Some Questions For Any/All New[er] Drivers

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by STexan, Mar 16, 2016.

  1. STexan

    STexan Road Train Member

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    Oct 3, 2011
    Longview, TX
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    Regarding backing proficiency:

    Overall, currently, are you satisfied with your backing skills currently and/or are you satisfied with your weekly improvement (backing skills) in your first weeks and months as a trainee or new solo driver?

    Do you feel like you received adequate backing instruction and practice at your primary CDL school?

    If you've made it to/through an apprentice position (trainee), do you feel like your trainer was helpful to further sharpen your backing skills?

    If you are not comfortable with your backing skills and you are now solo, what do you feel you need to improve your backing skills?
    • more time/experience?
    • better training from one who is experienced or a better teacher?
    • more repetition?
    • to reset and develop a new mindset about backing and setups?
    • etc , etc (provide any input that describes your POV)

    Also:

    Are you satisfied overall with your CDL school or Carrier Training Program experience and do you feel you were adequately prepared to begin your journey to become a professional truck driver?

    Are there other areas of trucking skills, and life, you have discovered since being in the real world that you feel were not adequately covered in school or by your trainer(s)? What do you wish someone would have impressed on you early on in the schooling or recruitment process that might have saved you some later grief?

    Thanks in advance for any responses. I'm looking into some ideas and these responses may help me refine my decisions.
     
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  3. Wheeler0811

    Wheeler0811 Light Load Member

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    Madison, GA
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    First thing I try do is find a good song on the radio and turn it up loud!!! Then I like to call someone to let them know I'm gonna be parking soon (while keep the radio up loud so I gotta tell)!!!! Then I light a cigarette.

    I'm now set up...
     
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  4. Wheeler0811

    Wheeler0811 Light Load Member

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    Dec 27, 2014
    Madison, GA
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    And I didn't learn anything riding with my trainer. I started learning the day I got in a cab by myself. All I did with my trainer is knock down miles for him.
     
  5. LumbraX

    LumbraX Medium Load Member

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    Sep 12, 2015
    Orlando, FL
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    You might be joking... But thats exactly how I back into almost all spots. It's relaxing to me...
     
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  6. LumbraX

    LumbraX Medium Load Member

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    Orlando, FL
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    I do shutoff the CB though. There's always some clown yelling "stop stop" when you know you're not about to hit anything.
     
  7. VA CDL Holder

    VA CDL Holder Medium Load Member

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    My mentor was an owner operator with Swift and he has not into letting me practice my backing. The only backing practice I got was an actual pickup or delivery and nothing else. It costs an owner op time and money for a student to practice, so most of them are not going to do it.

    When I was upgraded to solo, I voiced this concern to the Driver Development people, but I'm sure nothing has changed. Driving flatbed means not being able to pivot a spread axle on a dime, so I'm picky about where I park and how much room I will need.

    Every backing situation is different, but I always try to make it easy on myself. I'm the guy who will walk an extra 3 minutes just to NOT have to deal with tight parking by going to the back of the truck stop lot.
     
  8. RoadRooster

    RoadRooster Road Train Member

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    May 10, 2015
    Fort Myers, Florida
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    Walking, that's crazy talk!

    Seriously, one of the best pieces of advice I have ever read on here. I am betting you don't have diabetes or high blood pressure either...just a hunch.
     
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  9. TripleSix

    TripleSix God of Roads

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    Apr 10, 2009
    Copied in Hell
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    (slight threadjack)

    Are you runing the triangle (SC-IN, IN/IL/IA-TX, TX-SC)
     
  10. VA CDL Holder

    VA CDL Holder Medium Load Member

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    Not anymore, I turned in the truck lasy year. Had enough of the short trips and all the crap that goes with them. Done with Swift forever.
     
    roadmap65 Thanks this.
  11. dca

    dca Road Train Member

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    May 31, 2011
    Earth
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    With the amount of time given per trainee and if we were to start from the beginning. each will back in some where between 50 to 70 times from start to finish . all backs are logged.

    80 is my goal. is it enough?
     
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