primitives discuss truckers backing up; rsmithnumbers doesn't make an appearance

[BattleHymn]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1018897199


Well, which kind of trucker do you want?  The kind that can back up, like Tobin, but can't hold down a job, or one like rsmithnumbers who can't back up?

Thu Sep 29, 2016, 02:13 PM
NobodyHere (1,926 posts)

Any truckers out there?

I'm thinking of getting into the trucking field and need advice on picking a good school. Does anyone have advice on how to pick a school? Can anyone recommend a good school (I live in the Toledo Ohio area)? Any thoughts of the industry in general?

Thanks in advance!

Thu Sep 29, 2016, 02:32 PM
irisblue (6,391 posts)
1. PM Tobin

He has been a trucker for a while now.

Or not.

Thu Sep 29, 2016, 03:32 PM
irisblue (6,391 posts)
3. Tobin is in the Lounge, I'm sure he will see this.

My ex went to trucking school in the 80s, I remember alot of complaints about learning how to back up a 2 trailer truck.

Thu Sep 29, 2016, 05:03 PM
JonLP24 (19,247 posts)
7. Backing a trailer is difficult as hell

You turn left to move the trailer right or vice versa, you make small turns and minor corrections but I've seen a pro do it fast.

Sat Oct 1, 2016, 10:52 AM
Star Member A HERETIC I AM (16,169 posts)
25. Not really. It's just something you get used to.

But truthfully, there are guys out there with 20 years + experience that can't back up to save their lives!

When I first started I was "bumping docks" 20 to 30 times a day, so I got pretty good at it.

It's a piece of cake if you understand certain fundamentals.

Sat Oct 1, 2016, 12:06 PM
JonLP24 (19,247 posts)
26. It was hit or miss for me

In training I backed up easily the first-time but the 2nd time I was lost. Trying to backup into little cones I ended up in a 45 angle (lost my sense of direction). I didn't have many opportunities to backup, we normally just drove them forward. 99% of the time we had shipping containers that was lifted or put on the truck, never had to backup into loading docks or anything like that.

Sat Oct 1, 2016, 12:08 PM
Star Member A HERETIC I AM (16,169 posts)
27. Like a lot of things, practice makes perfect!

If you don't do it very often then it is understandable you might have difficulty.

Yeah, like thinking. 

Sat Oct 1, 2016, 12:57 PM
JonLP24 (19,247 posts)
28. I haven't driven since 2008

I was an 88M for the Army, I recall many people struggled backing up except for the driver/trainers. Outside of deployment we rarely drove the trucks (Freightliners M915) so we never really had opportunities to practice. After AIT the first-time I drove was in Kuwait/Iraq. Stateside we mostly kick rocks at the motor pool.

Thu Sep 29, 2016, 04:59 PM
JonLP24 (19,247 posts)
6. I don't know if they're in your area

But there is Swift Transportation who send you to school & cover the cost then take it out of your check over the first year. Not a bad deal, a few others are like that.

I couldn't recommend schools as I learned to drive in the Army and never had the desire to pursue a career in the industry. There is quite a demand for drivers so I'd explore options.

SWIFT?  You're recommending someone start with SWIFT?  You really ARE a DUmmie.

Thu Sep 29, 2016, 06:03 PM
Hayduke Bomgarte (904 posts)
8. I have a nephew who, just a few years ago

Checked into getting a "free" CDL instead of paying for a school. Swift was one of those he communicated with. Of the big companies who who have their own school, Swift being one of them. They all require you to work exclusively for them, for a year, while paying you as little as 23 cents per mile. One year of near slavery. Not repayment through payroll deductions. Unless they have changed terms during the past couple years. If you leave early you are legally bound to , THEN, repay them.

It was explained to my nephew that the cost would be comparable to trucking school, split into 12 for the months of the year you owe them. Leave in 6 months, you owe half, and so on.

It is, in fact, a bad deal. Under the conditions and guide lines OTR driver are required to operate within, it's a very lucky newbie that will rack up 1600-1800 miles in a week. Times 23 cents and essentially eating out 2-3 times a day doesn't leave much after expenses. As in 1800 miles= $414- taxes- expenses

The prospect of being out on the road for weeks at a time, at those costs, and the real likelihood of not being able to afford his own place to come home to, put him off OTR trucking.

He went to work operating a loader at a gravel pit and is much better off. Makes the same amount every friday. Sleeps and eats at home.

The best offer he could find, among the big firms was 28 cents per mile from Prime Inc.

At least this DUmmie has its head screwed on straight on this issue.

Thu Sep 29, 2016, 07:39 PM
JonLP24 (19,247 posts)
9. Thanks

If I got into trucking Swift was the company I was going to get into but they didn't want me because THC was my reason for discharge (I used my Army record for experience). There was another one that did but I forgot the name(they were a big firm as well) and never followed up on them. I guess it was a blessing in disguise.

 

[Ken8521]

I dunno, if you're in a situation where you can make it on about $500 a week, Swift can work.. it's just not easy.  A friend's son used them them to get his CDL after a few dead end jobs when he got out of HS.  He looked at a few other companies and while they paid a bit more, their schools were considerably more expensive and was deducted from his check each week.  One required a fair amount for a down payment since he had no credit.. so it really ended up a wash.

He'll freely tell you the first year, he wondered what the heck he got himself into, but chose not to quit as he liked the job, just not the company.  He was fortunate and lived w/ his parents so the fact he was making slave wages.. while not ideal.. he was able to make it work.  To me, this isn't a whole lot different than a kid living at home while going to college.  I was over visiting and he was just about to hit his year, and he was telling me he was talking to recruiters, sending out his resume, applications, nonstop so the day he hit his year, he could quit.

Last I talked to him, he was working for a local place and seemed pretty happy with it.

[catsmtrods]

Seems to me if you need school to learn to drive you don't belong behind the wheel. I drove everything I could get my hands on my entire life then when in 12B10 AIT in the Army they asked who wants to drive a truck and I raised my hand. That was all you had to do in the Army in those days. Of course if it turned out you couldn't drive you didn't get the license. Took the license to the private sector and started my career delivering oil. That turned into my HVAC career. Dummies resist work their whole lives and then need school? 

[SVPete]

Thu Sep 29, 2016, 07:39 PM
JonLP24 (19,247 posts)
9. Thanks

If I got into trucking Swift was the company I was going to get into but they didn't want me because THC was my reason for discharge (I used my Army record for experience).

A question for vets, is "THC" a special term used in the military, or is he sidestepping saying that he got kicked out for marijuana/ hash/etc. use?

[catsmtrods]

A question for vets, is "THC" a special term used in the military, or is he sidestepping saying that he got kicked out for marijuana/ hash/etc. use?

No term I know of but I only spent 2 years in? Most likely he failed the drug test. One has to wonder then why Dummies want to be truck drivers when they will be subject to random tests? Wonder if they know that?

[zeitgeist]

Well I am guessing it is a tongue in cheek comment but NHSparky or other former recruiters would probably have a better idea of those codes.  For reference sake the following site has a list:

https://www.thebalance.com/military-separation-codes-3356946

[SVPete]

  "TCC - See LCC"

Welcome to Acronymia!

[jukin]

I don't think you can back up two trailers. Could be wrong because it is hard for me to back up my boat trailer. Pretty sure you have to use pull throughs but In this area, I'm close to as clueless as a DUchebag in how to tie shoes.

[franksolich]

I don't think you can back up two trailers.

One can; they do it around here all the time.

However, one needs lots and lots of room, and while other places don't have it, Nebraska's got lots and lots of room for such vehicular gymnastics.

[I_B_Perky]

I don't think you can back up two trailers. Could be wrong because it is hard for me to back up my boat trailer. Pretty sure you have to use pull throughs but In this area, I'm close to as clueless as a DUchebag in how to tie shoes.

I've seen it.  It was a straight back up though... no turns.  Plenty of room.  I sure as hell would not want to be the driver if there were turns in a tight place.  Diesel Driver would be the guy to ask if it common. 

<<< would never get behind the wheel of a semi if you paid me 

[zeitgeist]

I just did 1500 mi in the motor home (diesel pusher) with a four down tow.  Backing up is not an option, more of a last resort.  I did have one occasion where I had to back a very small distance to make a turn. Note: I had spent plenty of time backing a regular tow trailer this summer preparing for my move south; it is not the same as trying to back a car with four wheels down on a flat hitch. (aka tow bar)

I did a fair amount of yard work with a spotting tractor in my youth while working for my Uncle Sam.  The big trick to that as I recall was:  Drop the landing gear, release the fifth wheel, and don't forget the damn glad hands!  (air line connection)  A spotting tractor is meant for moving trailers in a terminal setting so is not quite as powerful as an over the road tractor nor does it have any luxuries like a sleeper cab or extra tanks.  The longest road trip I ever made with it was about sixty miles hauling a reefer.

For what it is worth I had a very uneventful trip south The ride and effort involved is not the same as in a car.  You work all the time with a big vehicle and tow.  I did a drag and tag, with m/zeit alternatively taking point or drag in her car. My rear camera is solely for the tow vehicle observation, all the rest of traffic is seen in the mirrors.  On and off ramps can be a thrill.   People are absolutely clueless about driving on freeways.   If you can't see me in the mirror as the saying goes I cannot see you. 

As a side note, there are lots of people driving motor homes who really should be in nursing homes.   Ditto tow travel and fifth wheel trailers.

[FaC]

<...>
As a side note, there are lots of people driving motor homes who really should be in nursing homes.   Ditto tow travel and fifth wheel trailers.

Add U-Haul trucks to the list of vehicles with mostly unqualified drivers.

[nomad54]

I don't think you can back up two trailers. Could be wrong because it is hard for me to back up my boat trailer. Pretty sure you have to use pull throughs but In this area, I'm close to as clueless as a DUchebag in how to tie shoes.

Spent a couple years OTR before getting married, backing doubles can be done and is done all the time. 
Seems weird to most people, but the longer the trailers, the easier they are to back.  Would rather back 53 footers than pups any day.
Always thought it would be fun to drive one of the road trains in Australia.

[landofconfusion80]

I don't think you can back up two trailers. Could be wrong because it is hard for me to back up my boat trailer. Pretty sure you have to use pull throughs but In this area, I'm close to as clueless as a DUchebag in how to tie shoes.

My uncle drove coal trucks for years. We asked him how you back the doubles up once. He said "you dont"   impressed that others here can do it

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk