Roehl Driver Check In Continued

Yep, which can be about 120 miles a week up to around 6000 miles a year. I don't use cruise either.

 

Made it home for my little girl's b-day. Got in before they made it home. Had a day of *bleep* a few days back. Got sent to wrong store location, rerouted to right store and made possibly one of the biggest mistakes of my life. I've grown from it, but it's costing me. Was doing fantastic as a "Green Horn" but in one quick flash of jade from those horns, I made a classic newb mistake. On a straight back, I caught part of the truck on a yellow bumper pole and damaged the truck. Well, it shoulda been a straight back; but I'm the one to blame. I screwed up. I can look at the bright side, but in the end; I messed up. I'll be beating myself up for a long time over it. Went through the routine of calls and documentation. Maint. in Gary tells me truck probably won't be fixed. I'm fine with that. It's drive-able, safe, and legit still (damage relatively minor).

Just mentally prepping myself for the "Close Quarters Training" that is a relatively minor thing considering what I actually deserve. If it was me, I would have fired myself--but then I'm a hard *bleep* and would be a horrible boss.

Have to make this up to those who are showing me mercy someday.

At the very least, I made sure all the stops were made on time and the delivery was early. That's the best ending I could make out of the very bad day.

 

I use it when I'm dealing with that tedious construction zone around the Chicago corridor they like making us run to head to WI. Other than that, no cruise. I like having full control, if possible.

 

I've had more than one close call DS. I still get out and look, I still go slow through the process. Backing is a dangerous business with these trucks. LOL it's a pole and some truck trim...no one hurt. Life goes on, don't be too hard on yourself but as I'm sure you have learn from the experience.

I'm home too, let me know if you want to grab some wings at bw3...u have my number i think.

 

Yep. Got your number. Got till 5am Halloween. Might be free tomorrow. Kids and celebrating today.
It actually ripped a piece of fiberglass from under the headlight 1" x 10" off. I bent the bumper framing back into alignment and resecurred it using original strap.

If your up to it, will give a shout tomorrow.

 

Sorry to hear that about the truck damage. What part got it? Tractor, trailer? At least you didn't knock one of the doors off. That's why I like to take a look at some loading docks that have the extra large curtain around the door, as they frequently hide a not so friendly steel protrusion in there that will rip a door off if over just a little too far.

Kardolmer showed me pics of one that he had to go pick up with the door only hanging by one hinge.

 

Tractor, front. Was solely focused on lining up and missing two class "B" trucks parked around the object the poles were protecting. They were short, so I never spotted them from cab. Yes I know, GOAL. I "GOAL" regularly and had just done it like 20x on a blind side-offset-building dock. Was going to nail that one perfectly, till the customer informed me, I was at the wrong location. Aborted and went to right local.

Anyway, I lined up, was making the final course corrects for tractor to follow trailer, as just cleared the class b's and then crunch. I was moving less than 1mph, so soon as the crunch started I stopped. Still was too late. But didn't rip any parts off--but a piece of fiberglass.

ON the very next dock, I had a similar situation. Though this was a yard truck parked in a bad location at the consignee. I lined up, looked at it. GOAL'd. Then went back inside and informed the manager (who I just spoke to and was told by, which dock to put the trailer) that I wouldn't be able to safely back the trailer into that dock unless the yard truck was moved. Would he like me to back into the next dock, or move the truck. He went out and moved the truck and I safely backed in. Then we joked around and he went and found me and MT for me. He seemed like a very nice guy.

 

Hopefully they'll fix it for you so you don't have to drive around with that.

I once had my mirror grazed by a Werner driver while sitting at a dock and she had things duct taped on all over the place on her truck. She was really moving fast as she pulled up and backed in again. When I confronted her about hitting my mirror she acted like it was no big deal. As long as you don't get like that and think these things are normal, then you are doing well. Also, no other trucks involved, no injuries and not getting fired are pluses.

 

I'm fine either way. Truck's got the nickname "Scar Face" now. LOL. But joking aside. I was most surprised I was allowed to continue working. They had me finish the load and then sent me on two more. I was expecting get your butt to Gary, get in car go home, come back to test at your own exp.

 

That's the thing with an 80,000 pound vehicle. All you have to do is be moving, it doesn't matter the speed, if you are moving there will be damage. I don't even know why they call that thing on the front a bumper any more, as it won't handle any bumping.

There's a ratty old truck stop near one of the reefer customers, I think it's in OH (wish I could remember) but anyway, they have a dirt berm on the edge of the lot that looks like you can pull up to it and even on it a bit due to all the tire tracks, but nearly every time I was there I saw at least one truck with a freshly pushed in bumper. One of them was even a very nicely appointed long nose Pete.