BACKING RANGE HELP

[ThinkingAboutTrucking]

I can't offer anything really, except the 12 and 9 method for the alley dock. As you pull up with the parking spot on your left, try to be 15 feet in front of the spot. Pull up so that the spot is at your drive axles. When you get to that point, slowly go forward but turn the wheel all the way to the right, until the tractor is pointing at a 90 degree angle from where you started, or at the 12 o'clock position. Once you are at that point, STOP. Then, turn your wheel to the left, and keep going slowly until your cab is pointing 90 degrees from your previous position, or when you are at the 9 o'clock position. STOP. Then get out and look to see how far away you are and if you need to ajust. This should set you up for a 45 degree alley dock.

This was told to me by a friend of mine who suffered through Werner's training with me.

However, they fired me because of a poor in-cab evaluation and backing accident after the evaluation.

Backing was my toughest thing to conquer. I went to two trucking schools and forked out hundreds of dollars for extra tutoring to finally be able to back well enough to pass my CDL. Even so, I passed my CDL backing skills test with the maximum number of points. One more and I would have failed.

I'm seriously thinking of not doing trucking anymore. I'm not sure if I'm cut out for it, but with all the red flags that came up before training, during training, and while on the dedicated account I was assigned to, I'm having doubts about pursuing trucking. Maybe I'm not cut out to be a trucker.

[BigWheels]

I can't offer anything really, except the 12 and 9 method for the alley dock. As you pull up with the parking spot on your left, try to be 15 feet in front of the spot. Pull up so that the spot is at your drive axles. When you get to that point, slowly go forward but turn the wheel all the way to the right, until the tractor is pointing at a 90 degree angle from where you started, or at the 12 o'clock position. Once you are at that point, STOP. Then, turn your wheel to the left, and keep going slowly until your cab is pointing 90 degrees from your previous position, or when you are at the 9 o'clock position. STOP. Then get out and look to see how far away you are and if you need to ajust. This should set you up for a 45 degree alley dock.

This was told to me by a friend of mine who suffered through Werner's training with me.

However, they fired me because of a poor in-cab evaluation and backing accident after the evaluation.

Backing was my toughest thing to conquer. I went to two trucking schools and forked out hundreds of dollars for extra tutoring to finally be able to back well enough to pass my CDL. Even so, I passed my CDL backing skills test with the maximum number of points. One more and I would have failed.

I'm seriously thinking of not doing trucking anymore. I'm not sure if I'm cut out for it, but with all the red flags that came up before training, during training, and while on the dedicated account I was assigned to, I'm having doubts about pursuing trucking. Maybe I'm not cut out to be a trucker.

Maybe, maybe not.

We all have strengths and challenges in our driving jobs. For some of us, backing presents a challenge -- everytime.

If your desire is to drive a big rig, then keep at it. You've come this far. You even shelled out extra $$ so that you could pass your CDL driving test. And it paid off -- you passed!

How long has it been since you've passed your CDL? Sometimes it takes months before you can accurately decide on the path that is best for you.

Best in your career decision!

[Walking Eagle]

Actualy right handed drivers have to think left handed when backing so just thing normal ways and you will be fine

[Jumbo]

It will come with practice. You will get the hang of it. As soon as you do get the hang of it just watch out. There will be days you can put that truck wherever you want it and days that if there are 5 open spots side by side in a truckstop it will take you 10 times to get it in straight.

[ThinkingAboutTrucking]

Had to reply to Big Wheels. I've been applying to trucking jobs; I would hate to give up now with all the money and time I've invested in this.

I finally got my CDL July 29, 2007. This was after graduating from two schools, and spending several additional hours at the first crappy trucking school, and the second, better trucking school. The first trucking school had us do the serpentine (required by Indiana at that time) with us looking out the right side window of the truck. I realized almost at the last minute that if I wasn't testing in that truck, the window was merely a crutch, and it would be hard for me to do that skill in a different truck.

I graduated from the second trucking school in January, 2007. Indiana changed the requirements, so all I had to do was offset, parallel park and straight line back. I waited until the weather broke and started practicing again. So that's what I did until I passed, on the eighth try.

Right now, I am desperate for a job. Bill collectors hounding me, less than $100 in the bank; I'm beginning to think I don't deserve a better life; all the times I made the effort (tried beauty school, have a bachelor's degree and now have a CDL but got fired) I've failed.

[BigWheels]

Hey, whatever you do, don't give up!

Trucking may or may not be in the cards for you right now. Sounds like you need a job--any job--so that the bills can get paid. Don't stop applying to trucking companies (OTR, local), but at the same time, don't stop applying for jobs outside of the trucking industry.

I've had several experiences in my life where I failed miserably (hey--we all have). Remember -- just because you or I failed at something doesn't mean you or I am a failure. All it means that is we failed. Period.

So, take one day at a time and keep plodding ahead. Things will work out -- maybe not exactly in the way you expected -- but they will.

[Walking Eagle]

Just switch to pulling a lowboy, we very rarely have to back up