Profile For Kevin C.

Thanks. I started looking for that kind of work in my area but haven’t found much. That’s a lot more than I’m making now.

Full time dock workers at Old Dominion start at $20+ an hour. I see lots of places advertising dock/warehouse work near that pay.

No! I don’t expect a high paying job without skills or experience. But I know people making more than I do doing unskilled, manual labor. I just thought I may elicit some insight into non-driving jobs in the trucking industry but that must be too much for which to ask. I can’t help the fact that I never gained any backing skills as a driver despite my best effort. I know I’m not the most intelligent person around, but it seems that though in the minority, I’m sure I’m not the only one who has had to leave trucking simply because they couldn’t grasp backing principles. Just because someone is unable to exhibit a specific skill doesn’t necessarily mean they didn’t put their best foot forward in the learning process.

Thanks, I appreciate it. I’ve actually been driving a transit bus. Pay is lousy but I can at least keep my head above water. I’ve noticed that a lot of the jobs you mentioned require special skills of which I almost have zero. I thought maybe I could be a dock worker. Not sure what they earn, however.

Not knowing where you are (geographically), it’s tough to say. But…

If you gave up on driving seven months ago, what have you been doing since? It sounds like you’ve eliminated truck driving as one one of your strengths, since all require some backing.

I read your post last night and my first thought was what Bobcat Bob said. Trucking companies are like any other business; they have HR, sales, accounting and all kinds of other jobs. What about forklift operator? Lots of backing, but it’s not a combination vehicle.

If you’re looking to drive, what about a delivery driver of a straight truck (plants, parts, appliances, supplies, etc.)?

Much is gonna depend on where you live and I don’t know where that is.

I hope this helps.

Typically, better paying jobs do so BECAUSE they require special skills or experience. Some jobs pay better because nobody wants the job. It sounds like you want the pay without having the knowledge or experience.

You’re asking us to provide the answers to a non-trucking question.

Here’s the truth; you can go do ANYTHING you want. The question is; what are you willing to do for it?

Make a decision on what you want to do and then commit yourself COMPLETELY.

I’m actually in Athens, GA

We may be able to help you better if you filled out your location on the bio page.

Thanks, I appreciate it. I’ve actually been driving a transit bus. Pay is lousy but I can at least keep my head above water. I’ve noticed that a lot of the jobs you mentioned require special skills of which I almost have zero. I thought maybe I could be a dock worker. Not sure what they earn, however.

Not knowing where you are (geographically), it’s tough to say. But…

If you gave up on driving seven months ago, what have you been doing since? It sounds like you’ve eliminated truck driving as one one of your strengths, since all require some backing.

I read your post last night and my first thought was what Bobcat Bob said. Trucking companies are like any other business; they have HR, sales, accounting and all kinds of other jobs. What about forklift operator? Lots of backing, but it’s not a combination vehicle.

If you’re looking to drive, what about a delivery driver of a straight truck (plants, parts, appliances, supplies, etc.)?

Much is gonna depend on where you live and I don’t know where that is.

I hope this helps.

Thanks for the encouragement. It’s great to hear that you’ve improved so much. I was actually never able to successfully pull the truck to a dock while on the road. I remember there was one where I tried over an hour and I still couldn’t get it. As was the usual I let my teammate do it and she did it with no issues. So it’s not for a lack of trying on my part. Instead of improving I was getting worse. I looked like a complete idiot. Luckily, my teammate always saved me because otherwise I would have to contact dispatch and tell them that I couldn’t back it in. But im glad to hear you’re having much greater success than I. Best to you, sir!

I don’t know if Kevin is still with us, but I’m going to chime in on this anyway.

Today marked the end of 9 months driving for me, total. I’ve improved my backing a lot, but it’s still a challenge. Today, I had a delivery to Elizabeth, NJ to a facility that was a little tight but not super difficult. Backing into the dock absolutely kicked my butt. Must have done 20 pull ups while many other drivers watched me struggle. But I got it finally and I’m sure others were shaking their heads at my ineptitude. But most of the time I do okay. Sometimes I even amaze myself. It took a lot of perseverance to get to this point, and I still have a long way to go. Many are the times I was literally in tears when I finished a difficult back up, drenched in sweat. I’m so glad I didn’t give up.

Ok, Anne, “If you don’t give up and you don’t give out, you may just be alright.” What song?

That’s awesome, man! I’m happy to hear of your success in CDL school. I actually struggled in CDL school. I started driving a manual and after I couldn’t get the hang of it, my instructor suggested I switch to automatic. I appreciate your advice and your story but at this point I think I’m a lost cause and that’s ok as I’ve come to accept that fact. Best of luck in your training and I’m sure you’ll be a successful driver!

Dude I swear to god if I can learn to back, you can as well. I actually learned to back when I was a wheel lift operator for AAA.

When I started at AAA 6 years ago, I had the same mentality. I loved the job but couldn't back cars into spots. I got hard on myself and told myself that I couldn't do it.

Fortunately, years later, I am now impressing my instructors at CDL school with my backing.

The best advice that was ever given to me is steer TOWARDS your problem in the mirrors, and just get loosen up your hands. Remember that you want to SET the angle and then chase. Stick, move, and reset your wheel. Don't leave your wheel turned or the trailer will get away from you and you won't be able to get the tractor back infront of it.

If you give it time, I promise a light bulb will go off.

Hi. I was able to obtain a CDL since we practiced on the testing course and we were shown exactly how to set up for the final maneuvers. So basically, it was just a matter of memorizing the steps. Of course backing elsewhere is completely different. I even hired someone to help me privately, one-on-one but to no avail. In all honesty, I realize I have no business trying to back a truck anywhere. Lol I just thought a non-driving job would allow me to stay in the industry since I really liked all aspects of being OTR.

Kevin, so HOW did you even get a CDL, since the final test anywhere usually involves at LEAST 1 form of backing?? Either a 90 degree, 45 degree, offset, or parallel, etc.... Backing doesn't always come right away, it requires LOTS of practice, more for some, or less......Even me some days/nights I could slide in very tight spots, and some days I couldn't back a lick with plenty of space to do so, without adjustments to my set ups

I actually returned to driving a city/campus bus as I had a Class B before I got the Class A. Not my ideal job and the pay is lousy but at least I can do it. I tried one last time to get a job driving a truck solo but I failed the driving test. That was definitely the last straw and I will never try trucking again. Even the tester told me to stay away from trucking. I really admire you guys who can drive so well. It’s indeed a special talent.

Thanks for all the advice. However, I’ve decided to hang it up. I seem to be only getting worse. I spent 35 mins trying to back a few days ago to a door and I only ended up in a worse spot than when I started. I have to say it was fun while it lasted. Best of luck to all you guys out there!

Kevin have you considered using your CDL for other employment? A big advantage of a CDL is there is so many jobs out there that require a CDL. Garbage collection, snow removal (if applicable) dump trucks, mixer trucks and much much more.

Hi. I drove team for four months and found it quite challenging. Mostly, I found out I couldn’t back and always had to wake my teammate to back into a dock. I practiced for quite sometime on my backing skills but just can’t do it. I tried getting another job as a solo driver but failed their driving test. The tester told me it was probably best if I didn’t pursue any driving jobs anymore for my own good. My question is whether there are any non-driving jobs in the trucking industry that I could do?

Thanks for all the advice. However, I’ve decided to hang it up. I seem to be only getting worse. I spent 35 mins trying to back a few days ago to a door and I only ended up in a worse spot than when I started. I have to say it was fun while it lasted. Best of luck to all you guys out there!