1, Apr 14, 2013
    #6
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  9. Apr 14, 2013 #7
    BigD09

    BigD09 Light Load Member

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    Humble brag? I am having trouble backing into an open space with lines to guide me..... yeah that's definitely bragging! Lol I'll "thank" your post :)
     
    BigD09, Apr 14, 2013
    BigD09, Apr 14, 2013
    #7
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  10. Apr 14, 2013 #8
    BigD09

    BigD09 Light Load Member

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    Yeah I don't know myself. Maybe its because I'm more relaxed and not concentrated or something. Like a guy said earlier, maybe the obstacles help keep me close and guide me in... I just need to get it down pat because i know the guys inside are just watching me screw up over and over.
     
    BigD09, Apr 14, 2013
    BigD09, Apr 14, 2013
    #8
  11. Apr 14, 2013 #9
    passport220

    passport220 Road Train Member

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    Des Moines, IA
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    ^ Thanks for being a good sport. I posted that just for fun. FYI, my road trainer in CDL school with 35 years of trucking experience had the same problem as you.
     
    passport220, Apr 14, 2013
    passport220, Apr 14, 2013
    #9
  12. Apr 14, 2013 #10
    25(2)+2

    25(2)+2 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    I did off road loading in the dark with spreads for several years, mixed with some 53' to various venues mostly in Chicago. The spreads backing doesn't help backing a normal closed tandem on a good surface.


    With plenty of room, you set-up the back, get in position and follow the trailer in instead of winging it in, many can't wing it to save their life, so you are one up on them.


    There were a bunch of videos that have been posted(the links) on this site, check You-tube for backing a tractor trailer. They have them for shifting various transmissions as well. good luck. Basically you drive along the row and turn away from it just when the back of the sleeper clears the spot you want and then turning back to where you can see the tail end of the trailer from your driver's side mirror, but that is simplified.

    I went out with a trainer for one day in his truck and he drove, I was on my own after that, and the offroad stuff was always a phonecall at first telling me where to go to load but not when, and then having to back into a poorly maintained building in the dark when I got back.Luckily, I didn't wreck things backing in the dark.

    It's not just a job, it's an adventure.
     
    25(2)+2, Apr 14, 2013
    25(2)+2, Apr 14, 2013
    #10
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